Chapter 107: Forti

The old butler, however, was shocked, yet he felt it was reasonable.

"Forti" sounded like a girl's name; perhaps it was meant to humiliate the slave?

He shook his head, feeling he had too much to worry about, and decided to keep his mouth shut to save his own neck.

He certainly didn't want to follow the old King to the grave just after he had died.

As dusk fell, the castle gradually filled with voices. Servants cleared away the old King's corpse, and Tian Nuan chased after them, weeping for a long time, dutifully playing the part of a helpless wife.

The guests had already arrived and didn't find the scene strange, as the two had always been very affectionate.

"Queen Majesty, the Princess took in a little pet today."

Tian Nuan wiped her tears expressionlessly. "You're telling me this? Even if she took in a monster, it has nothing to do with me."

"You've always hated her; I think... we could strike from the side."

At these words, Tian Nuan's hand paused. She didn't respond, instead tossing her handkerchief to a servant.

【Card-drawing time—please choose a skill card or a clue card.】

Tian Nuan had intended to choose a clue card, but the servant's words gave her a different idea.

"I choose a skill card."

【Drawing card...】

【Congratulations, you have obtained "Bewitchment." When using this card, the designated person will develop an obsessive love for you and obey your every command.】

On the other side.

Su Mian had arranged for Forti in the art studio on the first floor. She had noticed it while heading to the ballroom that afternoon; it looked like it had been abandoned for a long time.

The oil paintings were streaked with water stains and fading, and the palettes were covered in dust; clearly, the servants wouldn't come in to clean.

Her current identity seemed to hold high status, but her character setting was always a place where others could find leverage.

Therefore, she needed to be high-profile, while the person in her hands had to be low-profile—not to be used by others, and preferably not seen by anyone.

Aside from being dirty, the studio was quite spacious. Su Mian ordered the servants to clean up a small bed in the corner and put on a new quilt.

The servants were quite surprised. Usually, the Princess would discard them after torturing them; she had never gone to such lengths to arrange lodging for these people.

Su Mian naturally noticed those looks. She raised her eyes to look at Forti. "I won't move a single painting in here. If I see even one painting moved from its place..."

She ran her fingers along the man's jaw. Forti tilted his head, watching her quietly, his eyes full of interest, as if the one being threatened wasn't him at all.

"... I will carve that painting into your skin."

At these words, the cleaning servant gasped, burying her head even lower.

Su Mian wanted exactly this effect. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, the man's cheek pressed against her palm, and he closed his eyes, rubbing against it gently.

As if to tell her, "As you command."

Su Mian's breath hitched. She pulled her hand back as if electrocuted, her mind going blank for a moment.

She opened her mouth, finding her voice only after a good while, and said viciously, "Watch out that your chains don't scratch my masterpieces."

Su Mian narrowed her eyes, her expression mocking. That exquisite face, hidden behind acne scars and thick brows, was exceptionally dazzling at this moment.

"You can crawl on the floor like a dog so you won't rub against them."

Hiding her burning palm in her sleeve, she turned and left, cold sweat breaking out on her back.

She didn't dare look at Forti's eyes, fearing that if she said one more word, he might just kiss her fist.

She lifted her skirt and left, feigning indifference.

She didn't see that behind her, those eyes were filled with three parts confusion and seven parts burning intensity.

"Can a DM become an NPC?"

【It's possible, though rare.】

4399 thought for a moment, searching its database.

【The first situation is that trainee "DMs" who fail their training are optimized, demoted from Arbiters to ordinary NPCs. Ordinary NPCs have no instance awareness; they believe they live there. The internship period is usually one instance. Very few detectives encounter trainee DMs.】

【The second situation is DMs who exhibit abnormal behavior and break free from the higher-ups' control. They are sent for "maintenance," but in reality, it's a "punishment," because the NPC identities given are always the miserable ones.】

【DMs undergoing maintenance will forget their original identities because NPC memories are implanted into their brains, placing them in the middle of it all, making it even more painful.】

Su Mian frowned after hearing this and wanted to ask something else, but another system's voice cut in.

【Card-drawing time—please choose a skill card or a clue card.】

"Clue card. I want a clue about Melissa."

【Drawing clue card...】

【Melissa doesn't seem to be as affectionate with the King as she appears, and she doesn't seem to like her daughter, Elizabeth, very much.】

Su Mian put the card away when the pregnant farm owner, Luna, suddenly found her.

"Princess Elizabeth, how about we trade clues?"

Su Mian didn't speak immediately. "Whose clue is it about?"

Luna: "It's about the Tooth Fairy."

She stroked her belly, smiling apologetically. "I think he looks too scary, so I drew his card. Is that being too judgmental based on appearance?"

Su Mian shook her head. "Sometimes, appearance is also part of the clue."

It often reflects a person's behavioral habits and background, so suspecting him wasn't unreasonable.

The King's corpse had no teeth left, and the only one directly related to that was the Tooth Fairy.

So Su Mian nodded.

"I'll trade with you."

Luna seemed to trust her very much, showing her card directly. Su Mian was a bit surprised but didn't ask why, so she handed over her own card.

【The Tooth Fairy is the guardian of children's teeth, but who says it's only for children?】

This sentence sent Su Mian into deep thought.

In fairy tales, the Tooth Fairy collects children's teeth when they fall out and exchanges them for things the children want.

If one extended the logic, adults could also use their teeth to make wishes to the Tooth Fairy. Had the King used his teeth to trade for something?

What kind of thing would require not just one tooth, but an entire mouth of them?

"Princess, guest, the party is about to begin. If you're late, the Nightingale won't be happy."

The two turned their heads at the sound; a servant was leading the way for them.

The King's corpse had long been cleared from the stairs, and the person standing at the high point was the DM playing the Witch, Mao Shi.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Nightingale's ball. Tonight, the person chosen by the Nightingale can still become a candidate for the owner of the Red Dancing Shoes. So, please dance to your heart's content and show your charm!"

At these words, the whole room erupted in cheers.

A group of dwarves in pointed hats, princes of various colors, the Frog Prince, the Black Pig Prince, as well as some gorgeously dressed merchants and princesses, all gazed fervently at the Red Dancing Shoes above, as if they were diamonds and gold of immense value.