Leona would be so upset with me if she knew she was missing this.

My mouth watered at the sight of the royal banquet at the other end of the room. My nose ignored the perfumes and smoke of the guests, and narrowed in on the fragrance of roasted chicken, baked buttery pastries, and herb-topped appetizers.

However, given how long the saving of Fin and the other children ended up taking, there wasn't any time to hatch her egg even if I wanted to. I barely had time to even dress.

Luckily, or unluckily, Remlend had an outfit ready for me to change into when we arrived back at the manor.

My eyes fell on a mirror with my reflection on one of the nearby walls.

Tsk.

It was a gaudy outfit with a black blazer embroidered in a gold baroque floral design, with golden cuffs and shoes to match. However, I didn't have the time to argue and allowed myself to be dressed this way before swiftly getting in the carriage.

I arrived at the ball a bit later than in previous rounds. Still, all the matters I had dealt with personally in rounds prior were handled already.

Thank goodness I had the foresight to get the names of those two guards so that I didn't have to go down to the dungeon again and point them out.

I picked up a plate and began stacking it with food. I saw some stuffy old broad purse her lips at the sight and whisper something to her husband behind her fan. However, I simply added even more goodies to my plate.

As if I give a damn what they think. They all already think that even my perfect brother is trash and unworthy of marrying Princess Evelyn. So why would I, the notoriously trouble-making brother, even worry about making a good impression?

I found a comfortable table and chair away from the gossiping crowds that provided a decent view for people watching. Aside from benign entertainment, I had a particular pink-haired woman that I hoped to find.

With her tendency to wear exclusively pink, it should be easy to spot her. However, I did arrive later than the previous round, so I may have missed her already.

I picked up a pastry off my plate and tossed it in my mouth.

"Mmmmm."

I smiled as the creamy and rich appetizer enveloped my mouth. I had no idea what it even was, except that it was one of the most delicious things I had ever eaten.

The royal chefs here are par to none. I really ought to propose the idea of poaching their talent to Father and Mother.

I gazed around the ballroom, looking for Mother, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Where is she? She has always disappeared each round off somewhere. Ah well, I can bring it up with her back at home.

I frowned.

But then I'd be poaching my sister-in-law's and my brother's chef. I'll probably make a habit of showing up at the palace more frequently instead.

"Ah, Luca Frey! Just the person I was looking for." The familiar sing-song voice I hoped to hear sounded to my left.

I turned my head toward the singular blind spot of my seat.

Kathy appeared from behind the corner and walked over to me. She was in a pastel pink dress that looked like a triangle was drawn from her neck to her knees. It hid whatever waistline she had with its design. A pearl-encrusted purse hung from her shoulder, and a pair of ribboned heels completed the look.

Gazing around the ballroom, many of the ladies had similarly designed dresses. As for the men, exaggerated bow ties and overly large jackets were the latest fashion interest.

Even the art around the ballroom focused on bright geometric shapes, even in its depictions of landscapes and people.

If I were an artist or ran a fashion boutique, I could have used these artistic changes in each round to make a name for myself by copying the fads of another round. I could have become a trendsetter.

I smiled at the thought of me going down such a different life path rather than the one I had taken and was planning to take even now.

I doubt I'd be able to prevent the Kobar Empire's invasion like that, however.

"Oho? I may be imagining it, but you look happy to see me." Kathy plopped down on the chair beside me and adjusted her giant pink square glasses. Her gray-blue eyes looked enormous behind their lenses.

"I am indeed," I replied.

I had no intention of making the same mistake of trusting her too much. Still, she was a much-needed contact to procure my poisoned needles and to create a cure for The Ogre sometime down the road.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

A man of his strength and talent shouldn't be wasting away in some desert.

"You're Kathy, the famous Poison Maker," I said. "I was hoping to run into you as well today. I'd like to procure a few goods from you on an ongoing basis."

"Is that so?" Kathy said. "What good luck you have, because I didn't plan on attending the ball originally, but decided to come at the last moment. Ah, but just so you know, I am heading out soon, so we might need to meet another time to discuss business."

"This won't take long," I replied.

I slid over the same list of needles that I had requested from her in the previous round. I figured there was no point in waiting an extra day when I could procure what I needed from her now without the trouble of her eyes wandering unnecessarily into my family's matters.

"Well, aren't you awfully well prepared?" Kathy took the paper and unfolded it discreetly on the table.

She glanced through the list, looking amused.

"I'd like the first set prepared in the next two days," I stated. "As for the other designs, I know the ingredients are tricky to source, so I understand if they will take longer."

"Luca Frey, I wasn't sure if your bet on my Kleave was a lucky fluke or not, but I see you are far more knowledgeable than rumors make you out to be." She folded and placed the parchment into her purse.

I shrugged. "Rumors are just rumors."

"Hmmm, perhaps." She eyed me up and down from across the table. "Now, as for your request, I can make these and work within those time constraints. I'll let you know when I can complete the rest of the list."

"Glad to hear it," I said. "Does five gold for the first batch sound fair?"

I pulled out a small pouch of coins and pushed it toward her.

"That is acceptable." Kathy slid the pouch into her purse and stood up from the table. "Well, as I've said, I must get going. It's a pleasure doing business with you, Luca Frey."

"Indeed," I replied.

Kathy left the ballroom, leaving me alone to eat and continue my people-watching.

Princess Evelyn completed her speech with Micah by her side. The crowds put up their champagne flutes and toasted, albeit by the sour expressions, there were quite a few in attendance that didn't appear all that pleased. I was humored by the tight-lipped fake smiles of the Mentisun heads in particular.

I held up a glass of water symbolically and returned my attention to the delicious food before me.

Just as I reached for another pastry, a pair of long fingers with many rings snatched it first.

"Hmmm, I haven't had a chance to try this one yet."

I felt a shiver move through my body at the familiar voice.

I gazed up toward the handsome young man that plopped in the chair beside me. Just like in other rounds, his attire was rather eye-catching, this round opting for a pastel purple suit along with his signature round eyeshades. He smacked his fingers clean while inspecting my plate for other appetizers he might snatch.

It was none other than Chase Daylan, the same eccentric prince who went missing in the previous round, nearly causing an all-out war, and one whom I suspected to be the warlock-cat that killed me in Round 6.

Just what does he want with me in this round?

My body tensed up at what this interaction might entail.

"What is your goal exactly?" Chase finally asked after having finished eating his third pastry. He appeared to be looking at me, but I couldn't really tell with his reflective silver shades.

"My goal?" I blinked, confused by the question. "What do you mean?"

"You know… your purpose. Your motivation." Chase waved his hands around. The gems on his hands glittered in the light. "What are you trying to achieve with your life?"

Just why was this crazy prince asking me this? We had literally just met, at least in this round.

"I want to ensure all my family, friends, and this kingdom are safe." The words fell out of my mouth for some reason, however.

"Huh." Chase clicked his tongue. "Interesting. And by family, do you mean him as an example?"

He pointed at Micah.

"Yes," I replied.

What is it with his questions?

"Good. Good. I looked into you but needed to confirm," Chase said.

Looked into me…? Whatever for?

He motioned toward someone, and a plate was set down before me. A delicious pink and white chiffon slice of cake sat atop it.

"Here, I went to the royal pastry chef directly and had him make this personally for you," Chase said. "Given you share my appetite, I thought this would be most appropriate."

"Why?" I frowned.

Nothing about this interaction made any sense. I grew increasingly baffled by this crazy prince.

"It's a sign of goodwill, obviously," he replied. "A peace offering, if you will. I'd say we're even now, no? So I thought starting on a more positive note would make sense."

We're even...?

A shiver went up my spine, afraid of what his words might have suggested.

I poked the chiffon cake with my fork and nudged it open. Freshly sliced red strawberries were inside.

Tsk.

"It's a pretty poor sign of goodwill," I said, setting the fork down.

"How so?" Chase asked and inspected the cake himself, whisking a finger's worth of white whipping cream into his mouth. "Mmmm! It's one of the best cakes I've ever had, and that's saying something."

He laughed at some inside joke.

"I'm deathly allergic to strawberries," I replied.

Why… did I tell him that? I told him in a previous round too.

"Oh no, you're not." Chase shook his head and leaned back in his chair, resting one foot over his other knee.

"How would you know?" I asked.

[ Level 2 Random Character Check in progress for Chase Daylan ]

I glanced up at the rolling blue screen that appeared above Chase Daylan's head.

"See, I've already tested that theory, and I know for a fact that you're not allergic," he replied.

What?

I blinked my eyes in confusion.

Just what was he talking about? When could he have tested such a thing already?

The rolling blue screen above his head stopped in place.

[ Skill: Thou Shall Tell No Lies (Level 32) ]

I felt the hairs on my arms stand up at the ridiculously high level.

"I know that you really believe that for whatever reason, but I can assure you, you are not allergic to strawberries," Chase said.

[ Chase Daylan's ability allows him the comfort of knowing that anyone within #$ :}{}|" range of him is incapable of lying nor avoiding responding to a direct question. Note, however, this does not mean that those speaking will tell the truth; if the speaker does not know they are lying, they will tell the truth as they know it. Also %^*@%&. ]

Dangerous. This guy is dangerous. No wonder I can't seem to keep my mouth shut around him.

The Alchemist and The Farmer were skilled in the art of interrogation, but they didn't hold a candle to this guy.

"And what is your goal?" I asked Chase Daylan, doing my best to keep my voice steady. "What do you want with me exactly?"

I realized that I had come across a far more troublesome character than I initially thought, and I had no idea just what it was that he wanted from me.

"My goal?" Chase laughed. "Oh, it is simple, really. I've grown quite bored and in need of some good entertainment. And luck would have it, you popped up before me, without me even having to search for you."

Chase gave a radiant smile and lowered his round reflective eyeshades.

"Luca Frey, I would like to extend my hand and form an alliance with you," he replied.

A pair of golden eyes twinkled back at me.