Communication with the restaurant manager went very smoothly.
Su Yao exchanged two packs of white sugar for today’s meal to be free of charge, plus five gold coins.
Clorel watched this scene beside him with envy.
Su Yao guessed what she envied most was probably the white sugar in his hands.
In the low-tech eras of ancient and medieval Europe, “sugar” was considered a luxury item.
Though this was another world, it wasn’t much different—after all, the “desserts” here lacked even a hint of sweetness.
After leaving the restaurant, Su Yao took Clorel to meet the old butler waiting for them at the door.
“Please follow me. My master has been expecting you for some time.”
Under his guidance, Su Yao and Clorel crossed the street from the restaurant and entered a luxurious inn, arriving at a room on the top floor.
“Welcome.”
The room’s owner lounged lazily on a gilded-edge sofa. Upon seeing the visitors, she set down the teacup she was holding and nodded slightly in greeting.
After escorting the guests inside, the butler bowed and quietly withdrew, gently closing the door behind him.
“I am Hilvi, the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Weirley. May I ask your names?”
“I am Su Yao, and this is Clorel, my maid and friend.”
Hilvi’s pale blue eyes lingered on Clorel for a moment before the noble girl shook her head.
“Miss Su Yao, I believe it’s best if we are honest with each other. Don’t you agree, Royal Princess Clorel?”
The moment her words fell, the chestnut-haired maid’s pupils contracted. She lifted her skirt and drew a dagger strapped to her thigh.
“Ah.” Su Yao sighed lightly. “Clorel!”
Although he didn’t know how Hilvi had uncovered Clorel’s perfect disguise, the princess’s extreme reaction was tantamount to a confession.
No wonder—after all, she had almost been caught earlier and had silently bound herself up. Su Yao felt quite helpless with her impulsive nature.
“Miss Hilvi, what else do you know?”
“I also know you’re not human, right? A monster, Miss?”
Normally, what should one do in such a situation? Silence witnesses? But since Hilvi spoke their secrets so brazenly, she must have some backing.
“It’s surprising. May I ask how you saw through our disguises, Miss Hilvi?”
“It’s nothing difficult. Anyone who knows Identification Spells can do it, but I can do it with just my eyes.”
Su Yao had expected irrationality in a magical world, but she hadn’t anticipated meeting such an unreasonable person right outside the newbie village.
“Let’s get to the point. What do you want, Miss Hilvi?”
“Oh? Aren’t you afraid I’ll hand you over to the city guards right now?”
Hilvi looked meaningfully at the princess in maid attire. Clorel’s body stiffened slightly, but after seeing Su Yao’s faint smile, she calmed considerably.
Though they hadn’t spent much time together, Clorel trusted this blonde little girl’s judgment.
“If you really intended that, you would have surrounded us back at the restaurant. So why don’t we cut to the chase and talk terms?”
“Alright.” Hilvi paused briefly before shifting her gaze back to Su Yao.
“As you know, I am the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Weirley. Above me are three incompetent brothers, and I want to claim my father’s title.”
She took a sip of tea and casually let her gaze fall upon the two.
“Is that difficult?”
Su Yao’s question exposed her outsider nature.
“That’s true. Perhaps as a monster, you don’t fully understand human society. To put it simply, women rarely inherit titles. Not to mention, I am last in line.”
She then looked at Clorel. “So, Royal Princess, I envy you. Your parents are so loving, and you are their only child. I suppose they dote on you quite a lot?”
From her words, Clorel seemed to be the sole heir to the throne. But that wasn’t envy—Su Yao detected strong jealousy instead.
“So? What do you need from me? Let me be clear—I do not engage in murder.”
The noble girl was momentarily stunned at this declaration. It was probably the first time that night she felt surprised—Su Yao, a monster, declaring she wouldn’t kill.
But she had no intention of killing either.
“No. The title won through killing family members wouldn’t be recognized by society. What I want are sufficient ‘achievements.’”
Su Yao understood Hilvi’s ambition. Such situations often happened in ancient times. Talented heirs often lacked priority in succession and had to prove their worth to gain favor.
The way to gain favor was to secure enough benefits for the family. This meant their cooperation would likely be very pleasant.
“So, Miss Hilvi is very interested in the ‘goods’ I bring, yes?”
Su Yao placed the bread and white sugar she had shown earlier at the tea table, making a gesture inviting her to take them.
Hilvi had never seen plastic packaging before, but being clever, she had already prepared scissors.
When Rosalia witnessed the head chef’s reaction during her meal, she was amazed. No matter how strange the seasoning was, it shouldn’t provoke such a reaction…
Well, she was wrong. A few minutes later, she was amazed once again. Indeed, dealing with this monster lady was full of surprises.
“Miss Monster, you are right. The goods you brought are very valuable. I’ve changed my mind. But the ‘achievements’ I’d gain by handing you over to my father are too few. Let’s discuss a trade.”
Su Yao’s smiling cheek twitched. This girl had really considered handing them in!
But fortunately, this gamble was hers to win.
The identity revelation gave Hilvi an advantage in negotiations, but with Su Yao’s mediation, they ultimately signed a fairly reasonable contract. She would sell her “goods” only to Hilvi.
For now, ten bags of white sugar and twenty bags of bread per week, worth one hundred gold coins, payment on delivery.
Hilvi promised to keep Su Yao and Clorel’s identities secret in Moravia.
“I wanted to ask earlier. Miss Monster, where exactly do you pull out all these things? Space Magic? But I feel no magical aura when you use it.”
“Just think of that skill as a racial talent. By the way, Miss Hilvi, you keep calling me ‘Miss Monster.’ Do you know what kind of monster I am?”
“Who cares? Just don’t engage in business that harms humans, Miss Su Yao.”
…
After the deal, the two chatted back and forth. Seemingly ordinary questions always concealed traps to glean each other’s abilities.
“It’s late. We should be going.”
“I won’t see you off. By the way, please accept this.”
“What is it?”
“My family crest.”
——
“Claude.” After Su Yao and Clorel left, the noble girl quietly called her butler.
“Here, Miss.” The old butler gently pushed open the door and stood at the entrance.
“Is the news from my brother’s people true?”
“Absolutely, Miss. Royal Princess Clorel fled into the Dungeon and encountered the Black Dragon. The odds are grim.”
Listening to the report, Hilvi stirred the “Leaf Water” sweetened with sugar with a small spoon, lost in thought.
“Spread the word that Royal Princess Clorel is still alive, likely trapped in the Dungeon. No need for wide coverage; just let my brothers know.”
“As you command, Miss.”