"Out of curiosity, I kept the box with me and later when I searched for information about it in the library, I found something astonishing."
Alex's curiosity peaked. "What did you discover?"
"After a long search, I found an ancient book dating back five hundred years before the legendary war. It mentioned that this box was a unique creation of a renowned craftsman from the Kingdom of Alynthia. It's completely indestructible and can only be opened with a specific code.
Not only that there were only two such boxes made due to how rare the metal used was and he gifted it to the Prince of Alynthia and his fiancée, the Crown Princess of Asterin at that time, whom we know as Queen Zenobia on their engagement".
Alex's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you speaking about the Queen Zenobia in legends?"
"Yes," Sharen confirmed. "That's why this box is so special and I need to uncover its secrets. There is also this strange energy that I feel whenever I touch it".
Understanding dawned on Alex. "But why keep this a secret from the others?"
Sharen looked sheepish, scratching her head. "Because I feel that they will ask me to stop what I am doing as they might think what is inside might be something bad and… and... they'd probably tease me..."
Alex was taken aback. He thought to himself, "How can my girlfriend be simultaneously brilliant and naive?" But he wisely kept the thought to himself.
"But baby what if there is something actually bad inside?"
"Whatever is in this box is not bad Alex, please trust me I can feel it"
Listening to Sharen, Alex's emotions were a bit complicated but after a few seconds he sighed as he decided to believe his girlfriend then nodded in understanding and asked,
"So why did you bring the box here?"
"I heard about a locksmith who specializes in opening any lock, no matter how old or complex," Sharen explained. "He moves around frequently, but I received word this morning that he's here in the market. We're here to find him."
"Do you know what he looks like?" Alex inquired.
"No," Sharen admitted. "But he has a distinctive snake tattoo that runs from his neck to eyebrows, and he's over six feet tall. We'll have to keep an eye out for someone who fits that description."
Alex nodded, silently acknowledging the task ahead, and together they resumed their search through the bustling dark alleyways where illegal goods were sold.