Chapter 146

Chapter 146

It wasn’t until dinner had concluded that Tu Nan finally found an opportunity to be alone with Xu Duoyi.

The Queen had arranged for Xu Duoyi to stay in the room right next to her own, which made things convenient for them.

Tu Nan walked to Xu Duoyi’s door and knocked. A moment later, Xu Duoyi cracked the door open. Seeing it was her, she opened it fully to let her in.

Once Tu Nan was inside, Xu Duoyi glanced around to confirm no one was watching before closing the door again.

“Have a seat,” Xu Duoyi said, waving a hand behind her. “You’ve come at the right time. I have something to tell you.”

“Is it about Nemesis?” Tu Nan sat down on the sofa. “What did she say when she called you into her room alone earlier?”

Xu Duoyi let out a soft sigh.

“She gave me a mandatory quest.” Xu Duoyi held her head, pacing the room anxiously. “Given my current status, I couldn’t refuse.”

“Can you tell others about it?” Tu Nan asked.

Xu Duoyi nodded. “That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m afraid I’ll need your help.”

“What exactly does Nemesis want you to do?” Tu Nan was genuinely curious now.

“She wants me to find someone.”

“A person?” Tu Nan raised an eyebrow. Recalling what Maria had said to her under the apple tree, she had a suspicion, but she asked anyway, “Who?”

Xu Duoyi shook her head. “I don’t know much, only that her name is Aphro.”

“Aphro…” The name was entirely unfamiliar to her.

Xu Duoyi continued, “Aphro is a Witch, just like Nemesis. They were both apprentices to the same Witch, which makes Aphro something like Nemesis’s junior sister.”

“Why is Nemesis looking for her?” Tu Nan asked.

“Nemesis didn’t tell me much about her, but judging by her expression when she spoke, she’s likely looking for Aphro to vent her rage.” Xu Duoyi recalled the look on Nemesis’s face during their conversation, still feeling a bit of lingering fear.

“Her eyes were practically spitting fire. I can only imagine what would happen to Aphro if she actually found her…”

Various theories flashed through Tu Nan’s mind.

The person Maria had referred to was most likely Aphro.

What was strange was that Maria, as a princess who lived deep within the Royal Palace, would know where Aphro was.

Unless…

Aphro was hiding somewhere inside the Royal Palace.

“Nemesis said Maria made a deal with her. If Maria can ascend to the Throne, she’ll tell Nemesis where Aphro is. But Nemesis doesn’t trust Maria, so she sent me here instead,” Xu Duoyi rambled on.

“From what I can tell, she’s still holding a grudge against Maria for stealing the apples and doesn’t really want to help her.”

Xu Duoyi looked miserable. “In other words, I have to complete the main quest while also finishing this Side Quest for Nemesis.”

“The two tasks don’t necessarily conflict,” Tu Nan comforted her. “You can search for her while helping Maria.”

“To help me find Aphro, Nemesis told me one more thing.” Xu Duoyi looked at her.

“When Aphro left back then, she stole something from Nemesis.”

For Nemesis to hold a grudge for this long, the item had to be incredibly precious.

“What was it?” she asked curiously.

Xu Duoyi blinked. “The Magic Mirror.”

The Magic Mirror…

In the story of Snow White, the Magic Mirror was a significant presence.
Every day, the Stepmother Queen would ask the Magic Mirror who the most beautiful person in the world was. She would only be satisfied when the Magic Mirror replied that it was her. Then, one day, the Magic Mirror gave a different answer.

-Snow White is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Jealous of Snow White’s beauty, the Stepmother Queen sent a Hunter to assassinate her. Even after learning that Snow White had not died, she went as far as to personally craft a Poisoned Apple in an attempt to kill her.

The owner of the Magic Mirror is…

“The Stepmother Queen?” Tu Nan’s eyes widened slightly. “The Stepmother Queen is Aphro?”

“I can’t be certain,” Xu Duoyi said hesitantly. “But there is a high probability. If we can find the Magic Mirror, perhaps we can use it to ask whether the Stepmother Queen is actually Aphro.”

“If the Stepmother Queen really is Aphro, the Magic Mirror must be hidden inside her Bedchamber. But she is the Queen; her Bedchamber won’t be easy to enter.”

“That’s why I need your help,” Xu Duoyi said. “I’ll be questioned no matter where I go, but you are a noble lady and Maria’s friend. It will be much more convenient for you to move around.”

“Even so, trying to enter the Queen’s Bedchamber is still too difficult. We need to plan this carefully.” Tu Nan thought for a moment before asking, “If you confirm that the Stepmother Queen is Aphro, what do you plan to do?”

“Nemesis told me to inform her immediately once I found the person.” Xu Duoyi sighed, pacing around the room again. “But I’m afraid…”

“Afraid that once Nemesis gets definitive news, Maria will no longer be of use to her, and she’ll kill Maria immediately?”

Xu Duoyi remained silent. She did indeed have such concerns, and it was the source of her dilemma.

After all, her main quest was to help Maria rise to power. If Maria died, she wouldn’t be able to pass her main quest; what would be the point of completing a side quest then?

They didn’t know much about Nemesis, so they couldn’t be sure what she really wanted or what she would do.

“Let’s just take it one step at a time for now.” Xu Duoyi frowned. “Regardless, it’s vital to clarify the Stepmother Queen’s identity. If she really is a Witch, will she move against Maria just like in the story?”

Tu Nan stood up, deciding to go find Maria to scout for information.

*

Maria’s room was not on the same floor as the guest rooms.

As Tu Nan went upstairs and turned into the corridor, she happened to see the Eldest Prince, Eugene, stepping out of his room.

Where was Eugene going so late at night?

Eugene scanned his surroundings and spotted Tu Nan instantly. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, which he immediately masked.

Tu Nan gave him a polite bow and offered a submissive “Good evening.”

“What are you doing here so late?” Eugene’s tone was harsh as he glared at her fiercely.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I came to chat with Princess Maria.” Tu Nan offered a small smile. “Is the Prince going somewhere?”

“I… is my business any of your concern?” Eugene snorted coldly, then opened his door and retreated back into his room.

Tu Nan frowned.

That was bizarre.

Still, where could Eugene have been planning to go at this hour?

“Judy?” Maria’s door suddenly opened. Dressed in her nightgown, Maria stood at the threshold, quietly watching her. “Are you here for me?”

The commotion just now had disturbed her.

Tu Nan nodded.

“Come in.” Maria turned and walked back into the room, leaving the door open.