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Chapter 13 — Beneath the Glittering Capital
The capital of the Ether Empire never slept.
Even in the middle of the afternoon, the streets looked like a river of people flowing endlessly through the heart of the city. Merchants shouted at the top of their lungs, horses stomped impatiently against the cobbled streets, and the scent of spices, roasted meat, and fresh bread mixed into a dizzying perfume that floated through the air.
Inside a luxurious imperial carriage decorated with golden carvings of the royal crest, Prince Alex leaned slightly toward the window.
The velvet curtain had been pulled aside just enough for him to observe the world outside.
His calm eyes scanned the busy marketplace.
Everywhere he looked, people were shouting, bargaining, laughing, or arguing.
A fruit merchant stood proudly behind a cart stacked with shining red apples and golden pears.
"Fresh fruits! Fresh fruits! Sweet apples from the western orchards! Only one silver coin per kilogram! Come quickly before they're gone!"
Another stall nearby displayed colorful fabrics that fluttered gently in the breeze.
A woman picked up a dress and examined it carefully.
"This dress looks beautiful. What is the price?"
The shopkeeper instantly smiled.
"For you, my lady? Only twelve silver coins. Finest silk imported from the southern islands."
The woman gasped.
"Twelve silver coins?!"
The merchant laughed.
"Beauty always comes at a price!"
Inside the carriage, Alex watched everything silently.
Beside him sat his younger sister, Princess Aurelia.
Unlike Alex's calm expression, her golden eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as she peeked outside.
"Brother, the market is incredible today."
Alex chuckled softly.
"Of course it is."
He leaned back slightly.
"This is the capital of the empire after all. Trade from every region passes through here."
Aurelia pressed her face closer to the window.
Performers were juggling flaming torches in the street while children cheered loudly.
A man played a flute near a fountain, creating a cheerful melody that blended with the noise of the crowd.
Carriages belonging to nobles moved through the streets while imperial knights maintained order among the people.
For a moment, everything felt lively and peaceful.
Then suddenly—
A loud scream tore through the air.
"Ahhhh! Spare me! Please spare me!"
The sound was filled with terror.
Another voice followed, furious and loud.
"You little rat! You dared steal from me again? Today I will break your hands!"
The cheerful noise of the marketplace shifted slightly as people turned their heads toward the disturbance.
Aurelia frowned.
"Brother… did you hear that?"
Alex had already heard it.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
The shouting was coming from somewhere ahead.
He turned toward the knight riding beside the carriage.
"Find out what is happening."
The knight immediately bowed.
"As you command, Your Highness."
He urged his horse forward and disappeared into the crowd.
For several moments the shouting continued.
"Please! I swear I won't do it again!"
"You say that every time!"
The sound of something hitting flesh echoed faintly.
Aurelia looked uncomfortable.
"Brother… someone is being beaten."
Alex didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he continued watching the crowd.
Soon the knight returned.
Alex spoke calmly.
"So. What happened?"
The knight bowed again.
"Nothing serious, Your Highness. A shopkeeper caught a young thief stealing bread. The merchant is punishing him."
Alex's gaze darkened slightly.
Punishing.
For bread.
Without saying another word, Alex opened the carriage door and stepped down.
The moment people noticed the imperial insignia on the carriage and recognized the prince himself, the entire street froze.
Merchants stopped shouting.
Customers froze mid-conversation.
Then—
One by one—
Everyone dropped to their knees.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Long live Prince Alex!"
The merchant who had been beating the boy instantly stopped and bowed deeply.
Alex walked forward calmly.
The crowd parted for him like water.
When he reached the center of the commotion, he finally saw the boy.
The child was thin and frail, perhaps twelve years old.
His clothes were torn.
Dust covered his face.
Blood trickled from a cut on his lip.
A half-crushed loaf of bread lay on the ground beside him.
The merchant hurriedly spoke.
"Your Highness! This boy tried to steal from my stall!"
Alex didn't even look at him.
Instead, he stared quietly at the boy.
The child kept his head lowered.
Alex's voice was calm.
"What happened?"
The merchant quickly answered again.
"He tried to take my bread without paying!"
Alex slowly turned his head toward him.
"Did I ask you?"
The merchant instantly shut his mouth.
Silence fell over the street.
At that moment—
A mechanical voice echoed inside Alex's mind.
System Notification
50 SC earned.
Alex ignored it.
His attention remained on the boy.
After a moment, the child spoke.
His voice was weak.
"I was hungry…"
The boy swallowed nervously.
"I haven't eaten in two days…"
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Some people looked sympathetic.
Others simply watched.
Alex studied the boy carefully.
Something about him triggered a faint sense of familiarity.
Why does he feel familiar…?
But Alex quickly dismissed the thought.
Instead, he sighed.
"Hey."
The boy looked up nervously.
"Y-yes, Your Highness?"
Alex casually pulled out a gold coin.
With a flick of his fingers, he tossed it toward the merchant.
The shopkeeper caught it and froze.
His eyes widened in shock.
"A… a gold coin?!"
Alex spoke calmly.
"Give him bread."
The merchant nodded rapidly.
"Yes! Of course!"
Alex continued.
"As much as he wants."
The boy stared at Alex as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Alex looked down at him.
"Where do you live?"
"In… the slums… young master."
Alex nodded slowly.
Then he said something unexpected.
"This is not charity."
The boy blinked.
Alex's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I am lending you money."
The boy looked confused.
Alex continued calmly.
"And one day… I will come to collect it."
The boy quickly bowed his head.
"I understand, Your Highness."
Alex turned away.
"Let's go."
He returned to the carriage.
Aurelia immediately asked,
"What happened?"
Alex sat down calmly.
"Nothing important."
Then he spoke toward the coachman.
"Take us to the best clothing store in the capital."
The carriage began moving again.
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Not long later they arrived at one of the most luxurious boutiques in the entire capital.
Golden letters above the entrance read:
Voles Royal Tailors
The shopkeeper rushed outside the moment he saw the imperial carriage.
He bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Prince Alex! It is an honor to receive Your Highness!"
Alex stepped down and gestured toward Aurelia.
"My sister wishes to see dresses."
The shopkeeper nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course! The finest dresses in the empire!"
Aurelia hesitated slightly.
"Brother… you don't have to buy me anything."
Alex laughed softly.
"Don't say that."
He gently tapped her forehead.
"Your brother has more money than he knows what to do with."
Aurelia smiled brightly.
"Then I will choose something beautiful!"
Alex nodded.
"Take your time."
Then he turned to leave.
"I need to purchase something myself."
Aurelia nodded happily.
"Okay brother!"
Outside the shop, Alex called the knights.
"Come here."
They immediately knelt.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Protect the princess."
Their voices were firm.
"With our lives."
Alex's tone turned slightly colder.
"If anything happens to her…"
The knights lowered their heads even further.
"We understand."
One of them asked nervously.
"But Your Highness… what about your safety?"
Alex waved casually.
"Don't worry."
"My personal guard assigned by His Majesty is watching."
Then Alex walked away toward a quieter street.
Eventually he entered a narrow alley.
When he confirmed nobody was watching—
He spoke.
"System."
A glowing interface appeared.
Yes, Host.
"Give me an appearance change potion."
A small bottle materialized in his hand.
Alex drank it immediately.
His hair turned dark brown.
His eyes became gray.
Then he placed a mask over his face.
Now he looked like an entirely different person.
Alex smiled faintly.
"Time to meet my cash cow."
At the end of the alley stood a shabby stall.
A thin man sat lazily behind it.
"What do you want?"
Alex spoke calmly.
"I came looking for merchandise."
The man narrowed his eyes.
"What kind?"
Alex leaned forward.
"The moon shines brightest when the empire sleeps."
The man's expression instantly changed.
He stood up quickly.
"Oh… a VIP guest."
He opened a hidden door.
"Please follow me."
They descended a dark staircase.
Soon—
Loud cheering echoed through the underground hall.
Alex's eyes widened slightly.
An enormous underground casino stretched before him.
Gamblers shouted excitedly.
Gold coins clattered across tables.
Alcohol flowed freely.
Illegal.
Dangerous.
Profitable.
But Alex wasn't interested in gambling today.
He walked deeper into the underground facility.
And far away—
Inside a small iron cage—
A red-haired girl slowly lifted her head.
Her name was Selena.
Her dull eyes suddenly locked onto Alex.
Her heart began pounding violently.
Why…?
She didn't know.
But she couldn't look away.
Something inside her whispered—
That boy…
He will change everything.