"What the hell?" he muttered unconsciously.
Amyra just met his gaze, steady and sincere.
"Be my friend," she repeated.
"That's all."
Alden's eyes narrowed.
What now?
Friends?
Is that it?
Even with heightened rationality, his mind struggled to compute her angle.
Sure, it made his thoughts slightly more logical—but emotionally? It didn't do much.
She was an imperial princess.
Why the hell would she want to be friends with an illegitimate son of a noble?
Wouldn't that just tarnish her reputation?
Well… her name had already taken a hit thanks to that whole kissing accident.
Still, it didn't make sense.
He would've understood if she'd tried to kill him or send an assassin after that kiss.
But this?
Standing here, in his room, following a suspicious person, knowing the truth about the Spirit Pearl—
He'd expected her to make some difficult demands.
Maybe she'd ask for the Spirit Pearl.
Maybe she'd try to make him her servant.
