Lesia’s head whipped around at his words.

Ever since she heard the mention of the Velius Grand Duke, her heart had begun pounding fiercely for some unknown reason.

Without noticing Lesia’s strange reaction, the villagers began discussing the topic in earnest.

“I heard that news too. What’s this sudden banquet about?”

“Well, didn’t the Grand Duke’s heir recently inherit the Grand Duke position? It seems like it’s a celebration banquet for that. They said everyone in the Grand Duke’s territory must attend without exception.”

“Such a grand banquet. It’s been 10 years since the last one. That one was truly magnificent too.”

“They repaired the bridge back then, so traveling should be easier than it was before.”

The villagers prepared to attend the banquet willingly, showing less resistance than before.

The reason was simple.

Nothing had gone wrong at the banquet 10 years ago.

That wasn’t all.

“This new Grand Duke seems to be quite generous. He sent an official document saying he’ll accept all of us Flora Village residents as proper territory citizens. Not only that, but he’ll provide monthly support funds to help the village prosper!”

The man who worked as a postman and knew news faster than anyone else shouted.

Exclamations erupted from here and there.

However, since such exceptional treatment was unprecedented, suspicious voices soon emerged.

“It seems too generous. Surely there isn’t some ulterior motive?”

“My friend, even if the Grand Duke has ulterior motives, what benefit could he possibly gain from us?”

When they thought about it, that made sense.

Flora Village was the most remote and poorest village among those belonging to the Grand Duke’s territory.

The idea that the Grand Duke could extract anything valuable from such a place was laughable.

Once even the slightest suspicion was swept away, laughter filled with anticipation burst out from everywhere.

Lesia watched the villagers with pleased eyes.

Flora Village generally had good relationships and atmosphere, but it was rare to see everyone this excited.

Moreover, since it was such a festive mood on her birthday, Lesia naturally felt cheerful too.

‘A banquet.’

Just then, Grandma Lulu, who had turned to look at Lesia, spoke.

“This year, you should attend too, dear.”

The villagers nodded and agreed with Grandma Lulu’s words.

“That’s right, Lesia couldn’t attend the banquet 10 years ago.”

“She suddenly developed a high fever. We were so disappointed.”

“Let’s go together as a celebration of becoming an adult, Lesia! Will Castle, the heart of the Grand Duke’s territory, is such a beautiful and magnificent place…”

Words poured out to persuade Lesia.

Listening to them, Lesia felt like she was standing right in the middle of that place.

Actually, Lesia didn’t remember much from 10 years ago.

More precisely, her memories from that time were fragmented and broken.

—Lesia.

‘Huh?’

Just then, a lakeside scene and a boy’s voice suddenly flashed through her mind.

While Lesia was confused by the sudden memory, Juliana took her hand and said,

“Lesia, what do you think? If you want to go, I won’t stop you.”

At her words, Lesia looked at Juliana and the villagers with a dazed expression, then quietly answered.

“I’d like to attend too.”

“Yes, yes!”

“It’s a festival!”

“Hoho!”

Laughter bloomed from here and there.

Watching the villagers, Lesia pressed her chest firmly.

But why was it?

From the moment she decided to go to the Grand Duke’s house—no, from a little before that—her heart had begun beating uncontrollably.

Thus, Lesia’s 20th birthday passed safely amid the congratulations and joy of her loved ones.

* * *

The Velius Grand Duke’s banquet was a week later.

For some reason, the Grand Duke’s house had recently repaired all the roads connecting the capital and Flora Village, allowing them to arrive at the capital more easily and quickly than ever before.

That wasn’t the only surprising thing.

“Are you the residents of Flora Village?”

When a gentleman approached and asked, Uncle Chalson stepped forward to answer.

“Yes, we are. Who are you?”

The man bowed politely and said,

“I am Ken, a butler of Velius Grand Duke Castle. I’ve come to escort you under His Grace the Grand Duke’s orders to treat the Flora Village residents well.”

“His Grace the Grand Duke… for us?”

The villagers began murmuring at the unexpected words.

When someone muttered that he might be a fraud, Ken smiled and presented proof that he worked at Velius Grand Duke Castle and a certificate stamped with the Grand Duke’s seal.

Even the Flora Village people, who were ignorant about noble houses, could tell it was undoubtedly genuine.

“Why would His Grace the Grand Duke… for us…”

“Well, I don’t know that either. I’ve prepared carriages, so please entrust your luggage to the servants and board the carriages. We’ve prepared rooms for you to stay in during the banquet.”

“Haha…”

Chalson let out a bewildered laugh.

Everyone felt the same confusion.

The residents ended up entrusting their luggage to the servants, boarding the carriages, and entering the Grand Duke’s castle, all in a daze.

“We’ve assigned each of you a room. Please follow the guidance of the servants and maids. I hope you have a pleasant banquet.”

No sooner had Ken finished speaking than maids and servants approached.

Of course, a maid approached Lesia as well.

“Hello, I’m called Riona. Under His Grace the Grand Duke’s orders, during the banquet…”

Riona lifted her head slightly to meet her eyes and said,

“I will be serving Lady Lesia. If you need anything, please tell me anytime.”

“Ah, yes…”

Lesia couldn’t understand what this situation was about either.

Separated from the residents and Juliana, Lesia followed behind Riona through the Grand Duke’s castle corridors.

The Grand Duke’s castle was as magnificent and grand inside as it was outside.

Without a doubt, this was the most impressive building Lesia had ever seen in her life.

‘But why does it feel so familiar?’

Though this was definitely her first time setting foot in the Grand Duke’s castle, it somehow felt familiar and recognizable.

That wasn’t all.

While walking, Lesia cast her gaze out the window.

Very far away, a round, cylindrical spire that reached toward the sky caught her eye.

“That tower is the Tower of Atonement.”

Noticing what Lesia was looking at, Riona quietly explained.

“The Tower of Atonement?”

When she asked back, Riona nodded.

“It’s a tower that has been used to imprison serious criminals since ancient times. Once locked in there, there’s no way to escape except jumping from the top.”

“…That’s essentially escaping through death.”

“Exactly. It’s a terrifying place, so I recommend you don’t go near it.”

Of course, the path was far and the geography complex, so there was no chance Lesia would reach that place anyway.

‘But why does it feel so familiar?’

The tower was so tall that it continued to catch Lesia’s eye like a protruding nail at the edge of her vision.

“This is your room.”

Only after arriving at the room could Lesia tear her gaze away from the tower.

“Wow…”

The room was very luxurious and beautiful.

It was hard to consider it simply a guest room.

Lesia stammered and asked,

“Am I really… using this room by myself?”

“Yes, of course. The wardrobe has dresses, shoes, and accessories prepared exclusively for Lady Lesia. After you rest sufficiently, I’ll help you get dressed.”

The scale was unbelievable.

Lesia asked again with difficulty,

“Does His Grace the Grand Duke… provide such luxurious things to everyone attending this banquet?”

Maids, carriages, rooms, dresses, accessories, and even shoes.

The number of people attending this banquet was at least several thousand.

Was he really providing all this to such people?

‘Even for His Grace the Grand Duke, wouldn’t that be a bit much?’

She had asked with that thought in mind, but Riona smiled meaningfully and answered,

“No.”

“…”

“These are His Grace’s gifts exclusively for the Flora Village residents.”

“But why on earth…”

“A servant like me couldn’t know His Grace the Grand Duke’s thoughts. However, His Grace…”

Her gaze fell on Lesia’s bewildered expression.

She smiled slightly and said,

“seemed to be especially waiting for Lady Lesia.”

“What on earth does that…”

“I’ll take my leave now. I’ll see you again this evening.”

Leaving only those mysterious words, Riona left the room.

Left alone, Lesia stared blankly at the closed door and pondered what she had said.

‘He was waiting for me? His Grace the Grand Duke? Why…’

But at that moment.

—Lesia.

Someone’s voice brushed past Lesia’s ear.

Startled, Lesia immediately turned her head, but there was no one in the room.

‘What? Who was that?’

This wasn’t the first time.

From time to time, an unidentifiable man’s voice would appear whenever Lesia let her guard down, shake her, and disappear.

But what was even stranger…

Drip, drip.

“Ah, again…”

Lesia roughly rubbed her eyes.

Since a few days ago—precisely since her birthday—tears had been falling regardless of Lesia’s will.

She couldn’t understand the reason at all.

It wasn’t like anything particularly sad or frustrating had happened.

Rather, Lesia had been living ideally happy days recently.

‘But why on earth…’

She was getting tired of continuing to harbor questions that had no answers.

After rubbing her eyes hard enough to redden them, Lesia took off her outer clothes and threw herself on the bed.

The thought that she should wash first crossed her mind, but her consciousness was already beginning to numb from the fatigue of the journey.

Like that, Lesia fell asleep as though she had fallen into a swamp of slumber.