Ray had told the group that he is an inventor and that he had accidentally managed to make a wristwatch. They were really surprised to see such a young inventor, only six years old. Alicia was thinking about her next step to win Ray over. Then she looked at Alice and considered if marrying her to Ray might be the way.
But before she could say anything, Ray noticed Alicia's reaction and knew what she was thinking. So he said to Aries, "Big sister Aries, can you create a sound-concealing formation between me and your Highness Alicia?"
Hearing Ray's request, Aries gave a questioning look but complied. She made a formation between Alicia and Ray so that no one else could hear their conversation.
Ray then said, "Your Highness, please do not think about what you are thinking. I do not want Alice to marry someone by force. Alice is a good friend of mine. I have read many novels that say when a boy becomes a genius, parents try to win him over by marrying their girls to him, hoping to draw the boy to their side. I am already friends with Alice and Big Sister Aries. Please don't ruin the pure friendship we've built. If Alice and I are meant to be, then let fate take its course. If not, do not force it."
Alicia, hearing this, nodded and remained silent for a moment. But she still wanted to win him over. So she said, "I will not interfere with Alice, but I do want to win you over. I want you to sell the wristwatches through me, and for that, I will give you an advance reward. You were supposed to go to the Qi Vault, but I will allow you to go to the Wood and Iron Vaults as well. You can take ten items from any of the vaults."
Ray then nodded, "If I ever mass-produce the wristwatch and sell it to the royal family, I will let you sell them. But I want something more in return. I want access to the royal library. I am also willing to sell to you at 10% less than the market price, but in return, if I ever need resources such as ores or minerals from the royal vault, you will help me."
Alicia said, "I can give you the minerals that are mine to give. I cannot provide things that are restricted. In the library, you can stay for three days. Also, you will be restricted from some sections; the librarian caretaker will decide which sections you can or cannot read. If you earn more merits, you might get access to more sections."
Ray heard the mention of merits, as if Alicia was giving him a hint. So he nodded and accepted the deal. Alicia brought out a paper; they both read the rules they were given and signed it.
Aries, Alice, and Rena observed the silent conversation. They understood that a deal had been made but were not allowed to hear the details. It was as if both of them had struck a great bargain.
Ray told Alicia to drop him off at his home on their way, but before Alicia could respond, both Alice and Aries protested and refused to let Ray go. Ray smiled wryly and asked Alicia for help. But Alicia, surprisingly, sided with Alice and Aries. She said that tomorrow Ray could take his rewards and be given the chance to go to the library for three days.
Hearing this, Ray had no choice but to give up. He called his mother using his wristwatch and informed her of his plans for the next three days. Diana was happy that Ray was staying with Alice. Her eyes shone when she heard that. Ray put down his earbuds and muttered something in a foreign world's language that no one understood.
After that, Ray let Alice and the group know that he would be staying with them. The most excited was Alice, and then Aries. Rena could only shake her head, seeing the reactions of those two. Alicia chuckled, seeing how happy Alice was. She had never seen Alice this joyful before. Ray had made her laugh so many times she couldn't count. She wondered what would happen to Alice when Ray left three days later.
They reached the palace after a long journey. Ray started stretching after the long travel. Then they began walking towards the palace to return to their courtyard. But on their way, they met the queen traveling with her youngest son and youngest daughter, with two maids following behind.
Elizabeth saw Alicia and said arrogantly, "How was the trip to the inventor's shop?"
Alicia didn't back down and replied with equal arrogance, "It was a pleasant one. I have big news, which I will tell my husband after I meet him."
"What kind of news? Let me hear it as well," asked Elizabeth.
"I do not want to repeat it in front of my husband again. You can come along with the five other concubines of the king. I will let my husband and you ladies know when we gather," replied Alicia.
Since the conversation wasn't going anywhere, she saw Ray behind and asked, "Who is this?"
Alicia introduced him, "This is the youngest son of Duke Robert Walker. He was supposed to receive a reward for saving my daughter yesterday. But something came up at the moment, and he didn't manage to get anything from the vault he was supposed to go to. I invited him to stay today, and he will be—"
Before Alicia could finish, Elizabeth's son, Lucas Richard, stepped forward and said, "So, you are from the Walker family. I challenge you to a duel. I am seven years old and have no cultivation, so we can fight as equals."
Ray shook his head and said, "Prince, I do not want to be rude and dare accept your challenge. If we fight and you get hurt or lose, you will lose face, and you might also cause the king to lose face. So I dare not accept your challenge. If I do, I might have to face consequences."
Ray could already see Lucas's other half-blood boiling with anger, ready to fight.
Lucas said, "You talk as if you've already won the fight. Losing will not make me lose face. Come on, don't be a coward."
Alicia saw that Ray was in a bit of trouble, so she said, "If you defeat him, I will help you with the consequences."
As if pushed by Alicia's words and Lucas's constant prodding, Ray finally said, "Then I accept your challenge."