Felix carefully balanced a tray of steaming pastries as he weaved through the grand corridors of the Heart Kingdom's palace. During his stay, he had become familiar with the structure of the place. The stone walls, draped in rich velvet tapestries, were a sharp contrast to the whimsical atmosphere outside the castle.
As the Red Queenâs personal baker, he had the freedom to move around the palace as much as he liked. At first, Felix had a rough time figuring his way through the corridors, but with Nico's guidance and Qiu's assistance, he now had a very good map of the Red Castle in case he needed to escape.
The white, chubby rabbit was following Felix as the latter walked toward the Red Princess's room.
"She surely does. Now I know why Nico was so frustrated before. If I were alone, I wouldn't be able to bake so much either."
It had been two weeks since Felix was brought to the Heart Kingdom by Counselor Stayne. After he made a pumpkin pie for the Red Queen, she had become so enamored with his cooking that she granted him the title of the queen's personal baker.
With that, he was now under the queen's protection, so all of the palace staff treated him very well. That, of course, included Counselor Stayne.
"By the way, Qiu, did you get more information about him?"
Another thing Felix discovered was that a certain bunny had taken him to the wrong world. Apparently, during the time he was away, he received a message from his superior, who had also come to this world. As a result, Qiu found out that instead of taking Felix to the vacation world he had promised, he brought him to a Danger Class A mission world. The world he was currently in was heading toward doom if the host in the transmigration system didnât save it.
"Do you think Fang Li will be able to find the warrior?"
Apparently, since Qiu transferred Felixâs soul to the original body meant for the system's transmigrator, Qiu's superior had to use another body to host the original transmigrator assigned to this mission. Surprisingly, the host was Fang Yu's little brother. Now, he was the one in charge of rescuing this world from chaos.
But Felix wasnât sure if he would be able to accomplish that, at least not alone. Originally, it was his body that was supposed to find the warrior, which meant it was inside the Diamond Kingdom. Now, due to Qiu's mistake, the host went to the Spear Empire instead, making the mission to find the savior of this world even more difficult.
As if sensing Felix's thoughts, the little bunny tried to change the subject.
Of course, Felix knew what the rabbit was doing, but for better or worse, he was right. The corridors felt heavier, the air more stifling. Felix couldnât shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. His instincts told him to be cautious, but it wasnât just the looming unease in the castle â it was Counselor Stayne.
Over the past few days, Felix had noticed Counselor Stayne growing more erratic. Gone was the false charm he often displayed in front of the Red Queen. Now, Felix often caught the man murmuring to himself, his eyes cold and calculating. Whatever he was plotting, Felix knew it was nothing good.
He passed a pair of guards standing at attention outside the Queenâs chambers, their faces set in grim expressions. Felix couldnât help but overhear their conversation as he approached the door.
âThey say Counselor Stayne has been holding private meetings in the lower chambers,â one guard muttered, his voice low.
âWith who?â the other asked.
âNo one knows. Some say heâs gathering power; others whisper itâs magic.â
Felixâs heart quickened. Magic? He remembered how Counselor Stayne had used some kind of magic to bring him here without passing through the Spear Empire first. Could he be planning something similar, right under the Red Queenâs nose?
"Qiu, did you hear that? Can you look into it?"
The white rabbit said as he took out a white tablet (provided by his superior) with all the information about this world. Now he could see the systemâs information about the worldâs mission. Of course, it wasnât all-powerful; it was designed so that the host would figure things out on his own and just receive some extra help. Fortunately, his superior gave him administrative rights, so he now had more information, but it was still limited.
While the rabbit was on his tablet, Felix knocked softly on the grand door, waiting for permission to enter. When a muffled voice called out, the guards pushed the door open, and he was immediately greeted by a high-pitched giggle.
"Felix!" The Red Queen spun around, her childlike grin stretching from ear to ear. She sat cross-legged on her enormous bed, surrounded by an assortment of stuffed animals. Despite her status as queen, her demeanor was far from regal. Her small frame exuded innocence and playfulness, which made Felixâs growing dread even worse. If Counselor Stayne was planning something nefarious, the Queen was completely unaware.
âI brought you your favorite pastries, Your Majesty,â Felix said with a smile, setting the tray on a small table beside her throne.
The Red Queen clapped her hands excitedly and reached for one of the pastries, taking a large bite. âYouâre the best baker in the whole kingdom, Felix! Iâll never let anyone else bake for me again!â
Felix chuckled softly. âThank you, Your Majesty.â
But even as she devoured the pastries, his mind was elsewhere. He couldnât ignore the rumors about Stayne. He needed to find out more, but it was dangerous. If Stayne suspected Felix was onto him, it would only be a matter of time before he acted. And Felix, despite Qiu's assistance, was no warrior. He was a baker. He had no weapons, no power â only his wits and his cooking.
The Red Queen finished her pastry and leaned back, smiling contentedly. âDo you think Stayne will like these pastries too?â
Felixâs heart skipped a beat at the mention of Counselor Stayne. "I wouldnât be so sure. I havenât seen him eat any sweets since I came here."
"I would like to have a tea party with him. But heâs been working so much lately, I wonder whatâs keeping him so busy."
Felix hesitated before answering. If he knew one thing, it was that this Red Queen wasnât even aware of the mess with the Spear Kingdom. He had been gathering bits of information these past days, and from what he had gathered, this girl didnât seem like a malevolent queen looking to start a war.
So far, he had only been collecting small details, but he had never asked the question that mattered most to him.
"Felix! Did you hear me? What are you thinking about?" the Red Queen complained after seeing Felix wasn't paying her attention.
"S-Sorry, Your Majesty." Taking a little courage, Felix decided it was time to collect more information from the girl. "I was just thinking about what you said. Maybe Counselor Stayne is just busy with matters related to the Spear Empire."
"The Spear Empire? What does that have to do with anything?"
"You donât know, Your Majesty? I heard that Counselor Stayne has been dealing with some matters related to them."
"W-Well, he just keeps me informed of the regular royal matters, and maybe I forgot to ask... But! Why would he be dealing with them? I thought the last ambassador sent told us they didnât want to be related to us and even declined my request to come to my birthday party!"
"Your birthday party?" asked Felix, his mind filling with more questions than answers.
"Yeah! I was going to send an invitation to my best friend Alice in the Diamond Kingdom! But I thought it would be disrespectful if I didnât invite the people from Spear! At first, they agreed, saying that someone called Fong Tu or something was going to get the honor of being with me, but three days before my birthday, they sent an ambassador saying he wasnât coming."
"Whatâs more infuriating is that I sent another invitation for a tea party, just for an ambassador to say that the Spear Empire didnât want to have any business with me! Humph, see if I care; Iâll just have Alice come over to have some tea. She sometimes brings a couple of cute twins with her."
Felixâs mind was spinning at the moment. Clearly, Fang Yu had told him how the Spear Empire kept receiving letters requesting Fang Yu to marry the Red Queen, or else there would be war.
"What happened to the ambassador?"
"Well, since he said he didnât want to have any business with us, I told Stayne to send him back home."
A clear idea began to form in Felix's mind, but he had to be sure, so he decided to press further. "I didn't know you had a best friend, Your Majesty. Do you write those letters yourself?"
"Of course I do!" said the Red Queen, puffing her chest with pride. "My letters are filled with friendship and love for Alice. I even wrote the one to the Spear Empire myself. Stayne sent them on my behalfâhe said the postal service system is very complicated."
Stayne. It was all him.
Felixâs mind was racing. He had to warn Fang Yu. He believed Fang Yu would come for him, but he couldn't just wait. Time was running out. If the Chancellor succeeded in whatever he was planning, there might not be anything left to save.
The Red Queen seemed to sense his mood shift. She tilted her head and asked, âIs something wrong, Felix?â
He hesitated. How much could he tell her? She might be friendly, but she wasnât exactly his ally. Her innocent nature made her vulnerable to manipulation. If he told her about the Counselorâs plans, would she even believe him?
âNo, Your Majesty. Iâm just⦠thinking about home.â
The Red Queenâs eyes softened. âDonât worry. All my employees have two weeks of vacation per year. If you perform well, I can even make it three weeks!"
Felix smiled, but it didnât reach his eyes. âThank you, Your Majesty.â
After leaving the Queenâs chambers, Felix walked through the corridors, his mind racing. He had to do something. The Counselorâs plan, whatever it was, involved the Red Queen and Fang Yuâthat much was clear. If he could find proof of the Counselorâs treachery, he might be able to stop him before it was too late.
That night, Felix made a plan.
---
"Are you sure you donât need any help? Cleaning this mess seems difficult."
Nico usually helped Felix clean the kitchen after a long day of cooking for the Red Queen, especially today, as Felix had baked quite a lot, leaving a bigger mess than usual.
"Itâs fine, go ahead and rest. I can take care of it."
"Well, if you say so. Goodnight."
After Nico left, the kitchen was quiet, the only sound being the crackling of the fire that was yet to be extinguished. Felix stayed behind, pretending to clean while he watched the castle staff come and go.
He had heard rumors of secret meetings in the lower chambers, and he knew that if the Chancellor was planning something, thatâs where he would be. And thanks to Qiu's detailed map, finding him would be an easy task. Felix grabbed a small satchel of supplies and waited until the last light went out.
The corridors were eerily silent as Felix made his way through the castle, avoiding the few guards that patrolled the halls. His heart pounded in his chest, every step feeling like it echoed louder than the last. If he was caught, it could mean the end.
"Thanks, Qiu."
After what felt like hours of sneaking through the castle, Felix found himself in front of a heavy wooden door that led to the lower chambers. He pressed his ear against it, listening for any signs of life. There were faint voices coming from within.
He slipped inside, closing the door softly behind him, and descended the narrow staircase. The air grew colder the deeper he went, and the walls became rougher, more like the ancient catacombs beneath the castle.
At the bottom of the stairs, Felix crouched behind a pillar and peered around the corner. His blood ran cold at what he saw.
Stayne stood in the center of the chamber, his back to Felix, but the dark energy swirling around him was unmistakable.
In front of Stayne, a large cauldron emitted a poisonous sweet smell. The man was muttering to himself, making it difficult to hear.
âThis time, the Spear Kingdom will fall,â the Chancellor hissed, his voice dripping with malice. âI wonât repeat the same mistakes. The Red Queenâs power will be mine, and not even their armies will stand a chance.â
Felixâs mind raced. How was he planning to use the Red Queen?
He wanted to get more information. But how?
"What is it? Anything related to that blue drink heâs making?"
said the rabbit as the light of the tablet shone on his face.
"What? What does that meanâ" Felix backed away in confusion, trying to remain as silent as possible, but his foot caught on a loose stone. The sound echoed through the chamber, and Felixâs heart stopped.
The Chancellorâs head snapped toward the entrance. âWhoâs there?!â
Felix bolted up the stairs, his breath coming in short gasps as he raced through the corridors. He could hear footsteps behind him, Stayne chasing after him, but Felix knew the castle better than they didâor rather, a rabbit knew it better than him.
He darted through hidden passages, ducking into alcoves until he finally made it back to his quarters. His hands shook as he locked the door behind him, leaning against it as he tried to calm his racing heart.
He had more information, but he still didnât know the entirety of the plan. Now that he was almost caught, it wouldnât be a surprise if Stayne decided to speed up his plan.
"Qiu, tell me everything about Stayne."
Felix stared out the small window of his room, the moonlight casting long shadows across the floor. He had to inform Fang Yu. But first, he had to survive until they met again.