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“Open Sesame.” Yaeger calmly approached the city gates after calming the overjoyed Fiat.

Fiat, nursing a swollen head, looked on in confusion. The gates were sealed due to the curfew, and he had previously used his connections to leave via a soldier’s ladder. Surely they wouldn’t open just because someone shouted? Were the soldiers in Jade City under her command? And what exactly did ‘Open Sesame’ mean? Was it some kind of spell?

As Fiat pondered, the heavy gate began to creak and groan, slowly opening with the sound of grinding metal. Fiat’s jaw dropped in utter disbelief, his eyes nearly popping out. The gate was actually opening! Never before had he seen someone treat Jade City as if it were their own, unaffected by the curfew and coming and going as they pleased.

“Let’s go,” Yaeger said, moving with grace. Fiat’s admiration for her surged, his awe resembling a cascading waterfall.

As they entered, they were greeted by dozens of soldiers lined up as if in formation for a welcome party. Fiat was astounded once again, his respect for her reaching sky-high. ‘Such a reception is only fitting for the Black-hearted Princess,’ he thought. However, the expressions of the guards were far from welcoming; they were pale, wishing for her swift departure, especially those who had previously suffered at her hands.

Despite their relatively high status as city guards, they felt insignificant in her presence. Not daring to make a sound, they anxiously awaited her passing. Finally, she moved on, much to their collective relief.

Fiat’s home was in a less affluent part of the city. As they delved deeper into the commoner’s area, the disparity in wealth became more apparent. Stopping in front of a modest two-story house, Fiat seemed almost apologetic. “[Princess], this is my home. It’s a bit shabby. I hope you don’t mind,” he said, his posture indicating a mix of embarrassment and respect.

“I’m not here for pleasure,” Yaeger responded, her tone indicating she was not concerned with the state of the house. “Time is of the essence. Let’s go in.”

Fiat, slightly red-faced, realized he had been harboring undue prejudice against her. ‘The rumors are all wrong. She isn’t the cold-hearted Black-hearted Princess they say she is; she’s kind and noble!’ he thought, revising his opinion of her.

If Yaeger knew what Fiat was thinking, she would have been utterly dumbfounded. The kind and noble princess he was imagining was certainly not how she saw herself.

With a quiet creak, Fiat unlocked and opened the door. Inside, the house was well-lit but eerily quiet, with no sign of anyone.

“My sister is afraid of the dark. She usually keeps the lights on when sleeping at night,” Fiat explained.

Yaeger just nodded, not finding this detail particularly significant. As Fiat placed his weapons in a corner, he led her to another well-lit room.

“Brother?” came a frail voice. Yaeger’s gaze shifted to a bed where a sickly girl lay motionless, not even turning her head. ‘Such a weak life presence,’ Yaeger thought, sensing the girl’s fragility from a distance. ‘So weak, she probably can’t even stand.’

The room had a subtle medicinal scent and was spotless, clearly well-maintained, but not by Fiat, Yaeger surmised. Bounty hunters seldom had the time for such tasks. “The woman next door usually takes care of her,” Fiat clarified upon noticing Yaeger’s curious glance.

“Oh,” Yaeger responded simply, taking note of the room’s spartan setup. The family was not destitute, but they were close to it. Clearly, Fiat had prioritized Aurora’s medical needs and caretaking expenses above all else.

“Brother, is she a guest?” Aurora whispered faintly.

“She’s a doctor for you,” Fiat replied softly, approaching the bed. Yaeger leaned in, examining Aurora. The girl was emaciated, her white hair and gaunt features hinting at what must have been a beautiful face. ‘She would look lovely with some nourishment,’ Yaeger thought.

“Hello, miss doctor,” Aurora spoke, turning her head toward Yaeger with what seemed like the last of her strength. Her voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes reflecting a deep detachment from the world around her. It was evident she had lost all hope long ago. If she had possessed the strength to end her life, she might have already done so. The burden of her existence on her brother weighed on her far more than her physical pain, and her gaze at Yaeger was one of someone who had given up on everything.

“Hello,” Yaeger greeted her. Fiat, bowing slightly, implored, “[Princess], please take care of Aurora.” Aurora’s heart ached seeing her brother’s submissive posture, a stark contrast to his usual strength.

Anguish, resentment, and a deep sense of self-loathing flooded Aurora. She despised her fate and the burden it placed on Fiat.

“I’ll need to examine her thoroughly. Would you prefer to stay or leave?” Yaeger inquired, oblivious to Aurora’s inner turmoil and not particularly interested in it.

“I’d better leave,” Fiat decided, giving Aurora an encouraging look. “Don’t worry, [Princess] will surely cure you.” His confidence in Yaeger was mixed; deep inside, he questioned if the mysterious illness that had tormented them for years could be so easily cured.

Leaving the room with a heavy heart, Fiat closed the door behind him. Silence ensued. Yaeger and Aurora simply looked at each other, neither speaking until Aurora broke the quiet.

“Liar,” she accused.

Taken aback, Yaeger tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“You’re just another liar, out to swindle my brother’s money,” Aurora stated flatly.

“I really don’t care about your brother’s money,” Yaeger chuckled, her indifference evident.

“Fine then, I apologize. I’m sorry,” Aurora muttered half-heartedly.

“What an insincere apology,” Yaeger commented with a shrug. She remained patient, understanding the mental state of someone bedridden for years would be far from ordinary.

Before Yaeger could continue, Aurora interrupted with a startling request. “Hey, can you kill me?” Her gaze was serious, her voice resolute.