ficcloud.com [https://ficcloud.com/images/ficcloud.jpg]

"…Mengdie…?"

Hearing Edward call her, Mengdie opened her somewhat sleepy eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

Edward was already lying down, facing her when he called her, but he didn't expect Mengdie to wake up at his call. Their faces were less than ten centimeters apart. The weather was still quite hot, and the bedding wasn't too thick. Edward felt as if any movement would allow him to touch Mengdie's body and feel her body temperature. Mengdie didn't mind, but Edward, like a girl sleeping with a strange man for the first time, was stiff and dared not move, fearing he might touch Mengdie somewhere.

"Cough… I mean, do you like to only cover half of your body with the bedsheet?"

Mengdie rubbed her eyes, moved a bit closer to Edward, and reached out from under the blanket to pull the almost completely uncovered blanket over to his side.

Edward was on the verge of collapse...

"Hey, what do you want? Say it quickly."

Edward steadied himself, diverted his gaze, and stammered, "Meng… Mengdie, why do you… need… need money so much?"

"Is that the question?" Mengdie seemed somewhat disappointed. She thought Edward had come up with some strategy about bandit suppression and was excited to discuss it. Staying up past lights-out is a big taboo during a march. Does this leader even understand?

In the dark, Edward nodded. Mengdie sighed and briefly explained, "No reason in particular. The sisters I'm staying with aren't well off, and I've been living there for free, which makes me feel guilty. Plus, I need some money to help the older sister and myself with something."

Edward thought for a moment and then asked boldly, "What… what is it?"

Unexpectedly, Mengdie's response was silence. Just when Edward thought he said something wrong and upset her, Mengdie suddenly jumped out of the bed, shook her farm clothes, fumbled in the pocket for a moment, and then quickly got back under the blanket.

"Phew, this body has even lost its cold resistance… Never mind, let's not talk about that. Edward, if I'm not mistaken… you're a wealthy person, right?"

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Edward was taken aback, "Ah… Yeah. I suppose I am indeed wealthy."

"And you have status?" Mengdie continued.

"Hmm… Yes, a bit."

"That's good."

Hearing Mengdie say this, Edward felt a bit uneasy. Why is this girl asking if I'm wealthy and have status? Could it be… she's like other ordinary girls, after my money and status?

With this thought, Edward's perception of Mengdie changed. Even her invitation to share the blanket seemed like a deliberate seduction.

However, Mengdie, ignoring Edward's strange expression, spread her hand to reveal a diamond.

"What… what is this?" Edward was astonished.

Mengdie looked at the diamond in her palm and sighed. "Stolen goods."

"Dirty…!"

"Shh, keep your voice down." Mengdie quickly covered Edward's mouth. After making sure he wouldn't shout again, she let go and spoke softly, "Brother Edward, I consider you as my brother. I shouldn't be telling this to someone I've only known for a day, but I trust you. So, please be someone I can trust, alright?"

Edward hesitated for a moment and then slowly nodded.

Mengdie smiled faintly and extended the diamond towards Edward. The sparkling light shone on their faces, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

"As I said earlier, I'm staying with two sisters. But they're very poor. Recently, they got into trouble and urgently need money. The younger sister, naive and ignorant, stole this diamond. Not knowing how to dispose of it, she attracted the pursuit of the knights, implicating her sister who knew nothing about the theft."

Edward remained silent, thinking. After scolding the captain that day, he had inquired about the real reason behind the pursuit of Mengdie. Connecting the dots, his surprise towards Mengdie gradually faded.

"This issue is temporarily resolved, but it won't be forever. The sisters need money for their troubles, and I need money for my own reasons. The commission from this job is substantial, but I can't guarantee I'll gather the entire amount by the deadline. So, I'm asking if you could… buy this diamond?"

Mengdie extended her arm, offering the diamond to Edward. Her eyes showed determination and belief, yet also a hint of softness and generosity.

Edward fell silent. He understood the situation, but he had his own difficulties with the diamond. With his status, buying stolen goods could undermine his standing in the Silver Moon Kingdom. If he didn't punish the offender and instead protected and indulged her, how would he face the people? But he also knew the royal government's corruption had a role in driving the young girl to this point. Now, he faced a dilemma; either choice seemed to betray his beliefs and principles...

"I'm sorry…"

After a long thought, Edward lowered his head.

"Is that so?" Mengdie smiled wryly and withdrew her hand, holding the diamond.

"I won't expose your friend, and I'll ensure the knights don't bother the sisters. But I can't buy it, sorry. My dignity and honor won't allow it."

"Heh, you're too serious. When I said I trust you, I didn't mean I expected you to buy it. How is that different from coercion? I trust that you won't trouble my friends, and you've done that. Buying or not is up to you; I don't blame you."

Mengdie then placed the diamond in Edward's hand and quickly withdrew. Edward, confused, tried to return it.

"No need, I already said it's stolen goods," Mengdie stopped him, holding his fingers tightly around the diamond. "As long as this stays with the sisters, it's a curse. Now, giving it to someone like you with status in the kingdom should minimize its harm. Keep it if you like. If not, or if it hinders your dignity, treat it as lost property. If someone claims it, return it. If not, use it as an auction item in a month."

Mengdie pushed the diamond back into Edward's hands, finally relieved. She closed her eyes and smiled, "Alright, I've said my piece. Can we say goodnight now?"

Edward, holding the diamond, felt unexpectedly moved. Wasn't Mengdie's heart, her spirit, more respectable than her beauty? Clenching the diamond tightly, he spoke again —

"Mengdie Miss!"

"I've said… don't call me Miss…" Mengdie, clearly exhausted, spoke in a half-asleep state.

"If you need money to help your friend that much, would you... would you... attend the prince's ball?! If you become the queen of the Silver Moon Kingdom, you can help anyone! Even... you could change the entire Silver Moon Kingdom!"

Read more at: fⅰÇçlоūd▪çōm

ficcloud.com [https://ficcloud.com/images/ficcloud.jpg]