Roxy Shangguan wiped her tears slowly and deliberately, looking at him with an innocent face as she said, "Quentin, my candied hawthorn fell."
"Serves you right!" Seeing Roxy Shangguan's even more innocent expression, Quentin Hua could only look up to the heavens in exasperation. Why did he have to be saddled with such a little demon? His reputation!
"Quentin..." Roxy Shangguan carefully tugged at Quentin Hua's sleeve, looking pitiful like a wronged little wife. Anyone who saw her like this would never believe she was capable of such mischief.
But Quentin Hua was becoming more and more aware of her devilish nature. Holding the little demon in his arms, Quentin Hua said helplessly, "We'll just buy another one."
Roxy Shangguan cupped his face and planted a loud kiss, gifting him a big, bright smile. "Quentin, you're the best!"
Quentin Hua shook his head helplessly—more like the easiest to bully! Just as he was about to leave the alley, a burly man with a righteous face and a large broadsword blocked their way.
Quentin Hua curled his lips into a smile, raising his brows slightly, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
Seeing his flirtatious demeanor, the burly man actually blushed. The curve of Quentin Hua's lips widened, finding it all very amusing. "Hero, are you here to rob us? Too bad I don't have much money on me."
Hearing Quentin Hua's words, the man's face turned even redder—this time from anger. He raised his broadsword and glared at Quentin, shouting angrily, "What nonsense! I'd never do something so shameful. Put down the child in your arms, or I'll rid the world of evil today!"
Roxy Shangguan tugged at Quentin Hua's sleeve, her voice trembling with fear. "Quentin, is he a kidnapper?"
Before Quentin Hua could respond, the burly man waved his broadsword, eager to explain. But when he saw Roxy Shangguan shrink back in fear, he quickly hid the broadsword behind his back and tried to speak gently, "Little one, I... I'm not a bad person, don't be afraid. I'll save you."
Quentin Hua raised his eyebrows, suddenly understanding. The burly man must have overheard the gossip in the street and chased after them to play the hero!
Roxy Shangguan looked at him for a moment, then nodded with her neck still drawn in.
Then the burly man raised his broadsword again and snapped at Quentin Hua, "You heartless scoundrel, put her down right now!"
"Alright!" Quentin Hua nodded and pretended to set Roxy Shangguan down.
Roxy Shangguan froze for a moment, then wrapped her little arms tightly around his neck and shouted fiercely, "Stupid Quentin, if you dare put me down, I'll bite you to death!"
Quentin Hua suppressed a smile, hugged her even tighter, and looked at the burly man with a troubled expression. He whispered, "Hero, I don't want to get bitten to death."
The burly man was stunned, clearly not expecting the cute little girl to be so fierce, nor the 'heartless villain' to be so... timid!
He looked at the two of them, scratched his head, and appeared bewildered. Had he misunderstood something?
Just then, a voice called from outside the alley, "Roy Young, what trouble are you causing now?"
Following the voice, two people entered the alley. One was dressed in fine robes, strikingly handsome and exuding noble air. He smiled at Quentin Hua and Roxy Shangguan, saying, "My apologies. My subordinate is always a bit slow-witted." The other person behind him was clearly another attendant.
Roy Young wanted to protest but couldn't find the words, so he quietly moved to stand behind the nobleman.
Before Quentin Hua could speak, Roxy Shangguan nodded seriously, "Definitely slow-witted!"
"Ha ha..." The nobleman wasn't angry at Roxy's words. Instead, he laughed heartily and looked at her with interest. "Little sister, what's your name?"
Sensing Quentin Hua's slight displeasure, Roxy Shangguan obediently fell silent.
Seeing this, the nobleman didn't press further. He turned to Quentin Hua and said, "You two don't seem like locals. Are you here for the famous Flower Viewing Festival?"
Quentin Hua looked uninterested, but the nobleman remained friendly. "My name is Nathan Saint. I've heard the Magnolia Town Flower Viewing Festival is lively, with many rare flowers on display. I came to see it for myself!"
"Oh?" Quentin Hua finally responded, his phoenix eyes narrowing with a charming smile. He replied softly, "So you are the sixth prince of Sainton Kingdom. I've heard much about you!" Though his words were polite, there was no trace of deference.
Nathan Saint's eyes flashed, realizing the man before him was clearly more than just a wealthy noble. Though he was the sixth prince, he was not from Silvermoon Kingdom. How could anyone know the princes of another nation so well?
Roxy Shangguan blinked at Nathan Saint, then asked a question that nearly made Quentin spit out his laughter. "Quentin, why doesn't he have three eyes?"
Quentin Hua's eyes glimmered with amusement, but he didn't interrupt. Knowing Roxy Shangguan, the little demon was about to cause trouble again!
Nathan Saint asked curiously, "Why would I have three eyes?"
Roxy Shangguan answered with great seriousness, "Mom said princes—oh, wait, sixth princes!" She remembered her own father had also been a prince. "Sixth princes are supposed to be monsters with three heads, six arms, three eyes, and two mouths!"
At this, Quentin Hua coughed lightly to hide his laughter. He used to think Roxy really meant it when she said 'Mom said,' but now he realized she liked to shift blame to Morgan Shangguan to hide her own cleverness.
Nathan Saint's mouth twitched. A monster with three heads and six arms? Did her mother really say that? Impossible! Silvermoon Kingdom didn't even have a sixth prince. But looking at Roxy's innocent face, she didn't seem to be lying. The prince began to wonder if, during his travels, he'd accidentally offended some woman.