Sorry for Disturbing Your Sleep

Scarlet nodded.

"Thank you, Brother Eagle," Grace said, patting his wing before hopping on.

When they arrived over Radiant Dawn Palace, it was pitch black below, not even a single lamp was lit.

Only one lamp glowed atop a high rooftop among the buildings surrounding the plaza.

There, a celestial guard was keeping watch.

Grace flew over.

Before she could get close, he suddenly appeared in front of her, full of energy, and barked, "Who goes there?"

"I've made an appointment with Crown Prince Evan Xiao to meet him at this hour," Chloe Zhu replied. "Would you please inform him for me? My name is Chloe Zhu."

The celestial guard eyed her suspiciously. "You have an appointment with the Crown Prince? At this hour?"

"Yes! His Highness specifically told me to come find him at this time!"

"Wait here," he said, and turned to leave.

"Hold on!" Grace called out.

"What is it now?"

"Sorry to bother you so late," Grace said, reaching out to take his hand and slipping a small vial into it. "I'm a Spiritual Alchemist, and this is Clarity Dew—personally crafted by me."

If you get sleepy on night duty, just open it and take a sniff—you'll wake up instantly and won't feel tired the next day. Go ahead and keep it!"

The celestial guard, expressionless, handed the vial back to her and said, "No need."

With that, he vanished from Grace's sight, leaving her unsure where he'd gone.

Grace smiled, took out a handkerchief to wipe the little vial, and tucked it into her sleeve.

Then she waited patiently.

Soon, the guard returned, his voice harsh: "His Highness says he won't see you! He also told me to pass along a message: you must leave Drake Abyss before sunset tomorrow!"

Grace nodded slightly and took out the same little vial. "You should really keep this! Take a whiff—it's super fragrant."

As she spoke, she popped the cork and held the vial under the celestial guard's nose.

The celestial guard frowned, about to scold her, but suddenly his eyes glazed over and he toppled down with a thud.

Chloe Zhu peered down and saw a River Drake sprawled on the ground—a mystical river dragon, thick-skinned and sturdy, probably not hurt by the fall...

Then she conjured a Tracker Bee from her spatial pouch—a magical bee used for tracking—let it land, and followed where it led.

Radiant Dawn Palace was ridiculously huge, and since she had no idea where Evan Xiao lived, this was her only option.

The Tracker Bee flew along the path the River Drake had just taken, and Grace easily found Evan Xiao's quarters.

His sleeping quarters had no one outside—not a single guard. The lax security delighted her.

Was Drake Abyss really that safe? Even the Crown Prince's bedchamber had no guards...

She didn't dare barge in, afraid Evan Xiao might accidentally kill her.

So, very politely, she knocked on the door and called out, "Evan Xiao, it's Chloe Zhu. May I come in?"

No response from inside.

No refusal meant permission.

Grace pushed the door open and saw him lying on an unusually large, pitch-black bed, looking at her lazily.

"Your Highness," Grace smiled at him. "Sorry to disturb your sleep."

"Get out."

"I'll only take a moment," Grace said, ignoring his command and walking in, closing the door behind her. "I have something to tell you."

Evan Xiao stared at her, icy and silent.

Grace ignored his resistance and chill, walked right up to him, and said, "I've found Rona Zhu. Do you remember who Rona Zhu is?"

Evan Xiao frowned.