Evie: "But what exactly will you gain from the ability?"
Louis: "I want blueberry ice cream… thanks."
(Louis wandered through the city, listening and learning about people's conditions and needs...)
...
Evie: "Louis?"
...
Evie: "Louis??"
...
Evie: "Why aren't you answering?"
...
Louis: "Shhh… listen."
(Louis sat on a bench in the marketplace, eating his blueberry ice cream while staring at a café across from him… two strange men were speaking together.)
Stranger 1: "Last night Olivia's bakery burned down, and the week before that, it was Nerner's. At this rate, there won't be a single bakery left in the city… ugh."
Evie: "Hmm… even though I haven't left the palace, I've heard of Olivia's bakery. It's famous, even though it's run by commoners…"
(Louis rushed to the ice cream vendor.)
Louis: "Excuse me, sir. This might sound like a strange question, but… what's the richest bakery in the city?"
Vendor: "Hmm… that would be Rodeline Bakery, owned by Duchess Rose."
(A wave of shock hit Evie and Louis.)
Evie: "She had a bakery? I didn't know that…"
Louis: "Good… very good…"
Evie: "What is it?"
Louis: "You'll see…"
(Louis quietly returned to his room...)
The next morning….
Louis got ready early—he had been invited to have breakfast with the Duke.
Duke: "Sit next to me."
Louis took the seat beside the Duke, and across from him sat Rose.
Duke: "How's the bakery doing?"
Rose: "Very well. At this rate, it might become the most popular one in town."
Duke: "Good... So, Evie, how are your studies?"
Louis: "They're enjoyable. I've learned so many new things. Thank you, Duke, for giving me this opportunity."
Duke: "Do your best. In one month, there will be a competition for the position of Crown Princess. You must work hard… Remember, Evie—this title must be yours."
Louis: "I will do my best."
After breakfast, Louis headed to the soldiers' training grounds. Despite being in the body of a child, his curiosity got the better of him—he simply wanted to take a look.
He watched the training and combat sessions with fascination. Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.
"This isn't a place for a little girl… cough, cough"
When Louis turned around, he saw a boy with orange hair and eyes. His face was marked with bruises and cuts. But what caught Louis's attention the most were the irregular heartbeats he could hear… the shallow breathing… and the persistent cough.
Louis: "Oh, I just came to watch. It's fun to see them train."
"Don't you hate the smell of sweat?"
Louis: "Haha… I forget about it while watching. What's your name?"
"John… cough, cough"
Louis: "Are you feeling unwell?"
John: "It's nothing. I've gotten used to it."
Louis: "By any chance… do you train here?"
John: "Impossible. They wouldn't accept me because of my weak body. But I train at night…"
Louis: "Ah, I see… Maybe you could teach me sometime?"
John: "That's impossible. Completely impossible."
"John! Where are you? Come on—we're heading to the bakery!"
Louis: "Oh, do you work at the bakery?"
John: "That's right… Well, see you around."