Ugh…”
The staggering figure appeared like a ghost in the shadows, reeking of alcohol, and suddenly crashed into Su Ling without warning. Caught completely off guard, she lost her balance and fell heavily to the ground.
The pouch of gold coins in her hand slipped loose, scattering golden glimmers across the dim alley floor.
Once the pain dulled, Su Ling slowly lifted her head and realized she had somehow strayed from the main road and entered a narrow alley.
“Hey! What’s wrong with your eyes?!”
A hoarse male voice rang out.
Phil jerked her head up, eyes widening in surprise.
She tried to get a better look at the intruder — a tall, unkempt man with black hair and a scruffy beard. His clothes were in tatters, and he clutched an empty wine bottle in one hand. His eyes were bleary, clearly drunk beyond reason.
The alley around them felt eerily silent. Only the faint sounds of distant crowds and the crisp clinking of falling coins echoed together, making the atmosphere even tenser.
The next second, Phil snapped back to reality and rushed to collect the scattered coins, but the drunkard stepped on them first.
“You little girls… what are you doing carrying around so much money?” the man asked, his voice rough and low, laced with suspicion and malice.
He staggered closer, his cloudy eyes darting between Su Ling and Phil.
Su Ling struggled to her feet, her palms reddened from the fall. Ignoring the pain, she clutched the remaining pouch of coins tightly. She opened her mouth to speak, but Phil beat her to it.
“We’re on a mission to buy supplies for Her Highness the Princess!” Phil declared, her voice sharp and firm, masking the panic bubbling inside her.
She straightened her back, cat ears perked up, doing her best to appear intimidating.
The drunk man sneered, as if he’d just heard the funniest joke in the world.
“Palace workers? You two?” He emphasized the word “you” with disdain, eyes flicking to Su Ling’s ragged dress. “Look at her! In rags! And you expect me to believe someone like that can even get near the princess?”
Su Ling’s expression faltered slightly, but she didn’t back down. Instead, she tried to keep her voice calm and steady.
“Clothes don’t define us. Our duty is to serve the royal family, not to flaunt appearances,” she said, her words soft but firm. “Sir, please return the money. That is royal currency.”
“Return it? Hahaha! Do you think I’m stupid enough to believe that nonsense?” The drunkard burst into laughter, holding his stomach. “Trying to fool me, huh? Forget it! Even if this was the king’s money, once I take it, who in all of Ansels could find me?”
Phil’s temper flared instantly.
“Hmph! Look at yourself! Filthy, drunk, dressed like trash — and you have the nerve to lecture us?” she snapped. Her words fired out like bullets, each sharper than the last.
“Oho, feisty little brat. Got some guts, huh?” The man’s tone grew darker. “But guts aren’t enough. You need strength too. That coin pouch looks heavy — how about you let me hold it instead?”
With that, he reached out and tried to grab the pouch from Su Ling’s hand.
Alarmed, Su Ling tried to dodge, but before she could move, the man grabbed her hair, yanking it hard. Pain shot through her scalp, and fear flickered in her eyes.
“You want the money? Fine. Come with me, be a good girl, and maybe I’ll even share a little with you,” he said with a twisted grin, eyeing her up and down.
“Don’t touch her!”
Smack!
A sharp slap rang out in the silent alley as Phil lunged forward and slapped the man across the face — hard. The sound echoed loudly in the narrow space.
“Take your filthy hands off her! Don’t you dare touch Su Ling!” she shouted again.
The drunk man froze, stunned by the sudden strike. Holding his burning cheek, rage surged in his eyes. His fists clenched, veins bulging as he shook with fury.
“You little brat… you hit me?!” he roared, looking ready to lunge at Phil with murderous intent.
Phil trembled slightly at the volume of his voice but stood her ground, shielding Su Ling behind her.
Just then, urgent footsteps echoed from the alley’s entrance, breaking the tense standoff.
“What’s going on here?”
The voice was low and authoritative.
Everyone turned toward the sound. A soldier in armor was striding toward them. His gaze was sharp as a hawk’s, quickly assessing the situation.
“Tch.”
The drunkard clicked his tongue. He knew he’d run out of luck.
He loosened his fists and took a few steps back, clearly looking for a way to escape.
But the soldier was too fast. In a swift motion, he stepped in and subdued the man with practiced efficiency — no hesitation, no wasted movements.
Once the man was restrained, the soldier’s gaze lingered briefly on the spilled pouch of coins. Then he turned to Su Ling and Phil, his tone stern.
“Where are you headed with so much gold?”
“We are the princess’s maids. We were sent to the market to purchase supplies on her behalf. That money is to pay for those items,” Phil explained calmly.
The guard’s eyes narrowed. He turned to the man now pinned to the ground and sneered coldly.
“Oh? You dared lay a hand on someone from the royal household? Looks like you’ve got a death wish. No one challenges the royal family and walks away without consequences.”
“L-Let me go!” the drunkard cried. His face had turned pale, and his voice cracked with panic. He struggled to explain himself, but all that came out was a feeble groan.