“Come this way.”

Reynard took Evelyn’s hand and led her along.

Evelyn had no choice but to follow in the direction Reynard guided. The place they arrived at was the marketplace.

Why had Reynard brought her here? When she thought about it, there was nothing about him she could truly understand. 

Just as he had said before, Reynard was a kind of person she had never encountered.

So even if she tried to analyze and understand him on her own, it was difficult. Evelyn decided to stop trying to analyze him altogether.

She would no longer misinterpret his actions but simply observe them as they were.

“It’s bright here, even though it’s night.”

Evelyn softly expressed her amazement as she looked at the lantern lights scattered throughout.

Hearing her, Reynard turned briefly to glance at her and let out a short laugh.

“A night market has opened.”

“A night market?”

“Yeah. Haven’t you ever been to one?”

Seeing Evelyn looking up at him with wide eyes, Reynard asked curiously.

Evelyn hesitated, then nodded.

“No, not even once.”

“Why not? Is there no night market in Hesta?”

“There is. It’s just… I’ve never left the royal castle before.”

“Not even once?”

“No, not even once.”

“Then this will be your first time.”

Reynard let out a small chuckle and took the lead.

Evelyn followed behind a little belatedly, but even as she did, she didn’t forget to glance around and explore the market.

Reynard, noticing her constantly turning her head, slowed his pace so she could look around more comfortably.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it really is.”

Reynard silently smiled at her honest response. At times, she was honest to a fault.

“Have you ever tried street food before?”

“Street food? You mean they sell food on the streets?”

Her wide-eyed response struck Reynard as so endearing that he let out a low chuckle.

“You should try some while you’re here. It’s not bad.”

“Food sold on the streets…?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“…No.”

To Evelyn, who had never even considered eating outside of a proper room, the idea was a bit overwhelming.

But since it was Reynard who had suggested it, she couldn’t exactly refuse.

Reynard continued walking deeper into the night market. Within the depths of the night market, a whole new world Evelyn hadn’t known about unfolded before her eyes.

From street vendors selling all kinds of trinkets to stalls that cooked food on the spot.

“Wow.”

Evelyn quietly let out a gasp of wonder as she looked around the market.

“Wait here for a bit.”

After standing still for a moment to scan the menu, Reynard made a suggestion.

“You’re going yourself?”

She felt like she should be the one going instead, but Reynard looked back at her as if wondering what nonsense she was spouting.

“Do you have any money?”

“…No.”

Realizing just then that she had no money, Evelyn lowered her head.

Reynard let out a sigh, as if to say “I told you so,” and headed straight to the skewer stand.

Evelyn stood off to the side, watching him buy two skewers.

She could try to run away while his attention was elsewhere, but Evelyn had already decided not to do anything so foolish.

After all, this was Bait.

No matter how fast or how secretly she ran, if Reynard sent soldiers after her, she’d be caught in no time.

The vendor, recognizing Reynard, tried not to accept the money, but Reynard firmly handed over a gold coin before returning to Evelyn.

“Here.”

Evelyn accepted the skewer he handed her. It alternated pieces of chicken and green onion.

“I’m supposed to eat this?”

“Of course. Were you going to throw it away?”

Reynard said dryly and began eating his chicken skewer. Evelyn, watching him eat, hesitantly took a bite of her own.

The sweet and savory sauce had soaked in just right, and the aroma of the grilled scallions neutralized the gaminess of the chicken, leaving a clean aftertaste.

Reynard pretended not to care, but he was clearly waiting for her reaction.

And just as he’d hoped, Evelyn’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

“It’s delicious!”

“Isn’t it?”

Reynard gave a bland smile, as if he’d expected that, and turned his head away from her.

Evelyn looked down again at the chicken skewer Reynard had bought her, with a renewed gaze.

It was her first time eating food prepared and sold on the spot at a street stall.

The skewer had a unique flavor that was completely different from anything she’d had before.

The lightness of eating among the crowd added to the enjoyment.

“Let’s try this way next.”

Reynard tugged at Evelyn’s hand, still chewing on her skewer.

Evelyn followed him without resistance.

Even as they walked, she didn’t forget to glance around and take in her surroundings.

To her, who had lived as if imprisoned within the Hesta royal palace, the night market was another world.

Every little detail felt new, and everything seemed enjoyable.

For a while, as she explored this place, she could forget her situation.

***

“Did you have fun?”

Reynard asked as he observed Evelyn, more animated than usual.

Only then did Evelyn realize she had failed to hide her emotions, and she quickly tried to compose her expression.

Reynard merely lifted the corners of his lips briefly before directing his gaze forward.

“By tomorrow, we’ll be able to secure a carriage. Martin is probably running around right now trying to find one. From tomorrow, we’ll travel by carriage.”

“Thank you for the consideration.”

Evelyn expressed her gratitude sincerely.

Then, after a brief hesitation, she spoke again.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“May I ask… why you’re being so kind to me?”

No matter how much she thought about it, Evelyn couldn’t figure out Reynard’s true intentions.

So she decided to ask him directly.

Why had he let her live, still recognized as Princess Ophelia?

And why was he showing her such kindness?

Reynard stopped walking at her question.

Evelyn also halted in place, matching his pace.

“Didn’t I tell you before? That it’s fine to leave some things unknown.”

“You did say that. But… I just feel too sorry to remain ignorant like this. I can’t understand why you’re doing all of this for me.”

Reynard began walking again.

“Do you understand what kind of impact even the smallest ounce of compassion can have?”

Evelyn tilted her head at the unexpected remark.

It was something she had never considered.

“I’m merely returning that compassion.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

Reynard’s answer was ambiguous.

But Evelyn couldn’t press him further.

His tightly sealed lips made it clear that he didn’t wish to continue the conversation.

Compassion?

Evelyn recalled the word Reynard had used.

The only way to interpret his words was that he felt pity for her and was showing her mercy.

And yet, something about that interpretation felt off.

It was because of what Reynard had said before.

He had told her, 

‘Well, not knowing can be its own kind of answer, too.’

If he had helped her out of compassion, would he have needed to say something like that?

Doubt began to creep into Evelyn’s mind.

But no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t make sense of his words.

‘Does it matter? I survived because of it, after all.’

***

Just as Reynard had said, by the next day a carriage had been prepared for Evelyn.

It was large and ornate—hard to believe it had been arranged in a hurry.

Though it didn’t quite match the splendor of the one that had carried her from Hesta, it was hardly lacking in comparison.

Once preparations for departure were complete, Evelyn boarded the carriage.

The door closed, and after a moment, she heard faint sounds from outside before the carriage began to move.