I did say that I can do it, but can I really do it? No, no, no, don't go thinking like this. Sigghh, I just found motivation, now againnn... Haha, I guess that's part of life—you have to keep thinking the good stuff as we go forward.
Oliver thought about the beautiful scene he had witnessed today as he was going back to his house.
I do need other ladies' help, but I also need Zack or Sasha help to make sure we create a perfect-looking attire and a good place to open a shop. Ufff, my mind is getting blank. I have to calm down and think slowly.
Oliver came to his house as he kept thinking about future plans.
"Young master, you came! Did you eat?"
Oliver's thoughts were interrupted by the head maid.
"Hmm, not yet, and I don't have time to eat. Where is that, Maren?"
Oliver refused the food—his mind wasn't in the state to sit and enjoy a peaceful meal. The head maid led him to a room where Maren was sleeping soundly, like a lazy cow. She wore her usual white off-shoulder blouse trimmed with lace and a black leather corset that hugged her waist, leaving a small triangular gap where a bit of her belly peeked through. Her tight leather pants clung closely to her figure, and her long yellow hair, now untied, flowed freely as she rested.
"Hey, you cow, wake up, wake up!"
Oliver came and shouted.
"Huh! Who is barking in daylight? Awwwaaahhhh!"
Maren turned around while in sleeping position and saw Oliver.
"Wake up! I have some work for you. Go call Sasha or Zack to Maid Emmy's orphanage!"
Oliver ordered.
"Huhh! Why do I have to go there? I don't want to move—my whole body is aching because of that bastard!"
Maren cursed and rolled again, keeping her face down now.
Seeing this, Oliver didn't wait and grabbed her arm and pulled her down the bed.
"Wake up, you cow!"
Maren's body, like a rag, came down the bed. DUMM! Her legs fell down as she lay like a dead person getting dragged by Oliver.
"Heeeyyy, be gentle! You, with all other ladies, act so kind—then why are you dragging me? Hey, wait, waitttttt!"
Maren cried but still didn't want to stand up, letting herself get dragged.
Oliver explained in short what he planned to do while dragging Maren toward the door. She listened everything calmly, then stood up when they came near the door and stretched her arms, ummmmmmmm..making her breasts nearly come out from her blouse.
"Hmmm, that felt good. Fine, this young lady will go and call her. You are going to the palace, right? Go, go, shuu."
As she smiled at Oliver and looked at the head maid, who also smiled while nodding. Maren and Oliver both went their ways.
.
.
Kyra, holding her child, got down from the carriage. Her things were already being taken care, by the servants already present there. She looked at the huge palace in front of her. She hesitated, not taking the steps. She looked at her son again, seeing him grinding in pain. She clenched her hand and moved ahead.
She slowly came inside where the Queen, Mother Veny, both princesses, Alfie, Gloomy, and Tool Guy were present—who stayed behind, curious about the kid's condition. Grandpa and Leader Remek went away, not staying more behind.
She came slowly, seeing everyone's faces. She hesitated again, but it was too late—others saw her, and they ran toward her.
As they came close and saw a kid in a weird cuboid box with an antenna-like machine on one of the corners, their eyes dilated. Then they saw a kid inside, grinding his jaw in pain, his body shrunk like a turtle in the middle of the container.
Everyone was shocked, with some having tears in their eyes.
"Kyyraaa!"
The Queen came and hugged her from the side. "It's going to be okay, don't worry. Your kid will get better."
"Hmm, I know he will."
Kyra also smiled.
"Hmm, what is this machine? It looks like a miniature version of the Heart Machine like those energy absorbers use, but it is different somehow. You can still see sometimes slight sparks of energy in the Heart Machine around the border, but here nothing can be seen, like it's not working—but it's effective. Hmm, this kid looks like he's in a similar condition like Jorri."
Tool Guy said while looking at the Queen, who, listening to this, got excited and asked Kyra, "Where did you get this? Can I have that, Kyra? Tell me, tell me, where did you get this?"
The Queen excitedly asked Kyra.
"Sorry, Queen, I don't think I can tell you from where I got this, since this machine is not available to public, maybe you can get it from Higher Crown person! "
Kyra said with a low voice.
The Queen, understanding something, thought of that representative who recently came here. Hearing this, she calmed down and didn't ask further.
"Hey, hey, why not let me see this device? Maybe I can recreate it somehow?"
Tool Guy asked Kyra.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Stein. If something were to happen to this device, then my child can't live longer. I can't risk it!"
Kyra rejected him politely.
"Hmm, fair enough. Sorry to ask you a stupid question. I hope your son will get better soon so that I could study the device."
Tool Guy said laughingly.
"Hey, hey, can't you see anything else beside the device? Can't you see a cute little kid inside?"
Princess Natalia came and touched the glass, wishing she could touch his cheeks.
Seeing this, Kyra smiled and said, "Don't worry, Princess, we could take him out occasionally, then you can touch him. Trust me, he is too cute to handle."
Kyra smiled happily.
"Hahah, sure, sure!"
Everyone laughed as they settled Kyra into her room.
After a while, Oliver came and explained his situation and plan. Listening to this, Mother Veny's eyes glowed.
"Kyyaaaaa, I am IN! I am IN! I will help you with everything! This mother is an all-rounder!"
Mother Veny thought of creating her own brand of clothes, and maybe she could carry little kids on boards someday while advertising in the city, she jumped in excitement. You bastard, I will take revenge in my own way, she clenched her hand, thinking what could have happened today, and made sure she pay them back in her own way.
"That's a good idea, Oliver. We will also support you."
Princess Natalia was about to go with him, but the Queen stopped her and the little princess.
"Hey, hey, little ones, stay here. Even though this place was attacked, it's still safer than outside. You can help them afterwards. For now, go freshen up, eat, and relax in your room."
With no chance to argue, both princesses wished him good luck and went away. Tool Guy also took his leave after seeing the device, not disturbing it.
"Let's go, let's go! I can't wait to bring the idea into life! But I do know everything a little bit—I am not really good at designing or creating clothes from scratch. I could help, but I am not that confident."
Suddenly, Mother Veny slumped down.
"Haha, don't worry, Veny. Sio's mother could also help. She was looking for a job. If this worked out, then her problem can also get solved, and I think she does know how to design a bit, so you guys will be fine."
The Queen patted her back.
"Huh! I have to work with her? Grrr, for my kids—fine, fine, I will allow her to work with this beautiful lady."
"Hahah!"
Everyone laughed.
"But we still need someone who could make clothes from scratch. If not, we have to hire from elsewhere, and that will burden you from the start."
The Queen thought, but nothing came to her mind.
"Ummmm, my mother can help. She knows how to make one from scratch."
Suddenly, everyone turned and saw Gloomy raising his hand.
"Huh! Your mother knows how to do it? Then why hasn't she taken a job somewhere proper?"
Mother Veny grabbed his shoulder and asked.
"I don't know about that, but she has made my clothes many times."
Gloomy smiled warmly, thinking about his mother.
"Hmmm, then I guess it's finally time to visit your mother, Gloomy."
Mother Veny smiled evilly. Seeing this, Gloomy panicked, knowing this would probably not turn out good.
Everyone thanked the Queen for today, as they went their way, leaving the Queen and Kyra alone in this huge palace.
Suddenly, it felt so empty. The Queen sighed and looked toward Kyra, who was in her own world, thinking what she would do now. The Queen smiled and patted her back.
"Don't worry, I will make sure your kid gets treated by the best people. I know we can help your son in one way or another!"
Listening to this, Kyra woke up from her trance and said, "That would be for the best, my Queen."
Both smiled as they went inside.
.
Outside, on one of the top places in the 5th Rock, stood two men, seeing the people going in and out from the Queen's palace.
"Hey, Babkin, was it okay to let her go inside with that machine? What if someone tries to check it and tries to recreate it?"
A hoarse, adult, middle-aged man's voice sounded.
"Hmm, Mr. Bog, you don't use your brain except for your fighting, haan? Why would the Empire give out such an important machine to outsiders? That machine could somehow control the energy given out by those Black Blades bastards, but it still can't really cure it. They are desperate. Their places are getting hit by them, and they are losing a lot. They clearly wanted a solution for their weird energy, so they are hoping for some miracle and a way to subdue their energy by giving out these machines as a test product. Clearly, that Jorri guy was injured by a Black Blade member. I guess this city is becoming a key zone. We thought we could silently change the Crown here and control this place then get our job done, but now Black Blades are here. Sigghh, and that stupid fellow just can't control his dick and is always trying to have fun. I barely made him follow our plans for now."
Babkin pressed his head in discomfort.
"Kekeke, you were the one who chose this job and also made me join it in the name of getting ahead on the ladder. Sure, if we can somehow silently eradicate the Queen and princesses in the name of incompetence, then it would be fine. But if those Black Blades succeed, then we don't have another choice but to make some noise, which could go into the ear of the other side."
Mr. Bog said while looking onto the horizon, opposite to where the Empire of Echor was present.
"Sigghh, what a mess, what a mess. I don't know what made them come here. Probably someone called them."
Babkin thought while fixing his glasses. "And we still don't know who else is eyeing this weakened Queen's palace."
Babkin and Mr. Bog kept looking at the Queen's beautiful palace, maybe memorizing this view into their minds.
END OF CHAPTER
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AUTHOR NOTE:
Oliver drags Maren like a sack of potatoes, Gloomy offers his mother's sewing skills, and everyone's scrambling to build something beautiful out of desperation. Meanwhile, up on the 5th Rock, two men watch the palace like vultures circling wounded prey. The narrator loves how this chapter shows survival—everyone finding their piece to contribute, even when they're broken. Kyra's machine can't cure, only delay. Oliver's plan might fail. But they're all stitching something together anyway. Some things survive not because they're strong, but because enough people refuse to let them unravel.