“It’s Vativira Street.”

Through the window, a long street stretched out. Along its sides stood shops that were visibly different from any stores she had seen before, flaunting their luxury from their very appearance. And what made Vativira Street most unique was the massive canopy ceiling that stretched over the entire length of the street.

Construction began here on the current Emperor’s coronation day, and it has now become a place lined with shops selling the most valuable and beautiful items in the capital.

Living up to its reputation as a luxury shopping district in the Empire’s capital, specifically in its most central area, security guards hired by the shopping district stood at the entrance, and in front of them, a line of magnificent carriages kept arriving.

As a carriage bearing the imperial crest arrived amid the bustle, people hurriedly stepped back while keeping their eyes fixed on it.

Watching these people’s behavior, Ir guessed why Nergal had specifically chosen to come here.

‘He must want to spread rumors quickly.’

Few places had as many people gathering and spreading rumors as quickly as this one. It seemed Nergal wanted to quickly send a message to those still trying to send women his way to stop.

When Nergal stepped out first, the people gathered around initially looked puzzled, wondering who he was.

Vativira was frequently visited by members of the imperial family. In particular, it was said that the Second Princess and Third Prince were easier to spot in Vativira than in the imperial palace.

Other imperial family members also paraded around here to show off their wealth and connections.

People enjoyed talking about who they saw in Vativira and what magnificent items they purchased, making it essentially a year-round social venue.

As such, most visitors recognized the faces of the imperial family members. But now an unfamiliar royal had stepped out. Moreover, it was a remarkably handsome man with golden blonde hair.

“It’s Prince Nergal. I saw him at the New Year’s festival!”

When someone in the crowd who had seen Nergal at the banquet spoke up, the word spread instantly from person to person. People eagerly craned their necks to look at Nergal.

Already, with the recent intensification of power struggles, everyone was paying attention to which royal faction Nergal might align himself with. And now, someone who had never set foot here before had appeared – it surely meant he was here to give them that answer.

People’s gazes shifted to the woman for whom he extended his hand.

Ir felt the piercing stares as she took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.

As Nergal held her hand and led her, the guards at the front bowed and cleared a path for the two.

Entering Vativira so easily under people’s gazes, Ir felt conflicted.

‘This is the first time I’ve entered so easily.’

This wasn’t Ir’s first time at Vativira. She had frequented this place many times during her guard duties. Moreover, this was where she had carried out her last mission before being assigned to retrieve the Holy Sword.

‘I was ordered to pick up the Second Princess’s order.’

Though she could have sent her own servants for such a task, the Second Princess had insisted on sending knights. She thought using knights rather than ordinary servants better suited her dignity.

Naturally, other knight orders refused with various excuses, and as always, the task fell to the 9th Knight Order.

The 9th Knight Order, which would usually grumble “Since when did imperial knights become furniture movers?” eagerly accepted the mission this time with smiles. It was because they all had things they wanted to buy.

‘Though they couldn’t properly shop because of me in the end.’

Recalling that time, Ir headed deeper into the street holding Nergal’s hand.

Brilliant shops lined up countless in number from the entrance. Perhaps word of a royal’s arrival had spread quickly, as shop owners stood at each entrance. They watched Nergal approach with gleaming eyes.

A visit from any royal family member greatly elevated a shop’s status. And now, the prince who would surely become the next emperor’s right hand was visiting this place for the first time.

Any shop he chose would likely continue to enjoy that glory in the future.

‘Plus, he brought a woman?’

Everyone realized the moment they saw the woman with Nergal that he had come to Vativira for her.

She was beautiful, but still unprepared. Though her clothes were luxurious, there were subtle areas where they didn’t quite fit. Clearly, she was wearing pre-made clothes rather than ones prepared specifically for her.

‘Surely they’ve come to prepare for the spring social season.’

If so, there must be many things to prepare. Starting with clothes and extending to all the small things needed for daily life.

Moreover, Nergal’s current appearance was clearly that of a man completely smitten with his companion.

If they could just capture these customers, this year’s sales targets would be secured.

As the couple passed by, shop owners bowed deeply. Their hearts pounded with hope that the pair might enter their shops.

The two stopped at a massive shop near the entrance. When Ir stopped, Nergal also halted his steps. Seeing this, the shop owner who had been bowing could not hide his rising smile. Thus, he failed to notice the bitter smile appearing on Ir’s face as she looked at the shop.

The place where Ir had stopped was the last location she had visited with the 9th Knight Order.

‘They insisted on dragging me here to buy me a present.’

When other knights saw her birthday in documents, they had made a fuss about why she hadn’t mentioned it, though Ir herself hadn’t remembered it.

“In that case, let’s buy the Vice Captain a present today!”

“Yes, let’s do that!”

Ir, who had wanted to quickly finish the Second Princess’s errand and leave, found herself in a difficult situation.

“What present? I’d rather just go back quickly.”

“We can’t do that! Hey, the Vice Captain says she doesn’t want a present! Let’s definitely buy one!”

“Yes, sir!”

Like annoying younger siblings who would do exactly what was refused, they snickered and dragged Ir into the nearest shop. However, everyone had to come out soon in anger.

“What kind of place is this? Let’s go somewhere else!”

Behind the fuming 9th Knight Order members stood a woman who was clearly the shop’s owner, her face deeply furrowed. She vigorously wiped the door handle Ir had pushed with her handkerchief, then threw it to the ground, shouting at an employee to dispose of it quickly.

“Not just that, throw away everything that monster touched! How could customers want to buy anything so filthy! What were you all doing, not throwing them out immediately!”

Though she had tried her best to hide her face and scars since it was such a crowded place, it seemed that wasn’t enough.

Hearing the owner’s shouts from behind, Ir couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. Though such incidents no longer hurt her now, seeing the unit members’ reddened faces and helpless expressions made her heart ache.

“That’s why I said we should leave early.”

“…”

Though she spoke in an intentionally light voice, no responses came. Even Shulat, the youngest, had grumbled as if he himself had been wronged and even started sniffling.

Watching their reactions, Ir had thought then that she should take the unit members to the 9th Knight Order’s meeting room that coming weekend for a good drinking session.

But before the weekend came, news of the Holy Sword arrived, and everyone headed to Lagash together.

“Do you like this place?”

When Ir stared intently at the shop, Nergal took her hand, silently suggesting they enter. At his words, the shop owner raised his head. Seeing the owner trying to suppress a grinning smile, Ir shook her head.

“No, I don’t think there’s anything worth buying here.”

If only they had bought something then, at least there would have been a memento…

Watching the owner’s face freeze, Ir turned away. She felt neither joy nor satisfaction. Only longing remained.

***

After passing several more shops, the two entered an even more splendid establishment.

The owner practically knelt on the ground, pressing his forehead to the floor, and continued to guide the two with his head bowed so low it seemed he might crawl.

After viewing the VIP display area, the two were led to a VIP room where the owner brought mountains of samples along with the shop’s craftsmen.

As it was a place dealing in many types of goods, everyone from tailors who mainly made formal wear to jewelers brought their most confident pieces and placed them on the table, hoping their items would be chosen.

While Ir had no idea how much of what would be needed, Nergal beside her began placing orders as he flipped through them, saying “This, this, and this too.”

At first, she played along appropriately and put on an expression of gratitude, but Ir soon grew tired.

Moreover, seeing Nergal more enthusiastic about ordering than Ir herself, the owner sat right next to him and began earnestly promoting his wares.

Perhaps because she had recalled the 9th Knight Order upon entering, Ir’s mood had dampened slightly, and she rose from her seat.

“I’ll step outside for a moment.”

“Ah, our staff will guide you.”

Thinking Ir was heading to the restroom, the owner quickly assigned one of the waiting staff members to her. Watching Nergal and the owner resume their conversation, Ir shook her head. Just how much was he planning to order?

Stepping outside, Ir headed downstairs.

“The restroom is that way…”

“I just wanted to look around alone for a bit.”

“Ah, I see.”

Thinking Ir might have additional items she wanted to purchase, the staff member followed behind her with a bright expression.

She returned to the first floor. In that time, the number of browsing customers had increased even more. Perhaps because Nergal wasn’t beside her, there weren’t as many startled stares as before.

Walking among various items, Ir tried to calm her unsettled feelings. Then she heard whispering from beside her.

“What’s with that woman? Why is she dressed so vulgarly?”

Other customers were clicking their tongues and staring at someone. Ir’s gaze followed theirs.

And the moment she saw the target of their criticism, she unconsciously held her breath.

‘That person is…’

Someone Ir knew was there.

It was Sirha, Shulat’s younger sibling.