Panic!

My sight was unfocused and my mind was in a mess due to this unexpected situation.

I really thought my life was over then. But...

"You don't need to be afraid. I guarantee your safety, as someone you have saved."

Just like that, Julian's voice calmed me down a bit, then my vision refocused.

And I don't know since when, the tip of the sword that was about to stab me stopped right before my eyes.

Shit...

I backed up my body and bumped into Julian by accident.

He held my shaking shoulders from behind.

"You didn't look this scared at that time. But why acting like this now?"

I still can't hear Julian's voice because the shock I received has not subsided.

The sound of heels was heard in this strange silent.

Alvanio, the culprit, came and tapped the flat side of the sword.

he whistled. "Wow, this is a real sword." He said in awe, making me look at him strangely.

"Ah.. how happy I am to see a traitor like him by your side."

Alvanio flanked the neck of the now frozen knight and dragged him to one of the knights on guard.

"Throw this guy away, whatever you want to do with it." he said.

I repositioned myself, while Alvanio took a seat next to the crown prince and yawning.

"Can't you act like a noble?" Julian looked at Alvanio in frustation.

"For what? I'm not a real noble." he answered nonchalantly.

He took off his shoes and soaked his feet in the fountain.

"Still, if you are registered as a noble, then act like one."

Alvanio ignored Julian's words and was lost in his own moment.

"Sorry, you're starting to see things like… this." Julian's apology snapped me out of my thoughts to join Alvanio.

Sigh... it looks refreshing...

"I should be the one apologizing. I'm actually bothering your highness by being here."

"Oi." Alvanio's voice made me look at him who now looks disappointed. "Why apologize? I brought you for that, and other reasons."

...is he serious?

"Do you remember the organization I once captured?"

How could I forget? "Gatherings at the... bar, right?"

"That's right. This time I'm looking for someone. He's very important."

"...ok? Then?"

Alvanio took his feet out and wiped them with his handkerchief, then put his shoes back on.

He threw his handkerchief into the trash can nearby then stood in front of me. "I'll use you this time. You still remember your debt, right?" His radiant smile made me break out in a cold sweat.

Damn... I hope the things requested are normal...

"Debt?" Julian looked at me demanding an explanation.

I answered with hesitation. "I... once asked him for help and... well... that's it..."

"Did he scammed you to the point you need his help?"

Alvanio, who looked like he's wronged, crossed his arms and said arrogantly. "Why would I do something like that? Even without her help I can use my other plans. The incident that ended up making my job easier was purely because she has bad luck."

Hey... I know I have bad luck, but don't spit it out in front of people

"I've kept my promise to catch that traitor and exterminate the monsters until that man showed up. By the way I met him earlier, that's why I was able to be in time for the ambush."

Alvanio held my hand and looked at Julian with annoyance. "Alright, I can go right?"

Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed my hand, made me stand up and followed him with a little force.

***

In front of me is now plastered a jewelry store that seems familiar.

"Here we are." Alvanio tidied his clothes, patted them until even a speck of dust was removed from his suit.

Sigh... our destination is so far away... why do we have to walk this far...

I observed this familiar shop in front of me with the name "Averie..."

"It's good that you can read."

Alvanio's words pissed me off a bit. "What do you think I am? A kid?" I muttered indignantly.

"Stop being rude to a noble lady." Julian who looked exhausted opened his voice.

He followed Alvanio and me without speaking a word all along.

"Your Highness, are you all right?" I observed Julian's posture, which looked a little limp.

"I'm fine." He wiped his sweat with a handkerchief that looked the same as Alvanio's.

Geez... I'm imagining that the handkerchief that Alvanio used is the one that Julian is using...

"It's your own fault." Alvanio shrugged and walked in.

A middle-aged woman greeted with a smiling face behind the counter. "Welcome back, master Algebrio. Are they your guests?"

"Yes, please prepare some snacks." Alvanio gave a small crystal to the woman.

"I will prepare it as soon as possible."

"Thanks, good job today." Alvanio walked to the second floor, followed by me and Julian.

Above there are 2 doors. One has a hanging sign that says 'do not enter'. While the other plain door is now entered by Alvanio.

After entering the room I realized that this building was Alvanio's workplace.

"Sit anywhere." Alvanio looked for something in his desk drawer.

Julianus and I sat facing each other, while Alvanio sat on the single chair after taking what he was looking for.

He put a file on the table and looked at me seriously. "Tomorrow night there's a gathering in your area that I can't enter without an ID."

He opened the file, showing information about the place he was looking for and some photos of people.

"According to the information I got, one of them is a core member in the organization I'm after."

William's organization...

"This time I need you in my plan to increase its success." Alvanio chuckled in annoyance. "I have to admit that it is very difficult to catch one of them. And now is my chance."

Uh... then what does that have to do with me..?

Julian took one of the photos of a hooded person carrying an old chest. "Wouldn't hiring other people work too?"

I stared at Alvanio demanding an explanation.

"There's no one I can trust on this." Alvanio looked at me. "Furthermore, your status as the family that owns the territory can be used in my plan."

The point is you're planning to take advantage of my status right?

"Your plans are always reckless. I don't expect Lady Alfaret to be in any danger, either physically or mentally."

The two of them stared at each other with displeased expressions.

...hello? What about my opinion? Is my opinion not needed here?

"Being a prince doesn't mean you can rule over all your subjects. If it's like that you'll be too meddlesome. And here I am, thinking that the image of noble is important just like you said."

Damn, he used Julian's words.

"Being a prince has nothing to do with this. I forbid you from ordering things that could harm the person who saved my life."

Ah right.. by the way, I still don't know what happened to Julian and Lavenia.

"Your voice is not needed here."

That's harsh... I agree though.

"I am only proposing negotiations. I will send a person of high status who can replace Lady Alfaret's role."

What did I said again? Nevermind, Julian's voice is a must.

What a great idea is it.

And it's true that money and power is the solution for everything.

"I refuse. A stranger I can't trust to get into my plans is something that I would never accept."

Uh... haven't we only met a few times? We're stranger too...

Alvanio tidied up the files on the table. "Of course that doesn't mean I'm going to force Lady chipmunk, the decision rests in her hands. Though she has a debt that she must pay."

I know, no need to remind me my debt

By the way, are you seriously still calling me that when talking about important matter like this?

"Lady Alfaret, will you accept Algebrio's request?"

...will I?

Wow... now you guys are aware of my existence.

"Sigh... can I hear the details of the plan first?"

"The plan is quite simple. Join this party as the only daughter in the Alfaret family."

...

.....

"That's all?"

"Of course not." Alvanio looked at me with a lazy expression. "If it's that easy I've done it with my own status."

Then why did you stop talking?!

Please! Can I hit your head with a baseball bat? Don't worry, I will not hold back my strength.

I clenched my fists in my lap, trying to hold back my anger. "Then? What's next?"

"Come closer, listen and pay close attention. After that...