After steadying Green's figure, the Guard captain stepped forward and respectfully handed over a document.
"Mr. Grimm, this is Otto's statement. Your name appears a total of forty-two times."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of caution.
"The money he has on him is simply not enough to compensate for the damage to that unfinished road. Could you perhaps..."
Green took the document, scanned it, and was instantly dumbfounded.
Good grief, this wasn't a statement at all; it was clearly just his name written over and over again.
There wasn't a single word about Otto's own involvement; it was a complete scene of "brotherly love" being used to pass the buck.
"Is this really a statement or an indictment?"
"Holy crap, I'll take responsibility for the damaged road, but having to pay because a stray dog on the side of the road got scared and had a miscarriage? You want me to pay for that too?"
Green's voice rose several octaves in shock as he asked in disbelief, "What exactly is wrong with this world?"
The Guard captain looked troubled but still squeezed out a flattering smile, bowing and scraping as he explained:
"Well... actually, that dog was already in the process of being adopted. Your actions are considered an infringement on someone else's private property..."
"Impressive... Rem, come here for a second."
Green didn't have a single cent on him, so he could only turn to his little fangirl for help.
Rem quickly walked over at his call, standing obediently by his side. Her clear blue eyes were full of submission as she waited for his instructions.
Green gave the Guard a sharp glare, then reached for the small pouch at Rem's waist.
"Wait... Green-kun, there are so many people here..." Rem's cheeks suddenly flushed a light red, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.
"What are you thinking? I'm just borrowing some money for an emergency."
Through the thin fabric, his fingertips touched the girl's warm, smooth skin.
Green didn't dare linger, focusing only on feeling for the small wallet.
"Tell me, how much?" He unzipped the small blue wallet and peered inside.
Good grief, with this amount, he could probably pave the entire road all over again and still have plenty left.
The Guard captain, as if granted a great pardon, quickly held up one finger:
"Mr. Otto has already paid fifteen gold, thirty-two silver, and seven copper. You only need to pay ten gold coins; the rest... we'll consider it settled."
Green chuckled helplessly. With the change calculated so precisely, Otto must have been squeezed until he didn't have a single cent left.
"Alright, I'll give it to you now."
"No, Green-kun..." Rem reached out anxiously to grab the wallet back, her cheeks so red they looked like they might bleed.
Green was a bit surprised. Why was Rem being so stingy all of a sudden?
He pulled the wallet out in confusion, but his fingertips brought out a small folded note with it.
Unfolding it, Green froze on the spot—the note was boldly titled "Green-kun Capture Plan."
Below it were several lines of small text: Eat tree cake together, pretend to fall and snuggle, make eye contact when sharing dessert... Good lord, are you playing a galgame with me?
"Give... give it back!"
Rem was so embarrassed her eyes turned red. She snatched the note back and clutched it tightly to her chest, her shoulders trembling slightly like a bullied little animal.
She clutched the note, brooding angrily for a long while, before finally blaming the whole thing on the Guard.
Green-kun couldn't possibly be at fault; it was all because of these annoying tin men that her secret had been discovered!
At that thought, Rem suddenly looked up, her blue eyes filled with murderous intent as she glared at the Guard captain.
"Damnable Guards, Rem will never forgive you!"
The Guards didn't dare stay a moment longer. After taking the ten gold coins, they practically scrambled away at a hundred-meter sprint.
If they didn't leave now, they feared the fierce blue-haired maid would pummel them into pulp.
The farce ended, and Green's gaze fell back onto the girl before him.
A breeze blew past, making Rem's skirt sway gently. Her layered maid outfit made her look even more dainty and exquisite.
Beneath her smooth blue short hair, those clear eyes were filled entirely with his reflection.
For a moment, Green was dazed by the sight.
Damn, it seemed like... he was truly falling in love.
Green smiled as he tucked the wallet back into Rem's pocket, then reached up to ruffle the soft hair on top of her head.
His fingertips deliberately mussed up her neat hair, as if by doing so, he could leave his own unique mark on the girl.
"You really are so cute, Rem-chan. Shall we go eat tree cake together in a bit?"
Rem's expression instantly brightened, her previous embarrassment and anger vanishing completely.
She leaned closer to Green happily, her voice full of excitement. "Okay, Green-kun! It's still early, we can wander around for a long time!"
Just then, a small silver-white head suddenly poked out from the carriage.
Emilia timidly raised her hand, her voice soft and aggrieved. "Um... I want to eat it too..."
Rem's excited expression vanished instantly, replaced by a standard maid's smile, though her tone carried an undeniable firmness:
"Rest assured, Lady Emilia, Rem will bring some back for you."
Even if it was Lady Emilia, she would never give up this chance to be alone with Green-kun.
The Half-Elf girl's ears drooped as she retreated back inside piteously, muttering softly, "Alright..."
She really wanted to go shopping with Green too.
Green caught a strong scent of a brewing jealousy storm, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
This development seemed a bit different from what he had expected.
Aren't we good friends? Emilia, what's with that expression of being abandoned by a heartless man!
He helplessly leaned toward the carriage window and soothed her gently:
"Don't worry, Emilia. We'll be staying in the Royal Capital for a while. I'll go scout ahead with Rem and gather some intel first. Once I'm sure it's safe, I'll take you out for a proper stroll."
Emilia's eyes lit up instantly. She nodded gently, a tender smile blooming on her face again.
"Mhm. It just so happens that Crusch invited me to visit, so I'll wait at her mansion for you to return."
...The afternoon streets of the Royal Capital were soaked in the warm sun. Tiny wild flowers peeking out from the cracks in the flagstone road swayed their heads gently with the wind.
Green walked through the crowd holding Rem's hand.
The girl's fingertips were warm and soft. When she grasped his palm, she would unconsciously tighten her grip, as if afraid of being separated by the crowd.
"Found it, the tree cake shop!"
Green shouted in surprise.
Ding-ling!
A crisp chime rang out from the welcome bell as the door was pushed open. A warm, sweet fragrance of butter and roasted nuts wafted over them.
The shop was floored with light brown wood that creaked slightly when stepped on.
"It smells so good..."
Green stared at the various frosting-covered desserts in the display case, swallowing his saliva almost imperceptibly.
He had boasted about it in Aram Village, but in truth, he had never eaten it himself.
Come to think of it, he still owed those kids a bunch of tree cakes.
"Proprietress, how many tree cakes do you have left?"
"Oh, a big customer! Hold on a second while I check... there are twenty left in total."
Behind the counter, the Proprietress wiped her hands on her checkered apron and counted them with a long wooden tong.