Arriving at the alley entrance, Lorin had the carriage parked far away. They slowly walked back.

He didn’t know how many knew this place, but it wasn’t just him. Given his identity, avoiding trouble was wise.

Lorin put on the mask he’d rebought en route and glanced at Xueyi behind him. They looked like masquerade attendees.

“What?” Xueyi touched her mask. “I knew it—this thing’s ugly, right?”

Lorin sighed. This wasn’t a ball; looks didn’t matter. “Stay close. Don’t get lost.”

“Oh.” Xueyi was slightly disappointed, expecting a comment on her masked appearance.

They entered the alley one after another. Daylight hadn’t faded, yet the damp gloom felt thicker than midnight, making them uneasy.

Lorin walked at a normal pace, but Xueyi lagged. Last time, her dress got mud-stained, so she tread carefully now.

“Everything okay?” Lorin stopped, seeing her fall behind.

“This place is filthy,” Xueyi complained.

“What did you expect? It’s a black market—dark, hidden, unmanaged. If it were public, it wouldn’t exist.”

“Go back first,” Lorin suggested. They’d just entered; she could exit quickly.

Xueyi pouted. “No. Who knows what shady things you’ll do alone?”

Lorin rubbed his forehead. He’d explained everything—why was she still hung up on his purpose here?

“Come.” He walked over and took her hand firmly.

“What are you doing?” Xueyi tried to pull away but couldn’t.

“Follow me. Faster this way.” The alley’s air unsettled him too; ending this quickly suited everyone.

Xueyi opened her mouth, but Lorin had turned. She followed his steps.

At yesterday’s windowsill, Lorin knocked as before. The window slid open. Before he could speak, withered hands thrust out a neat file.

“Laei Mog’s activities and contacts for the past month.” The window slammed shut with a stiff creak.

“That’s it?” Lorin was surprised—he’d expected more ritual.

Silence answered. He picked up the file.

“Huh? No secret codes or handshakes?” Xueyi, pulled along, eyed the file curiously. “Is this your investigation?”

“Mm.”

He’d hired someone, not done it himself. He didn’t know the details—maybe it was pointless. Money meant little to him here anyway.

On the way back, Xueyi spotted the merchant who’d accused her of dirtying his ring. Still in his corner, the cloaked figure’s eyes locked on them, releasing an eerie laugh.

Xueyi ducked behind Lorin instantly.

Minutes inside had left Lorin restless. Outside, wind brushed his cheeks—he finally relaxed.

Xueyi trailed timidly behind. “What’s wrong?” Lorin asked.

“Huh? We’re out? Nothing!” She peered suspiciously into the alley.

Lorin sighed. Her thoughts were unreadable.

At the distant carriage, he pulled her aboard and opened the file.

Page one listed all of Laei Mog’s personal details: parents, siblings, even body measurements.

“This… really this big?” Lorin paused at the bust size.

“What’d you see?” Xueyi leaned in.

“Nothing!” Lorin shoved her away.

*They investigated thoroughly—like dragging the person here*, he thought.

He skimmed further. Records showed Laei Mog’s recent contacts and actions.

Spotting frequent communication with Oulei Jonaka, Lorin frowned. Something felt off.

“Do you know any close ties between Laei and Oulei?” he asked casually.

“Laei and Oulei?” Xueyi murmured, face twisting in disgust. “I hate Laei. Her smile’s fake. Nauseating.” She nudged closer to read the file.

Lorin kept reading. “Your dislike isn’t wrong.”

Initially, he’d blamed Laei alone—maybe jealousy over Lilith, like Xueyi’s. But involving Oulei changed everything.

Oulei was crown prince Romon’s fiancée, future queen. A risk existed: if Romon loved another—Lilith—it could ruin Oulei’s path.

“This is tricky,” Lorin rubbed his forehead. Laei alone was manageable; Oulei wasn’t.

“What about Oulei?” Xueyi pressed.

Lorin leaned back. “Unless I’m wrong, she had Laei set you up.”

“What?” Xueyi bristled. “I’ll confront her! Expose her!”

Though hostility toward her had faded, Xueyi still burned to know who’d framed her.

“Confront her? Heh.” Lorin chuckled. “Do you know who she is?”

“The Jonakas? I’m not scared.”

*Of course not—you won’t clean up the mess. The Gret Family will.*

“She’s Romon’s fiancée. The future queen.”

“Huh?” Xueyi froze. She’d never heard this—Lorin’s words were her first clue.