Feilin walked down a main street in the City of Sunrise, finding it quite novel to be in a human city again after so many years.

Unlike Fio, who was a little dazed, Feilin seemed to have an air of dignity about her by nature. The tide of people parted to make way for the girl, and couldn’t help letting their eyes linger on her beautiful face for a few extra seconds.

Seeing her extraordinary clothes and realizing she was alone, people couldn’t help wondering what might have happened to this young noblewoman.

“Why is everyone looking at me?”

It wasn’t until she passed a shop window that Feilin remembered she was still wearing her usual royal attire. She took a look at what the people around her were wearing and understood why.

It seems I’m drawing a little too much attention. No wonder people are getting suspicious.

Feilin hadn’t brought Myron with her. After hearing the relevant reports, she’d hurried straight to the City of Sunrise.

She’d said they should find her daughter first and worry about everything else later, but finding two people in such a vast human capital was still going to be difficult.

At first, she’d thought about summoning an iceberg and blowing the place up. Then she wouldn’t have to look for Fio and Leon—they’d come crawling out on their own.

But Feilin had quickly shaken her head. This was her prospective son-in-law’s hometown, after all. It wouldn’t do to destroy it.

Besides, she needed to keep a low profile this time. If Leon found out she was Fio’s mother, that would make it harder to carry out her plan.

“I have a feeling that making too much of a scene will bring unnecessary trouble. First, I should change clothes.”

After thinking it over for a moment, Feilin reached a decision.

As luck would have it, this shop sold clothes. What a coincidence.

Feilin pushed open the glass door and went inside.

“Human, is anyone here? Come and greet your king.”

“What…? Huh?”

The shopkeeper froze when he saw the silver-haired girl. What on earth had blown such a beautiful noblewoman into his little shop?

“Human, you seem a little too lax. You need to work harder.”

Feilin had a small quirk. Around strangers, she easily slipped into disguise, playing the part of a regal royal with overwhelming authority.

Hearing how imperiously Feilin spoke, the shopkeeper decided she must be someone important and hurried to give her his full attention.

“I’m sorry. How should I address you?”

“I grant you special permission to address me by my name: Feilin.”

“Miss Feilin, what would you like to buy at my shop?”

Feilin wandered between the clothing displays, troubled by the dazzling array of clothes and unsure which one to choose.

Her taste tended toward clothes that showed off a ruler’s nobility, but that clearly wasn’t what humans liked, and she didn’t know much about human fashion.

“Human, judging by my appearance, how old would you say I am?”

“Miss Feilin, you’re fourteen… No, thirteen?”

“Thirteen, is it…?”

Feilin worked out the difference between human and dragon ages in her head. By human reckoning, she was twelve now… Close enough!

“What do human girls wear when they’re thirteen?”

“What kind of thing are you looking for? We have expensive options and cheaper ones.”

“Price…?”

Feilin’s puzzled look immediately made the shopkeeper nervous. He stammered, “Oh, no, that’s not what I meant! I just mean, if you’re looking for everyday clothes, the cheaper ones are—”

Then Feilin remembered something: you had to pay money to buy things here, and she hadn’t brought any with her.

But that was nothing to Feilin. Finding a clever way out of an awkward situation was part of being a ruler.

“I have no money.”

“Miss Feilin, what are you saying?”

“Human, this is something we need to discuss,” Feilin said. “I’m no tyrant, and I have no habit of taking from the weak. If I take something from you, I’ll give you a fitting reward in return.”

“Miss Feilin, we’re just a small business. We can’t let you buy on credit…”

The shopkeeper pulled a long face. He knew that noble young ladies often had no concept of money, and might leave home without bringing any—but he didn’t dare just throw her out.

“Then offer up the clothes I require, and choose your reward!” Feilin raised both hands. “This is strength, and this is authority. Which one do you want?”

“Miss Feilin, could you please stop joking…?”

“—Human, are you really that greedy? You want to claim both power and authority at once? What ambition!”

The shopkeeper’s scalp prickled. She was so cute, but why was she so silly, saying all sorts of nonsensical things like a fool?

The other customers were watching the silver-haired girl make a scene, and business was about to come to a standstill.

Just as the shopkeeper was fretting, a man walked in. It was the distinguished guest he’d been expecting that afternoon—the black-haired, red-eyed Heroic Sword Saint.

When he saw the silver-haired girl, he paused and frowned.

“Fio, why have you run off again?”

Feilin turned at the sound of his voice. Remembering Myron’s description of Leon, she asked just to be sure.

“Fio? Could you be… Leon? The legendary Heroic Sword Saint, Leon Alex?”

“Of course it’s me. Could you stop calling me by that grandiose title…? Hey, wait. Fio, you still haven’t answered my question.”

It had to be this man.

Feilin was now fairly certain. She walked up to him, confidently sizing up his appearance.

Hmm… Quite handsome. A little too gloomy, though. I’ll give his looks a passing grade.

“I came to buy clothes. This outfit attracts too much attention, but I didn’t bring any money, so I was negotiating with this human.”

Leon glanced at the shopkeeper, seemed to understand what had happened, and sighed.

“You really haven’t learned a thing, have you? Never mind. I’ll pay for you. Consider it an apology for last time…”

An apology? Something’s fishy! Feilin made a mental note to get the details out of him later.

What a coincidence—she’d run into her prospective son-in-law here. He clearly hadn’t realized she wasn’t Fio. Perfect. She’d been searching high and low, and now he’d practically fallen into her lap. She’d begin testing her prospective son-in-law right here.

Feilin composed herself and dropped her usual royal act.

“Okay, thanks, Leon.”

“…”

Leon stared blankly at Feilin.

“What is it?”

“I just feel like you’re… unexpectedly outgoing today, Fio. I’m not used to it.”

“Uh… Well, I guess I’m in a good mood because you’re buying me clothes. I’m really happy.”

“Fio is actually being so direct today…!”

“Oh, Leon, since you’re buying me clothes anyway, why don’t you pick something out for me?” Feilin smiled at Leon. “I’ll be happy with anything you choose.”

“—!!”

The son-in-law test had begun. Feilin hid her intentions perfectly beneath her smile.

As Leon’s gaze darted around in a fluster, he had no idea that the cute girl before him was watching his every move closely.