The night wasn't over yet, but dark clouds on the horizon obscured the moon. Lu couldn't train his Blessing or world essence with it tonight.
'Sleep it is.'
Lu had spent both his days and his nights doing things the last few months. He had accumulated a lot of fatigue. So, he ended up sleeping a little longer than intended.
"Hey!"
A couple of booming thuds accompanied the gruff voice. Lu woke up with a start due to the combination of the two.
'Oh shit. Tim.'
He recognized that voice. It wasn't the head chef, but it was another chef who took it upon himself to supervise and micromanage the other servants in the palace if possible. Someone like Lu was right below him. Although Lu was the Prince's personal breadrunner, he was still a breadrunner.
Tim had been trying his best to nail Lu and show him who the boss was. Lu had just avoided him. It wouldn't do him any good to cause trouble when he was already on thin ice with the Prince after robbing one of his guests.
"I know you're in there! Max! What do you have to say for yourself after sleeping through an entire workday?!"
'Ah…'
Lu sighed in relief. If it was just that, he didn't have to worry. He thought Tim had come because he had discovered how much Lu had stolen from the palace kitchen.
Lu opened the door.
"Piss off, Tom. The Prince said it was fine to take a day off."
Lu glowered at Tim.
"My name's Tim! And just because the Prince says it's fine, it doesn't mean you do it. If it's fine for you to take a day off, it's fine to continue working, as well!"
Tim was only a little taller than Lu, but he was a lot broader, especially at the waist, so he appeared to be bigger. The bald spot on his head reflecting the light of the chandeliers in the hall also increased his apparent size.
"Are you saying I shouldn't have listened to the Prince's direct orders? Some might call that treason, you know?"
"...How do I even know you aren't saying that to get me off your back, you little brat?"
"Are you suggesting I would use the Prince's name in vain?!"
Lu was shocked! He absolutely would, but Tim didn't know that.
Tim glared at Lu.
"The Prince asked for you."
'I guess that's why he actually came.'
"And you wasted time with all this pointless chatter? Shame on you!"
Lu hurriedly got dressed after slamming the door in Tim's face. Tim tried to keep up with Lu as they headed toward the Prince's quarters, but it didn't take long before Tim started perspiring and panting.
Lu grinned. He couldn't just torment one of the annoying chefs out of a personal grudge, at least not until he found out where Tim lived. But he could make him miserable by flexing the powers of his youth. Tim had to start feeling old and unfit when a lowly kitchen servant could outwalk him with ease.
Before long, Lu arrived in front of the Prince's drawing room.
Two guards stood on either side of the door that was twice as high as Lu was tall.
Lu was about to knock on the door when the two guards lowered their halberds in a cross in front of the door.
"Oh, you two must be new here. The Prince is expecting me."
Lu could tell that the guards weren't part of the Prince's personal guard. They were ordinary palace guards. He didn't recognize them, and they weren't as threatening as the ones usually guarding Feltor, even with their halberds.
'Interesting.'
Something was going on.
"Let him in."
The Prince's voice reached through the door. Lu looked at the guards with a mocking grin.
"Told you so."
One of the guards opened the door for Lu. Lu entered. Lu saw who was already inside the Prince's waiting room. Lu turned around. Lu got a face full of door slam.
Lu awkwardly turned around again. He had a stiff expression.
"I greet Your Highness."
Lu ignored the two men, one sitting and one standing, opposite Feltor.
"You've already met, but this is Max."
Feltor pointed at Lu.
"Max, these two gentlemen are Mencer Lito and Baryt."
"...It's a pleasure."
Lu had the decency to face Mencer's glare head-on and greet him. Mencer wasn't as benevolent, or rather, Mencer had more of a grudge toward Lu than Lu had against him. Lu had stolen his mother's necklace and tricked him into getting his own necklace back.
Baryt looked at the Prince.
"What is the meaning of this, Your Highness?"
The Prince smiled as if enjoying watching Lu suffer under Mencer's gaze. He leaned back and looked at Lu for another moment before turning to Baryt.
"Naturally, he's the person we were just talking about. Didn't we agree to cooperate? I can't just go personally. And for this task, he's the most suitable."
Lu looked at Feltor.
'Yep. Something is happening.'
"You seem to know of our…shared history. Am I supposed to take this as a mockery?"
Mencer turned his gaze to the Prince. He dialed back on the hostility since he was talking to the Prince of Leoso Principality. But his eyes were still dark with suspicion.
"Not at all. If anything, it's the opposite. It's a token of my sincerity."
"Are you selling me out already?!"
"Shush."
The Prince gestured for Lu to be silent without giving a response. Lu doubted the others could feel it, but the Prince also used some of his power to warn Lu. Lu could only resign himself to his fate. But it didn't seem like Feltor was giving him to Mencer as a prisoner or sacrifice based on their conversation.
"'Sincerity'?"
Mencer clenched his fists in disbelieving outrage.
"Why, yes. Max, hand it over."
The Prince's tone left no room for disagreement.
But Lu was sneaky and could fit into most spaces.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"The necklace."
"It's in my room. I can go get it if you wish."
"Hand it over."
Feltor glared at Lu.
"Yes, sir."
Lu fished a delicate necklace out of his clothes and tossed it to Mencer.
"How about that?"
The Prince smiled. The smile didn't reach his eyes.