The Determined Princess and the Lost Traveler

Miranda was sobbing too hard to speak. How could she bear to watch Princess Sarah, who had never known hardship, venture into the desert? "Princess Sarah, someone did claim to have seen Togepi in the desert, but..."

She forced down her worry, glanced around, then whispered, "Princess Sarah, this could very well be one of Han Zuo's tricks."

"Miranda, whether or not Togepi are in the desert, I'm my father's only daughter. I have to fulfill my duty and bring a Togepi to Paradise so the entire Mirazu Kingdom can prosper."

Sarah smiled. "So whether the rumor is true or not, this is my duty. As for Han Zuo, I doubt he'd leave the Kingdom so easily."

"But..."

Miranda sighed helplessly. Princess Sarah was wonderful in every way, but at crucial moments, she became impossibly stubborn.

After a moment's thought, Miranda took out a backpack. "Princess Sarah, if you've made up your mind, please be careful. May the Togepi in Paradise keep you safe."

"Thank you, Miranda. I'll be fine."

Sarah took the backpack and walked toward the nearby Small Airship. "Please tell Father and Mother that I'll bring back a Togepi."

With that, she climbed into the Airship and signaled the pilot.

Boom!

The Small Airship shuddered, slowly rose, and headed toward the distant desert.

"Princess Sarah..."

Miranda held down the hem of her dress as she watched the Airship disappear into the distance. She could not help worrying.

Elsewhere, William August, king of the Mirazu Kingdom, watched the rising Airship with mixed feelings. Silently, he prayed that his beloved daughter's journey would go smoothly.

Beside him, an elegant woman who closely resembled Sarah clutched her favorite Green Dress. She would never have treated it so roughly on an ordinary day, but today her daughter was setting out alone.