Luca didn’t seem to mind much.
But Lawson was immediately alarmed, saying, “Your Highness, this is highly improper!”
After all, Fratis was already engaged.
If word got out, it wouldn’t just harm the royal family’s and the princess’s reputations; Luca wouldn’t fare well either. Finn, her fiancé, was notorious in Dawn City for his vengeful nature.
“But I want to hear Luca tell stories…” Fratis pleaded, looking helplessly at Lawson.
“No, no, absolutely not.” Lawson shook his head vigorously, adamant that they couldn’t ride alone in the same carriage. He looked just short of kneeling in protest.
After several minutes of back and forth.
The luxurious carriage interior gained an extra passenger: a white-haired, rather agitated elder.
Lawson sat stiffly, watching the two inside the carriage like a hawk.
Even Luca began to feel a bit awkward under Lawson’s intense scrutiny.
What was with that look, as if he were guarding against a thief? Did he think Luca was that desperate?
Fortunately, the City Lord’s Mansion wasn’t far away.
The tense atmosphere didn’t last long before they arrived.
The mansion was located in the most bustling part of the Noble District.
After stepping out, they were greeted by a stately castle with carriages neatly lined up outside. On either side of the gate stood silver-armored guards holding long spears.
Beyond the arched doorway, nobles dressed in fine attire came and went. Inside lay a grand hall, resplendent in gold and marble.
As Luca disembarked, many turned their gaze toward him.
“Why has the princess come here?” Several people recognized Fratis, as most of Southwind City’s nobility were familiar with the esteemed Sixth Princess.
But who was the young man beside her?
Onlookers regarded Luca with curiosity. Anyone seen walking with the princess was bound to be significant, yet no one seemed to recognize him.
Neither Luca nor Fratis paid attention to the glances. They entered the City Lord’s Mansion side by side, passing the guards who recognized Fratis and didn’t dare obstruct them.
When the guards learned they were looking for Marquis Bronte, the captain himself escorted them to the City Lord’s office. Along the way, they passed numerous politicians and merchants moving about.
The City Lord’s Mansion didn’t only govern Southwind City; it held authority over key matters throughout the Southern Territory, making it the political center of the region.
Soon enough, the captain led them to Bronte’s office. The marquis was deep in thought, a frown etched on his face. Another familiar figure was in the room.
It was Bronte’s sister, Luna, her expression equally tense.
“Marquis, Princess Fratis and Viscount Luca have arrived,” the guard captain announced respectfully, drawing the attention of both Bronte and Luna, who looked surprised to see Luca.
“Aren’t you supposed to be recovering at Red Maple Academy? What brings you here?” Bronte’s frown lifted, and a smile crossed his face.
“Healed already?” Luna gave Luca a quick once-over, noticing that his aura was calm and steady.
“Yes, I’m all better. My teacher’s medicine worked wonders. I was getting restless at school, so I thought I’d accompany the princess for a walk,” Luca replied, casually using Fratis as his shield. Given her royal status, few would question her activities.
“Yes! We’re just out for a stroll,” Fratis chimed in, smiling brightly, blissfully unaware of Luca’s intent.
Luca felt a pang of guilt—she really was a bit naive.
Redirecting the conversation, he asked, “You two seemed deep in thought earlier. What were you discussing?”
Initially, Luca only meant to see if he could gather some information from them. To his surprise, they offered more than he’d hoped.
Bronte sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples. “Well, it’s nothing, really. A couple of days ago, we received an anonymous letter at the City Lord’s Mansion, claiming that the Mora family is involved with monsters and planning something major at the meat factory. I sent Luna to check it out, but…”
Luna snorted and jumped in, “But we found nothing. It’s just a regular meat factory. The Mora family bought those slaves to work, not for any suspicious activity.
“I told him the letter was probably a prank from some bored idiot, but he insisted there was something fishy about it, so I wasted my time on a wild goose chase.”
Luca felt a jolt of surprise.
How could they have found nothing? Everything he knew—both from the Mora family’s actions and what Jormungandr had hinted at—pointed to serious trouble at that factory.
But how he can not find something wrong when he been there?
Had the Mora family managed to wipe all traces overnight?
Bronte shook his head. “I still think there’s something off with the Mora family. The Nightmare Cult wouldn’t risk investigating a meat factory without good reason, especially if an elder like Tia was involved.
“Would she really risk being captured just to play around?
“Whoever wrote that anonymous letter may remain a mystery, but I don’t think it’s a hoax. Otherwise, why single out the Mora family’s factory? It’s just too convenient.”
Luna crossed her arms, shooting back, “I think you’re just being paranoid. Even if the Mora family were bold, they wouldn’t dare stir up trouble in Southwind City.
“Any of the powerful figures here could wipe out their entire family in an instant. Don’t you think they’re smart enough to avoid getting caught?
“And as for that letter, it’s obviously nonsense. King-level monsters? Please, those legendary creatures might not even exist anymore.
“And anyway, if they did have some grand scheme, how would anyone know?”
The siblings began arguing again.
Bronte was left speechless by Luna’s retort.
He opened his mouth to respond but couldn’t think of a valid argument.
After all, Luna’s points were logical.
If such a creature or force were planning something, how could an ordinary person know? And if someone capable of understanding the intentions of a King-level monster were involved, why wouldn’t they handle it themselves instead of sending an anonymous note?
Thinking this over, Bronte began to feel a bit doubtful.
Had he just been overthinking it?
At that moment, Luca spoke up, feigning casualness. “Since we’re uncertain, why not investigate it once more, just to be safe? If there is something suspicious, there should be clues; if not, then it’s better for everyone.”
Bronte considered this and nodded in agreement. “If the Mora family is indeed up to something, one investigation might not reveal it. But checking multiple times would make them slip up eventually. And if it turns out I’m just being paranoid, so much the better.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “Easy for you to say; you’re not the one doing the legwork.”
But despite her words, she agreed.
With Southwind City’s welfare on the line, they couldn’t afford to be careless.
Luca felt a small sense of relief. As long as the City Lord’s Mansion kept a close watch on the Mora family, they’d eventually uncover any hidden schemes.
And even if a monster truly descended, Southwind City would be able to respond immediately, keeping casualties to a minimum.
Just as Luca was about to make an excuse to leave, Luna suddenly said, “Wait.”
His heart skipped a beat.
Had he been too obvious and given something away?
But Luna’s next words made him want to laugh.
“Since you can’t attend classes right now, why don’t you come with me? It’d be a good chance to clear your head.” She glanced away a bit awkwardly as she spoke.
Luca didn’t give her slight hesitation much thought, but Bronte’s expression turned oddly amused.
He looked from Luna to Luca, then back again, blinking in surprise.
A faint smile appeared on Bronte’s lips as he nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Fresh air and a bit of distraction could help your recovery, Luca. Go along with Luna.”
“I…” Luca suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Earlier, he had reluctantly investigated the meat factory himself, but now that the City Lord’s Mansion was involved, he was more than happy to stay behind and let the strong deal with it. Why risk himself again?
But it was he who’d claimed he wanted to get out for some air. Backing out now would just expose his own lie.
Just as he was considering faking sudden discomfort to make an excuse.
Fratis excitedly raised her hand and announced, “I want to go too!”
At this, the expressions of all three changed.
Why would she want to tag along?
Bronte tried to reason with her. “Your Highness, the meat factory is mainly full of workers and slaves. It’s really not a suitable place for you. Perhaps you’d rather wait here at the mansion until they return?”
Luna nodded, adding, “Exactly. And an investigation like this is tedious, really. No fun at all. Don’t worry, Your Highness, we’ll be back quickly.”
Luca chimed in, “That factory could be dangerous, Princess. As a royal, there’s no need for you to take the risk and join us.”
Listening to all three of them, Fratis blinked, then declared, “But I have a protective charm from my mother, so I’m not afraid of danger.
“And besides, my father always says that flowers raised in greenhouses can’t endure the trials of wind and rain. As members of the royal family, we must lead by example and understand the lives of our people if we’re to rule effectively. I think he’s absolutely right.”
When she finished, the three of them were momentarily dumbfounded.
They exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.
She’d invoked the King’s words.
How could they possibly argue with that?
Defeated, the three reluctantly agreed to let Fratis join.
To ensure her safety, Bronte even assigned his personal guard to accompany them—forty-six elite soldiers, each one handpicked from the military. These Gold Grade mid-tier warriors were equipped with the finest weapons and extensive combat experience.
All to protect their “little ancestor” on this unexpected journey.