Palais Saint-Rosel.
In an elegantly furnished parlor, Manny and Anna sat by a white porcelain tea table, absently stirring their cold coffee with spoons. Their absent gazes hardly noticed, as both seemed lost in thought, the faces in their minds gradually merging.
"Um... Your Highness, you've added four sugars already."
Just as Anna habitually reached for another sugar cube, Manny snapped back to reality and warned her.
"Huh?"
Anna blinked, staring at her cold coffee and sighing helplessly. "I've been so restless lately."
"Thinking about Rick?"
"Aren't you too?" Anna suddenly eyed Manny's equally cold, untouched coffee.
"He's the first friend I can approach easily, someone I can rely on."
"True, he is reliable." Anna's mind flashed back to the desert, where the skinny Rick had dragged her and Lav across thousands of miles of sand, a blush rising to her cheeks.
Seeing Anna's expression, Manny asked enviously, "You have many memories with Rick?"
"Not really. We've only known each other a few months, but... it feels like a dream." Anna rubbed her brow, facing Manny's confused look. "You might not believe it, but just months ago, I was a penniless lizard hunter in Benning Town. If not for picking up Uncle Lant, I'd still be a third-rate hunter struggling to eat."
"But now you're a princess."
"Exactly, which is why it feels like a dream. Every morning when the sun rises, I pray before opening my eyes—pray it's not a dream, that I'm still in a soft bed, and that when I wake, I'll see the maids preparing elegant gowns, not... not my shabby hut in Benning Town and self-sewn leather clothes." Anna smiled at Manny's astonished face. "Surprised?"
"Yes," Manny nodded frankly.
"Before, there was another girl by Rick's side—noble-born, knowledgeable. I envied her natural right to everyone's care, but... I never thought my birth would be nobler than hers."
"Um..." Manny hesitated, then blurted out, unable to contain her curiosity. "Forgive my boldness, but your background is incredible. Are you truly Lord Arthur's daughter?"
"I don't know." Instead of anger, Anna looked lost. "My parents left when I was young. Though memories are fuzzy, I... I remember my father didn't look like Arthur."
"What? Then you—" Manny gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.
"Are you calling me a fraud?"
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant." Manny hurriedly waved her hands.
"I think Lord Arthur knows the truth. He has no offspring and once felt ashamed that the Tanzan royal bloodline would end with him." Anna pulled out a delicate mayfly necklace from her neck. "This is the Tanzan royal seal, proof of bloodline. In my memory, my mother wasn't Arthur's wife—her hair was brown, while mine is red. I believe she was a blood heir of the Tanzan royals, passing that lineage to me. So I'm not Arthur's daughter, just a surviving Tanzan royal descendant."
"Does Lord Arthur know?"
"I tried to tell him, but he stopped me before I could speak. From his eyes, I know he's aware of my true identity."
"Then why—"
"Maybe because I'm the only surviving Tanzan royal. My appearance gave Arthur hope to continue the bloodline. That's why he's eager to claim me as his daughter... But it torments me. I once longed for nobility like Lav, but now I realize it's not what I want. I don't belong here, in this princess's room, in this grand Palais Saint-Rosel, or as someone only existing to continue a bloodline."
Manny heard Anna's inner conflict. It was the human dilemma: craving wealth in freedom, then yearning for freedom in wealth.
"Maybe His Majesty isn't as you think. Perhaps it's just your assumption. I think... you're overthinking."
"Am I?" Anna smiled bitterly. "The real reasons I wanted you to stay are twofold: Rick, and my loneliness here. I fear Arthur might suddenly betroth me to someone, turning me into a breeding sow. I need someone to talk to, but... ever since Rick stayed by your side, he's ignored me."
Is that why she's been pranking everyone?
Manny looked at Anna in surprise, finally understanding. She too had been lonely, once teasing her busy father to get attention. Manny knew it all too well.
"Sorry."
"I don't blame you. I just—"
As the two girls opened up and gained each other's trust, a maid knocked respectfully.
"Your Highness, Lady Manny. His Majesty sent me to announce Mr. Rick has returned."
"He's back!"
Anna and Manny stood in delight. Just as they were about to rush out, Anna smiled slyly at Manny in her wheelchair. "Our conversation is a secret, right?"
"Right." Manny smiled, holding out her pinky.
Anna and Manny exchanged a knowing smile, secretly hooking their pinkies before Anna pushed Manny's wheelchair out of the parlor.
Rick was received by Lord Arthur at Palais Saint-Rosel. After recounting his clash with Callan, he prepared to take Manny away as agreed.
Outside the palace gates, Anna blocked Rick, fuming. "Why didn't you say a word to me when you saw me earlier?"
"I had more important matters to discuss with His Majesty." Rick scratched his head in confusion.
"Liar! You ignored me on purpose!" Anna flailed her arms at him.
"Hey now—"
Just as Rick grew irritated, a palace guard approached. "His Majesty requests the princess return immediately."
"Now? So urgent?" Anna swallowed her anger and turned.
"Yes, please follow me." The guard bowed slightly.
"Fine, I'll settle this later!" Anna shook her fist at Rick before reluctantly boarding an insect-drawn carriage.
Watching Anna leave, Manny gently touched Rick's hand. "Miss Anna cares about you. Don't you want to chase after her and say something?"
"She's too hot-tempered. This is Palais Saint-Rosel—I don't want her old man to kill me. But..." Rick rubbed his chin. "I'll visit in a few days when she calms down. She helped a lot with your stay here."
"When did you get so thoughtful?" Manny smiled.
"Eh?" Rick blinked—Manny had never teased him like this before. Seeing her happy smile, he scratched his head sheepishly. "That's all thanks to you."
"Suck-up!"
Returning to the Pai Mansion after a long absence.
Gria and his entourage grandly welcomed Manny's return as the mistress. Since Manny had successfully secured Lord Arthur's explicit support, fulfilling the purpose of her visit, this homecoming felt more like a victory celebration.
As per Gria's arrangements, the official celebration would be held tomorrow, but tonight, Manny began packing for her next destination—the next city where she might gain support.
In Gria's office, Rick was astonished by the news.
"Manny is leaving?" Rick was so agitated he nearly pounced on Gria.
Gria couldn't fathom Rick's outburst, eyeing him in confusion. "Of course. Ison City is just one stop on Manny's itinerary. She has many cities to visit. Only with more city lords' support can she truly secure the Merchant Guild Master's seat."
"But... the danger hasn't passed. The Thorntons may have lost their mission leader, but what if they send another wave?" Rick pressed.
"That's beyond our control." Gria sighed. "Our duty is to protect Lady Manny in Ison City. For the rest... we must leave it to fate."
"Leave it to fate!"
Rick roared, smashing the table in front of Gria. He roared with red eyes, "Is that your attitude? After vowing to protect her, will you just watch her face danger alone?"
"What else can I do?" Gria snapped, standing to glare at Rick. "Don't you think I want to? But I'm just the Pai Mansion's steward. My authority is limited to this mansion. As for Manny? I can't ask her to stay. She has more important matters. Her destiny isn't mine to decide!"
"But... you should at least let her stay a few more days. The counter-assassination against Callan felt odd—they seemed to know we were coming. Our plan must have been leaked. There must be a mole here. We need to find them so Manny can leave safely!" Rick argued frantically.
"A mole? There are moles everywhere, but I don't believe in the one you describe." Gria looked at Rick. "Besides me, only your assassin friend Shust knew your plan. If there is a mole, it must be among us three. Shust killed Callan, so he's likely innocent. That leaves me.
Rick shook his head with a bitter smile, wrenching his hand free from Gria's grasp and striding out of the office.
Head bowed, Rick wandered listlessly through the bustling street, lost in a fog.
Manny was leaving—something Rick couldn't accept. Though they'd known each other a short time, he suddenly longed to keep her by his side. He'd even considered accompanying her, but thinking of Anna and Lav, who'd promised to meet him here, he forced down the tempting thought.
"What's wrong with me? Am I really such a womanizer? Didn't I swear to love only Lav?"
Countless doubts raced through Rick's mind. Confronting his feelings, he realized the truth: despite denial, he was indeed promiscuous. The thought of losing any of the three girls was unbearable.
"So this is who I am."
"But... I have no chance with any of them. They're all highborn, while I'm just a pawn in the powerfuls' hands. Hell, I don't even know how long I'll live or if I'm still human. How can someone like me deserve happiness? Maybe this is just a toad's wish."
Chuckling self-deprecatingly, Rick looked up to find the crowded pedestrians and bustling scenery gone. Unconsciously, he'd wandered to Palais Saint-Rosel.
"What am I doing here? Looking for Anna?"
Spotting guards approaching, Rick turned to leave, but hesitated and faced them.
"I'm here to see that old codger Arthur," he told himself. The last time he felt this low, drinking with the old man had helped. Maybe it would work again.
Requesting to enter the palace to drink with Lord Arthur—likely the first such absurd request in a century. But Rick wasn't joking, and guards couldn't dismiss it. Everyone in Ison City knew Rick was the prime prince-consort candidate and Arthur's friend. Denying him would be madness.
As expected, Arthur laughed and cursed before admitting him, preparing to receive this impolite youngster in the palace's ancient library.
Dazed, Rick followed attendants through labyrinthine corridors until they reached a five-meter-tall grand archway.
"Enter, lad. I've waited long enough," Arthur's voice called from within.
Guards bowed away, leaving Rick alone. He hesitated, then pushed the door.
Stepping inside, Rick froze at the familiar scene—it mirrored the library in Tanzan City.
"Well? Not bad, eh? My library's the most complete in the world, no exaggeration!" Arthur stroked his white beard, emerging from behind the shelves with pride.
"Maybe."
Rick's response was clearly half-hearted. Though he'd seen far more books in the underground Tanzan City, he couldn't hide his amazement at Arthur's library. "So many books. You must have read them all."
In the past, Rick would never have believed anyone could finish such a vast collection, but after witnessing Lav's prodigious reading ability, he knew there was always someone better. Given Arthur's age and reputation, it seemed plausible.
"Haha, ashamed to say, it's just a hobby. Nothing special."
Arthur's wrinkled face flushed slightly. Though titled "Great Lord," he wasn't an emperor or an insect expert like Lav. Born a simple insect hunter, he excelled in combat, not reading. Despite his scholarly pretense, anyone who knew him knew these books were mostly for show—he only tolerated texts on body techniques, anything else gave him headaches.
"Ah, right. You've been to the legendary Tanzan City, haven't you? My naughty little girl told me all about it." When mentioning Tanzan City, Rick noticed a subtle shift in Arthur's tone.
"Yeah, it's a great place, full of wonders..." Rick replied casually, too preoccupied to chat.
"Sigh, shameful as it is, though I'm a descendant of the Tanzan royal family, I never saw that dream city. Ironic!" Arthur lamented, his spirited expression fading into profound loneliness and resignation.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Arthur changed the subject. "Come on, lad. You didn't visit me this late just for small talk. Spill it."
"Nah, nothing. Just bored and wanted to drink and chat." Rick lied.
"Just chat?" Arthur stroked his white beard, chuckling as he studied Rick. "Did you notice changes in yourself during the Callan assassination? Heh... No need to hide. I know you used a wild insect egg."
"Eh?" Rick hadn't expected Arthur to shift the topic to him. Startled that his biggest secret was exposed, Rick tensed instinctively, his body primed for combat.
"Haha, afraid I'll sell you to the Insect Association?" Arthur clapped his shoulder. "You've got luck. I haven't seen anyone survive implanting a wild egg in ages. Hmm... If you weren't somehow linked to the Tanzan royals and didn't mysteriously master their Ghost Step, I wouldn't bother with you."
"I... I..." Rick opened his mouth several times, but words caught in his throat.
Seeing Rick's plight, Arthur poured two glasses of wine, guiding him to sit by the shelves. "Tell me what you experienced, and I'll give you a choice—and reveal a secret. Deal?"