Hedy was massaging and stretching Grit's neck when their peaceful duo was interrupted. Elke stomped through the yard all the way to the honey locust trees. It was nice to take a short rest in the tree's shadow, even if it attracted bug attention as well. April's weather turned out warmer than the previous year. It was too early to feel anxious about it, considering it as a sign of an upcoming drought. For now, people were glad to enjoy sunny days with clear air that brought the east wind.

Elke plopped down on the soft young grass and stared at the relaxed girls.

"What's the deal with all these sudden checkups!? It's such a pain going through additional checks aside from the regular ones. And the worst part is..." Elke stopped complaining for a second. The intense thinking made her frown. "Waaait a second. Don't tell me they want to try to crossbreed the first generation again."

The other girls stopped stretching and looked at the youngest one. Grit, a girl with short curly hair and rich black skin, thanked her friend and Hedy sat down on the grass next to her.

"It seems so," Hedy touched the curl of red hair and twisted it around her forefinger. "At least, Dr. Neumann mentioned it during my checkup some time ago. I guess they have a new hypothesis."

Elke lay down on her back and let out a moan. “I just hope it won't be Nico."

Grit, who had been listening to their conversation with a smile until that moment, asked "Why not? He's cute."

"Cute? Please!" Elke rose on her elbows. "I prefer Sieg. He has a nice body."

"No, no. Sieg is like a serious older brother," Grit winced and shook her head. "I just can't see him in that way."

"No, Owen is. Sieg may be serious, but he's hot."

"Oh dear, we all know your preferences," Hedy laughed, observing the argument. The debate the girls held over an issue that none of them could influence or refuse, turned into a joke, even though the matter itself was dark and heavy. But if the matchmaking session was going to be with someone from the first generation, then at least they would know each other. And it was better than carrying a child of a total stranger, even if there was no love between the residents of Lazaretto. "Just don't kill us if we're matched with him."

Owen and Nico approached the giggling girls. The first one was carrying a folder in his hands. He gave them a look, "Are you still discussing those baseless rumors?"

"It's not baseless," Elke insisted a bit too enthusiastically, drawing everyone's attention. Curious gazes from her peers made the girl stutter. "D..doctor Neumann herself said so during Hedy's checkup."

"This was some time ago. I spoke to the doctor, and the matchmaking session has been cancelled. It was an attempt to get a stronger second generation, but the conditions were not met."

"Second generation isn't much of a value, anyway," Nico added his opinion to the conversation.

"Value or not, it is not up to us to decide. If this issue is cleared, let's move to the meeting room," Owen commanded. "The new assignments will be distributed."

The girls started to rise without any enthusiasm. Elke stayed on the ground longer than others, sulking and looking around. Her face darkened the moment she looked in the direction of the gates.

"Please don't tell me it's her again." Nico, who was standing with his back to the gates, frowned before even receiving an answer. He could clearly read his comrade's expression. "Damn it. Since when has this place become her personal playground?"

"Calm down. She is coming this way," whispered Hedy.

Young men and women stood up straight. Most of them were trying to maintain a calm appearance, except for the two most emotional ones.

"Greetings and apologies, Your Highness," Elke blurted out, heading quickly towards the main building. Owen clutched the folder he was carrying.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. We are currently busy, though that doesn't excuse her impolite behavior."

"I understand."

Fortunately, the princess didn't look annoyed or angry by the action of his young comrade. Owen gestured for everyone to follow Elke, trying to hide his relief that the rudeness had been overlooked. But as soon as he relaxed, Nico could not hold back his remark. "If Your Highness truly understands, then perhaps you shouldn't come here anymore."

Owen glared at the impudent fellow. He was the same age as the princess, but unlike her, he didn't bother to keep his temper and sharp tongue in check.

"Get out now!" Owen barked at the hesitant Magic Snatchers. When only he and Hedy remained with the princess, the young man said "I apologize for his behavior."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

When Cornelia simply nodded, Owen bowed and followed the rest to the main building. Hedy glanced at the princess. The simple clothes she wore during her visits to Lazaretto confused them as much as the stubbornness with which she insisted on continuing to appear again and again.

"Nico can be harsh sometimes. Please overlook this act of rudeness." Hedy waited for an answer, but the princess did not give one. "And I don't mean to be rude or anything, but I believe it would be the best for Your Highness not to continue seeking Sieg. If you do meet him, please treat him like any other passing servant. I truly believe that getting too involved with the royal family will do no good for any of my friends."

"I seek him only to thank him for saving me and Mr. Weber. But I understand your concern, so I will do so."

"You will, Your Highness?" Sudden compliance was not something Hedy expected from royalty.

"Sure. As soon as I hear the same words from Sieg himself. No offense, but I generally don't trust statements passed through a third party."

Encounter with Magic Snatchers left Cornelia with mixed emotions. It was a good thing that she never brought Dietrich or any other knight with her during her visits to Lazaretto. They certainly would be furious with the way these young men and women speak. She, on the other hand, was more frustrated by the fact that they try to sound polite and apologize all the time. If anything, they had the right to be annoyed by her nosy attitude. This kind of silent acceptance of everything coming from the royal family made her feel unsettling, even guilty.

It may have been too early, but Cornelia still decided to confront Dr. Neumann about a certain question today. She found the doctor in the hall, holding a kettle in one hand and a mug in another. Noticing Cornelia, this chubby woman continued pouring hot water into the mug. Her pale skin looked unhealthily, with a slight touch of blue, as if she had never seen the sun in her life. Unlike stylish and neat Winda, Neumann's short blond hair was always tied up in a small ponytail, and the clothes she wore seemed to be the same as those she wore during Cornelia's previous visit.

"What do I owe the honor of seeing Your Highness?" the woman asked in a monotone voice. Then she placed the kettle on the wooden chair and yawned.

"And good day to you too, Dr. Neumann." No one was around, and Cornelia wasn't in the mood for unnecessary small talk. "I've been wondering for a long time - why do Magic Snatchers serve the king? Isn't it absurd for them to act like this, considering... everything?"

The woman took a tea bag from the wooden box on the chair and dove it into the mug.

"Many would die for a stable salary and such medical treatment, Your Highness." Glancing at the serious princess, Neumann grimaced. "I was just joking. But, if to keep it short, then there is a magical artifact that makes them behave in a certain way. It is not public knowledge, but humanity has secured some of the magical items that nymphs gifted before the Retaliation War. The Castro royal family holds one such item. Every time a new magic snatcher is born, the king visits them to place a seal on them. They are bound to obey."

Cornelia took a moment to think about what she had heard. This explanation answered one question but raised more. She was sure the woman would not specify what the artifact looked like. But there were other questions to ask.

"Can't they break the seal? And what is obedience? Isn't it too vague?"

Dr. Neumann turned around, heading towards her study. The princess followed her, making it clear that she wouldn't leave without getting at least some answers.

"Well, of course, leaving everything to magic would be reckless." The doctor's voice sounded irritated. She ignored all other questions, concentrating on a single one. "That's why other measures were taken. All Magic Snatchers go through the certain sessions, to teach them disobedience is not tolerated. Different individuals require different numbers of sessions before they acquire learned helplessness."

Hearing curt and indifferent words about the harsh matter made Cornelia's heart ache.

Did Sieg also go through those sessions?"

The doctor suddenly stopped, thinking about the question.

"No, actually, he didn't. There was only one, I think. But he was so... what's the word..."

"Stolid?"

"Yes, stolid," the woman turned to the princess. "He didn't express any attempts to rebel, even when the orders were ridiculous. So, there was no need to train him. Well, at least, I think that's what was written in his file because most of it happened before I started working at Lazaretto."