Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

Natsuki Subaru was slightly stunned, and subconsciously wanted to look around for that silver-white figure.

But he immediately realized that he was now Flügel, the newly hired accountant in Anastasia's camp.

We shouldn't know them. If we reveal any flaws now, we'll definitely be expelled from the Hexin Chamber of Commerce!

In that case, he doesn't know when he'll have the chance to share a drink with Miss Anna again!

Determined not to give himself away, Subaru Natsuki feigned composure and answered without looking up, as if he were talking to a stranger.

"The weather is really nice today."

"Ha!" Parker scoffed dismissively at the sight.

He asked the question with the answer in mind, so he easily saw through Subaru Natsuki's unnatural movements.

Still acting?

Do you really think I, Mr. Parker, wouldn't recognize you, kid?

Okay, since you want to keep acting, then I, as your elder, will play along.

With the smile of an old man teasing a child, Parker didn't directly expose Subaru's clumsy acting—he just floated in the air, quietly observing Subaru's next performance.

He watched helplessly as the white-haired young man in front of him raised his head as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, displaying the surprise one would expect upon first meeting.

Wow, there's a kitten that can fly!

Parker scoffed inwardly once more.

You look so pathetic!

Friguel!

He acted so hard that he almost had "Parker, I actually know you" written all over his face.

He narrowed his eyes, flicked his tail gently in mid-air, and said, word by word:

"Young man, your acting skills aren't very good. Haven't you improved at all in the past few hundred years?"

Acting? Natsuki Subaru was shocked.

Parker recognized me?

What does "hundreds of years" mean?

Did he actually mistake someone for someone else?

Subaru Natsuki was puzzled by Puck's reaction.

But that doesn't affect what he's going to do next.

Just like the old saying goes!

How can one use smashing a wine glass filled with wine as a signal?

He absolutely could not allow his identity to be exposed, lest it affect his drinking the nuptial wine with Miss Anna!

Subaru Natsuki immediately began to deny it outright.

"Little Meow Meow, what are you saying? I... I don't understand."

Hearing Subaru's reply, Puck raised his head with amusement and gently stroked his beard with his paw pads.

Still pretending, still pretending~

The more Subaru acted this way, the more certain Parker became.

The person in front of him was the Fruguel he used to know, who is now the Natsuki Subaru he knows!

Although I don't know how the other person changed back to this state, or what they are doing sweeping the streets now.

But that didn't stop him from continuing to press and tease the other person.

You like to act, huh? Since you like acting, then I'll let you act well.

Let's see how long you can keep acting~

Just as Parker was preparing to continue the story from Natsuki Subaru's perspective...

Emilia had already followed the stone steps in front of the door.

------

"Parker, what are you doing here all of a sudden?"

Parker was startled, so surprised by the sudden turn of events that he completely forgot about Leah, who was standing right next to him.

We can't let Leah see Subaru Natsuki like this!

That might...

Parker quickly floated between Emilia and the white-haired youth, trying to block the other's view.

But it was too late.

Emilia's gaze passed over Puck and landed on Subaru Natsuki's face.

That mature, handsome, yet unfamiliar face came into view in his dark purple eyes.

Emilia was stunned...

She didn't recognize him.

But she felt as if something had gently pinched her chest.

A tear slid down the corner of her eye.

Emilia raised her hand and touched her face, even she herself looked confused.

"Huh? Why... am I crying?"

"Lia, are you alright?" Parker asked anxiously.

“It’s nothing…” Emilia shook her head and wiped away her tears, but she still couldn’t help staring at Subaru.

Even though this face was completely unfamiliar to her, just seeing it stirred up countless emotions within her...

Parker saw that she didn't remember anything more, and his anxiety eased slightly.

But that relaxation only lasted for a moment.

He glanced furtively at Subaru Natsuki, a hint of anger in his eyes.

That was the anger that ignited because Natsuki Subaru made his most precious Ria cry.

That despicable bastard!

How dare you face Leah like that!

Parker gritted his teeth and stared intently at Subaru Natsuki.

The man recognized him but pretended to be a stranger.

He wanted to see what Natsuki Subaru would do now that Emilia was right in front of him.

At this moment, Subaru was looking at Emilia, who was crying, and felt a little worried.

Emilia looked much more haggard today than when they last parted.

So Crusch's entry into the palace must have been a lot of pressure for her? Of course, no one would feel at ease discovering that their competitor is such a powerful thief.

Although Subaru Natsuki believes Emilia is not a wise ruler, it does not mean that he dislikes Emilia as a person.

On the contrary, he actually greatly admired Emilia's way of doing things.

The other party was gentle and kind, much like Yuan Gong.

If it weren't for Roswaal, that once-in-a-century hypocrite, he might have already become a general under the enemy.

Although it's unlikely they'll become master and servant now, they're still friends at least.

As a friend, Natsuki Subaru asked with concern, "Miss, why are you crying? Are you alright?"

"It's nothing... thank you for your concern."

Emilia took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil welling up inside her.

Wiping away the tears that kept falling from the corners of her eyes, she bowed her head to Subaru.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure just now."

"I'm looking for my friend. Do you know him?"

Emilia took a portrait out of her bosom.

The black-haired boy in the portrait has a flamboyant expression, with a familiar arrogance in his eyes.

Natsuki Subaru took the portrait with trembling hands and looked at it for a long time.

The portrait depicts his original appearance.

Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but sigh~

What a benevolent and righteous ruler!

I never expected that I would be valued so highly by Lady Emilia.

This friendship is truly touching.

Unfortunately... he was already captivated by Miss Anna's enticing aroma of wine and couldn't go back...

"do not know."

Subaru Natsuki returned the portrait to her.

Emilia nodded and put the portrait back in her hand. She hadn't had high hopes anyway; she was just asking casually to change the subject.

Actually, she didn't know what was wrong with her, but looking at this face, she felt an urge to cry again!

"I'm sorry to disturb your work."

Emilia turned around in a panic, wanting to leave the street.

Parker didn't follow immediately.

He first turned around and glared at Natsuki Subaru.

The white-haired youth remained standing in the same spot, the broom hanging at his side, a calm expression on his face.

The calm only made Parker angrier.

This guy clearly saw Leah crying like that, yet he still kept pretending.

You're just pretending, aren't you!

I'll expose you right now and see how you keep pretending!

Without saying a word, Parker chased after Emilia, who had run away.

"Lia".

Parker flew to Emilia's side.

"I found Subaru Natsuki."

Emilia, who was wiping away her tears and trying to suppress her emotions, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"What did you say?"

Parker raised his paw and pointed without hesitation in the direction of the Hexin Chamber of Commerce behind him.

"It's that white-haired guy from earlier."

Emilia turned around in disbelief.

"Impossible. Parker, are you still asleep? Why are you talking nonsense?"

"They look somewhat alike, but they are definitely not the same person."

"Lia, you don't understand. That person has a history of changing his appearance and name randomly."

Parker's eyes shone brightly, and his tone was confident, even carrying a hint of smugness after finding evidence.

"This is just a disguise he uses."

"How is this possible?"

Emilia was still unable to accept it. Because of her chaotic state of mind, she didn't even notice the familiarity and certainty in Puck's words about Subaru.