GoE 33 Only three days 

GoE 33

...

Prince Ellder stood in silence for a few seconds as he heard Servant Ninne's explanation of the time Prince Hector had given him to escape. Meanwhile, Servant Ninne was speechless.

"It's not a big problem for me. Three days is more than enough for you to prepare yourself. What you have to worry about is how to infiltrate the Main Hall of Emperor Paddu and find the last Black Pearl in this great palace." whispered Etter.

"Is that all you can think of?" shouted Servant Ninne in her inner conversation with Etter.

"Especially? The problem of escaping was a very easy thing for me. I'll help you guys, don't worry." replied Etter in his usual calm tone.

"Well. This time I will believe in you." Servant Ninne sighed resignedly.

Prince Ellder just kept quiet then walked back to his room without a word. And Servant Ninne was too busy figuring out how to disguise her way into Emperor Paddu's Main Hall. So it's better to be prepared than to think about uncertain possibilities.

"See, now you only have me to help? Prince Ellder also has his problems that you can't solve even if you want to. So just mind your problem. Find another Black Pearl as soon as possible." Etter said in a half-mocking voice.

The maid Ninne who had returned in the form of a woman named Elle sighed softly. So true. The world doesn't always revolve around him even though there is Etter. Or a situation that is not as long as it is not on his side.

Elle must continue to learn to be a real adult woman. Elle could not continue to depend on Etter even though Etter had promised. Because the situation will always be unexpected at any time.

"You are a part of my life now. Etter, can't you help me one more time?" whispered Elle as she tried to find a way to enter the Main Hall of Emperor Paddu.

In front of Elle lay a map of the entire Solar Empire Main Palace. While the Main Hall of Emperor Paddu is at the center point of the Main Palace. Or rather the Main Hall as well as the residence of Emperor Paddu was surrounded by tight security.

"Why should you be confused when you have the most advanced ninja uniform? You can even disappear in a second if you concentrate." Etter gave a hint.

"I know. But the consequence was that my energy was drained in just a few minutes. Is that called sophisticated?" Elle roared softly.

"Because that ninja cloak absorbs the surrounding human energy to provide the most extraordinary manipulation tricks. Resulting in the optical conclusion of the human eye not to be aware of strange circumstances. Of course, sucking in the energy of a human body like you is the lightest reciprocity."

"Still it's not fair." Elle again whined disapprovingly.

"Still you have to practice taking care of yourself from now on. Also, pay attention to the intake of nutrients that enter your body. Hasn't Prince Ellder given you absolute freedom?" Etter added with a satisfied smile.

Elle lost the debate.

Instead, Elle returned to using her ninja cloak to infiltrate the Main Hall of Emperor Paddu. After Elle managed to trick one of Concubine Weyya's regular court ladies into the Main Hall, Elle headed straight for one of the small rooms that Etter suspected was the Black Pearl's hiding place.

"I hope Etter's hint is correct," Elle muttered as she carefully inspected every corner of the room.

On one of the small tables in the corner of the room, Elle saw a dusty black box that would be impossible for the normal eye to notice. Elle approached and took the black city.

"Could it be that Emperor Paddu no longer believes in the power of the Black Pearl?" quietly and trying not to make a sound Elle said to herself.

Three meters from where Elle has suddenly heard footsteps approaching the door.

"Is that true? Did Consort Weyya want to be the main Empress? Wasn't it enough for him to get sneakily rid of Concubine Isbella?" said one of the female voices behind the door.

"What if that's not the goal? Concubine Weyya wanted Prince Hector to be the next Emperor. So the most likely way is to become the Empress, am I wrong?" said another female voice.

"We're just palace maids. We'd better not talk about things like this anymore. I don't want to have the misfortune of Concubine Isbella. Even Consort Weyya threw away Concubine Isbella's entire legacy behind this door? All the things that make Emperor Paddu remember Consort Isbella have been removed from this Main Hall by Consort Weyya." whispered the woman again.

"We'd better be quiet. We work to stay alive. To meddle in other people's affairs is to seek death." squeaked one of the women again.

Then silence.

Can Elle make sure the two palace ladies who were standing behind the door have left? Holding the battered black box in his left hand, shaking violently. In her heart, Elle wondered why there were humans in the Solar Galaxy who were cruel like Consort Weyya?

"After escaping death, I realized that the world is not as beautiful as I thought. Demon-hearted humans with honorable positions can exist among other ordinary humans. I have to start being careful now." growled Elle, opened the black box, and took out the faintly glowing Black Pearl.

Elle immediately returned to Prince Ellder Palace without anyone suspecting her. Thanks to Etter's Ninja Cloak, Elle rested her body in the corner of her room. Staring out the window with a cup of warm milk and a piece of bread.

From inside her room, Elle could see the crowd that was happening at the end of the street. A delegation of ladies-in-waiting from the Empress Palace was rushing to bring equipment to the Main Hall for a weekend event with Emperor Paddu and some special guests.

The location of Prince Ellder's Palace which was right at the intersection between the other Prince's Palaces and the Main Hall made Elle able to see and monitor the traffic of people in the Imperial Main Palace. One of the advantages that Elle only realized today.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Elle knew only Prince Ellder dared to enter her room.

Ever since Prince Ellder treated Servant Ninne aka Elle, everyone within Prince Ellder Palace concluded that the two of them had a special relationship. Regardless of what the special relationship between them was, Elle didn't care. Her mission is to collect the Black Pearl for the sake of her husband and child.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Prince Ellder gently.

"Nothing, my lord," replied Elle who had returned to her Servant Ninne form, bowing and saluting.

"Are you ready?"

"Two days left and I'll make sure I find everything I'm looking for. Please give me some more time." Servant Ninne couldn't help it if Prince Ellder asked her to leave before three days.

-TBC-