For the thieves in the capital, the past few days could only be described as a bloodbath.
The thief who had stolen Old Lady Yuna's wallet was caught during that period as well. Under interrogation, since he remembered it clearly, he confessed everything.
"So that's what happened afterward."
Luke had no idea about any of the follow-up at all—and hadn't cared in the slightest.
He remembered that after returning that day, he hadn't left the royal palace.
"I heard the crime rate among thieves in the capital has dropped a lot these past few days," Kahina said with a bright smile.
"Catching more is never a bad thing," Luke chuckled, showing his support for the crackdown.
The three continued strolling around.
Just then, a burst of children's voices caught their attention.
Luke looked over and saw a bunch of kids—still pretty young—laughing and playing as they ran out. He asked in confusion, "Since when were there so many kids here?"
Kahina sighed. "Two days ago. The Illuminators found them while traveling all over the country—kids without parents, or kids abandoned by their parents."
The children wore matching outfits, laughing innocently as they played.
This was one of the Illuminators' duties.
They were spread across the nation, searching for those in need. Children who'd lost their parents like this appeared every year.
The Illuminators' responsibility was to do their best to find adoptive parents willing to take them in.
If none could be found, then the Illuminators would raise them—so that in the future, they would become new Illuminators themselves.
The children played in small groups of two or three, but the three of them noticed one lone figure.
A short-haired boy, about six or seven, sat on a bench in the church. A crude red cape hung over his shoulders, and he quietly watched the other kids playing.
In those eyes was a sadness that didn't belong to someone that young.
Lux asked, "Why is he alone?"
"That child's name is Moff. He grew up faster than kids his age. He seems to know he was abandoned by his parents, but he refuses to accept it, so even after coming here, he can't bring himself to be happy," Kahina said.
As she spoke, the three also noticed another detail.
Every so often, Moff would open his hand to look at what was inside. It seemed to be a piece of candy—something he guarded like a treasure, as if he couldn't bear to eat it.
Seeing that, Luke thought for a moment, then suggested, "Miss Crownguard, want to have a little contest?"
"A contest for what?" Lux immediately asked, curious.
Luke smiled. "Let's see who can get that candy from Moff first."
"Hmph. Boring!" Lux curled her lip. Even so, she still walked over to Moff.
She flicked her hair, adjusted her expression, then squatted in front of him with an angelic smile. "Your name is Moff, right?"
Moff looked at her and nodded.
"My name is Lux. Can we be friends?"
Lux spoke gently.
Moff hesitated, then nodded again. "Okay."
"Then we're friends now, Moff. Could you give me that candy? I'll pay you back with lots and lots of pieces," Lux said sincerely, brimming with confidence.
"No!"
Who would've thought Moff would become instantly guarded? He jumped off the bench, backed away from Lux, and clutched the candy like it was his life. "My mom said the prettier the woman is, the less you can trust her. Guess she was right!"
Miss Crownguard's angelic smile froze on the spot.
She stood there, stiff, like she couldn't believe she'd been rejected.
She was Lux Crownguard. Forget one piece of candy—she had no idea how many noble young men were lining up to gift her an entire candy house.
And yet now, she'd been turned down by a little kid!
And it happened right after she used her most confident, gentle approach!!
Lux stood up and trudged back, completely deflated—only to see Luke's faintly mocking look, and that infuriating grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
So infuriating. Extremely infuriating!
She flared up at once, teeth clenched. "I don't believe you can do it!"
She could see it clearly: in Moff's eyes right now, nothing mattered more than that candy.
If even she—Lux Crownguard—had failed, she refused to believe Luke could succeed!
Luke asked, "And if I do it?"
Lux answered immediately, "Name any request you want!"
"Deal." Luke nodded.
To be safe, Lux added seriously, "And you can't lie to a child!"
"What do you take me for?" Luke shook his head with a laugh. Then, confident, he walked over with a smile and stopped in front of Moff.
Moff was already on high alert now. Someone was trying to take the candy he loved most—absolutely not allowed.
First came a big sister—no, a really pretty older girl, smiling beautifully.
Now came an older guy, also smiling beautifully.
His instincts told him these two probably weren't good people at all!
"Don't be so tense, Moff," Luke said, gesturing for him to calm down. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Want to make a bet?"
Moff was a kid, so it wasn't hard for curiosity to slip in—but he still asked warily, "A bet on what?"
"Do you believe I can draw a little turtle on that sister's face over there?" Luke kept his voice low, flicking his eyes toward Lux.
Moff turned his head too, checking again and again, then said decisively, "No!"
"Then we'll bet on that." Luke smiled. "Give me your candy. If I lose, I'll pay you back ten pieces."
Moff looked back at Lux again. He hesitated for a long time—he really didn't believe it.
In the end, with immense reluctance, he handed the candy to Luke.
"Watch closely," Luke said.
Candy in hand, he stood and walked back, smiling.
He opened his palm and showed the candy inside. "Miss Crownguard, do you need to confirm if it's real?"
Lux stared at the candy, her big eyes full of disbelief. "How did you do that?"
"Doesn't matter how I did it—are you still honoring what you just said?" Luke asked with a cheerful grin.
At that moment, Kahina was smiling too, clearly entertained by her friend digging her own grave.
Lux felt a little guilty. With Luke looking at her like that, she had a very bad feeling about what was coming. But backing out would be even more embarrassing.
In the end, Miss Crownguard clenched her teeth. "What request? Say it!"
Luke turned to Kahina. "Do you have a pen?"
Lux immediately realized what was about to happen. She looked at Kahina pitifully, hoping her friend would make an excuse and brush it off.
But instead, Kahina replied instantly, "I do! Wait here!"
She practically jogged away, like she was afraid she'd miss something. In less than two minutes, she came back with a pen.
"Your Highness, the pen is here!" Kahina said with a smile, handing it to Luke.
And Lux could only stare at her friend in disbelief.
Like she couldn't believe she'd just been sold out like this!
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