"What good are you? You can't even protect the prince you serve!"

In Danga's palace, Prince Gap roared furiously after hearing Bruno the guard's report. "Has this nation rotted so much it can't safeguard its own prince?!"

The guard didn't try to excuse himself. He slammed his head hard on the floor, ready to die. "We deserve death for our sins. Punish us, Your Majesty!"

Though Prince Gap longed to tear him apart, he forced down his rage. "Where is the contract signed with Jeep?"

"Prince Bruno always carried it, so..."

Prince Gap sighed heavily. He knew the contract's contents must never be exposed. Otherwise, his rise to power would crumble. He couldn't split the kingdom on day one—that would shatter his authority.

The late king's death was deeply suspicious. The ministers weren't fools; they must have doubted it. Daisy had been the ideal heir. Even seeing her over the king's corpse with a weapon, they hadn't fully believed she did it. Many had pushed for a thorough investigation to clear her name. If he held either the contract or Daisy, he'd sleep soundly. But now both were gone.

"Find them! Search everywhere! Fail, and don't return!" Prince Gap wanted to kill him but couldn't—this guard was the only one who'd seen Alicia's face.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard scrambled out. Prince Gap sighed again, eyeing the mountain of documents on his desk. No time to dwell; the kingdom demanded his attention.

"Don't fret. When our plan succeeds, all obstacles will vanish like mist." Dark energy coiled around Prince Gap as an ethereal voice echoed through the room. He paused, nodded, and returned to his work.

...

"Your Highness, I've brought the person you requested." Larry, disguised as Daisy, looked up from his desk. Seeing Alicia, an unrestrained smile spread across his face.

"Well done, Bart. Dismissed. Rest well."

"Yes, Your Highness." Bart closed the door behind him, leaving them alone.

Alicia relaxed instantly. She plopped into a chair, crossed her legs, and grinned. "So you drew enemy fire and became an underground boss? And that cringy code phrase? I'm dying! Hahaha!"

Watching her laugh, a vein throbbed on Larry's temple. Then he noticed—Alicia in a skirt, legs crossed. He stole a glance at the view beneath.

"What are you staring at?" Alicia uncrossed her legs suspiciously.

"Ahem, nothing." Larry deflected. "If not for some people's IQ, I'd use Morse code. But certain folks limit my style."

"Morse code? Pfft. I know it all—I just don't brag!" Larry rolled his eyes. "Enough joking. Did you find Daisy?"

"Found her. Stashed her somewhere safe." Larry's expression didn't flicker, as if she'd merely picked up a dropped pen. "Good. We'll bring her back soon."

Alicia lounged back. "You've got legions of followers. Just summon them to fetch her."

"And have them see two Daisies? They'd snap." Larry rolled his eyes again. "They're not my followers. They're Daisy's—loyalists from the late king and her allies. I drew them here to make noise, easing your mission. So I organized them; this is our resistance base."

Alicia glanced around. Through the window, rebels worked busily, eyes clear and purposeful—Larry had given them direction and hope. "Seems you're managing well."

Larry shrugged. "It's fine. I'm free now. Let's go get Daisy. This is her legacy; I'm just holding it."

Alicia mused, "Daisy might not want to switch back after this. Or she might plot to find a love potion to cement your bond, keeping you forever."

Larry shuddered. "She wouldn't... would she?!"

Seeing his panic, Alicia grinned. "Maybe."

"Then... I'll hide. You bring her here. I'll prep documents for her next steps."

Alicia rolled her eyes at his instant relief. "Relax. I told Daisy I'm your fiancée. She's dropped her crush. She knows making Verona fall in love is impossible—like romancing the Mona Lisa. Verona was Ferrona's lifelike statue masterpiece; artists adored it, and one fool tried to awaken it with love, failing but creating a legend."

"Alicia, you're incredible. I don't know how to thank you." Larry grasped her delicate hands, moved. It was normal, but he didn't let go...

Alicia: -_-#

"What are you squeezing?"

Larry sighed dreamily. "Your hands are so tiny and humble now, like cotton candy. I could play with them for a year."

"Oh? Want to test that?" Alicia clenched her fist and swung at his chin. Larry saw stars, flew backward, and fell headfirst—but Alicia caught him mid-air to muffle the crash.

"How was that punch?"

"Spot on. Pure you."

"Can we go see Daisy now?"

"Yes, yes. Your wish is my command."

...

On the road, Alicia filled Larry in on Bruno.

"What do you think? Can we exploit this?"

"Absolutely. Huge potential." Larry's eyes lit up. "I was struggling how Daisy could overturn the belief she murdered the king and her parents. Now, someone hands us a golden opportunity. National duty outweighs all—Prince Gap did this, and his son's a waste. What's Bruno's relationship with his father? Can we make him testify?"

Alicia smirked. "I didn't ask, but getting him to testify won't be hard."

"How? Mind control?"

"Mind control? That Yuan Technique is trash." The mind-control Yuan Technique Larry mentioned existed, but without innate talent or training, reckless use caused severe mental damage. Victims looked visibly broken even when controlled.

Alicia grinned wickedly. "Curious? Want me to test it on you? You might start dreaming of being my puppy."

Larry shuddered, recalling their inn incident. He understood what Bruno had suffered. "Let's just keep walking. I'm not curious."