0.3.

Sequencee turned around to find a noble lady wearing a pink dress. Her hair was black, eyes were bright crimson. Sequencee didn't really know how to react so he said nothing and assumed she wasn't talking to him.

The noble lady smiled wryly, finding this chap a little funny. She didn't try to bother him and stood at the other side of the veranda as she too admired the sky.

"Were you talking to me earlier? My apologies," Sequencee said after a while.

"Ah. No, no. It isn't anything to be shameful about. I'm merely intruding on your space, that's all."

"Intruding in my space? Since when did I claim a domain of my own?" Sequencee found her reasoning funny.

"This is your space since you got here first, isn't it?"

"I don't think so?" Sequencee mused.

"First daughter of the Marquis House, Flona Loid. It's a pleasure to meet you. May I know your name?"

"Me? I'm a commoner, Sequencee. Nice to meet you Miss Flona."

'I'm a commoner right? My mom is an honorary chevalier … not me.'

"Oh my? Are you a big shot perhaps?"

"Big shot? No, I'm merely a commoner."

"No, no. Unless you have some background, you wouldn't be here. Where are your parents?"

"My mom is talking to the other mercenaries around."

"Ah ... hold on, then you're the rumored mystery child?"

For some reason this 'mystery child' rumor about him had been circulating around the circle of nobility. He didn't even know why something as trivial as himself would become a topic of interest.

"I suppose so … "

"I see ... then you don't know who your father is?"

"Not at all."

This was the gap in info which many people took curious to. Anna, a renowned mercenary of the empire had a son, and the father was unknown?

"Hm ... interesting, interesting."

Sequencee knew that his mom was popular as a figurehead, he just didn't think she'd be so popular that people would want to know about her personal life. She was pretty and strong, yes; many nobles had tried to court her in the past, yes; she denied all their advances, yes. Were those same people she rejected the ones that couldn't help but be curious who their ex-crush married? Is that the reason why the rumor spread?

There was silence for a few beats. Sequencee drank his glass of juice. He peeked at Flona and noticed how her brows were deeply furrowed in worry.

"Speaking of which, are you trying to avoid something?"

"You could tell?"

"A random guess since I've met other nobles like you."

"I see … it seems you're a lot more experienced in regards to this. I should be ashamed … "

"Flona, you're here!" a sticky voice boomed behind them.

Sequencee turned around at the same time as she did. His sights landed on a pot belly man. He had numerous gold ornaments decorating his figure, over a dozen rings on his fingers, many jewels dangling on his neck–Sequencee found it disgusting.

It's one thing to wear the magic rings to protect yourself, but wasn't he taking it too far by wearing so many?

"My fiancé, what's wrong?" Seeing Flona's expression, he asked in a consoling voice.

She smiled bitterly. "It's nothing. I just came out to have some fresh air."

"I see … the sky is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" he gazed towards the moon.

"S-Sure is ... " Flona stammered.

'To think this sort of thing can happen … she's the Marquis' daughter? Just what is the Marquis thinking?'

It was clear to Sequencee that Flona wasn't just fleeing the party, she was trying to flee this hog. Sequencee wasn't unfamiliar with political marriage and the torture it sometimes entails.

'Normally I shouldn't interfere but...'

Sequencee coughed.

"Oh. Sorry for interfering. I shall take my leave with my fiancé … "

"Ah, it's not that. My name is Sequencee, son of Anna. May I know the name to this lady's fiancé?"

Sequencee introduce himself. Flona found it a little odd.

"Oh? Anna of the Rending? I had heard she had a son, I didn't think you'd be the one. The name is Boltt Euincing from Trading House Euincing. It is truly a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise … my apologies Boltt. Earlier I was talking to your fiancé about helping me to bridge the gap between me and the other nobles. I'm not quite comfortable mixing around you see … "

"Is that so?" Boltt raised his brow suspiciously.

"Could I have her help me? I want to meet the princess with her help."

Flona showed a conflicted expression.

"I see … " Boltt showed a contemplative nod.

'It's a lie, whatever.'

"Have you met the first prince?" Sequencee followed up.

"The first prince? No. I have not."

"Your fiancé has already shaken hands with him once, isn't it appropriate that you do the same? If you don't grasp the opportunity now it's likely it won't happen again."

"Hah? You have?" Boltt turned to Flona with an incredulous gaze.

"I have … you should go too," Flona didn't know how Sequencee knew. It might've been a random guess, nevertheless, it seemed he was trying to pry her out of this situation.

"Hm. In that case, I should introduce myself. Don't go too far," Boltt turned around and left for the line.

Watching his leaving figure, Sequencee heaved a sigh.

"Sorry to ask, is your family situation that desperate?"

"..."

'Yeah ... maybe I should've just shut up.'

"Sorry for interfering," Sequencee picked up his plate and glass.

"Wait. I'll help you."

"It's alright. I only did what I did on a whim," he levitated the glass and grabbed his plate, planning to leave. "Besides, it's not like I can solve your family situation as an outsider."

"Earlier–you said you were Anna's son, right?"

"Yes?"

"Then … could I possibly issue a request here, right now?"

"Request?"

Flona looked around warily. She then walked up to Sequencee and leaned over to whisper.

"Something is going to happen to the princess."

"Hm?"

"I don't know the details, but I wish for you and Anna to investigate the case. I believe it has to do with the succession war … " Flona gritted her teeth.

'I just raised a flag didn't I? Why this all of a sudden?'

"I didn't think I'd meet you so I don't know what to prepare, but will ten gold suffice?"

"Hold on. Could you talk to my mom about this instead? This is beyond me."

"Please," Flona bowed.

Flona got to speak with Sequencee out of sheer coincidence, and it just happened that he was the son of an unofficial SS-rank adventurer. If she had enjoyed the party as everyone else had, her concerns would've been left unaddressed. Seeing his skills at deception earlier, it came to her suddenly that she had found a ray of hope.

"Got it … "

'Not again … '