When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 438: Please Help!

Chapter 438: Please Help!

"Sister, what are you laughing at? You seem to be in an excellent mood today."

That one inquiry forcibly brought Shen Nianzu back to the present, and he turned to meet Eva’s curious eyes.

At the moment, they were seated in a running carriage drawn by a pair of sturdy horses. Shen Nianzu was seizing the chance to study the town for the first time, yet his mind kept drifting back to the event that transpired an hour ago. Just the mere recollection of Vivianne’s flustered and confused expression was enough to bring a smile to his face again.

Thanks to Jin Jiuchi’s superb recovery rate, Vivianne couldn’t prove that what happened last night was real. Shen Nianzu had also taken care of the maid who led the way for them, knocking her out and locking her in one of the unused rooms, making it impossible for Vivianne to find her. As a result, the older woman found herself getting increasingly muddled and uncertain.

When Shen Nianzu was prepared to leave with Eva, Vivianne had once again retreated to her bedroom, claiming that she needed a good rest. Shen Nianzu was relieved to know that she wouldn’t have the energy to cause trouble for Jin Jiuchi.

Facing Eva, Shen Nianzu swiftly adjusted the curvature of his lips so that he wasn’t grinning from ear-to-ear. Oops, he must be careful not to arouse Eva’s suspicion. Although she was ’normal’ according to Jin Jiuchi’s nose inspection, there was no harm in being more vigilant.

Shaking his head, Shen Nianzu made sure to put on a look of gloating and schadenfreude, which was exactly what he was feeling right now. "I’m just thinking about our poor Cinderella... she managed to anger Mother again this morning."

Eva immediately lost interest as soon as she heard that name. Leaning back on her seat, she crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes, "Duh, until when is she going to be an eyesore? Sister, let’s not talk about her anymore. It will only sour my mood."

"Of course," Shen Nianzu readily agreed. "Let’s talk about another topic."

Around ten minutes later, their carriage came to a stop near the town square where the royal procession was set to go through. The street appeared to have been meticulously cleaned, with golden and crimson decorations adorning the eaves of the buildings. A buzz of excitement and anticipation filled the air.

Eva excitedly descended from the carriage, with Shen Nianzu following suit. The two of them were clad in simple yet elegant gowns with cloaks that could conceal their identities.

"Sister, it seems like the parade won’t start anytime soon. How about we stroll around for a while?" Eva suggested, which aligned perfectly with Shen Nianzu’s interest.

"Okay, let’s go."

Arm in arm, the two of them wandering down the street. Setting aside her animosity for Cinderella, Eva proved to be a good companion. She was a chatterbox and always talked about everything and anything she saw, providing Shen Nianzu with valuable insights into the town. He could finally confirm that the glass slippers statues were really widespread, almost filling every corner of the Cycle.

They stopped before a stall selling candy sticks, and Eva pleaded, "Can I have one, sister? But please keep it a secret from Mother. She will be furious if she finds out we’re eating something like this!"

The seller chimed in, "Young Ladies, you must try our candy! It’s made from pure honey. Not only does it taste delicious, it will also be good for the skin!"

Shen Nianzu pretended to ponder, while sneaking a glance at the seller. He recognized this voice – it belonged to one of the players who had attended last night’s meeting, Grapefruit. The other person appeared as young as he’d imagined, perhaps around the same age as Gu Luoxin. Unaware that Shen Nianzu was also a player, he diligently served them as customers.

It was fortunate that Shen Nianzu had not spoken yet, or else his identity as a player would have been exposed. Although he looked good in a dress and could pass as a tall woman, his voice remained unmistakably male.

Silently, he gave Eva a nod of approval, who cheered and happily finished the transaction. They resumed their stroll afterwards, and this time Shen Nianzu paid closer attention to the people around him. Thanks to his heightened hearing, he managed to spot Six, who was selling apples, and several other players scattered across the town square.

It seemed like everyone had gathered here to watch the royal procession.

Shen Nianzu wordlessly averted his gaze and allowed himself to be dragged into the teahouse. Eva did not hesitate to spend more money to secure a spot on the second floor, where they were rewarded with a clear view of the street below without having to squeeze in with the crowd.

It did not take long for the eagerly anticipated parade to make its grand entrance.

Jubilant cheers and excited cries echoed in the distance, accompanied by the upbeat music performed by the court musicians. The first to appear on the other end of the street were the guards, dressed in their finest armor and carrying the banners of the palace. Following closely behind were the royal attendants such as the nobles, courtiers, and dignitaries.

And finally...

Shen Nianzu subconsciously held his breath as his eyes landed on the figure on horseback.

The sunlight fell on him, highlighting each strand of his brown hair with a golden sheen. Surrounded by a retinue of knights, dressed in a richly decorated tunic made of fine silk, a snug-fitting jacket that accentuated his figure, and a flowing brocade cloak embellished with gold embroidery— was none other than Noir!

He turned out to be the Prince!

"Ahh!!" Eva let out an excited shriek beside him. "Sister, look! That’s the Prince! He’s so handsome!!"

...Indeed, Noir looked like a true noble dressed in such luxurious attire. It was too bad that despite his regal appearance, he had dead fish eyes as he sat atop the majestic black horse and let himself be paraded around the town, seemingly as if his soul had detached from his body and bounced to the outer galaxy.

But wait a moment, where was Xinxin?

Shen Nianzu’s gaze swept through the procession, stopping at each person’s face for two seconds, but he still did not spot Gu Luoxin anywhere. Biting his lip in frustration, he shifted his gaze back to Noir. Now that things turned out this way, he was left with no other option but to ask the emerald-eyed man himself.

As though sensing his anxious gaze, Noir slowly raised his head and scanned the crowd until his piercing gaze locked onto him. All around him, the women erupted into screams of excitement, Eva included.

"Ahh, he’s looking over here!"

"Oh my God, I just made eye contact with his Royal Highness! He has such deep and beautiful green eyes!"

"Sister, do you think the Crown Prince is looking at me? Is he?!!"

The frenzied ruckus, however, seemed to fade into a distant murmur in Shen Nianzu’s ears as though separated by a layer of water. As Noir drew nearer, Shen Nianzu’s body moved faster than his brain could process as he tossed an object in Noir’s direction, which was swiftly caught by the latter in mid-air. Shen Nianzu’s action was not strange, given how the women were tossing flowers and handkerchiefs at him left and right, but this was the very first time the Crown Prince personally moved to accept it!

All eyes instantly converged on Shen Nianzu, full of shock, curiosity and envy.

Eva almost screamed herself hoarse as she clutched Shen Nianzu’s arm in a tight grip, swinging it back and forth. "Sister, he accepted your love token! He accepted yours and yours only! Ahh, I’m so jealous!!"

The said love token, in fact, was none other than a communication earpiece.

Shen Nianzu and Jin Jiuchi had no need for the device, for they lived in the same house. Unfortunately, he had not expected to be separated from Gu Luoxin as soon as they entered the Cycle, and thus he lost the opportunity to give it to the young man. However, now that Noir had accepted it, this should make things easier.

Releasing a quiet sigh, Shen Nianzu discreetly used the cover of his hair to put on the earpiece, and he waited for the procession to move further away before tapping on it, murmuring, "Noir?"

A faint crackle sounded, then a faint hum of affirmation.

Shen Nianzu did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point, "I’m with Jin Jiuchi. How about you? Where is Xinxin?"

Silence echoed from the other side, mingling with the loud cheers and exuberant music echoing in the air. Just as Shen Nianzu thought that the earpiece had malfunctioned somehow, Noir’s low voice broke through, barely audible above the din,

"...I thought he’s with you."

Shen Nianzu’s pupils dilated, his heart sinking to the pit of his stomach. W–What did Noir mean by that? Gu Luoxin wasn’t with him all along?! But if they were not together, then where was the young man now?!

***

Meanwhile, within one of the houses near the town square, the front door stood slightly ajar as the owner had left hastily to join the crowd watching the parade. Through the narrow gap, a small, round, and plump mouse cautiously poked its head out, looking around with tears brimming in its beady eyes.

"Ciit..." H–Help...

Gu Luoxin cried out mournfully.

Someone please help me!!!