At eight o'clock in the evening, Alen had just left the royal palace compound and returned to the headquarters. As he was closing his eyes to rest in the car, his cell phone suddenly rang.
The person who could get Alen's number and make Alen keep his number must not be an ordinary person.
Alen narrowed his eyes and picked up his phone lazily. “Hello?”
“Mr. Alen, are you still out for a long time?” asked a man on the other side.
Alen replied, “No, I'm on my way back to the base.”
The man on the other side smiled. “Alright, I'll wait for you. This time, please stop by my office.”
Alen snorted slightly. Half annoyed, he hung up the phone.
***
15 minutes later...
Alen arrived at the headquarters and slightly veered off the path to his room. Although he was annoyed with the person who had just called him, he still fulfilled the person's request. Incidentally, the man's room was not too far from his room.
When he arrived in front of the room, Alen did not bother to ring the bell and went straight inside.
The sight in front of him was a tall man in a white doctor's coat. His face was handsome, with thin-rimmed glasses. The bridge of his nose was high, and his lips were thin. He was the same height as Alen, but his stature was softer and slimmer than Alen. Yes, he was a doctor.
Upon seeing Alen enter, those beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.
“Welcome back, Commander Alen,” she greeted with a grin.
Alen did not enter; he just crossed his arms over his chest while leaning against the door frame. “What did you call me for?”
The man smiled. “You've been gone half a year. I just wanted to say hi for a minute, okay?”
Alen replied with a brief chuckle. “To have the chief military doctor of the royal intelligence, Doctor Mike, waiting for me, is really a rare opportunity.”
As a doctor, let alone the leader of all military doctors in the royal intelligence, Doctor Mike was usually very busy.
The man named Mike laughed and got up from his chair, then walked out of the room and put his arm around Alen's shoulders. “Let's talk outside where it's more comfortable.”
Alen followed him and said nothing.
On the way, Mike began his conversation. “I already know your assignment given by the king an hour ago.”
Alen raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You received the information pretty quickly.”
Mike chuckled. “It's easy. I have my own tricks.”
There was really no special trick for Mike. He just needed to look for the hottest news topic in the ministry and then think of the biggest possibility of summoning Alen to the palace with those topics. With his position in royal intelligence, it was easy for him to get information.
“What do you want to say?” Alen asked directly.
“Take me along on your assignment this time,” Mike answered bluntly.
Alen was a little flabbergasted. “Aren't you fine working as a doctor in the capital?”
Mike chuckled. “I'm a military doctor, not to be compared to an ordinary hospital doctor. After returning from my last assignment half a year ago, I was almost completely unemployed in the capital.”
Alen secretly laughed inwardly. He knew it must be difficult for Mike to remain idle in the capital city. The hospitals here had no shortage of medical doctors, and a military doctor was used to handling special cases and under special conditions.
With the safety and stability of the capital city, there were few accidents or special patient cases. The hospital's medical doctors handled ordinary patients. With these two conditions, Mike was practically unemployed.
“I know a condition in the south that could help you,” Mike said again.
Alen nodded. “Alright, you'll come with me this time. Naturally, I'll also reimburse your salary.”
Mike smiled and laughed widely. “Our commander is indeed wise.”
Mike had been Alen's friend since school. Growing up, Mike continued to pursue medicine and expanded his learning and experience in several countries. Alen recognized Mike's abilities and recruited him to be the military doctor of the royal intelligence. In recent years, Mike often assisted Alen when handling cases.
“This time you've been out of the capital for so long. Is there anything in particular?” Mike asked.
Alen shook his head. “Nothing.”
Mike was a little incredulous. “Really? As far as I know you, apart from intelligence assignments, there's nothing that could hold you back for so long. I've read all your assignment reports over the past few months, and they all finished on time. That being the case, why don't you go straight back to the capital?” he asked probingly.
Alen sighed. “Why do you ask so many questions? Who is the commander here?”
“You, of course,” Mike replied helplessly.
Alen grinned. “Then don't ask so many questions. Go get ready. We're leaving tomorrow.”
Mike was stunned. “So soon?”
Alen turned serious. “If you don't arrive on time tomorrow, I will punish you with military rules.”
Mike gasped. “Yes, Commander!”
Alen walked away, leaving Mike chuckling and shaking his head.
***
The next day, Viana and Ellie had arrived in Lyge City.
This was a small town on the southern border of the kingdom. As soon as Viana set foot in this area, a familiar sight in her heart appeared.
“Are you hungry, Ellie?” asked Viana.
Ellie shook her head. “I'm not that hungry. Are you hungry?”
Viana smiled. “Not bad. This time, we should stop by one of the small restaurants first. There's one of Lyge City's specialty there. We can fill our stomachs before continuing our journey to the village.”
“Village? Was your mother's home in the countryside?”
Viana nodded. “Yes, my mother is also an ordinary village girl, just like you.”
Ellie thought as she looked at Viana's face. “Looking at your face, your mother must have been exquisite.”
Viana smiled. “You could say that.”
Soon, they arrived at a small restaurant. Viana invited Ellie inside and ordered some food.
“Do you have enough money?” Ellie asked worriedly.
Viana smiled. “Don't worry. All this time, I've been collecting the monthly money that Alen gives us. For the time being, we won't be short of money.”
Ellie nodded calmly, then the food came.
Ellie was surprised. “You only ordered one serving?”
Viana nodded. “This is for you. Mine is wrapped to eat later when no one is around.”
Viana was still wearing a mask at this time and did not dare to take it off for fear of being recognized.
While waiting for Ellie to eat, Viana's gaze accidentally fell on the television in the room. Coincidentally, the TV was broadcasting news from various regions. Starting from problems in the Matna area, developments in the capital city, and news that shook Viana.
It was about Harvey's family.
Viana unconsciously stopped what she was doing and started listening seriously.
“The head of the Harvey family, Darren Harvey, has made a charitable donation to the victims of the disaster in Matna amounting to...”
Viana did not hear the rest of the news clearly. Her focus was interrupted when she saw the face of a familiar man. The man looked nothing like her, wearing a classy black suit and looking as charming as ever.
Viana's hands involuntarily trembled, along with her voice. “Brother...”
Her half-brother was now actually holding the position of leader of the Harvey family!
Although Viana had expected this, when she saw Darren's face on the screen, the emotions in her heart peaked.
Ellie immediately grabbed Viana's hand. “Control your emotions. There are still many people. Don't let anyone see your unusual expression.”
Viana sighed. Ellie was right. Her plan couldn't fail because of this small mistake.
Ellie sensed Viana's emotions and knew what she had to do. “I'm done eating.”
Viana regained her senses. “Already? Then let's be on our way again.”
The two got up from their seats and exited the restaurant.
As they exited, a server who had been wiping the table close to Viana's table saw her come out. His eyes narrowed to imply something.