The corridor was long. Cold air flowed over the marble floor. The sound of boots echoed. Banners hung on the walls—green flags of the Emerald Kingdom, stretched tight in iron frames. In the air there was a faint smell of polish and old paper.
In Alexa's hands were the two papers, folded carefully, edges crisp. Her steps were fast, but controlled—different from her usual routine.
She reached the door of the count office. The door was strong wood, dark oak, the grain visible on the surface. On it was a heavy iron knocker, cold to the touch. She lifted it, knocked—thak thak thak. The sound echoed in the corridor.
And just then, from the side, Princess Umi and the second prince Yataru were coming. Umi's hair was black, reaching her shoulders, posture straight but weight forward, as if ready to strike. Yataru's hair was red, cut like a gentleman's, combed perfect, face neutral but a glint in his eyes.
"Look, look," Yataru said, voice low but clear. "The useless child's babysitter—how did she get here? When did she gain this much courage?"
Umi did not smile, only watched, arms crossed.
At that moment the door in front opened. A low creak from the hinge.
The one who opened it wore a knight's outfit—black armor, polished, an emerald emblem on the chest.
Behind him stood King Hooking Wine. Hair long, to the shoulders, brown eyes sharp, beard trimmed—neither too much nor too little. Posture relaxed but presence heavy, as if the air in the room was thick around him.
He looked at Alexa, gaze direct.
"Come in," the king said, voice calm but with a commanding tone.
The king sat down on the chair behind the table and said, "How is the third prince?"
Alexa took out the paper, keeping her hand steady. "The third prince asked me to deliver this letter to you. With your permission, may I read it aloud, my lord?"
The king paused. There were people in the room—the knight at the door, Umi sitting on a chair, Yataru nearby. He did not want to hear it in public.
Then a voice reached his ears—a girl's voice. He was remembering a girl who had said to him, "Hooking, come here quickly."
They were both in a jungle. Fog everywhere. It was very cold there.
Hooking Wine stepped forward and reached the girl. He looked down—a small child lay there, clothes wet, breathing slow.
"Who left this child here in such cold?"
The girl turned her head, anger in her eyes. "It does not matter. We will take him with us."
Hooking Wine raised his hands, in jest. "Ah, wait, when did I ever refuse?"
He was the king, but he was listening to her.
Scene back. Count office.
The king took a breath. "Yes. But quickly."
Alexa began to read. "My lord, I do not have many days left. I will not live much longer. That is why I want to make one request from you."
Alexa stopped (because MC (ALOK) had told her not to read in a panicked way, to read chill and relaxed, no hurry).
The king was listening deeply.
Umi was thinking: is he going to die? There was tension on her face—not because she cared about MC (ALOK), the reason for her tension was the promise she had made with Princess Emma of the Zonathan Empire, in which they had to sacrifice a living cursed body.
Then Alexa continued reading: I want to enjoy myself in my final time before dying. So I will come to the point—I need 1 lakh Iren coins.
A deadly aura came from inside the king. Because of it, pressure began to fall on Umi, Yataru, and Alexa all three.
Alexa started shaking from fear. Her heartbeat grew fast. Breathing became heavy too. Still, she gathered a little courage and tried to calm herself.
The king said in his mind: I kept that boy because that woman told me to, but this boy wants to enjoy before dying—he does not care at all about the woman who saved him.
Gaze on Alexa.
Alexa took out the second paper, without permission. Began to read.
I am not asking you for any property. I am only claiming my right.
It is written in the kingdom's law:
"King's legitimate blood heirs will get a minimum inheritance share."
This thing MC (ALOK) had seen in most of his lives.
What will the king do?
Refuse = he breaks the law.
Breaking the law = pressure from nobles + court.
Accept = MC gets resources.
The king had no real way to refuse anyway. Third prince means MC has little time left—if even in that the king does not support MC (ALOK) this much, his negativity in public will increase.
The king thought:
"If I refuse, I will become smaller than a sick child."
"If I accept, I will be handing that boy a sword."
MC (ALOK) is very clever. He creates situations where his chance of winning is higher percentage.
The king laughed, loud. "Hahaha. Do I seem that bad to all of you? I also do not want him to die after living such a worthless life."
He looked at the black knight. "Go. Give him one lakh Iren coins."
Then to Alexa: "If he needs anything else, you can come straight to me."
The second prince was thinking: this bastard will now get more priority, well at least he will not become a thorn between us.
Alexa came out. Corridor the same, but now in her hand confirmation—the coins were coming.
Steps fast, toward the room.
She could not believe it—so easy?
Her trust in MC (ALOK) grew even more.
MC was lying on the bed when she came. Room the same—dim light, cold air, pain constant.
He sat up, with back support, eyes on Alexa.