"Amazing!" Even after the performance had ended, Carina continued looking at the singing and dancing toys with awe.
The adults who had watched the spectacle were just as impressed and joined the applause. Although they weren’t as easy to impress as kids, the show deserved praise, and it was indeed the first time they saw something like it.
"Thank you, everyone," Thirteen said. "I hope all of you enjoyed the performance of my toys. Unfortunately, these toys are not for sale. I’m still working on their prototypes, so they aren’t suitable for selling yet."
Thirteen then waved his hand, and the two butterflies responsible for the light display during the performance flew toward Carina and circled above her head.
They emitted glittering lights as if to shower her with their blessings, then flew right in front of her and hovered in place.
The young lady raised her hands, and the two butterflies landed on her palms. Thirteen then made his way toward her and handed the two bracelets on his wrists, which remotely controlled the butterflies.
"That will be four hundred Mira, My Lady," Thirteen said respectfully.
"Aren’t you going to give it to her for free as a gift?" Alnair commented from the side.
"The performance I showed earlier is free, Young Master." Thirteen bowed respectfully toward Alnair. "But the butterflies are my merchandise, so they’re not free."
After saying those words, Thirteen walked toward the fountain and was about to collect the toy monsters when the children pleaded for another performance.
The teenage boy pondered for a while before agreeing to their request.
"Alright. One last performance, okay?" Thirteen said.
He then clapped his hands twice, and the toys stood up and went into a dance formation.
A moment later, a light, bubbly, and upbeat music played in the background, which was none other than the song "Soda P*p," another catchy song that became popular in a world in another solar system.
In the middle of the song, the children were already imitating the movements of the toys and moving their shoulders just like them.
Even Carina was doing the same thing, which Zen and Alnair found amusing.
’Just who is this kid?’ Zen thought.
Zion was very different from the other people he had met in the past. The boy was respectful but not fearful.
That kind of mindset wasn’t something a common Artemian would have at his age.
The more Zen thought about it, the more he felt that the teenage boy was a hidden gem that simply needed polishing for his true brilliance to be seen.
When the song finally ended, the audience gave him another round of applause. Thirteen bowed to the audience and collected the toys in the fountain.
He then started to walk away without looking back.
However, he had only taken a few steps when someone held onto his hand.
"Wait. Have you eaten dinner?" Carina asked. "We’re about to get one. If you’re hungry, why don’t you join us? It will be my treat."
The teenage boy blinked before glancing at Zen and Alnair, who were behind the young lady.
"I don’t think it’s appropriate for someone like me to join you, My lady," Thirteen replied.
"Eh? Why not?" Carina asked back in a teasing tone. "Do you think we’ll run away and let you pay the bill? We won’t do that. We’re not poor, okay?"
"I’m sure you won’t do that, My Lady," Thirteen answered. "But I’m afraid your Guardians would kick me out of the city if I agree to your request."
The corner of Alnair’s lips twitched after hearing what Zion had said.
While he admittedly did dislike that his sister behaved way too close and casually with a random stranger, he wasn’t so cruel as to kick someone out of the city or hurt them over a simple dinner invite.
"Just , Zion," Zen said. "Think of it as a thank-you gift for the performance you have shown us."
"That’s right!" Carina nodded in agreement. "Think of it as the payment for that amazing performance!"
"Understood." Thirteen nodded. "It will be awfully rude if I keep on refusing your kind offer. That said, can we eat at the most expensive restaurant in the city? I want to try all the expensive foods they have."
This time, it was the corner of Zen’s lips that twitched. He had only planned to take Zion to a middle-class restaurant, but now... he had no choice but to take him to a high-class one. If he didn’t, the brat might look down on them!
Alnair also thought of the same thing, but the boy’s words amused him into chuckling.
As for Carina, it didn’t really matter where they went. All was good as long as she could ask Zion some questions and perhaps convince him to share some stories about his travels.
While she was thinking along these lines, the young lady suddenly thought of a brilliant idea!
"Very well. I will treat you to the finest cuisines!" Carina said, her hands resting on her face. "I’ll take you back to the palace!"
At her declaration, Zen, Alnair, and the two Archons all gasped at the same time.
"Sister, I don’t think this is a good idea," Alnair said.
"He’s right, Carina," Zen agreed. "Let’s just take Zion to a high-class restaurant. You don’t need to let your mother and father meet him."
"But I want them to meet him!" Carina pouted. "Didn’t you see that performance? I want Mother and Father to see it too!"
"This..." Zen glanced at Alnair, who looked troubled at his sister’s insistence.
Carina looked at her brother, her hand still on her hips and face saying she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
After some internal struggle, Alnair let out a long, deep sigh.
"Fine," Alnair replied. "But if mother and father get angry, you will tell them that this is your idea, okay?"
"Okay." Carina nodded. "Leave it to me."
The young lady patted her chest as if she could handle all the consequences of her decision. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Thirteen remained calm during the entire exchange and simply stood with his hands behind his back.
Although it was a little earlier than expected, having an opportunity to meet one of the Celestials of Artem was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss.