Meanwhile...
Somewhere.
A black car with tinted windows pulled into a narrow alley in a conspicuously quiet part of the city.
At the far end, a hooded man stood waiting, his face obscured by shadow. He didn't move as the car rolled to a stop in front of him.
The driver stepped out, circled to the back, and opened the rear door. A man with short caramel-colored hair emerged, dressed in a sharp black suit, crisp white shirt, polished black shoes, and dark shades.
He approached slowly, his tone clipped and cold.
"I thought I asked for Bailey the Mailman. Who the fuck are you?"
The hooded man smirked.
"I am Bailey the Mailman, Boss. What? Were you expecting someone else?"
His voice was distorted—automated.
The man in the suit scoffed.
"You? Bailey the Mailman? That's bullshit. You and I both know you're not Bailey. Are you trying to fuck with me? Tell Bailey to get his ass here right now—or face the consequences!"
The hooded figure didn't flinch.
"Apologies if I'm not what you expected. But we're here to do business, aren't we? Not to swap names and birth certificates. You asked for Bailey the Mailman—well, here I am. And I can assure you, you won't find another Bailey willing to handle this job. So let's not waste each other's time."
The man with the caramel hair cursed under his breath, clearly frustrated. The hooded figure remained still, head bowed, face hidden.
"Oh, what the hell," he muttered, exhaling sharply.
"My boss needs some of your best men for a job. Word is, you're the best when it comes to... cleaning the gutters."
He paused.
"He screwed up. Big. Now the DF's are sniffing around."
He tossed an envelope at the hooded man's feet.
The man crouched, picked it up, and tore it open.
Inside: a thick stack of cash—and several photographs. They showed a man in a royal servant's uniform.
"Get rid of him. He knows too much. Do that, and maybe next time you'll get a briefcase instead of a measly envelope."
The hooded man nodded once.
"Where should the finished package be delivered?"
The man in the suit smirked.
"Somewhere no one expects."
He sighed.
"We'll be waiting for the news."
He turned and climbed back into the car. The driver shut the door, returned to the front, and the vehicle pulled away into the shadows.
The hooded man watched it disappear.
Then he pulled out his phone.
And sent the message.
....
Back at the Town Square, in the Marketplace...
Ariel stood frozen, face to face with Daniel.
Her heart thundered like a horse in full gallop. Her palms were slick with sweat as she clutched the bouquet of flowers.
Her mind spiraled with possibilities.
'Did he recognize me? Or is that just his usual cocky way of intimidating women? Is he trying to make me slip up and reveal myself? No... maybe he's just pissed. Oh heavens, what do I do? This is pure torture! How do I get out of this mess?'
'First of all', her inner voice snapped, 'stop staring at him like a lust-sick pervert! My goodness, Ariel, he'll think you're into him and misunderstand you again! Get a grip! Pull yourself together!'
She blinked and quickly averted her gaze, tearing her eyes away from his demonic stare.
'You said you were going to tame him, remember? So what the hell are you doing trembling like a leaf? You're supposed to be in control—not him. Come on, Ariel. You've got this.'
She turned back to him with a smile that was equal parts sweet and strategic.
"My apologies, sir, for using you as an... escape route earlier. As you saw, I was in a bit of a tight spot and needed saving. Let's just say I was a damsel in distress."
She extended the bouquet toward him.
"Please accept these flowers as a token of my sincerest gratitude... and my apology."
Daniel snorted, eyeing her with disbelief.
'This flamingo... tsk. What cowardice. If she thinks these petty flowers will soothe my fury after she used me like that, she's sorely mistaken. I won't be appeased until I pluck a feather or two.'
He yawned, deliberately dismissive, and glanced around the marketplace.
"Flowers? Really? That's the best you can offer?"
He raised his voice just enough for nearby shoppers to hear.
"I thought I was the love of your life. Don't you think I deserve something better?"
Ariel flushed crimson and looked down.
"Just take the flowers, jerkass, and shoo. I'm already skating on thin ice here. My patience is running out," she muttered under her breath—only to realize too late that she'd said it a little too loud.
She looked up—and met his blazing red eyes.
"Bold flamingo," Daniel mused, his voice low and amused.
Ariel's face burned. She immediately looked away, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
The tension pressed in around her like a vice. She had to pivot—fast—or she was doomed.
"Oh darling, look! Rice cakes!"
She darted toward a nearby stall, her voice overly bright.
As she reached the vendor, she exhaled a shaky breath.
'Saved by the bell...'
Behind her, Daniel snorted.
"Scared little rabbit," he muttered, before casually following her.
She arrived at the stall and gazed at the delicacies, her mouth already watering.
"Hello, Miss. Would you like to try one?" asked the elderly vendor with a warm smile.
"Yes, please," Ariel replied sweetly, returning the smile.
The vendor handed her a rice cake, and she thanked them graciously.
But just as she was about to take a bite—
"I thought you were the delicate type. The kind of lady who wouldn't fancy something like this. Guess I was wrong."
Ariel froze.
She turned slowly—and there he was.
Daniel.
Even without his royal regalia, he looked maddeningly handsome. Dressed in casual clothes, he still carried himself like a god who had descended to mingle with mortals. She noticed how the women around them giggled, whispered, and cast her envious glances.
She didn't care.
Yes, he was a heartthrob. But to her? He was a pervert. A spoiled, grumpy royal jerkass. Even if she became his crown princess, she would never give him her heart. He was too beastly. And she—she was too cold, too ferocious, too scarred to be tethered to a man like him.
Love had been bolted out of her heart long ago.
And it would take more than charm and cheekbones to melt the iron and climb back in.
Ariel sighed.
"Then it means you don't know anything about me. Which is... sad."
She took a bite of the rice cake and let out a soft moan of delight.
"Heavens... I really missed these."
Daniel snorted.
"Really? I don't see what's so special about—mmm."
He was cut off mid-sentence as Ariel, without warning, shoved a piece of rice cake into his mouth.
She looked at him intently.
"What did I say before, darling? Don't be so quick to assume things you know nothing about. Now eat—then you can say whatever you like."
Daniel met her gaze, unblinking.
She glared right back.
In that moment, she looked like a stubborn little girl scolding someone for criticizing her first attempt at baking. The image made him smirk.
He imagined her in a tiny apron, face smudged with flour, hair tied in messy pigtails with ribbons. The thought tugged at something unexpected—a flicker of curiosity.
'What was she like as a child?
Was she always this cunning and beautiful? Or was she a little ugly duckling who turned into a swan?'
He chewed the piece of rice cake, its rich flavor melting on his tongue.
'This is good', he admitted to himself.
Ariel smiled.
"Good, isn't it?" she chuckled.
"These were my favorite when I was a little girl. I even tried to make them once and—gosh, what a disaster that was..."
She laughed at the memory.
The sunlight caught her just then, casting a golden glow across her face. Her laughter made her beauty bloom even brighter.
Daniel stared.
Something stirred in his chest—a fuzzy, unfamiliar warmth. It was strange. Alien. At least, that's what he told himself.
Because he'd never felt it before.
Without realizing it, he smiled.
Brightly.
A smile he didn't know he was capable of.
Ariel froze.
Her gaze locked on him. He was smiling—at her. And his eyes... they weren't red. They shimmered like golden honeydew, glowing softly in the light.
She was captivated.
Drawn in.
Her heart pounded like a war drum. It felt as if his gaze was pulling her closer, as if some invisible thread had been tied between them.
Her eyes drifted to his lips—slightly parted, warm, inviting.
Daniel's gaze dropped to hers.
Those rosy lips.
He wanted to taste them. Just once. To know what they felt like.
They leaned in.
Closer.
Hearts racing in perfect sync.
Closer...
Closer...
Their lips were just about to touch when—
Buzz!
Ariel's phone buzzed with a message.
She quickly turned her face away, clearing her throat as she stepped aside.
"Mmm..."
"Excuse me," she murmured, her voice tight.
Daniel cleared his throat too, shifting his gaze away.
'What the fuck was that?
Get a grip, man. Sheesh. This girl is dangerous. What the hell is she doing to me?' he scolded himself.
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye—and caught a glimpse of her phone screen.
A message glowed.
The number was saved as Unknown.
'The fool took the bait. Now we're going to kill two birds with one stone. Just be prepared to hear the news.'
Ariel smirked slightly and typed:
' Good job, BK. See you when you see me.'
'Affirmative, Boss. See you when you see me.'
She locked the screen and turned—Daniel was standing a short distance away, pretending to be distracted, his eyes scanning the crowd.
Ariel exhaled softly, steadying her nerves.
Then she turned to the old vendor.
"Could you please pack some more for me? Thank you."
The vendor smiled and began wrapping up the rice cakes. Ariel handed him the money as he passed her the packet.
"Thank you," she said warmly.
"No, thank you, dear. At least I sold something today before I close for good. It's truly a blessing."
Ariel's smile faltered.
"Oh... why? Is everything okay?"
The old man sighed.
"Everything's fine. But... I'm moving to another kingdom. The business taxes here have become too much. The Crown Prince—well, he's made it clear he has no love for the informal sector. But what can we do? We don't have a voice against a monarch."
His words hung in the air, heavy with quiet resignation.
Daniel's ears perked up, and he immediately turned to the vendor.
"What do you mean the Crown Prince he's made it clear he has no love for the informal sector. Didn't he open microfinance banks and small business programs to help you get by?"
The old man gave a weary sigh.
"Yes, he did. But he also raised the taxes. Things were hard before, sure—but now? They're unbearable. Taxes have gone up by thirty percent. Everything's taxed—the imported grain, the transport, the food... even this little stall."
He shook his head.
"All our hard-earned profits are being drained. We go home with nothing. What's the point of staying in business when you can't feed your family?"
His voice cracked.
"The kingdom was already struggling after the disappearance of the Blue Diamond Roses... and now it's worse. How am I supposed to take care of my family? My grandchildren? How will they keep going to school?"
His eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Ariel felt her heart twist.
She stepped around the stall and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry," she said softly.
"But don't worry. Everything's going to be okay."
She reached into her purse, pulled out a small card, and pressed it into his hand.
"Here. Call this number. They'll help you. I promise."
She leaned in, her voice a whisper.
"You're not alone."
The old man clutched the card, nodding slowly.
Ariel turned to look for Daniel—
But he was gone.
Just an empty space where he'd stood.
She blinked.
"Where did he go?"
The words slipped from her lips like a breath.
...
Earlier...
Blake stood at a distance, grinning from ear to ear as he secretly recorded Daniel and Ariel chatting at the rice cake stall.
"Oh my gosh. The Queen Dowager is going to love this," he chirped, angling his phone for a better shot.
Nearby, a vendor sighed wistfully.
"Aah... look at that beautiful couple. I'm so glad that lovely lady isn't marrying our beastly Crown Prince. She's lucky to have such a doting partner by her side. Her beauty would've been wasted behind palace walls—married to that monster."
"Shhh! Quiet, Ferr!" another vendor hissed.
"Don't curse the Crown Prince. You know better than to speak against him. I heard anyone who complains ends up in serious trouble. If that lady's lover hadn't shown up when he did, she might've been in trouble too."
Ferr scoffed.
"In trouble for what? Speaking the truth? The Crown Prince's so-called microfinance banks and business programs are a joke. If he really wanted to help us, why raise taxes on everything? It's obvious he's trying to drive us off the streets. The nobles have always wanted to crush our businesses so we'd be forced to work in their low-paying factories like slaves."
He shook his head.
"The kingdom was already suffering after the Blue Diamond Roses vanished. And now it's worse. If it weren't for that organization stepping in, we'd be finished."
"Yeah, right," another vendor muttered, leaning in.
"By the way... who are they? Anyone know?"
"Hiss... no idea," Ferr replied.
"All I got was a mysterious card. Said Phantom Rose Agency on it. There was a note—told me to call the number if I needed help with my business. I did. Told them my troubles. Next thing I know, my phone buzzes with a message from my bank—money, just like that."
He lowered his voice.
"And after I thanked them and joined as a member, I started getting monthly support. Enough to cover taxes. Feed my family. I thank the Heavens for them. Without Phantom Rose, we wouldn't survive in this economy."
The other vendors murmured in agreement, nodding solemnly.
Blake's ears perked up.
He stepped forward, approaching Ferr with a polite smile.
"Excuse me. Sorry to intrude—I couldn't help but overhear. You mentioned an agency... one that's helping people with business support and family aid?"
Ferr eyed him sharply, suspicion flickering in his gaze.
Blake raised his hands in a placating gesture.
"Oh, please—don't worry. I promise I mean no harm. I just... I really want to know. I need help too."
Ferr narrowed his eyes.
"You don't look like someone who needs help. And besides, I don't know anything about them. The only thing I can say is—they show up when you need them. You don't find them. They find you."
Blake rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Is that so? But what about the card? Can I see it?"
Ferr snorted.
"Sorry, pal. That card's mine. And the number disappears after you call and join the membership. That's why no one knows anything about them. But we're grateful. They take care of us—unlike the rotten royal government in this kingdom."
The other vendors murmured in agreement, nodding grimly.
Blake smirked slightly.
"I see..."
He was about to press Ferr further when his phone rang.
He answered.
As he listened, his expression shifted—eyes widening, face turning pale. He ended the call without a word and turned away from Ferr, heading straight toward Daniel.
He approached slowly, catching the tail end of the old vendor's lament. But his focus was on Daniel—and the aura radiating from him was dangerous.
Daniel spotted him and stepped forward, just as Ariel moved to comfort the vendor.
His eyes were already glowing red.
Blake swallowed hard.
The news he carried would light the fuse.
Daniel didn't speak. He simply stood there, waiting.
Blake exhaled.
"I just... got a call from the palace," he said quietly.
"A royal male servant was found dead. Near the east wing. His body was discovered in the bushes outside your study."
Daniel didn't reply.
He turned sharply and stormed out of the marketplace, his footsteps thunderous. Moments later, the roar of an engine echoed through the square as he sped off, leaving Blake coughing in a cloud of tire smoke.
Blake waved the dust away, muttering,
"Seriously. That guy... This can't be good."
He sighed, shook his head, and raised a hand.
"Taxi!"
A cab rolled up to the curb. Blake climbed in and headed for the palace.