After strolling around the city for a while, Lu finally found out when Mencer was expected to arrive. He also discovered that he wouldn't have much of a chance to steal back his necklace. After entering the city, Mencer would most likely head straight to the palace, where Lu would be caught before he could even step foot into the building.
'Unless…'
Lu looked at the Prince's palace from afar, watching people enter and leave through the gates. Official visitors from various big-name merchants and nobles seeking audiences with the Prince. Transports carrying goods and food into the palace. All kinds of people—more than Lu had expected—entered and left the palace.
Of course, the scary-looking guards at the palace gates inspected everything thoroughly. Without the proper paperwork, confirmation from inside the castle, and proof of identity, Lu wouldn't make it inside.
It was going to be tricky.
Unlike the security and manpower in Bika and Mura, the guards and people of the Prince's palace would have cultivated. They would be stronger than Lu knew to expect. If he were caught or suspected anywhere close to the palace gates or walls, he would be screwed.
Lu couldn't help but smile. His eyes glowed with excitement.
Breaking into the palace would be his most difficult escapade yet. Although it would be more difficult, Lu knew it had greater chances of success than intercepting Mencer before he arrived at the palace.
Mencer and his guards would still be on alert. They wouldn't give Lu the same kind of opening as the one he got in Mura. He wouldn't be able to brute force his way into getting the necklace back.
With that in mind, Lu started making preparations. He also trained his Blessing, unaware that was exactly what had sharpened his world essence.
Lu spent the days walking around, investigating the ones who entered the palace, and he spent the nights Moonlight Strolling until he collapsed. He did slowly feel that he was improving in ways that ordinary physical training couldn't explain. Maybe training his Blessing like this was what caused his world essence to grow.
Lu looked at the palace gates.
"Mirrie, are you sure the palace will let me in just like this?"
Lu looked at the short-haired girl on the cart next to him.
"Of course, Max. Our bakery has delivered bread and pastries to the palace since my grandfather's time. I'm sure they'll understand if I have someone helping me carry stuff."
Mirrie tapped Lu's shoulder as she talked.
"Relax. You've worked hard these last couple of weeks. If you're serious about your dreams as a royal baker, you ought to get used to the palace as soon as possible."
Mirrie looked from side to side as they waited for their turn.
"Don't tell anyone this, but as long as you can get inside the palace and make contact, it's not that difficult to get a job in there—"
"Mirrie, Cold Duck Bakery?"
The guard stopped Mirrie's donkey as his companion with a clipboard walked up next to her.
"Yes, sir!"
Mirrie nodded and looked at the guard, who looked at her, then at his clipboard, then back at her before finally turning to Lu.
"And…who's this?"
"Ah!"
Mirrie flushed slightly as she followed the guard's gaze.
"This is Max. He's an apprentice at our bakery, here to learn the ropes. The old man's getting old, and I need to spend more time at the shop. But I can't just not deliver to the palace."
Mirrie pointed at Lu with both hands.
"Thus: Ta-da! A replacement!"
"Uh-huh."
The guard looked between Mirrie and Lu with a deadpan expression.
"Does 'Max' have papers?"
Mirrie's expression stiffened, and she lowered her arms. Max didn't have papers.
Lu had expected this.
He smiled.
"I'm sorry. I've been trying to get some way to identify myself, but that's kind of difficult when you're an orphan. I was hoping this would be my big break, but if I'm causing trouble for Mirrie and her father, I will stay here until she comes back."
"N-no, you're not trouble—!"
"Max, was it?"
The guard looked at Lu with raised eyebrows as he grabbed a pencil.
"Yes, I named myself. I quite like it."
The guard nodded.
"It's nice. I'll let you in for now, but remember, any trouble you cause is trouble for Mirrie and the Cold Duck Bakery."
'"Thank you—"'
The guard held up a hand to stop Mirrie and Lu from thanking him. His partner stepped back and waved them forward.
"You should think of a surname, Max."
The guard spoke, but the queue had already started moving. They didn't have a chance to respond before the guard moved on to the next person waiting to enter the palace.
"That went well!"
Mirrie smiled as she steered her donkey to the backside kitchen entrance. Her cheeks were still a little flushed.
Lu smiled as he looked at Mirrie. Mirrie noticed him staring, and her blush deepened in color.
"What?"
Lu shrugged.
"Nothing. Just…thank you for giving me this chance."
"No problem."
Mirrie and Lu rode in silence the last minute before they arrived.
"By the way…"
Mirrie started talking again as they arrived and started unloading the packets of bread and boxes of pastries.
"Are you doing something after this?"
Lu looked up as he carried a box over to the kitchen door.
"I'm not sure. I don't think so. Why?"
"Well…I was just thinking. How about a little detour on the way back?"
Lu nodded. Mirrie avoided his gaze and regained the blush on her cheeks as she waited for his response.
"Sure."
"Really?!"
Mirrie's face lit up.
"Careful."
Lu caught the box she almost dropped. He met her embarrassed look with a gentle smile.
"Take it easy there. If we ruin this delivery, I doubt your father will appreciate us slacking on the job."
"Y-yes. I'm good. This is good."
Mirrie avoided Lu's look again and grabbed the box. She stayed silent as she hurried back and forth, finishing the delivery without saying much else.
'Perfect.'