Chapter Twenty: The Third Prince

These four words appeared before Liu Ru, and in that instant, the young girl felt her cheeks grow faintly warm.

Though Su Ziye had warned them that every utterance here would reach the ears of the Third Highness, Liu Ru still harbored a sliver of hope—perhaps the Third Highness simply wasn’t interested in listening.

“She possesses the ability to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood,” Su Ziye said, gazing with a gentle smile at the girl in the black robe. “We have never harbored ill intentions toward her, nor have we ever deceived her with lies. Thus, she is willing to offer us shelter—a simple exchange, nothing more.”

“I don’t quite think it’s an equal exchange,” Liu Ru replied meekly.

In truth, Su Ziye’s contribution was negligible, mostly limited to some designs, rather than anything substantial.

“As long as she agrees, that’s enough,” Su Ziye said with a smile, then turned to the Third Highness, who was quietly sipping soup: “Do you like it?”

The Third Highness nodded slightly, continuing to taste the food before her in small, elegant bites, much like a graceful black cat.

“Would you like to try this?” Su Ziye offered her the spicy sauce.

The Third Highness looked curiously at the bright red paste. After a moment’s hesitation, she dipped her finger in it and brought it to her lips, her tongue barely touching it.

In the next moment, Liu Ru saw the girl’s figure begin to tremble and blur, as if an image severely disrupted by interference, with snowy static flickering across her skin.

“Pfft~” Su Ziye couldn’t help but laugh, sliding a glass of snowy-white milk to the Third Highness. “Try some.”

Without hesitation, she hugged the glass and drank it all at once.

“Even if you can’t handle spicy food, we can still be good friends,” Su Ziye said, suppressing his laughter.

“You seem awfully pleased,” Liu Ru teased from the side.

“Indeed.” Su Ziye looked at Liu Ru and nodded. “I am truly happy.”

…

…

The Third Highness really finished a whole bowl of beef soup and shredded flatbread.

She was quite satisfied with Su Ziye’s hospitality, though she never touched the spicy sauce again.

After the meal, the girl in the black robe took it upon herself to clear the dishes and scrub the pot, showing not the slightest hint of modesty, leaving Liu Ru somewhat dumbfounded.

“I find myself less and less able to understand her,” Liu Ru said earnestly.

These tasks had always been hers to do; since this was a safe house designated by Su Ziye, it was naturally her duty. But the Third Highness’s willingness to take the initiative was something Liu Ru had never anticipated.

“She always considers herself the hostess, and us as guests,” Su Ziye observed, watching the busy figure in the black robe. “It’s acceptable for guests to help prepare the meal, but having guests clean up afterward would violate the principles of hospitality.”

Liu Ru pursed her lips. “Will we bring danger to her?”

She asked.

“Her danger has never come from others,” Su Ziye replied calmly. “Let’s go inside.”

For the Third Highness, as long as Su Ziye and Liu Ru remained in the house, it made no difference where they were. Still, discussing her openly felt awkward.

Once the door was shut again, Liu Ru turned to Su Ziye. “What is the story behind the Third Highness?”

Finally, her curiosity about the girl in the black robe became impossible to suppress.

Though the girl was always close by, and with her kindness and courtesy would likely answer most questions, Liu Ru still preferred asking Su Ziye.

“I don’t know,” Su Ziye replied calmly.

Liu Ru arched her brows in skepticism.

Su Ziye had always spoken of her with such familiarity, but now he claimed ignorance.

Who would believe that?

Yet, as Liu Ru looked at Su Ziye, her expression slowly changed—from suspicion to slight apprehension. “You really don’t know?”

She realized he was telling the truth.

“No one knows where she came from. I’ve said it before: she has been present in Nightleaf City for at least thirty years. In all that time, her appearance hasn’t changed, and she’s rarely exchanged meaningful words with anyone. What little is known about her has been pieced together from articles and recollections of students at Nightleaf Academy—that’s how I’ve learned most of what I know.” Su Ziye looked at Liu Ru and spoke softly. “Though I’ve been aware of her existence for a long time, I only saw her with my own eyes a few hours ago.”

“My only feeling now is that, no matter how many tales you hear from others, nothing compares to witnessing her yourself.”

“Why is she called the Third Highness?” Liu Ru asked.

To the uninformed, it truly sounded as though the girl hailed from some great lineage.

“Because no one knows her name,” Su Ziye said quietly. “She’s never mentioned what she’s called, so at first, people addressed her in all sorts of ways. Eventually, the title ‘Third Highness’ became the accepted form of address.”

Su Ziye smiled. “Don’t you think it suits her?”

Liu Ru nodded.

Yes, the affection and respect that One-Two-Four-Two felt for her was entirely genuine. This girl was beautiful without self-awareness, powerful without arrogance, impossible to dislike, and truly worthy of the honorific ‘Highness.’

“Why the third?” Liu Ru pressed.

“Because she only speaks three sentences,” Su Ziye replied. “You’ll notice her intelligence is unimpeachable—she’s astonishingly clever. Her vocal cords are perfectly fine, so speech should present no obstacle.”

“But in thirty years, all witnesses confirm she’s only ever said three sentences.”

“Most often, she expresses herself in writing.”

“What are the three sentences?” Liu Ru asked, trying to recall.

‘No need to give change,’ Liu Ru remembered as the first.

“What’s the second?”

Liu Ru racked her brain but couldn’t recall the Third Highness ever saying a second sentence.

“It’s ‘Mm,’” Su Ziye prompted quietly.

Liu Ru was surprised, but then remembered that the Third Highness had once uttered that syllable while communicating with One-Two-Four-Two. She nodded, resigned. “And the third?”

Su Ziye’s expression suddenly turned sorrowful.

“Sorry,” he said quietly.

Liu Ru stared at him, her expression freezing for a moment.

“What does she have to apologize for?” the girl exclaimed.

“It seems,” Su Ziye said, choosing his words carefully, “she cannot comprehend many human emotions.”