Chapter Thirty-Eight: Witness and Revelation—Mingchuan, the Prince

"Investigate Wenxin!?" Ennert and Kolt were suddenly startled.

"That's right, investigate Wenxin!" Mingchuan said with utmost seriousness.

"But why do you want to investigate Miss Wenxin? At least give us a reason!" Ennert and Kolt could not make sense of Mingchuan's intentions.

"Wenxin seems to have arrived in this world earlier than we did. She and I came together, and before I began to suspect her, she was with me almost every day. Yet, I noticed she seemed to be well-acquainted with this place long ago." Mingchuan explained, "I once overheard Wenxin's conversation with Count Flying Dragon; she appeared to be investigating me, and working for the Count."

"Then—" Ennert was about to ask further when Joey's voice sounded from outside, "Ennert, I've brought Miss Wenxin!"

"Just be ready to adapt," Mingchuan whispered, then responded loudly to Joey, "Perfect timing, we were just talking about Wenxin!"

"So, what do you want from me?" Wenxin still seemed unaware of what Ennert had originally intended to announce.

"It's like this—well, I'll let you explain, Ennert!" Mingchuan deftly shifted the responsibility. Ennert was flustered for a moment but quickly regained his composure.

"It's like this: Today, Joey and I officially became a couple. Since you both are close friends, I wanted you to witness this moment." He sounded reasonable, yet Wenxin said something that caught Mingchuan completely off guard.

"In that case, Mingchuan, shouldn't we do something as well?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Why not—let's be together too!" Wenxin boldly confessed, but Mingchuan certainly would not agree to be involved with someone he was currently suspicious of.

"We've only just met; I'm not planning to rush things!" Mingchuan replied simply, voicing what any normal young man would say when faced with a confession from a girl he had just met.

But Joey, still flushed with joy, heard the refusal and immediately shouted, "Mingchuan, how can you say that? Answer me—do you like Wenxin or not?"

"But—"

"But what? Just tell me, do you like Wenxin, at least once!"

"I do like her, but—"

"No 'but'! If you like her, then go for it!" Joey's barrage left Mingchuan bewildered.

"There are reasons," Mingchuan returned to his seat, downed the wine in his glass in one gulp. "You're still too young." With those words, he left the restaurant without looking back.

"What's wrong with him? Why does he have such a problem with me?" Wenxin feigned ignorance, though she knew the truth in her heart. Joey, however, had no clue. "Don't mind him, let's get back to the happy atmosphere and have fun!"

On a secluded beach, Mingchuan sat alone, drinking in silence. Just then, Tyren called him.

"Sorry for the sudden call, but when I saw there were no other signals near you, I dialed directly."

"Is something the matter?"

"A little. It seems members of that 'Assassin' organization are involved in the search for you. Also, someone has gone missing in the palace—their status could rival yours."

"No matter how high their status, they can't compare to the King and me," Mingchuan replied calmly. "As for the 'Assassin' group, I'll contact TA myself. Is there anything else? I'm not in the best mood."

"Just one last thing: There will be an operation tomorrow. Get some sleep. Goodbye!"

After the call, Mingchuan seemed even more worn. He took a ring from his pocket, edged with amber and gold in the shape of a 'rice' character, and slipped it onto his right index finger. Instantly, his hair turned gold and his eyes green.

"Father, oh father! You actually mobilized the Assassins to find me. But alas, as the saying goes, the higher the path, the greater the magic. TA is my subordinate!"

Mingchuan removed the ring, and under the vast starry sky, wandered aimlessly along the shoreline, walking, walking...

--- Aside ---

The knight now gets up early to write drafts as well. An internet-addicted youth, fond of playing Kings, in need of electrotherapy.