To be fair, Prince Gibran was a very charming man.
He was talkative, passionate, witty, and eloquent.
Nearly thirty years of elite royal education had cultivated in him an insight and emotional intelligence far beyond the ordinary.
In just half an hour of conversation, he had largely figured Joen out, understanding that Joen was a chivalrous character who valued loyalty over profit, with little desire for material possessions or power.
The topic subtly shifted from the factional politics and power games Joen couldn’t understand to the martial arts tournaments, hunting, and religious anecdotes Joen loved to hear.
Centering on topics Joen cared about, like disaster relief and fundraising, Gibran spoke eloquently, always saying things that deeply enlightened Joen.
As a faction leader, Gibran well understood the importance of catering to someone’s interests.
Before this banquet, he had done extensive preparatory work targeting the Hero, even becoming quite knowledgeable about “Pupu rearing.”
He shared many “Pupu rearing” theories that opened Joen’s eyes.
These theories were correct and long-proven.
After all, the Empire was vast, truly vast.
Its massive population base could nurture all sorts of eccentrics—including some minor nobles who truly raised their Dumplings as lovers.
Practice had proven that human logic is easily influenced by “prior impressions.”
Paving the way with this correct knowledge, Gibran quickly established an authoritative impression in Joen’s mind of “possessing the correct perspective,” greatly reducing the difficulty of gaining Joen’s trust.
To the very end, Joen still thought this was a good person, comfortable to be around, and this “good person” had taught him a lot.
For example—you actually shouldn’t feed a Pupu Honey Water.
While Pupus like it, its viscosity is too high, easily getting stuck in the Pupu’s body and not being expelled.
Over time, it’s bad for the Pupu’s health.
The golden ratio for feeding determined by Pupu rearing experts is: 3 ounces of Qilan Tea, 4 ounces of Unicorn Milk, 3 ounces of Nightberry Juice.
Gibran even ordered a servant to personally brew a pot and bring it to Liya, inviting her to drink her fill.
Even someone as experienced as Liya had to admit it was indeed quite delicious.
It was almost the best thing Liya had ever tasted, and the feeling as it entered her body was very refreshing.
Before she knew it, Liya revealed a very intoxicated, pleasured expression.
Witnessing Liya’s reaction, Joen could also see how much his little pet liked it.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, a faint sense of satisfaction and happiness.
“And… feeding a Pupu this way also has some special benefits that men particularly enjoy,” Gibran said mysteriously.
“What benefits?”
Joen asked, puzzled.
“You’ll understand tonight,” Gibran chuckled, deliberately being cryptic, his smile profound.
Joen was even more confused.
Liya, however, gleaned a hint or two from Gibran’s “you know what I mean” smirk.
She ‘tsk’-ed inwardly, her face reddening further, guessing it was probably some effect to facilitate… indecent activities.
Thinking this, whether it was psychological or not, she felt her skin had become even more silky and soft.
Pupus were already moist and tender.
After absorbing that golden ratio “little drink,” the special tea phenols and fruit sugar structures combined with the milk and gel in her body, further softening the colloidal substance, making her pink skin take on a glowing, milky-white sheen.
Liya felt increasingly uneasy inside.
Damn it… this terrible sense of foreboding.
Unable to wait for Joen to drink more, Liya picked up her own wine glass and clinked it against Joen’s, inviting him to drink together.
Her pink eyes sparkled, tender and innocent.
“Friend! Together!” She showed a smile.
Joen picked up his wine glass, glanced at it, and suddenly froze.
For some reason, the wine gave him an uncomfortable feeling.
His keen Magical Perception allowed him to detect that the magical circuit of this wine was not normal.
He set the glass down again, then turned to find Liya staring at him nervously.
“What’s wrong, Lily?”
Joen chuckled, rubbing her little head.
“Friend… you… why aren’t you drinking…”
Liya stammered.
“I think something might have been put in it.”
After saying this, Joen suddenly caught on and asked Liya curiously, “Did you put it in?”
Liya’s mind was thrown into chaos.
She never expected the Hero’s stats were so high he could skip the intelligence check and directly see through the abnormal magical circuit of the [Emerald Dream].
She stammered, panicking.
To get Joen to drink the [Emerald Dream] quickly and safeguard her chastity, she blurted out a lie: “Yes… it’s… it’s a little medicine that’s good for a friend’s body, to help a friend sleep well!”
“Anyway, Lily doesn’t mean any harm. Lily just sees you’ve been too tense lately and wants you to relax properly…”
The more she spoke, the more her face fell, looking like she was about to cry.
Even she felt she was talking nonsense.
How could anyone believe such an explanation?
The next second, Joen downed the wine in one gulp.
Liya was instead stunned.
“You… you drank it? You’re not going to ask more questions?”
Joen cast her a gentle gaze, one that both flustered Liya and stirred something inexplicable within her.
“No need,” Joen said, wiping the corner of his mouth.
“Because I believe you, friend. You can tell me anything directly.”
After drinking, he directly bid farewell to the second prince.
“Your Highness Gibran, in that case, Lily and I will head back first. I might indeed need a good night’s rest.”
“I’ll have my estate’s coachman take you,” Gibran said.
“His carriage is very stable; it definitely won’t make your Pupu feel jostled.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Joen hesitated for a few seconds, which made Gibran smile involuntarily.
For someone with Joen’s chivalrous personality, accepting another’s kindness and allowing the give-and-take of a relationship already indicated he held a high opinion of the other person.
As they left, Liya’s dazed, distracted appearance fell into Ailita’s eyes, making her feel a slight joy inwardly.
She thought to herself: Going home this early must mean Joen can’t hold back anymore, and the Pupu looks like she drank the [Emerald Dream].
It seems the plan is going very smoothly!
Seeing that both Ananna and Yuna were about to see the Hero, Ailita quickly had the “Elf Speech” exert its power, using an illusion to confuse what the two saw—Yuna would see Annana Margaret as Joen, and vice versa.
Incidentally, she also knocked out the servant the second prince had arranged to go inform the princess, preventing any change in the princess’s plans.
With everything ready, Ailita had the “Elf Speech” continue monitoring these three women, each with her own agenda, while she herself quietly slipped back to Joen’s residence.
She took out a Magic Shadow Stone, ready to film a sensational show!
Inside the banquet hall.
Ananna saw the “Hero” hurriedly walking over from the terrace.
Her eyes lit up, and she proactively stepped forward to stop him.
“Brave One, the princess has been admonished by His Majesty and has truly reformed. She now wishes to invite you for a walk in the garden to confess her wrongdoings in the Dry River Territory.”
Meanwhile, on Yuna’s side, due to the “Elf Speech” interference, the address she heard was “Saintess.”
She was instantly full of question marks—since when was Joen so polite?
The second half of the sentence was even more shocking to her: What the hell?
The princess is confessing, why call me?
Does that mean you two pour your hearts out, and I have to play the nun to set the mood?