The Silverhaired Maiden’s fleeting smile caught the eyes of several nearby men.

In a restaurant corner, five men in security uniforms huddled around a round table, murmuring.

"That stunner—I’ve never seen anyone so gorgeous. Been months since we last visited the city for company. Feeling lonely. What do you say?"

A long-faced,尖嘴 man covered his mouth, leering at Verlith.

"Boss, you read my mind!"

The chubby man beside him thumped the table in agreement, his beady eyes glued to the maiden’s graceful figure.

"Let’s be cautious," suggested the double-chinned man to the fat man’s left. "We should send someone to scout her first."

"That job…" The fat man, Ket, jabbed a finger at burly Lal. "Lal, you go!"

"Fenx, Ket, Mrat—think this through, okay?"

Bear-like Lal shrank back.

"Anyone entering a Rest Station isn’t simple. Armed guards won’t stand by. Just five of us? How?" Lal worried.

"Relax. This is Tree Spirit Forest," Ket said, digging wax from his ear and wiping it on the tablecloth.

"Don’t act inside the station. If needed, grab her at night and take her out," suggested bald Aris beside Lal.

"No need to fear. Remember who my brother is? Station Master Smith himself." Fenx chuckled darkly, utterly unconcerned.

"Right, Boss! How could we forget? So—do we do it?" Ket pressed, emboldened by Fenx’s connections.

"Do it. A beauty like that? Worth the risk!"

"Let’s go!"

Aris and double-chinned Mrat itched with eagerness, sealing the plan. All four turned to Lal, silent in the corner.

"Don’t look at me like that. I don’t want to go. Can’t I skip this?"

Lal’s timid expression clashed wildly with his massive frame.

"Picking on honest Lal again?" Aris grinned wickedly.

"Aris, easy. He’ll go, right, Lal?" Fenx kicked Lal’s shin hard.

"I—I… you’re all staring! This is too much pressure!"

Lal looked ready to cry.

"Things have been unstable near the Rest Station lately. Better avoid trouble, right, Aris? …Aris?"

Lal pleaded with the bald man beside him.

Aris merely sipped his tea, coldly refusing.

"Then go, Lal."

"Aris!" Lal gasped in disbelief. "How could you?!"

He knocked over his chair and fled stumblingly.

"Tch. Useless," Fenx spat on the floor.

"Wasted on that giant frame," Ket nodded.

Aris smirked. "Lal always does this—runs off crying, then slinks back. I’m so done with him. Since he’s gone, let’s ask her ourselves!"

Aris stood first. The four strode toward Verlith.

Verlith had just sat down, piling food from her tray onto Alyssa’s plate.

"Here, Alyssa! Try these Jade Greens. Super refreshing!" Verlith introduced the dishes.

"And this Blue Fragrance Fruit—supposedly great for skin."

Alyssa stared at her mountain-high plate, smiling wryly. Her eyes lit up at a glowing mushroom.

"Vier, look! Such a pretty mushroom!"

"…Huh? What kind is this?"

"Try it! Must be delicious… probably…"

Alyssa scooped a spoonful, grinning.

"Open up—ah…" Mesmerized by her smile, Verlith obeyed, ignoring Alyssa’s hesitant tone.

Instantly, Verlith’s face twisted.

A bizarre taste.

Like coffee mixed with soy sauce.

Gagging but unable to spit it out, her fair face flushed crimson.

"Ugh! Water—where’s the water?!"

Alyssa, stifling laughter, handed her a cup.

After gulping several mouthfuls, Verlith finally choked back the nausea.

"Bitter-taste mushrooms are an Eastern Pearl Empire specialty. Good for lungs. I’ve seen them in restaurants but never dared order. So awful… Vier, you took one for the team."

"Alyssa, you’re evil!" Verlith glared tearfully at the tea-haired girl hiding her smile.

"I saw you only feeding me, not eating yourself. I shared my food. Why say that?" Alyssa feigned innocence.

"I—I am eating!" Verlith blushed, hurriedly slicing a Hornfruit with her knife.

But its shell was far more brittle than expected.

*CRACK.* Her plate split in two.

"A bit… too much force," Verlith swallowed hard, sheepish.

"Actually pretty sweet." She grabbed half the fruit, took a huge bite, juice splattering her lips. She giggled.

"What am I going to do with you…" Alyssa sighed.

She moved beside Verlith. The nearness carried a soothing herbal scent mixed with her delicate fragrance.

Alyssa pulled out a silk handkerchief. Her soft palm pressed gently against Verlith’s lips through the cloth, wiping away the juice.

Feeling that tender touch, Verlith’s ears burned crimson.

"Honestly, you’re such a child."

Noticing sticky Hornfruit juice in Verlith’s silver hair, Alyssa cradled her chin. Her hands slipped behind Verlith’s neck.

"Eh?! Alyssa, what are you—?!"

The near-embrace flustered Verlith.

Alyssa chuckled, untying her hair ribbon.

Lustrous silver strands cascaded down Verlith’s back.

Alyssa carefully combed through each silvery lock, wiping away the sticky residue.

"Vier, you’re a girl. Mind your manners. Stop being so reckless—like a tomboy."

Alyssa smiled fondly at her messy eating.

"Yes, ma’am! This humble servant shall obey Lady Alyssa’s every command!" Verlith joked, bowing hastily.

Suddenly, she sensed approaching footsteps. She fell silent. Alyssa frowned, puzzled by the sudden quiet—just as heavy steps sounded behind them.