As she heard Alex's words, Elaria paused, her gaze momentarily shifting toward the ground as her thoughts wandered.

'Maybe I should see this as an opportunity to solidify my claim to the throne even more... Those rusty elders won't be able to call me incompetent anymore if I succeed in this mission using this guy's strength.'

Alex narrowed his eyes, watching her carefully.

"You thought it was a good opportunity, right? To use me to solidify your claim to the throne?"

Elaria's breath hitched. She turned sharply toward him, eyes wide.

"How do you know that?"

Alex chuckled, folding his arms confidently.

"Oh, that's because I'm superior to you in everything—" he tilted his head mockingly "—and also because I know how not to let someone read my thoughts with a dumb expression and a third-rate villainous smirk."

Elaria's face turned beet red. She snapped, "Shut the hell up, you narcissistic bastard!"

Alex smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"So, I take it you're keeping your promise, right?"

Elaria gritted her teeth, arms crossed tightly.

"Yes. I will keep it."

"See? You should've just started with that."

"I would've kept my promise anyway! But I didn't know a pervert like you would request something 'like that' from me!"

Alex's mouth twitched.

"Who are you calling a pervert? Do you think I'm doing this just to see you in a maid outfit or something?"

As soon as she heard the words "maid outfit," Elaria's face exploded into an even deeper shade of red.

'So that *was* his real motive after all... He wants to see me in a maid outfit!'

Her eyes instinctively darted down between Alex's legs. Her face now resembled a ripe tomato.

Her breath became ragged.

Alex noticed and barked, "Where the hell are you looking at, woman?!"

Elaria stammered, stumbling backward.

"I-I knew it! You beast! You want to use me to fulfill your perverted, depraved fetishes!"

She quickly covered her chest with both arms and looked around nervously.

"Is that why you called me here?! To your room?! Alone?!"

A vein popped on Alex's temple as he took a step forward.

"Hello?! You're misunderstanding something! I am not interes—"

But before he could finish, Elaria interrupted with a horrified expression.

"Wha... What were you planning to do to me with that monstrous thing of yours?!"

Her mind spiraled out of control, imagination going wild as she started murmuring things like "perverted beast" and "I knew it, this was all his plan because of my beauty he is..."

Hearing all that, Alex finally lost it.

"WOULD YOU STOP MAKING THINGS UP, WOMAN?!"

He stepped forward again.

Elaria shrieked, "Kyaaaaaahhh! Stay away from me, you perverted beast!"

Then she turned and bolted toward the door.

She slammed it open and exited the apartment without another word.

Alex stood frozen for a moment, speechless.

'I almost forgot she has a tendency to fantasize and make things up on her own.'

He let out a long sigh.

"Whatever... at least now I've got a free pass in the elven territory."

Just then, Zara's voice echoed in his mind.

{That was a normal reaction, Alex, after the perverted stunt you pulled in the duel with Ethan and Alden. Showing your manhood to the entire world, and now calling her into your room alone and asking her to be your maid?}

"C'mon, Zara! You're making it sound like it was my fault!"

{Was it not?}

Alex blinked.

"...Was it?"

Even he began to doubt himself for a moment. But then he shook his head rapidly.

"Of course not! That girl is stupid and has a habit of making things up. I just asked her to be my servant to make my life easier during the mission."

He sighed again.

"As long as she keeps her promise, I don't care what she thinks about me."

{Well, your plan... it backfired.}

"...You're right about that."

Alex rested in his apartment for a few more hours.

When he finally woke up, he freshened up and got dressed.

As he stood by the mirror, Zara spoke again.

{Are you going somewhere?}

"Yeah. I saw that all the first-years have bonded with a spirit. I want one too. So I'm going to see Miss Selena to figure out how to do it."

{Good luck with that.}

"Thanks," Alex replied, heading toward the door.

He exited the apartment and took the elevator down.

Just as he reached the ground floor, he noticed someone waiting.

Standing confidently by the entrance was none other than 'Charlotte Evans Avaloria', the first princess of the Human Empire.

She wore a stylish, revealing casual outfit: a cropped lavender top that exposed her toned midriff, and a flowing white skirt with slits that danced with every breeze. Her flawless porcelain skin contrasted her silky white hair that cascaded down to her lower back. Her violet eyes sparkled mischievously, and the faint touch of pink lip gloss made her smile utterly captivating.

She looked stunning—like a goddess stepped out of a fashion magazine.

Alex whistled low.

"Well well... To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing the princess waiting outside like a commoner? And for who knows how long?"

Charlotte gave a brilliant smile.

"Two hours, forty-nine minutes..." she paused, glancing at her wristwatch, "...and forty-nine seconds."

Alex blinked.

"Wow. You must have a lot of free time... I, unfortunately, do not."

He turned to walk away.

Charlotte smacked the back of his head.

"I was waiting for 'you', idiot!"

Alex rubbed his head, wincing.

"Looks like you're getting dumber every day. We literally saw each other a few hours ago. If you wanted to say something, why didn't you say it then?"

Charlotte frowned and groaned.

"Will you ever shut up and 'listen' to me?!"

Alex shut up.

Charlotte looked at him seriously.

"I just wanted to thank you personally. And... I also have something to tell you. Something important."

Alex smiled slyly.

"Alright, I'm all yours. You may now bow before me once again and let the world know how great I am."

Charlotte stomped on his foot, hard.

"Alright, I've changed my mind. Apology is off the table."

Then Charlotte's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a somber seriousness that immediately caught Alex's attention.

"It's about Draven," she began, her voice quieter. "We've been trying to contact him for days… but no success."

Alex's brow furrowed.

'That guy… it's unlike him to just vanish without leaving a message.'

Charlotte continued, a frown tugging at her lips.

"No one knows what happened to him after his father called him back for something urgent. It's like he vanished completely."

Alex's eyes sharpened instantly. His posture straightened.

"Hold on."

Charlotte nodded.

"We asked Miss Selena, even tried contacting someone from the Dwarven Empire… but they've refused to tell us anything. No information. Nothing."

She paused, then added, "So I sent a few people I trust into the Dwarven Empire to look into it quietly."

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"And?"

Her tone dropped further, heavy and grim.

"Two hours ago, I got a message back. They found something."

Alex's tone was calm, but laced with tension.

"So? What is it?"

Charlotte clenched her fists slightly.

"He's… been imprisoned. By the Dwarven royal family."

The words hit like a hammer. Alex's expression turned dark.

"For what crime?"

Charlotte shook her head, frustration clear in her violet eyes.

"They still haven't figured that part out. No official charges. Just… locked away."

Alex remained silent for a moment.

'Looks like they found out he was the hacker who infiltrated their security systems and stole something important... whatever that was.'

He narrowed his gaze at Charlotte.

"Then why are you telling me this instead of doing something about it?"

Charlotte's mouth twitched with irritation.

"I would have done something if I could!" she snapped, then exhaled, regaining composure. "But my hands are tied."

She looked away briefly, biting her lower lip.

"Father is watching all of us closely. Every move, every message, every alliance. If I try anything bold, it could trigger a political conflict between the Human and Dwarven Empires. And worse… he might disown me for it."

'So that's how tight her leash is… makes sense why she waited here for hours. She needed help from someone outside the royal chessboard.'

Alex folded his arms, exhaling slowly.

"So you want me to do something."

Charlotte met his eyes.

"I'm not asking as a princess. I'm asking as a friend. As someone who owes Draven… and he is also your friend. Friends are supposed to help each other. If anyone can help him without much conflict, I think it's you."

Alex closed his eyes for a brief second.

'Looks like work for me just keeps piling up. Again and... again.'

He opened them, sharp and cold.

"Alright. I'll see what I can do."

Charlotte's shoulders relaxed slightly, though the worry never left her face.

"Thank you, Alex."

Alex sighed, already mentally preparing for the storm ahead.

"Don't thank me yet. I haven't done anything."

She gave a small nod, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I know. But you will."

--------

A/N:

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