Corvin's worried gaze deepened when he noticed how weak Marcus sounded. "Marcus, what's wrong? Are you sick?" Marcus shook his head slowly. "No. Just wish I were dead." Corvin froze. "What?" He turned to Emma, utterly baffled. "Ms. Tibarn, is he…" "It's fine." Emma sighed, too tired to even comment anymore. As long as Marcus didn't start acting up, she'd take it as a good day. "That's just how Marcus is. You'll get used to it. Go shower and change first—I'll make you something to eat." Corvin nodded obediently, deciding not to dwell on Marcus' strange mood. He went to wash up, and Emma headed for the kitchen. She cooked several bowls of noodles. Males had big appetites; one bowl would never be enough. Corvin looked like he hadn't eaten in days. The moment he saw food, his eyes lit up like a starving wolf spotting fresh meat."Ms. Tibarn, these noodles are amazing," he said between bites, his mouth full but still eager to praise her cooking. Emma sat across from him. "So, did you finish packing up your lab? Why did you suddenly come back?" "Not yet." Corvin put his fork down and explained seriously, "Prince Lucien told me to return. He said you're attending the Celestara Gala, so there's no rush to head back to A1. I can take my time packing." He added, "Prince Lucien had to go out for the day—he'll be back tonight. He wanted me to stay and keep you company in the meantime." Then, with a hopeful smile, he said, "You haven't been out to explore Central Planet yet, right? How about I take you for a walk later?" He wasn't wrong. Since Emma had arrived, she'd been buried in one task after another and hadn't seen much. "Sure," she said. "Once you're done eating, we'll go out." The baking ingredients she'd ordered for the cake wouldn't arrive until the afternoon anyway—perfect timing for a short trip.After eating, Corvin cleaned up the kitchen and went to find her. Emma was already dressed and ready to leave. When Marcus heard they were going out, he groaned like a man being dragged to his execution, forcing himself off the couch to follow. Emma blinked, surprised he was even moving. "Marcus, you're coming too?" This lazy man—going shopping? Unheard of. Marcus nodded. "I need to stay close to you, Ms. Tibarn." He didn't want to go, but if she was leaving the manor, he couldn't just stay behind. "You don't have to. Corvin's coming with me—he'll be enough. You can rest here if you want." Emma knew him well. For someone like Marcus, wandering around busy streets was probably torture. He shook his head firmly. "No." He didn't trust a Rank 8 like Corvin to protect her properly—especially one who, in his eyes, didn't seem particularly sharp.Emma gave in with a small shrug. "Fine. Let's go." They stepped out into the courtyard. Corvin immediately released a small airship that gleamed under the sun. "Ms. Tibarn, I modified this for you myself. It's fast, easy to control, and perfectly safe. Give it a try." Emma's eyes lit up as she gazed at the sleek little craft. She couldn't hide her excitement—she'd never imagined she'd actually fly one someday. Back on F-268, that had been unthinkable. The airship could carry six passengers and even had a small lounge area. If Emma ever got tired, she could switch to autopilot and rest inside. The lounge also came equipped with its own control console in case of emergencies. Corvin taught her how to pilot it, and after a few laps above the manor, Emma had already gotten the hang of it. Marcus lounged in his seat, refusing to lift a finger, watching the two of them buzz around with childlike excitement. Soon, the airship left the manor behind, heading toward the bustling heart of Central Planet's commercial district.Because of the Celestara Gala, females from nearby planets had all flocked there. The streets were overflowing with people, the air thick with chatter and laughter. Emma landed the airship and tucked it away. The moment they stepped onto the main street, she stopped short. Right there—beneath the glittering banners—stood an auction platform. And on it, males. They were lined up like merchandise, each one with a price tag hanging from his neck. Emma's stomach turned. "They're auctioning off males?" Central Planet never failed to surprise her. Back on F-268, she'd never even heard of such a thing, much less seen it in person. "Ms. Tibarn, please don't pity them," Corvin said quickly, knowing her soft heart too well. He rushed to explain before she could intervene. "Some of them are here because they broke family rules and were sent for punishment. But others… they volunteered." "Volunteered?" Emma frowned, utterly confused. "Why would anyone sell themselves?"Corvin sighed. "Most of them are handsome but have poor abilities and low ranks. They don't have much else to offer."