“You could also remove the shade.”

“……”

“I find you fascinating.”

“I am deeply moved by your concern.”

Rashid defended firmly against the probing words. Castor’s words were eloquent and slippery, quick to strike vulnerable spots if one let their guard down.

It was the same now. Castor was subtly pointing out that if he cared about the family, he could remove the source of negative rumors, yet he deliberately kept her close.

‘He’s testing me. Damn Grandia.’

Whether or not Rashid could cast Alisa aside or not, what he thought of her… That’s what Castor was curious about.

It was easy to guess his intentions. However, it was difficult to answer with something like ‘I’m just putting up with it because it’s an imperial match.’

Why?

At this moment, both men had the same thought.

So, why exactly.

Why does Rashid Penvernon sincerely try to protect Alisa Penvernon?

“Come to think of it, you have many connections with your wife. It seems we’ve seen her several times already.”

Castor sat with his chin propped up. He was enjoying this situation. It was very entertaining. Both Alisa Penvernon, and Rashid Penvernon.

“They say when fate crosses paths multiple times, it becomes destiny.”

Rashid unconsciously furrowed his brow for a moment.

“I told you she’s my wife.”

“I know, that’s why I’m saying this. Fate doesn’t always have to mean what you think.”

Rashid glared at Castor. He felt displeased by even the slightest hint of familiarity between His Highness and Alisa.

Noticing his expression, Castor smiled gently.

“Since you seem to have deep ties with your wife, perhaps we’ll have more opportunities to meet like today? I quite enjoy meeting you outside the office of state affairs, so I’ll make time whenever.”

For a moment, Rashid wanted to grab him by the collar. If not for the blood oath of allegiance, he would have already done so.

It had been several years since he began facing the Crown Prince regularly. This was the first time he had wanted to provoke him like this.

In silence, Rashid downed his wine in one go. Though the blood-red wine was strong enough to burn his throat, the flame of jealousy burning inside him was even hotter.

It was an incredibly long time.

* * *

The banquet ended successfully. From the luxurious dishes to the carefully crafted sweet desserts, and the conversation that passed in the blink of an eye. It was truly an enjoyable time.

She and Rashid received farewells from the Imperial Princess and Crown Prince.

“I had fun, my lady. Let’s meet again.”

“I look forward to meeting again as well.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. And Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The two imperial family members smiled as brightly as the midday sun. She curtsied to show her respect to both of them.

The carriage with the camellia flower flag drove down the avenue. Night had already fallen, and darkness filled the surroundings. Only the orange light from the magic lamps dimly illuminated the carriage interior.

After such an elaborate meal, riding in the carriage made her feel quite uncomfortable. She should have taken a walk instead of sitting in the tea room. The imperial palace gardens would have been quite a sight at night. Her waist ached from sitting for so long while listening to Jeanne’s enthusiastic interest in sponsoring the Magic Tower.

While pressing her chest to endure the discomfort of her belated regret, Rashid gently stroked her back. He was quite perceptive.

“Are you in pain?”

“It’s nothing much. Just feeling a bit queasy from getting in the carriage right after eating.”

This fragile body really isn’t helping.

Wondering if looking outside might help, she drew back the curtain covering the carriage window. Street lamps and restaurant lights scattered throughout decorated the dark night. The long stretch of street was softly illuminated by moonlight. Looking at the scenery outside seemed to settle her stomach somewhat.

The carriage was now passing through the avenue near the central plaza. How long would it take to reach the duke’s residence from here? As she was trying to estimate the distance, she grabbed Rashid’s arm. She felt like she might get motion sickness if they continued like this. Throwing up in the carriage was not an option.

“Could we get out and walk a little from here? I’d like some fresh air.”

“Let’s get out together.”

Rashid got out of the carriage with her. He held her arm as he walked beside her to prevent her from stumbling. Did she really look that much like a patient? His uncharacteristic kindness felt a bit awkward, but for now, she decided to just enjoy the moment.

Walking in the fresh air made her feel much better. Her churning stomach settled down like calming waves, and her condition improved. It was definitely the right decision to get out of the carriage.

“Since it’s dark, couldn’t you light it up with your ability?”

Rashid quietly shook his head at her question.

“The flames follow the sword’s energy, so I need a sword.”

“So it’s useless without a sword then.”

She had hoped to catch a glimpse of his impressive flame ability, but that was slightly disappointing. An ability that only manifests with a sword—it really was thoroughly designed for killing.

“For protection, I can create defensive walls of fire.”

“Hmm. So you’d do that if I tried to attack you?”

“Yes.”

Rashid smiled again as he answered. He must find me amusing.

That’s fair. I understand the feeling. He probably feels like a hamster is trying to fight him?

While making idle chat, they walked along the well-maintained path and soon reached the central plaza. At the end of the wide fan-shaped plaza stood a massive fountain.

Enormous statues stood behind the fountain, showing off their majestic appearance. They were statues of the god Morea bestowing blessings upon warriors, and warriors challenging dragons under divine blessing. Their poses were dynamic and vivid, as if they might come alive at any moment.

“What are those stones?”

She pointed at the stones densely piled at the feet of the statues.

“Stones thrown by people.”

“These are statues of gods and the empire’s founders, is it okay to throw stones at them?”

Rashid smiled slightly.

“The statues have protective magic on them so they won’t break easily. This is an old Granrose superstition.”

“What kind of superstition?”

“Are you curious?”

“Yes!”

Then Rashid picked up a few small stones from nearby.

“Here, stand backwards on the Emperor’s footprint and throw the stone.”

Rashid stood on the footprint pattern located a few steps away from the fountain. They say it was the footprint left by the first Emperor when he arrived at Granrose and declared it would be the capital.

“If the stone crosses the fountain without falling in the water and lands at the feet of a statue, different wishes come true depending on which statue it hits.”

Goodness, how does Rashid know about such a cute superstition! What’s going on? Who could have taught him this?

“Does each statue have a different meaning?”

“They say if it lands under the Penvernon statue, your family fortune will prosper.”

“Oh my! Why is that? What about the others?”

“If it lands under the Ailan statue, you’ll become healthy, and if it lands under the Pentroff statue, it keeps misfortune away from your household. Things like that.”

Ailan is one of the ducal families known for healing white magic abilities. Pentroff is also a ducal family with defensive abilities. I see, people assigned meanings according to the characteristics of the heroes who founded the ducal houses.

“The statue of God Morea seems difficult to reach since it’s so high up, does that one have a meaning too?”

She pointed at the god’s statue positioned at the highest point. The statue that seemed to glow white even at night held a weaving shuttle and sickle with closed eyes.

“They say any wish you make while throwing the stone will come true.”

“A wish…… Anything at all?”

“Anything.”

It was an unlimited promise. Truly fitting for the omnipotent sole deity of the empire.

This somehow seemed interesting. Her curiosity was piqued.

“Then I’ll try it. I’ll start with the Penvernon statue first.”

She received a small stone from Rashid and threw it backward. With a clinking sound, the stone rolled under the pedestal.

“You hit it.”

“Don’t say I hit it. I just happened to throw it so it would land at the feet. Now, for Ailan.”

Rashid naturally placed another stone in her hand. She threw the stone again. Following it came the same clinking sound of stone hitting stone as before. The stone that left her hand settled quietly under the statue of the first Duke Ailan.

“You have talent.”

“I must be lucky.”

Prospering family fortune and good health—while she wasn’t one to believe in superstitions, it felt nice. Better than drawing bad cards, right?

“It feels good since they’re going in well. I’ll try something more difficult now.”

She aimed at the higher statue and threw a stone. Toward the great deity once more, the pebble traced an arc through the air. This time there was a splash, a cheerful sound of water. A failure.