“Karsten and Breti stepped into the lively bustle of the Allecci marketplace, with Benon and Bagi following close behind.”

As before, when he had come with Meliover, the streets were bustling with people despite it still being morning. He had been too preoccupied with Meliover that day to notice, but now he could see clearly that the capital’s festival was a grand affair.

Food stalls lined the streets, offering all kinds of mouth-watering dishes, while merchants peddled rare and unusual goods unlike anything he had seen in the Empire before.

“Wow.”

Breti’s face lit up as she wandered through the market, glowing with delight. It was the first time Karsten had ever seen her look so happy. Without realizing it, a faint smile curved his own lips. He had always thought of her as more mature than her years, but perhaps she was still capable of smiling like any other girl her age.

“Young lady, young lady! Look at this!”

“Ahhh!”

Wearing a strange, grotesque mask, Bagi shoved her face forward, making Breti jump back in fright and clutch at her chest.

Karsten chuckled softly at the sight. At the sound of his laugh, Breti’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

The group enjoyed the festival merrily, but Benon could not bring himself to join in their cheerfulness. His face remained grave.

In all the time he had stood at Karsten’s side, he had never seen his lord so genuinely entertained. And all because of a woman.

Benon’s eyes turned toward his master with unease.

‘Why her, of all people…?’

Why did it have to be that woman—the one who stood in place of his sister—who could make his lord laugh?

Benon stared at Breti for a long moment before turning his gaze away.

Meanwhile, Breti, lost in her own exploration of the stalls, came upon a booth selling jewelry. Her attention lingered as she admired the various ornaments.

One piece in particular caught her eye: a turquoise necklace, the exact shade of Karsten’s eyes.

‘It’s the same color as His Highness’s eyes.’

This made her long to have it and keep that resemblance close.

Just then, Karsten appeared at her side, his voice low and casual.

“What are you staring at so intently?”

“N-nothing.”

Breti hastily turned her head away, tearing her eyes from the necklace. But Karsten had already read her gaze.

‘It isn’t even rare…’

Breti’s interest in a trinket so common at the marketplace felt strangely fitting for her.

Karsten picked up the necklace she had been staring at moments before and asked the vendor,

“How much is this?”

“Fifty silver, sir.”

“Here. Keep the change.”

He paid and handed Breti the necklace in the blink of an eye.

Startled, she immediately tried to return it to him.

“N-no, I couldn’t possibly—”

“It’s written all over your face that you wanted it.”

He spoke as if it were nothing, tapping her nose lightly with his finger.

“I-it wasn’t…”

But the protest faltered on her lips. Afraid she might drop the necklace, Breti clutched it tightly in her hand.

“Let me see it for a moment.”

Karsten suddenly extended his hand. Without thinking, Breti placed the necklace into his palm.

“—!”

After examining it briefly, he leaned in, his arm brushing her neck as he drew her close and fastened the necklace around her throat.

Breti’s heart began to pound so loudly that it seemed impossible he wouldn’t hear it.

“It suits you well.”

“…What?”

Instead of answering, Karsten simply gestured toward the mirror on the vendor’s stand.

Following his hand, Breti looked—and a radiant smile spread across her face. The greenish-blue glimmer of the stone was the very image of his eyes.

“…Thank you.”

Her smile was brighter than ever as she gazed at her reflection, admiring the necklace again and again.

Karsten, meanwhile, could only stare blankly at her—utterly spellbound by the sight of Breti smiling so happily.

“…I see.”

After a long silence, Karsten finally answered and took the lead, walking ahead.

Breti followed behind him, her fingers brushing over the necklace again and again. A bright smile shimmered at the corners of her lips, glimmering like light itself.

Benon glanced between the two of them, his expression dark with unease.

‘If they… truly feel the same for each other… what then?’

There was no answer to that question—only the growing weight of his suffocation.

By then, dusk had begun to fall, and the world around them dimmed.

As the sun sank low, lanterns began to rise into the sky, one by one.

Breti’s gaze followed them upward, fixed on the glowing lights drifting into the heavens.

Catching her eyes, Karsten gave a slight nod.

“So today’s the lantern release, then.”

“Lantern release?”

“Yes. On the last day of the festival, they always send lanterns into the sky.”

It was tradition—on the festival’s final day, lanterns were released to look back on the year gone by, and to pray for peace in the year to come.

Karsten bought a lantern from a nearby vendor and handed it to Breti.

“Here. This one’s yours.”

He lit the flame for her, the lantern glowing softly in her hands.

“Make a wish, then send it up to the sky.”

Obeying his instructions, Breti gently cupped the lantern in her hands and closed her eyes.

What wish could she possibly make? What prayer could embrace Karsten, Meliover and all those bound to the duke?

After a long pause filled with wavering hesitation, Breti whispered into her heart.

‘Please… let no one be hurt.’

Not Karsten. Not Meliover. Not even the Duke or his people. Let none of them suffer harm.

“May only happiness fill everyone’s hearts.”
Having grown up with little warmth after losing her mother, the kindness she received here felt overwhelmingly tender. She wished, again and again, that none of them would ever be hurt.

Especially—

‘May Your Highness remain safe, never harmed, and always at peace.’

Above all, Breti wanted Karsten to be happy.

When she had made her wish, Breti released the lantern. It drifted upwards, joining the others as they filled the night sky. She stared blankly at the sight. Though countless lanterns shone brightly, embroidering the heavens, her eyes glittered even more as she watched them.

Karsten found himself entranced, unable to look away from the brilliance in her gaze.

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, Benon approached him.

“Your Highness, there is something I must report regarding the seizure of the Rediac Merchant Company.”

“…Alright, I’ll come shortly.”

With some effort, Karsten tore his eyes from Breti and moved aside with Benon. Once he was sure they had distanced themselves from Breti and Bagi, Benon lowered his voice to a whisper.

“We’ve just discovered evidence of a secret slush fund. Its direction is…”

“The Diquero Palace, no doubt.”

“Yes, exactly as you anticipated.”

That the Rediac would establish such a fund was hardly surprising. Still, not every question had been answered.

‘Why is Marquis Etro so desperate to see the Crown Prince seated on the throne?’

Jerron seemed willing to go to any lengths for Fedriol. Yet the Empress was not from the Etro family, nor would his own blood ever ascend to the imperial seat.

‘Then why is he driving matters this far?’

“Then why would Jerron push for a marriage contract with me instead of making Lady Etro the Crown Prince’s fiancée?”

If Karsten were in Jerron’s position, he would suggest his own daughter as the Crown Prince’s bride. However, when the matter of choosing a Crown Princess was first raised, Jerron dismissed the idea, citing Sierra’s frailty. However, as soon as the Count of Knox’s daughter was named the Crown Prince’s betrothed, Jerron hastened to propose a marriage alliance with the House of White.

There were too many oddities to ignore.

As his thoughts pieced themselves together, Karsten finally reached a conclusion and gave a small nod.

“I understand for now. The rest can wait until later.”

He turned to head quickly in Breti’s direction—

“Your Highness.”

Benon suddenly called out to him. Karsten paused, turning back.

“What is it?”

“…Nothing.”

Benon had opened his mouth to speak, then shut it again.

Ordinarily, Karsten would have clicked his tongue at such behavior. Instead, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

“So you have times like that as well.”

The unfamiliar response only deepened Benon’s unease.

Karsten turned his back once more and started toward where Breti was waiting.

But when he arrived, both Breti and Bagi were gone.

As he glanced around in search, Bagi came stumbling into view, her arms loaded with bundles.

“Bagi, where is Laterna?”

“…What?”

“I asked you—where is Laterna?”

Karsten’s voice rose sharply.

“I—I…!”

Realizing far too late that Breti was missing, Bagi dropped the items she had been carrying in her arms.