Garden Stroll

Mencer's eyes widened in surprise.

'No wonder…'

Mencers barely had time to start a thought before the thief reappeared less than a second later with his cool hands unfurling the finger prison, sealing his necklace.

Lu's fingers were too nimble and quick for the shocked Mencer to react. He successfully finessed his necklace out of Mencer's crummy grasp.

Mencer finally clasped his hands tightly. But it was too late, and he could only try to grab Lu instead. But he had already jumped back and climbed onto the banister. He turned back with a grin.

"Thanks!"

Lu hadn't gotten the opportunity to ask Mencer if the latter had found out anything about his necklace and the strange symbol. But if he had, it probably would have noticed.

Lu Moonlight Strolled. He turned into a white streak of light that passed over the confused guards, who hadn't seen Lu flash into Mencer's face earlier. He crossed into one of the palace gardens.

Lu ran a little to put more distance between himself and Mencer's guards before he slowed down to a walk and retrieved the tray with cold pastries he had stashed in advance. No one would suspect him of being a thief.

His white hair was conspicuous, but only Mencer and Baryt had seen his face. Lu was confident he could make it to the outskirts of the palace grounds without anyone stopping him.

The moonlight sharpened Lu's senses, and he heard a commotion far behind him. But he kept his cool and continued walking through the garden, offering pastries to the occasional noble he met looking for fresh air outside. Not even the ones who accepted the pastries bothered looking at him.

The disguise of a servant doing their job was as close to being invisible as Lu could get. It was the perfect method to infiltrate the palace and get his necklace back.

"Going somewhere?"

Lu bowed reflexively and held out the tray with a few remaining pastries. He hadn't sensed anyone's presence. But the only ones who would address him like that in the palace were the nobles. Lu also saw the fancy shoes and pants with his bowed head.

A noble. And if the quality of the pants and the fine cloak hanging behind the noble were a clue, it was a high-ranking noble to boot.

"Mm, thank you."

Lu felt the person take a pastry. He heard him eat it. Usually, at that point, he would leave due to the tacit dismissal. But he could tell this occasion was an exception. It reminded him of the run-in with his Master.

'Shit.'

It was only obvious in hindsight. The Prince's castle was bound to have the occasionally powerful noble or guard walking around. They would have better resources and condensation arts than the lesser nobles spending their days lazing about in the castle or capital.

Lu doubted the person in front of him was as strong as Limping Lightning Leopard. But his mere presence was enough to dissuade Lu from doing anything foolish. If Lu were as obvious with his world essence as his Master made him appear to be, it wouldn't be strange if he had noticed Lu's world essence.

"Well? Are you going somewhere?"

Lu gulped. The voice sounded like it was having fun.

"I am just handing out pastries to the guests who came out for fresh air, sir. My apologies if I offended you."

"Offended me?"

The high-ranking noble chuckled.

"Not quite. But you did entertain me. I'm curious. Who are you?"

'Shit. Isn't this how it began with the Geezer?'

Seemingly noticing Lu's hesitation, the noble continued.

"I don't mean to pry, but I doubt your real name is Max. I also don't think any of the factions good enough to raise a disciple or scion like you would send you into the palace to steal a necklace from an envoy of the Kingdom."

"..."

Lu wasn't sure what to say.

"How about this? If you give me an answer, I won't make any trouble for Mirrie and the Cold Duck Bakery."

'Oh, right. They existed.'

Lu wasn't worried about Mirrie and her bakery. He was worried, however, about the noble's identity and power. He knew about the fake identity he had used to enter the palace. Lu started considering the possibility that he might not be a guest.

"My apologies. I only came to retrieve something of mine."

Lu showed the necklace with the two circles and a dash as he looked up.

'Aw, crud.'

As soon as he laid eyes on the slightly pale face with red eyes, striking features, and dark hair ontop, Lu realized he was in deep shit. 

"I greet Your Highness."

Lu immediately bowed with both knees and both palms on the ground in a display of utmost respect. He was in front of the Prince of Leoso Principality, Feltor vil Byurick. Anything less would be a show of disrespect.

"Hmm. I take it you're a citizen of mine, then?"

Lu nodded. He hoped it would lower the amount of shit he was in.

"I am blessed to have been born in the Principality."

"That still doesn't tell me who you are, though."

"This humble one's name doesn't deserve to grace the Prince's ears."

Lu also hoped an uncomfortable display of loyalty and devotion to the Prince would make the Prince disinclined to causing more trouble for him.

"But regarding my identity, the only thing worthy of note is the fact that I have received the honorable teachings of the Eccentric Wanderer."

"'The Eccentric Wanderer'... I see."

The Prince grabbed another pastry.

"Are you interested in working for me?"

The Prince bit down on the pastry with a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he looked at Lu. Lu was about to decline when the Prince threateningly raised an eyebrow.

Not only had Lu faked an identity, taken advantage of his citizen's kindness, and infiltrated the castle. He had also stolen from and caused trouble for an envoy from the Imra Kingdom. He claimed to have taken something back that belonged to him. But that only explained one of the necklaces.

But he wasn't satisfied. He was going to reject the Prince's grace as well? No way. If he did that, Lu probably wouldn't see the light of either day or night again.

'You've gotta be shitting me.'

"...It would be my honor."

The Prince smiled.

"Don't sound too happy about it."