“Hello, Rudis.”

It was only Xenon, the tavern owner. Because the perfume was so difficult and time-consuming to make, she had never once sold it in any shop.

What could this mean?

The rules of this world were simple and highly repetitive. Like shooting stars that fall at the same time and place every year. Saturday night just before the “Beginning of Spring.” Wearing the mask mentioned at the tavern and participating in the event was one of those rules. So it was impossible for Xenon, who should be running his booth, to participate in the event—let alone wear the cat mask that Ralph was supposed to wear.

“The mask suits you. I wanted to tell you earlier too. It’s cute.”

‘Earlier too?’

At the gentle whisper near her ear, Rudis looked at Xenon again. Come to think of it, when she bought wine at the tavern booth, Xenon had recognized and greeted her. Thinking about it now, it seemed strange. How had he recognized her behind the mask?

This was nearly impossible. She had been unnecessarily thorough, covering not just her face with a mask but her silhouette completely with a cloak and special shoes. There was a reason couples couldn’t recognize each other.

“Rudis. You need to focus.”

Xenon whispered softly as he pulled her waist a little closer. Rudis had been standing still, but now she snapped back to attention and focused on the dance again.

‘Right. I need to concentrate on the dance now. I can’t give up the prize.’

With a determined nod, Rudis surrendered herself to Xenon’s lead. His touch was gentle yet firm.

“What a beautiful night. As we celebrate the beginning of a new season with the ‘Beginning of Spring,’ I will now announce tonight’s most radiant couple.”

The dance ended with Rudis still in a daze, and suddenly it was time for the results. The Lord’s representative’s voice echoed through the plaza, filling it with cheers.

“Would the couple wearing the cat and rabbit masks please come to the stage and remove your masks?”

Rudis was led by Xenon’s hand to the center of the stage. Her heart pounded like it might burst.

The villagers’ eyes focused on the pair. Rudis removed her mask with trembling hands. At that moment, the “Sparkler” shone brightly, illuminating Xenon’s face. His handsome features seemed to glow even more intensely in the brilliant light and cheers. He was always good-looking, but now he appeared breathtaking, like a painting come to life.

“Wow, Xenon and Rudis!”

“Rudis wins again this year. Is she going to win forever?”

People clapped and playfully shouted at them. The plaza filled with laughter and applause as the atmosphere reached its peak.

Stepping down from the stage, Rudis awkwardly smiled and responded to people’s cheers. Inwardly, however, her attention remained fixed on Xenon. The question “Why?” wouldn’t leave her mind. From his appearance in the cat mask to recognizing her—none of it made sense.

“Rudis, you need to take this.”

Xenon’s voice snapped her back to reality. He was holding out the Sparkler toward her.

“What? Oh… yes!”

Rudis hurriedly accepted the Sparkler. The warm light tickled her fingertips. Though their hands had barely touched, she could feel her heart racing. She lowered her head to hide her face.

But once she had the trophy in hand, her suspicious thoughts vanished, and a smile bloomed on her face.

‘Success again this year! Now I can advance some summer money and make a good profit!’

Just as she was about to head home with light steps, a familiar voice stopped her.

“Rudis, wait a moment.”

Turning around, she saw Xenon approaching slowly. Rudis asked with a puzzled expression.

“What is it?”

“Take this too.”

What Xenon held out was the man’s trophy—another Prosperity Scarecrow.

“This… why?”

Rudis looked back and forth between Xenon and the scarecrow in surprise. Xenon smiled leisurely and said:

“I think you’ll make better use of it than I would. I don’t farm, after all.”

“…Really? Thank you.”

Her heart fluttered so much it almost made her queasy. Ralph didn’t farm either, but in the past four years, he had never once given up his Prosperity Scarecrow.

‘I guess since Ralph won’t be able to participate next year, Xenon will take his place. Does this mean I’ll get two Prosperity Scarecrows from now on?!’

The thought of making a solid profit from farming in both summer and fall made Rudis’s heart swell.

Money matters in any world.

Of course, if she sold everything currently in her storage, she would have enough to live on. But that wasn’t satisfying enough. When paving stone roads in the village, she had to sell most of the items in her storage. While there didn’t seem to be any more village development plans at the moment, large expenses could arise anytime.

So her obsession with harvests was understandable. At least in this world, you could earn based on your effort and planning—that was something to be grateful for.

“By the way, how did you recognize me?”

Rudis asked Xenon after wiping away tears of gratitude. She had been curious about this throughout their dance. Every year, she bought all available masks from the general store and always wore different ones. She had even worn the rabbit mask for the first time this year. Did he have some special technique? If so, she might not need to visit the tavern on Saturday nights anymore.

“I can recognize Rudis anywhere, no matter what you look like.”

Rudis was speechless at Xenon’s answer.

“Ah…”

‘I had false hopes. This is Xenon after all.’

Seeing her disgruntled expression, Xenon laughed heartily again.

“Are you going home now?”

“Yes, I should.”

She had a mountain of things to do at home. She needed to organize everything she’d bought while roaming around all day, and most importantly, plant the “Suspicious Seed.” She wanted to plant it as soon as possible to discover its identity!

“This year, I have a staff member watching my booth, so I was wondering… Could you guide me around for a bit? I’ve never properly experienced the festival before.”

‘Ah, that explains it. I thought he’d abandoned his booth, but he has staff covering it this year.’

“S-sure, why not?”

Rudis wanted to go home right away, but with Prosperity Scarecrows in both hands, it was difficult to refuse Xenon’s request. Of course, the quest that popped up the moment Xenon made his request was another factor.

[New Quest Generated!

Quest Name: ‘Beginning of Spring’ Guide

Quest Description: Provide Xenon, who is experiencing the Beginning of Spring for the first time, with various experiences.

Reward: ???]

“Thank you. Let’s start over there.”

Xenon eagerly led Rudis, weaving through various parts of the festival.

“Have you tried this?”

What Xenon held was a “Kiki Berry Skewer,” golden berries on a small wooden stick. Coated with a crispy honey shell and hiding soft, sweet fruit inside, it was quite a popular street snack.

“Yes, I have.”

Rudis answered firmly, hiding her hands behind her back. But Xenon paid no attention and thrust the skewer into her hand before peering curiously at another booth.

“This must be your first time seeing this?”

Xenon now shook a small bottle filled with orange-colored juice.

“…Yes.”

‘Was that always there? I don’t think I’ve seen it before.’

After her honest answer, Xenon approached with a mischievous smile.

“Try a sip.”

“That looks suspicious.”

Rudis slightly furrowed her brow.

“It’s really delicious. And rare.”

Reluctantly, Rudis opened the cap and sniffed. It smelled sweeter and fresher than expected—it probably wouldn’t taste strange.

“Hmm?”

Finally, she cautiously took a sip.

“Ugh…”

Her face contorted severely. The taste was so sour it stung her tongue.

“What is this?!”

As she cried out in disgust, Xenon burst into hearty laughter.

“That’s called ‘Sun’s Tears.’ They say it makes you cry when you drink it. I haven’t seen it in ages—didn’t know they sold it here.”

Rudis glared at Xenon while crunching on her Kiki Berry skewer. Only then did Xenon stop laughing and apologize.

“Sorry, sorry.”

“You try it too, Xenon. You said it was delicious.”

When Rudis handed him the bottle with a firm tone, Xenon took it with a relaxed smile and brought it to his lips. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed a mouthful. For a moment, his face slightly twisted.

“Wow, this is really sour!”

Xenon tilted his head back and slightly wrinkled his brow. But Rudis froze at the sight. The slight furrow of his eyebrows and the subtle twist of his mouth somehow made him look incredibly attractive. He almost seemed like a different person for a moment.

‘This is ridiculous. How can someone look so handsome while making a sour face?’

“What did you say?”

Xenon took a step closer in response to her mumbled words.

“Nothing. Anyway, don’t play tricks like that.”

“Alright, alright. But I’ll remember what you just said.”

“What?”

“That I’m handsome.”

Rudis stared blankly into space, dumbfounded. But that didn’t last long as Xenon pulled her along again.

“Shall we try that next?”

The place Xenon pointed to was in front of a carnival.