Maria crossed her arms, her eyes briefly following the door the woman had just closed. Then she turned to Lied with a measured breath.Alice hesitated; arms still folded. "Are you sure we should be telling him all this?"Maria glanced at her calmly. "If something of this scale is happening in the city, the guild needs to be informed." She then turned back to Lied."It started earlier today, at the docks. That woman approached us, begging for help. She said her daughter—and several other Ernians —had been kidnapped by a gang called Red Hand."Lied nodded.Maria continued. "But according to the woman, someone pressured the gang to do so. They're targeting vulnerable people who can’t pay for guild commissions or expect quick intervention from the guard."Alice nodded, arms folded. "They’ve been abducting people in large numbers recently. The woman said they’ve moved the victims to a hideout near the western gates a place in the forest."Lied’s brows drew together. "How does she know that?""She works at the Pink Mermaid," Maria answered. "She overheard it from one of her clients. He's involved with Red Hand. Not a high rank, but enough to get information.""And you trust her?"Maria met his eyes. "She was desperate. And her request matched with other people on the district. She seems to have no reason to lie—and even if she does, we’ll probably get something out of her clue."Lied gave a small grunt, nodding. "Alright. Thanks for the information. I’ll look into it."He turned slightly, preparing to leave, but Maria’s voice rang out, sharp and challenging, catching him mid-step."What will happen to the guild’s reputation if you just walk away from this?"Lied stopped, shoulders stiffening. He turned his head just enough to shoot her a look.She's a pain in the ass, he thought bitterly."Tch... great. Just what I need—the old man hounding me if this blows up in the guild’s face," he muttered, irritation flickering beneath his breath.He straightened up, adjusting the hem of his shirt with a faint, dismissive motion. "There are plenty of registered adventurers. If you just file a request at the guild, someone’s bound to take the job."Maria took a step forward, gaze unwavering. "There’s no time to waste," she said sharply. "I’m requisitioning a job from you—right here. Right now."Alice shifted beside her, arms tense, her boots grinding slightly against the pavement. Her eyes darted between Maria and Lied, visibly restless with the unfolding exchange.Lied tilted his head, fingers brushing his chin as he began calculating. There had to be a way out... He thought that if he named an absurdly high price, the princess would surely refuse. That would spare him the trouble without needing to outright deny her. He exhaled softly through his nose. "You both know how this works. Adventurers don’t take on risk for free."Before the last word had even settled in the air, Lied felt Alice closing in, but didn’t move. Alice grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward with force. Her glare burned inches from his face."You barge in on something that had nothing to do with you," she snapped, "and now you’re demanding payment to help?"Lied didn’t flinch. His eyes flicked sideways, calm and unreadable, ignoring her fury entirely."Alice, let go," Maria said, her voice steady but firm.Alice clenched her jaw and released him, stepping back with a sharp exhale.Maria then turned her attention back to Lied. "So? What's your price, Mister Lifesaver?"Lied gave her a long, evaluating look. His eyes moved deliberately, studying her face, posture—and then paused at the elegant brooch woven into her hair. A sapphire, deep blue and gleaming, framed in delicate silver filigree. It looked rare. Valuable. Surely something she wouldn’t part with easily.He pointed casually. "That brooch will do it.""Who do you think you are?!" Alice growled, stepping forward—her fierceness confirming to Lied he’d hit the mark, though the princess remained unshaken.He expected resistance, maybe offense. Instead, he caught a fleeting expression that startled him: a warm, genuine smile."Alice," Maria said calmly, without taking her eyes off Lied.She held his gaze for a long moment, then smiled again—this time with quiet confidence—and extended her hand to him."I accept your price. Once the job is done, the brooch is yours."Lied’s brow furrowed slightly. He focused inward for a breath, sharpening his senses. But what he felt from her was unsettling: calm. Conviction. No hesitation. It left him momentarily confused.He took her hand slowly, grip firm. "Doesn’t look like I’ve got a choice."As their hands parted, he couldn’t help but think he should’ve asked for something else.
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