"What's up? Did someone spot her with my brother's card and ruin her reputation?"

Alicia said nonchalantly. After all, this was Daisy's own country—Danka Kingdom—and as the First Princess, she’d never be mistreated.

Larry let out a bitter laugh. "It’s far worse than that." He placed a newspaper on the table. "This is last week’s issue from Danka. Take a look."

Alicia leaned in and read softly: "First Princess Daisy murdered her parents in a bid for the throne. Prince Gapu heroically exposed her unforgivable crimes and led the purge. Daisy now flees with her remnants. Nationwide warrant: 1 million camos for her whereabouts, 10 million per accomplice captured, and 100 million for the villainess Daisy herself!" Alicia’s jaw nearly dropped. "Daisy’s worth that much?! Wait—that’s not the point. Is this even real?"

Daisy could be arrogant, haughty, willful, obsessive about routines, and slow in the shower—but Alicia knew her. That woman was a devoted daughter, willing to set aside pride to secure her parents’ throne, even throwing herself at Larry.

Mika gasped. "Impossible! Daisy would never do this!"

"Shh!" Larry signaled them to quiet down, lowering his voice. "Keep it down. Daisy’s a wanted fugitive now. If anyone mistakes us for accomplices, we’ll end up in jail."

Alicia hushed immediately. "This has to be fake news."

"Which paper would dare joke about this?" Larry shook his head. "No, I got this from the Adventurers Guild. And the latest issue—see for yourself." He slid another paper onto the table. Alicia scanned it: "Prince Gapu, who valiantly quelled the rebellion, is hailed as a paragon of virtue. By popular acclaim, he will be crowned king this Sunday?!"

Reality outdid fiction. Alicia felt like she was dreaming—they’d parted less than a week ago! She slammed the table. "This stinks of a setup. I’m convinced Prince Gapu orchestrated everything: killed Daisy’s parents, pinned it on her, then brazenly seized the throne."

Mika stared at Alicia, puzzled. "You knew Daisy before?"

Alicia froze, then shook her head. "Never met her. But she’s your partner—and Larry’s. Her character can’t be this rotten. From my years reading novels, this is exactly how the plot twists! Whatever the truth, we must find Daisy before the royal army does. Or that perverted king will confiscate my black card!"

"Who’d even want your card?" Larry turned to her. "Besides, I’m already on it."

"Oh? How?"

"I posted a quest at the Adventurers Guild: find your black card."

"It’s with Daisy, so searching for it—ah, I see. Best move for now." Alicia sighed. "Truly, my training shines through. You’ve inherited my cleverness."

Larry: =_=

"Nah, you flatter me. I’m still lacking in the big-chested-and-brainless department." He patted his chest.

Alicia: "..."

*Do kids play this dirty nowadays? Fine. The moment I regain my manhood, you’ll experience ‘big-chested-and-brainless’ firsthand.*

Mika blinked. "Huh? Why search for Aelis’s black card to find Daisy?"

Watching the genuinely airheaded Mika, Alicia explained patiently. "Only Daisy knows where my brother’s black card is. Only we’d post a quest for it. If she visits the Adventurers Guild, she’ll see we’re looking—and can message us her location through their system."

Mika’s eyes lit up. "Brilliant! But... what if she never goes to the Guild?"

"Then we turn to another angle." Alicia pointed at Prince Gapu’s smug face on the paper. "Let Daisy’s enemies find her for us."

"So what now?"

"Simple. Sleep. Wait for news." Alicia stood to leave.

Mika startled, whispering to Larry. "Shouldn’t we help Daisy right now?"

"Nothing we do here will reach her." Larry stretched. "Today’s travel drained us. Better rest, then tackle this fresh tomorrow."

"Mm." Mika hurried to her room. Alicia was already in bed, serious and still—no trace of earlier playfulness. *She’s truly focused on sleep.* Mika dimmed the lights and lay down. "Thanks, Alicia. For caring so much about our partners."

"No problem." Alicia closed her eyes, voice flat. *She was my partner too. I bullied her plenty—but!*

*My partners are mine to tease. No one else gets to bury her in a trap like this.*

...

Alicia woke at 5 a.m.—agonizing for a chronic late sleeper. But sleep was impossible now. Yesterday’s news flooded her mind with visions of Daisy captured, dragged into 18+ scenes. *We weren’t even close while traveling together. Yet after two months, their weight in my heart only shows when they’re in trouble.*

She glanced at Mika, peacefully asleep. *Sigh. Sometimes being a fool isn’t so bad.*

This was Alicia’s first night sharing a room with a female companion. Without her "little brother" anymore, her spirit felt... elevated. No improper thoughts stirred beyond initial ripples. *Not sure if that’s good or bad. At least I’ve stopped mourning my lost manhood. Call it progress.*

She dressed quickly and quietly. Opening her door, she found Larry doing the same.

He raised an eyebrow. "Wow. The lazy pig rises early. Starving already?"

Alicia shot back, "Early bird—did you stray off the human path? Fly back to your tree and eat worms."

"Can’t. Who’d wake the sleepy pig then?"

"Just a tool, yet so proud." Alicia scoffed and walked beside him downstairs.

Yawning repeatedly, she ignored Larry’s question: "Worrying again?"

"‘Worrying’? I care for my partners. Loyal souls like me are rare these days."

"Sure. Got any brilliant plans?"

"Actually... I do."

Breakfast was simple. Over steamed buns, Alicia whispered to Larry, "How does catching us compare to catching Daisy?"

"Catching us is harder. Even the entire kingdom’s army might fail." Larry swallowed a bite.

Alicia smirked. "Remember that disguise crystal from our adventures? It transforms us into any character based on our mental image."

Larry’s eyes widened. "Wait—you’re planning to..."