There was no trace of retreat in his tone. It was clear he wouldn’t back down—she had to choose: on his back, or in his arms.

‘Both are embarrassing…’

She shut her eyes tightly. It had only been thirty minutes since Zephion—whose day off happened to coincide with the market day—had suggested they go out together. By the time she was finally ready, he had already turned to her and quietly offered his back.

The market was held at a spot about halfway to the neighboring village. If her leg had been fine, it would have been no more than a long walk, something she could have considered a pleasant outing. But with her injured leg, it was a difficult distance.

“There’s no carriage, so just make do with me.”

“I told you, I’ll walk.”

He let out a long sigh before suddenly standing up. Without another word, he swept her lightly into his arms.

“Pipi!”

“I’m not letting you walk all the way there.”

“Put me down. I can walk.”

“If you’re going to be stubborn, then don’t go at all. If there’s something you need, I’ll bring it back for you.”

Reina glared at him, her eyes flashing with a determination that said she wouldn’t yield. Zephion, his eyes just as wide, met her gaze head-on, like they were locked in a standoff.

She briefly considered giving up on the outing, but she wanted to see someplace new. It had been nearly three months since she’d come to this village, and she hadn’t set foot outside it once. Though she had heard about the market, the thought of going alone had always felt too daunting.

“Fine. Then carry me on your back.”

“Good.”

Zephion gave a smug, boyish grin, as if victorious. He set her down carefully, then offered his back again. Reina let out an exaggerated sigh, loud enough for him to hear, before climbing onto his broad back. With her cane tucked under his arm, he stepped out with light, confident strides.

She couldn’t lift her head as they passed through the village. Everyone who saw them smiled warmly, saying things like, “What a loving couple.”

Reina buried her face against his neck, her arms looped tightly around him, and didn’t lift her head until they had finally left the village behind.

“You can look up now.”

She raised her head just a little, scanning their surroundings. Once she confirmed the path was quiet, she let out a deep breath and rested her cheek on his shoulder.

“Do you really have to carry me around like this?”

“I told you—I’d be your legs, didn’t I?”

“…And that has to mean carrying me on your back?”

“Do you not like being carried?”

“People are staring.”

“So what?”

Was it just her imagination, or did he actually look pleased? Reina let out a short sigh, then couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“Let’s buy something delicious at the market.”

“All right.”

“I want to buy you a pretty dress too.”

“I don’t need that.”

“A ribbon, then. With lace.”

“I don’t need that either.”

“What about earrings?”

“They’re uncomfortable.”

“Then maybe…”

Their conversation carried on that way as they headed toward the market. It seemed Zephion wanted to buy her so many things, but honestly, she didn’t need any of them. She’d had her fill of luxury back at the Berend estate.

“…We should buy clothes for you instead.”

“For me? But mine are still fine.”

“The sleeves are worn through.”

“They are?”

“I’m no good at patching things neatly, so just get a new one.”

“Haha. If you were the one to mend it, I’d still like it even if it came out a mess.”

“I won’t.”

Reina cut him off firmly, and he burst out laughing.

These small, ordinary exchanges made her happy. They let her feel again that the two of them were truly living together, just the two of them.

Going to the market side by side, deciding what to buy, laughing as though they had nothing at all to worry about—clinging to each other like this, sharing warmth.

‘How long can we stay here like this?’
‘If we have to move again, will we still be able to laugh together as if nothing ever happened?’

Reina tightened her arms around Zephion’s neck. Though he had assured her there were still no signs of pursuit, the longer they stayed in one place, the more unease grew in her chest. Remaining too long meant they could be tracked more easily.

Neither of them said it aloud, but they both knew that even if nothing happened, they would need to leave soon.

‘We should move before winter.’

Traveling during the cold months would be far too difficult. It would be better to find another village where they could spend the season. Winter was only two months away now. Surely Zephion was thinking the same thing—that they’d stay a little longer, then move on.

“Reina? Are you asleep?”

“No.”

Lost in thought, she had barely managed to respond when he called her. Leaning fully against his back, she whispered,

“What should we do about winter?”

“…It would be best to leave before it comes. It’ll be hard to move once the snow starts.”

Hearing him echo the very thought she’d had made her smile faintly.

“We still have about two months. Let’s prepare slowly.”

“Mm.”

“It’s such a good place, though.”

“It is.”

She didn’t bother to say out loud how much she regretted leaving.

As they chatted quietly, the market finally came into view.

“Let me down now.”

“Just a little farther.”

“You’re going to set me down right in front of everyone?”

“You’ll get tired if you walk too much.”

“Pipi, put me down.”

“No.”

“Pipi!”

When she kicked and struggled against him, he finally let her down with a reluctant expression.

The marketplace was bustling, packed with villagers and merchants from afar. Though not large, it had many things she wouldn’t normally find in a small town—items usually seen only in cities, even a few exotic goods.

Reina instinctively slipped her hand into Zephion’s arm as they stepped slowly into the lively market together.

“This is my first time at a market like this.”

“Me too.”

Back near the bustling city, she had only ever seen tidy streets lined with shops in neat rows. But here, tents were pitched right out on the field, with all kinds of goods jumbled together. It felt strangely refreshing.

As she looked around curiously, Zephion suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Oh—there are earrings here.”

“I told you, I don’t need any.”

“Why not? I think they’d look beautiful on you.”

She tugged at his arm, trying to get him to move along, but he stubbornly stayed put, carefully examining the earrings. The merchant, quick to flatter, praised his keen eye while eagerly pulling out one pair after another.

“Which one do you like?”

Reina gazed quietly at the different colors laid out before her. If she were honest, none of them truly caught her eye. The stones were the lowest quality, and the craftsmanship was rough.

‘Even if the work had been fine, they’d never shine the way they once did.’

But she knew she had to grow used to such things now. As long as she lived this life on the run, she would never have what she once enjoyed at the Berend estate.

She reached out, brushing her fingers over one of the earrings. Zephion, with a serious expression, chose a red pair and held it up to her ear.

“I like this color best.”

He gave her a bright smile. Reina turned the earring in her fingers, the red gem catching a faint light. It didn’t sparkle brilliantly, but there was one thing she did like about it—it was the one Zephion had chosen for her.

“…I like it too.”

She answered softly, without hesitation. At her words, the merchant poured out a string of empty compliments about what a perfect choice it was.

“Do you really like it?”

“Yes. Truly.”

Handing Zephion her cane for a moment, Reina put the earrings on. It seemed better to show him that she genuinely liked them.

“How do I look?”

She swept her hair gently aside as she asked. Zephion’s face lit up with delight.

“You look beautiful.”