Chapter 11

“Have you had dinner?”

Charlotte smiled brightly, and Erhen shook his head.

In truth, it was too late for dinner. Not wanting to order a meal to be prepared at such a late hour when it was time to get ready for bed, they decided to eat something simple outside. Coincidentally, it was the day of the night market.

In Heringen, a night market—usually only seen during festivals in other cities—was held twice a week. This was to meet the varied demands of sailors who arrived at the port at all hours.

The usual location for the night market was the large square in front of Heringen’s government office, but today, due to the large number of ships docked at the port, it was being held near the harbor. Since the night market wasn’t far from Charlotte’s home, the two were able to walk there.

“Your Grace, have you ever been to a night market?”

“No. I never had the time, and I wasn’t particularly interested either.”

“You don’t know how to enjoy life.”

“However, when I was a soldier, I saw the soldiers having similar fun among themselves.”

“Can you even call that a night market…?”

Charlotte laughed cheerfully and pointed ahead with her hand. Beyond her fingertips, a scene unfolded that Erhen had never seen before.

Along the main road of the harbor, outdoor seating areas of restaurants were filled with people wrapped in blankets, drinking alcohol. Above them, small magical devices and fairy lights intertwined, sparkling like starlight in the night sky. 

Beyond the restaurant area, street vendors selling food and various goods lined the streets. Despite the biting cold, the faces of the people enjoying the night market carried the warmth of spring.

“Well then, let’s look around first.”

“But you said you were hungry?”

“Still, since it’s your first time, looking around comes first, Your Grace!”

Charlotte headed toward the far end of the harbor. Although there were no street vendors in that direction and no reason for people to gather, the crowd grew denser as they went.

“There’s a fireworks display around this time.”

“Fireworks?”

“Yes. It’s not a grand display, just something to enjoy visually.”

Charlotte giggled as she squeezed through the crowd. The escort following behind them sent a worried signal. Erhen glanced at Charlotte, who was leading the way, and signaled back not to worry.

Soon, the two reached a spot at the edge of the harbor. Not long after, the fireworks began.

Bang.

A small firework soared into the sky with a sharp sound, and then, with a series of explosive noises, it burst into countless fragments, scattering like a fully bloomed flower. 

It was a perfect harmony of sight and sound. The dazzling bursts intertwined to create colorful nebulae. Among the crowd, excited cheers erupted. The cold winter night air mingled with the warmth of the fireworks and the faint smell of gunpowder.

Though it wasn’t Charlotte’s first time seeing fireworks at the night market, no other day felt as special as today.

“They’re beautiful.”

Charlotte, mesmerized by the blooming flowers in the night sky, spoke in awe. Her face, slightly flushed with excitement, seemed radiant as she gazed at the fireworks in the night sky. Her clear eyes sparkled even more brightly.

You’re even more beautiful.

Unable to say the words aloud, Erhen murmured them inwardly and responded appropriately.

“They are.”

The fireworks, which had lifted the spirits of the night market’s visitors, continued for a while longer before stopping. As if to signal the end, the envious night sky quickly swallowed the light of the fireworks.

After a brief silence, the crowd became lively again, and people began leaving the harbor one by one to enjoy the night market in earnest. Charlotte and Erhen were among them. Following the guide’s direction, they walked back to the streets, and Charlotte spoke up.

“I come to the night market with Lida at least once a week.”

“That seems to be the case.”

“Still, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen fireworks.”

“You seemed to like them quite a lot. Why?”

“Things like that are more impressive when you see them occasionally. Besides, they don’t happen every week.”

“Then, the reason you come to the night market every week is, of course.”

“Yes! The fried chicken sold over there is incredibly delicious.”

It reminds me of chicken from my previous life.

Ever since Charlotte became aware of her past life, she would often recall the foods she used to eat. While Western-style dishes were easy to find in this world, as it resembled the Western world from her previous life, Korean food was a problem.

It was hard to suppress her cravings for spicy food, but what she missed the most was fried chicken and beer. After working overnight for a week in her research lab, her go-to comfort food at her tiny studio apartment had been chicken and beer.

The fried chicken she had accidentally tried at the night market reminded her exactly of Korean fried chicken. Since it was only available at a stall run by a foreign merchant from a trade ship, Charlotte had no choice but to visit the night market quite often.

Someday, if Sonne expands into the food business, she would insist her parents hire this merchant no matter what.

“With that fried chicken and a glass of beer, it’s just heavenly.”

Charlotte smacked her lips. Having watched the fireworks instead of eating as soon as they arrived at the night market, the mere mention of fried chicken brought back the hunger she had forgotten.

The saying “even Mount Kumgang is best enjoyed after a meal” held true.

“Then, shall we get some fried chicken?”

“I’d love that!”

At Erhen’s suggestion, Charlotte, her face brimming with longing for chicken, gleefully grabbed his arm and pulled him along. Even amidst the bustling crowd, Erhen followed her lead without hesitation, marveling at her boldness.

You’ve always lived so confidently, haven’t you?

Thinking back, from the day Charlotte first came into his life until now, the direction he had taken had always been led by her.

Even their marriage, which had been merely a contract, and their divorce, which she had initiated.

It was perhaps only natural that he had struggled to find his footing after their divorce.

Because Charlotte was no longer by his side.

“Your Grace, here it is! Hello, Sir!”

Charlotte beamed brightly as she turned to look at him in front of a food stall. Erhen curled his lips into a smile and walked toward her.

And then—BOOM!

A deafening explosion, entirely different from the sound of fireworks, reverberated throughout the night market, hitting everyone’s ears. Simultaneously, black smoke began billowing from the windows of a restaurant they had passed earlier.

“Fire!”

“Aaah!”

“Call the fire brigade! Call the fire brigade!”

“Help!”

“Fire!”

Startled by the loud noise, Charlotte and Erhen briefly exchanged glances before rushing toward the scene of the accident.

The fire had broken out in a sizable four-story restaurant. People were fleeing in panic, and the street was already filled with injured individuals groaning in pain.

In the face of life and death, there was no distinction between nobles and commoners. Everyone’s focus was solely on survival.

Charlotte, horrified by the sight of the fire’s devastation, recognized the restaurant owner among the crowd. He was wearing mismatched shoes and groaning, likely having rushed over after being notified while resting at home.

“Where’s the fire brigade? Have they not arrived yet?!”

“They were called as we came here.”

“Where are they now?”

“I don’t know. It seems they’re delayed due to the night. What should we do?”

The owner stammered incoherently, stomping his feet in frustration. His nervous demeanor made Charlotte’s heart race even faster.

“Emily! Emilia!”

Not far away, a noblewoman’s desperate cries echoed. She was straining to enter the burning building, reaching out with all her might, while what appeared to be her servants held her back, pleading with her.

“Let me go! Emilia is still in there!”

“You can’t, Madam! The flames are too intense!”

“Please wait for the fire brigade to arrive! Madam!”

“Let go! Let me go! Emilia!”

The woman, repeatedly calling her daughter’s name, had been out for an evening stroll with her daughter, Emilia, when the fire broke out. While escaping together, she had lost hold of her daughter’s hand.

She wasn’t the only one frantically trying to save someone trapped in the burning building. But until the fire brigade arrived, there was nothing they could do.

Though Heringen was a port city, the dry winter air only fueled the flames. If rescue efforts didn’t begin soon, the damage would be catastrophic.

What should I do? What can I do?

Charlotte’s mind went blank as she covered her mouth with her hand. Her hands began to tremble.

“Charlotte.”

As if to soothe her trembling heart, Erhen spoke in an unbelievably calm voice, even in this dire situation.

From the moment they arrived at the fire scene, Erhen had been staring intently at the burning building.

He muttered quietly, his gaze fixed.

“Did you forget that your ex-husband is a mage?”

Behind him, a massive column of water began to rise.