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After a brief exchange about trivial matters like the temperature of the bath water, Mengdie and Sashara ran out of topics. Sashara continued to gaze at the fire, her pointed ears drooping wearily. After a while, she turned her attention back to Mengdie's earlier question. "Sorry to keep you waiting. What did you want to tell me?"

Mengdie observed the girl closely. Her eyes revealed a longing for the world, suppressed by various reasons. A thick layer of powerlessness and compliance covered those desires, firmly restraining her own thoughts...

Mengdie pondered how to phrase her question, knowing that a misstep could hurt the girl in front of her. After much thought, she sighed and sat up straight.

"Princess Sashara, I have a very important request to make of you."

Perhaps it was the seriousness on Mengdie's cute face that seemed out of place, prompting Sashara to smile. She covered her mouth, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it? If it's within my power, I'll certainly help you."

Mengdie nodded. "At your engagement ceremony later..."

Sashara's smile vanished, replaced by a look of shock and unease. Mengdie paused upon seeing her reaction.

"It's okay... continue."

"... I know. Later at the engagement ceremony, Prince Edward will present you with a ruby necklace as a token of marriage. I hope you can give that necklace to me. It's very important to me."

Sashara, as a key figure in the royal engagement ceremony, probably never imagined a girl she met less than an hour ago would ask for the token of love from her future husband. Her expression visibly worsened, and she looked at Mengdie with a strange gaze. In all fairness, the girl in front of her was even more beautiful than her, a half-elf.

"Why do you want this necklace?" Sashara asked cautiously.

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"Because..." Mengdie hesitated, wondering whether to reveal the whole story about the necklace being auctioned off. If she did, it would be a long story, and not necessarily a believable one. To avoid complications, she decided to use amnesia as a substitute explanation.

"The necklace contains the mystery of my identity. I have no memory of anything before three months ago. The only clue I have is that necklace. It was lost in a series of misfortunes and ended up in this country's possession. Tonight, it will belong to you, respected Princess Luwell of Luwell Empire."

"This necklace is my only chance to regain my lost memories, so I beg you, please return it to me."

After speaking, Mengdie clasped her hands together and bowed to Sashara again.

Sashara remained silent, her silver-grey eyes reflecting moonlight. After much thought, she spoke with a cold tone,

"I can't give it to you."

Mengdie shuddered! As she looked up again, her eyes turned as cold as Sashara's.

"If this truly is an engagement gift, then the necklace belongs not to me personally, but as a token of peace between Luwell Empire and Silver Moon Kingdom. I have no right to give it to you. That would not only disrespect the marriage ceremony but also the Silver Moon Kingdom."

"Is that so?"

Mengdie looked up, unshed tears mingling with the droplets in her hair.

"Then there's nothing I can do. It's understandable that such an important item can't be given to me. Then onto the second plan—"

Mengdie inhaled deeply and slowly said, "Princess Sashara, could you please not attend tonight's ball? If you don't attend, a friend of mine might become the queen, and I could get the necklace through that. Although the chances are slim, I must try. I know, Princess Sashara..."

"You don't really want to marry the prince of this country, do you?"

Mengdie's blunt words melted Sashara's icy facade. Her eyes flickered with panic, her lips parting as if to speak but unable to find the words.

Mengdie, seeing she was right, stepped forward and continued, "Please forgive my impudence. But from your eyes, I sense this feeling. Since you don't want to marry, why force yourself to be a queen in a foreign land? Being a political tool is always more bitter than sweet, something you must be well aware of."

Each word Mengdie spoke struck Sashara's heart. Her eyes became more frantic, her expressions fluctuating between seeing Mengdie as a savior and a demon. She struggled internally, searching for a true answer.

"I'm sorry..."

"I love my father... and my father loves me... Whatever my father wants me to do, I will do without hesitation."

"Why... are you willing to be a political tool?"

"As a princess of Luwell Empire, my sole duty since birth has been to serve Luwell. Being a political tool... I've been prepared for it."

After a long pause, Sashara's response was resolute. Her gaze steadied as she sat up from the recliner, straightened her evening dress, and walked towards the door.

"Miss Mengdie, your questions are over. Now, please leave. And I must go to the banquet hall to fulfill my mission."

Sashara moved towards the door, but to her surprise, the long-haired girl claiming to be Mengdie slowly blocked her path, her eyes even calmer and colder.

"I'm sorry, Princess Sashara."

Mengdie locked the door.

"Since it's come to this, I have no choice but to take you as my hostage and make you disappear for a while. After the ball, whether my friend succeeds or not, I will release you. For now..."

"Please be quiet."

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