I have an idea

Scene 13

Location: Parlour Road

Karlus quickly summarized the entire situation to Noah, explaining Kael's urgency and asking for his help.

Noah (leaning back, humming thoughtfully): "Hmm… this is quite a serious matter."

Kael and Karlus exchanged glances, noticing Noah's sudden seriousness.

Kael (impatiently): "What's there to think about? Either help us or say you can't."

Karlus (calming Kael): "Be patient, my friend. Let him think it through."

Kael (grumbling): "He's testing my patience."

Noah continued staring at Kael, lost in thought with a mischievous smile creeping onto his face.

Noah (smiling to himself): "This is the first time I've seen my brother so worked up… over a girl, no less. Who is this nymph that's driving him crazy?"

Kael: "Noah? Noah! NOAH!"

Noah jolted out of his thoughts, noticing his brother's rising frustration.

Noah (grinning): "Brother, don't shout. You should thank me. If I hadn't left you, would you have met this nymph?"

Kael (side-eyeing Noah): "Stop spewing nonsense. I met her on Fabric Lane, not where you abandoned me. If I'd stayed there, I'd never have seen her."

Noah (trying to defend himself): "You're wrong! If I hadn't taken you that way, you wouldn't have—"

Before he could finish, Kael pulled out a dagger and placed it against Noah's neck, silencing him instantly.

Noah (sweating nervously): "Bro-brother, what are you doing? I'm your own brother! Same parents, remember?"

Kael (frustrated): "Can you help us or not? Yes or no?"

Noah, feeling the heat of his brother's anger, looked toward Karlus for help, but Karlus subtly shook his head, signaling there was nothing he could do.

Noah (defeated, smiling nervously): "I-I can help. Definitely."

Kael (deadpan): "Stop smiling like that or your face will split apart."

Noah immediately stopped smiling.

Karlus (leaning forward): "So, Prince Noah, what's your plan?"

Kael stared intently at Noah, and the pressure made Noah feel the weight of their stares as he began to explain.

Noah: "There's a place called Spring House. It's a well-known brothel. Every year, they hold an auction where men and women are sold as slaves. If they aren't sold, the house keeps them to… please the nobles."

Kael (disgusted): "This kind of filth is happening within our empire, and we're doing nothing about it? What a disgrace."

Karlus (calmly): "It's not just this empire's rule. All four empires allow it—it's an ancient tradition."

Kael (waving it off): "That's not important. What matters is how I can get into Spring House."

Noah: "Since you've been away for ten years, no one knows your face. It'll be hard for you to enter directly."

Karlus (thoughtfully): "So, what do we do?"

Noah (grinning): "I have an idea. Listen closely… here's what you need to do…"