The bed is still terrible.
That's the first thing Wonder notices.
The second is that he doesn't stay in it.
He sits up immediately, wincing once—out of habit more than surprise now—and exhales.
"Right."
Work.
Rahan.
Debt.
Not the kind you write down but the kind that still exists.
He swings his legs off the bed, already reaching for the new clothes. For a second he hesitates.
SYSTEM: [Hesitation detected. Are you planning to go back to suffering instead?]
"...No." Wonder mutters.
He pulls the black top on, then the jacket—the gradient catching the light slightly even in the dim cabin.
"I owe him," he says quietly.
He ties his hair back with the white band.
Then steps outside.
He walks through the harsh desert.
Rahan is where he usually is.
Same place. Same posture.
He glances up as Wonder approaches.
"You're early."
"I couldn't sleep."
Rahan hums. "Bad bed?"
Wonder pauses.
"...Violent bed."
Rahan snorts.
Then Wonder steps closer.
"I need information."
That gets Rahan's attention properly.
He looks at him now—not casually, but actually focusing.
"About what?"
"Diamonds." Wonder says quickly and fiddles with his sleeves.
Rahan leans back slightly.
"...You said diamonds."
"Yes. Tell me why they're worthless here."
He scratches his chin.
"Because nobody built value around them," he says finally. "No industry. No tradition."
He gestures loosely at the city.
"Out here, value is survival. Food. Water. Tools. Trade goods. Stuff that actually does something. Diamonds just... sit there."
"Why would you ask about them?" Rahan continues.
Wonder doesn't answer immediately, he's hesitant.
"I... I own all the mines... Or I will soon when I get the papers."
"You own something nobody wants?" he asks.
Wonder pauses.
"...Yes."
Rahan stares at him for a moment longer, then shakes his head.
"That's impressive in a depressing way."
Rahan gestures loosely toward the market behind them.
"Value doesn't come from existence," he says. "It comes from demand. If nobody wants it, it's just weight."
Wonder looks down slightly.
"Then how do you change that?"
Rahan raises an eyebrow.
"You don't."
Then he adds, more bluntly:
"You can't force people to care about something they don't value."
They walk for a bit after that.
Rahan talks less.
Diamonds aren't rare.
Not respected or desired whatsoever.
So they don't have value.
Which means value isn't in the object.
It's in the world's agreement.
"If something's everywhere, nobody cares about it. Flood a market with grain? Grain gets cheap. Flood it with jewels?" He shrugs again. "People stop considering it expensive."
Rahan keeps walking beside him, unbothered, greeting a few merchants as they pass.
But Wonder barely notices any of it anymore.
His thoughts are elsewhere.
Wonder stops walking completely.
Rahan takes another step before noticing.
"What?"
Wonder looks up slowly.
"...What if they disappeared?"
Rahan blinks once. "What?"
"The exports," Wonder says, "If I own the mines then I can stop the exports."
Rahan stares at him.
Wonder continues before he can interrupt.
"If fewer diamonds enter the market over time, people will start noticing they're harder to get."
"Yeah well what about the use? What purpose can diamonds give?"
"None."
"What?" Rahan replies baffled.
"It simply doesn't need one, do gold or silver have any use outside of looks?"
"I... I guess not."
"If people attached emotions to diamonds
then their actual usefulness wouldn't matter anymore."
He needs something.
Something attached to them.
Meaning.
Symbolism.
Wonder's eyes flick toward the passing crowds.
Couples walking together.
Jewelry stalls glittering under sunlight.
Wonder's voice slows as he thinks through.
"Purity. Love. Status. Devotion. Promises." Just like how diamonds were promoted in his past life.
"If nobles start associating diamonds with affection or commitment, they become emotional."
Engagement gifts.
Wedding jewelry.
Royal symbolism.
Rahan pats him on the back, "good luck with that kid." He sets up a small booth in the shade.
He gets behind his stall for the day, maybe he'll get lucky and get more silver!
Spoiler alert. He didn't.
The desert heat doesn't care that Wonder is tired.
It just keeps pressing down anyway.
By the time he reaches the edge of the city, his cloak is dusted with sand again and his arms ache from holding a water jug that he's been dragging back to his house.
"...Two copper coins," he mutters under his breath. "That's it."
SYSTEM: [Progress report: slow economic growth.]
He adjusts his grip on the jug and turns onto the path leading to the cabin.
And stops.
A carriage sits in front of his cabin.
Expensive. Out of place in a way that feels almost offensive to the desert itself. The wheels still have traces of sand clinging to them.
And sitting inside—
window open—
is Prince Alonzo.
Wonder freezes.
The jug almost slips.
Alonzo doesn't move at first. He's scanning the area, Then he notices Wonder.
And smiles.
Not warmly.
SYSTEM: [High priority encounter detected. Male lead detected.]
Alonzo lifts the papers in his hand slightly, tapping them once against his palm.
"Wonder, was it?" he calls calmly.
Wonder forces his legs to move.
"...Your Highness." he replies carefully.
Alonzo studies him for a moment, then glances at the cabin behind him.
Then back to him.
"I've been looking for you."
Wonder doesn't answer immediately.
"...Why?" he finally asks.
"Wonder."
His voice is calm. Almost gentle.
"I've been sent here with your options."
Wonder stands a few steps away from the carriage, still holding the water jug. His grip tightens slightly.
A pause.
Then the prince finally moves the papers into view.
Wonder's eyes narrow slightly.
Official seals.
Alonzo continues.
"You have two paths."
He lifts one finger.
"Option one: you return north after serving a short sentence. Years, not decades. Your family retains face. You retain... Certain access to your past life in a limited capacity."
Another finger.
"Option two,"
The air shifts slightly.
Alonzo's gaze meets his directly now.
"...You remain here. In this desert region. Permanently. You will never return to your place of birth again."
Silence.
Even the wind feels like it stops to listen.
Wonder's throat goes dry.
Then he adds in a softer voice,
"The crown considers your presence in the north... destabilizing."
"And there is one more matter."
"What matter?"
Alonzo holds the papers out just enough for him to see the seal at the top.
"Your parents have signed over ownership rights to the diamond mines."
Alonzo's tone stays neutral.
"They are relinquishing control of all associated assets under your name. You are the sole remaining heir with legal authority to claim them."
He adjusts the papers slightly.
"All that is required is your signature."
"There are two outcomes tied to this agreement."
He taps the document lightly.
"If you choose to return to your family after your sentence is served, the diamond mines will be revoked and returned to their original household ownership."
"However—if you choose exile here, you will permanently lose all legal right to return to your kingdom of birth."
"But," he adds, "you will retain full ownership of the mines."
Alonzo finally tilts the papers forward a little more.
"Sign when ready." He has a smirk on his face as if this is amusing for him. As if he knows what answer Wonder is going to pick.