“Jade Eclipse? You’re alive? I thought you were dead.” 

Kirona immediately recognized who she was. She was the one who had been hanging in the tree, unable to move. 

Zelda Black. The mercenary who had tried to kidnap Kirona before Jade. 

“Get lost.” 

Ah, so they did know each other. 

Kirona gestured for them to talk comfortably, but Jade seemed to have no intention of engaging. He ignored Zelda and went straight to the cupboard, where he grabbed a flask and drank. Zelda quickly shifted her gaze from Jade to Kirona. 

“Ah, Miss Natalie? You probably heard… It’s true I tried to kidnap you, but…” 

“Given the situation, let’s not dwell on right and wrong. Let’s focus on finding a way out of the forest, shall we?” 

“You’re quite reasonable. That’s exactly what I was… Gasp!” 

“…” 

“Your eyes!” 

The sound of her sharp intake of breath echoed through the cabin. Zelda, now noticing Kirona’s amber eyes, covered her mouth and collapsed to the floor. Kirona felt awkward at her extreme reaction. 

“Your eyes! They’re amber!” 

Zelda was too shocked to continue speaking, nearly hyperventilating. The commotion caused Marlon, who had been inside, to rush out, frowning. 

“Zelda, how many times have I told you to be quiet?” 

“Her eyes! They’re amber!” 

Zelda clutched Marlon’s sleeve, pointing frantically at Kirona. Marlon looked up, frowning, but the moment he saw Kirona, he covered his mouth and started shouting just like Zelda. 

“Her eyes! No, this can’t be!” 

Having finished drinking, Jade threw the flask at them as they panicked and scolded them. 

“Quiet down. Shut your mouths.” 

“Her eyes are amber!” 

“She’s the Princess.” 

Jade pushed Kirona down into a chair. Kirona found his nonchalant attitude a bit amusing, given that he had been just as shocked when he first saw her. 

“Oh, my God.” 

Marlon and Zelda fell to their knees, unable to distinguish whether they were in a dream or reality. Kirona felt the need to explain the situation to them. There was no point in keeping secrets anymore. 

They were all trapped in the forest together. They would live or die together. It was only right to reveal her identity and ask for their help. 

“My real name is Kirona.” 

“…Marlon of the Drha family greets the Crown Prince. Though I ended up like this, I am a knight by title, having been knighted under the name of Drha 20 years ago.” 

Marlon regained his composure and gave Kirona a knight’s salute. An awkward silence followed. 

“Would you like some tea, Princess?” 

The cabin’s owner, Sonia, seemingly indifferent to the commotion, placed a pot of tea on the table and smiled at Kirona before returning to the kitchen. 

“Are you really the Princess? But why is the Princess here?” 

Zelda was the first to speak, though Marlon scolded her for her lack of manners. However, it was indeed a crucial question. Kirona awkwardly smiled and began to explain. 

“It’s a long story how things ended up this way. Marlon knows what I’ve been searching for, right?” 

“Yes, the *Nadaline* flower…” 

Marlon stiffened, probably remembering how he had called her mad when she first mentioned it. The old-fashioned knight looked like he was about to faint. Kirona gave a bitter smile, hesitating before finally speaking. 

“Everything I’m about to say is classified. Only my closest confidants in the palace know this. Just knowing it puts you at risk. But even so, I’ll tell you everything if you wish. Because… we’re all trapped in this forest together, and I need your help.” 

Marlon and Zelda exchanged uneasy glances. Though Kirona had phrased it as “putting them at risk,” they surely understood what she meant. Knowing this secret could get them killed without a trace. 

“I’m offering to hire you. Once you hear my secret, you’ll be tied to me for good. So before that, let me tell you about the reward, so you can decide.” 

As she lifted her head and made her declaration, Kirona’s eyes met Jade’s, who was leaning against the wall, staring intently at her. 

“You said mercenaries sell their lives, right?” 

“…” 

“I can pay for those lives more generously than anyone else. Danger pay. If we succeed in killing the basilisk and escape this forest.” 

Kirona had a conscience, and she was ready to compensate them for their help. She turned to Zelda Black, who was nervously avoiding eye contact, and asked. 

“Your name is Zelda, right? How long have you been a mercenary?” 

“I’m twenty-two years old, so… ten years.” 

“And how much were you paid to kidnap me?” 

Zelda flinched at the question, lowering her gaze. But realising there was no hostility in Kirona’s tone, she hesitantly answered. 

“Ten million Elysia…” 

“Do you have any debts?” 

“Around eight million Elysia here and there…” 

“You idiot, are you still trying to scam people even now?”