Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Although the foreign knight and the beautiful princess have performed many "dramas" in the opera house box that cannot be shared with others, this time they are genuinely watching the opera together, so not only are the box's gas lights still on, but Angelina and Mia are also present.

The almost one-year-old cat was playing with a rolling green apple on the coffee table, while the little princess sat at the left end of the sofa, seemingly watching the opera but actually eavesdropping on the conversation between Shard and her sister.

"My people and Margaret Anjou's people have already connected. I never imagined that princess would have such goods in hand."

Lecia was extravagantly dressed tonight, wearing a sparkling ruby crown, with each ear adorned with a ruby earring. One was a Sage-Level Relic, the Disenchantment Stone, and the other was the ruby that Shard gave during his time in Coldwater Port City.

"The business between me and that princess could be extensive. Shard, I'm considering whether to give you a broker's commission. Didn't you mention recently that you're quite short of money?"

"No, don't give me money, I just delivered a letter for you... who told you that I'm short of money?"

Shard asked curiously, and Lecia blinked, saying amidst the voice of song rising again below:

"I noticed that you've been quite sensitive about the topic of gold pounds lately. Four days ago, over the weekend, when I spent the night at your place, we talked about your second-floor room number two renovation topic in bed, and you seemed quite sensitive about the price."

Angelina's ears twitched; she was clearly listening to the interesting topics.

"Haven't I always been like that? And, I still have a box of gemstones from Huntington, which I acquired along with the arrow that pierced you. Those gemstones are quite valuable."

Shard stated assuredly, as Lecia shook her head slightly, looking at Shard rather teasingly:

"Knight, don't lie to me. Earlier last week, when your diviner lady and I bumped into each other at your house at midnight, she mentioned to me that you had been haggling with your client for a long time over the commission on the 'Tobesk Country Villa Haunting Incident'... her nightgown was quite lovely."

That night, it was actually Dorothy at Shard's place, and Luviya was doing astrology on the third floor. Dorothy had gone to the kitchen to get water at night, and Luviya had come to the first floor to take a break, and they exchanged a few words in the living room.

Angelina's ears twitched again, clearly attracted by words like "me and the diviner lady," "midnight," "nightgown."

"The client didn't intend to not pay the commission; it's just that after the incident was resolved, Viscount Victor and nearly all his immediate relatives were arrested at Riddlevitch Field, so he wanted to renege on the contract to pay me, saying he wouldn't spend money to send himself and his entire family to jail."

Shard nodded:

"The old gentleman was quite unhappy about it, but fortunately, Riddlevitch Field upheld justice and before confiscating his manor, let me pick antiques to deduct the detective fees... Oh, Lecia, I was just doing what an ordinary citizen should."

Lecia softly laughed with her hand covering her mouth like a lady:

"You are now the most reputable detective in Tobesk. I didn't expect you to encounter so many big cases in a row, and then those fools who dug a tunnel to break into the Yordle Palace warehouse."

She picked up a small piece of a peeled mandarin from the coffee table, pinched another with her slender fingers, and brought it to Shard's lips:

"But how many gold pounds can those commissions even bring in? If I recall correctly, during the Year-End Festival, when the Blonde Writer and the diviner lady spent the night with you..."

"Cough, cough~"

The little princess, who was drinking tea, choked and coughed violently. The maid standing by the wall immediately came over to pat her back, and Lecia frowned as she looked over:

"Angelina, you'll soon be seventeen, so how come you choke on water even in public?"

"So~cough, cough~sorry, sister."

The little princess apologized quietly with her head down, so Lecia continued her conversation with Shard:

"On the first day of the new year, when we had breakfast together at your place, you complained about not having enough funds to buy new Arcane Techniques, even though you'd moved up to Five Rings."

"Actually, my current Arcane Techniques are quite sufficient, and because of the academic year reward, the library also allows me to choose Arcane Techniques for free."

Shard said awkwardly, knowing that the so-called broker's commission from Lecia was really just pocket money for him.

Just like how Miss Galina left a large sum in cash in the manor study for Shard to use as he wished before leaving, but Shard didn't touch a single banknote, he wouldn't spend the girls' money for no reason.

[Pathetic pride.]

"She" whispered softly in Shard's ear, but Shard pretended he hadn't heard.

"Well then, but if you ever need anything, you can always come to me... I really don't understand why you're so courteous with me."

Lecia muttered softly, and after Shard ate the piece of mandarin she offered, she asked Shard to feed her a piece as well.

"I remember you saying last time that you would be selling a batch of contraband from the New World, I mean sought-after goods, for Margaret to sell on your behalf in Casenli. Are you using the Coldwater Port route again this time?"

Shard asked while peeling the mandarin, to avoid the princess bringing up the topic of giving him money again. Mia turned her head to look at Shard but wasn't interested in the mandarin, which had a pungent smell.

"Coldwater Port is currently cracking down on smuggling, as it's the beginning of the year, you understand. This time, it's the route from Spring City to Randall Valley City in Casenli. Although the sea crossing is longer going directly from the New World to Casenli, it's much safer."

Lecia bit Shard's finger, and only let go when he showed a surprised expression. Then she smiled and gestured towards Angelina, who was pretending to watch the opera while actually watching them:

"This time, I've involved Angelina in my business. Although she can only provide some capital, Angelina is also getting on in age; she should have her own income."

"Randall Valley... I might be heading there soon."

Shard said, catching a whiff of the perfume from the fiery red hair:

"If there's anything that needs handling, you can let me do it."

"Certainly, you and I are polite to each other, but I won't be so polite with you, my knight... Speaking of which, Margaret Anjou will be heading to Randall Valley City soon; you should be able to meet her."

"Hmm?"

Shard was completely unaware of this:

"For your business?"

"Of course not, it's Princess Margaret Anjou of Carsonrick and Prince William Anjou, heading to Randall Valley City to attend the completion and unveiling of the United Kingdom Navy's Southern Second Shipyard."

Shard did not quite understand, so Lecia spoke to her sister:

"Angelina, let's test you. Explain this to the knight."

Angelina nodded with a serious tone:

"William Anjou is the Great Prince of Carsonrick; he's been in charge of naval affairs for years now. And Princess Margaret Anjou visited Tobesk at the end of last year, where she achieved merits by negotiating a trade agreement with her father, thus being entrusted with important responsibilities. However, according to current intelligence and speculation, this trip also involves a political struggle between the two royal lineages... A more credible saying goes, this shipyard is urged to finish the unveiling after the Year-End Festival due to disputes related to the Pantanal Region. Carsonrick's King hopes to gain negotiation advantage by expanding the navy."

"Negotiation? The Pantanal's borderlines and trade routes?"

Shard asked worriedly, and Lecia nodded, slightly praised her sister, and said to Shard:

"It's truly a pity not being made a Baron during the commendation season. But the things you did for MI6 indeed cannot be disclosed. I'll consult with that Southern Nation's princess shortly on whether new merits should be credited to you. The Southern Nation's princess also has her political adversaries."

She seemed to be talking about something rather terrifying.

"Looks like it's going to be busy again."

Shard sighed, and Lecia pondered and further inquired:

"If I remember correctly, your Time Key has been delayed for a while; do you plan to use it soon?"

Shard couldn't say why he couldn't use the key, so his explanation to the ladies was "wanting to take a break." The chastised time was early New Year's morning, a Wednesday, and today happens to be Wednesday, the last day of two weeks:

"I plan to postpone the key matters until Sunday; I'm accustomed to setting out at that time. After resting for half a month, it's time to begin activity."

Shard slightly twisted his neck; his next stop is "Spring City" - Randall Valley City. In his dreams, Luviya pointed out that this city hides the only time key leading to the past Sixth Era. To unravel what happened back then and what will happen in the future, Shard must acquire that key, and the sooner, the better.

"Speaking of which, the next Day of the Red Butterfly is approaching; do you have any plans?"

Tonight is date night with Lecia, so Shard temporarily shelved those worries and asked Her Highness the Princess. Lecia regretfully shook her head:

"Dorothy mentioned that this year's Day of the Red Butterfly is temporarily canceled. She's been very busy lately; winning the Kingdom's Popular Literature Award has truly made our Miss Writer famous. Moreover, she is quite dissatisfied with her year-end exam results, hence busying herself reading and studying despite the summer exam week being far off... Really."

Though half complaining, she also agrees with Dorothy's choice.

"Canceled? Postponed to what date?"

"Early next month, Angelina's birthday party."

Lecia glanced at her sister:

"By then, we three will meet again... Remember the wedding feast at Lakeside Manor? Instead of low-quality gatherings, we should make every meeting a memory etched for life."

Her words interwoven with the acclaimed singing on stage, her gaze seemingly wanting to melt Shard.

Shard had no objections to this, while Angelina, though having minor opinions, refrained from voicing them.

Only when bidding farewell to Shard at the Opera House that night, as the princesses returned to Yordle Palace under the protection of Royal Guards, the Little Princess hesitantly asked her sister:

"Sis, in the future, if... if your multiple-participant parties lack members, and your friends can't make it, you can call me."

It took Lecia several seconds to grasp her meaning, her face flushed, half angrily half shamefully, flicking her sister's forehead:

"Upon return, I'll have my personal maid check if you've been reading unhealthy books lately. Oh, Angelina, a lady of the Royal Family shouldn't utter such words."