“If I had known this would happen, I would have sent you back to the village somehow!”

Throughout the return to the banquet hall, Juliana scolded Lesia. Even after returning to the hall, Juliana’s anger didn’t subside.

Eventually, the villagers who had initially stayed back saying they couldn’t defend Lesia this time began trying to calm Juliana down. What made Lesia even more depressed was that Grandma Lulu, who had always taken her side, sternly rebuked her this time, saying she was wrong.

Of course, Lesia knew that the adults had been very worried because of her, and she knew she had done wrong, but she couldn’t help feeling sad anyway. The one who comforted Lesia as she sniffled in a corner was none other than Uncle Chalson.

He offered a piece of cake to Lesia, either prepared in advance or obtained from somewhere, and spoke words of comfort.

“Don’t take it too hard. It just means they care about you and love you that much.”

Chalson’s face was tinged with sympathy and melancholy. Seeing Lesia sobbing after being scolded by her mother reminded him of the daughter he had lost long ago.

But when Lesia still couldn’t cheer up, he playfully ruffled her hair and asked teasingly.

“So, was your mysterious journey away from the castle enjoyable? Did you find any special treasures?”

Normally, Lesia would have pouted, saying ‘I’m not a baby!’ but this time she flinched and after a long pause, nodded slightly.

“Ruby.”

“Hm?”

“I found a ruby.”

At Lesia’s mumble, Chalson tilted his head in confusion. Did she really find a ruby?

Well, in the Velius Grand Duke’s estate, it wouldn’t be strange to find gems lying on the ground. Still, something felt odd, so Chalson just kept tilting his head, but by then Lesia had already regained her spirits and was eating cake.

The sweetness of the cake seemed to have blown away her gloom as Lesia’s expression brightened. Seeing this, Chalson smiled.

‘Well, I guess it’s fine.’

The banquet continued throughout the night. The people of Flora Village left the Grand Duke’s castle and returned to their lodgings around dawn.

Even adults were tired, so Lesia couldn’t possibly stay awake. Having fallen asleep, Lesia was carried on Uncle Chalson’s back as she left the Velius Grand Duke’s castle with the people of Flora Village.

And Cesar was watching their departure from a high place. Standing at the window of his room, Cesar watched the people leaving in a group, just as they had entered.

They still looked like a swarm of ants to him. But there was one difference from yesterday—among all those swarming people, he could find just one person without fail.

-Remember, if you wish, you can keep that child by your side until she dies.

Teresa’s words kept echoing in Cesar’s ears.

“…”

Cesar had never coveted anything in his entire life. He had nothing he wanted to possess or desire.

What was the point when he was going to die anyway? Rather, he had intentionally avoided creating anything precious to avoid feeling regret when he died.

But…

Cesar couldn’t take his eyes off Lesia’s receding back. He couldn’t even blink, fearing she would be even farther away if he did.

To his own surprise, Cesar was longing for Lesia. At that moment, Teresa, who had entered unnoticed, whispered quietly into Cesar’s ear.

“If you let her go now, you’ll never see her again. Are you okay with that?”

The whisper felt like a devil’s temptation. Like a battle between reason and desire, Cesar’s hands clenched tightly.

Noticing this, Teresa smiled secretly.

“Cesar, you are the future master of Velius. That means you can have whatever you want. It’s presumptuous for the powerless to be greedy, but for you, it’s your right.”

“…”

“If you want her, just say so. Your wishes will be fulfilled.”

“…”

Cesar’s eyes wavered. By then, the people of Flora Village had already left the Grand Duke’s castle and disappeared.

Lesia, whom he hadn’t wanted to lose sight of and hadn’t even blinked for, was no longer visible. He would never see her again.

Cesar.

“I…”

He didn’t want much. He just wanted to meet face to face in broad daylight, not relying on moonlight, and have a conversation once.

He wanted to hear his name called by her just once. There was no time to think about the price of that selfish desire.

“I want her.”

There wasn’t.

When Cesar turned and spoke, Teresa smiled broadly, having clearly been waiting for this.

“Good. I’ll grant your wish.”

Teresa clapped her hands lightly, the door opened, and Ryuel entered.

“Bring Lesia from Flora Village to Cesar’s side.”

At Teresa’s command, Ryuel looked at her. A strange look passed between them, and Ryuel bowed his head.

“I will obey your command.”

Listening to this exchange, Cesar looked out the window again. Thump. Thump.

His heart beat violently. Whether this pounding was due to anticipation or a strange anxiety, Cesar couldn’t tell.

He only knew that he wanted to meet Lesia soon.

* * *

As soon as they left the Grand Duke’s castle, the people of Flora Village packed their belongings at the lodging and prepared to return. The faces of the villagers preparing to leave were bright.

“I wish the banquet would last all year! All my sculptures sold in an instant!”

The cart of the uncle who had brought a load of wooden crafts was now empty, and a heavy pouch full of silver coins hung at his waist. It was the same for everyone else.

The goods from Flora Village had sold better than expected. The label of an isolated village had actually drawn attention.

Thanks to this, everyone left Will Castle with faces full of happiness. With their loads lightened, the return journey was even faster than the journey there.

This was also true for Uncle Chalson, who was pulling the cart carrying Lesia and Grandma Lulu.

“Lesia, when we get back, I’ll make lots of cake that you like!”

Uncle Chalson said, flexing his muscles and pulling the cart with all his might.

“Really?!”

Lesia thrust her upper body forward, her eyes sparkling as she asked. Uncle Chalson nodded with a hearty laugh. Then he asked Juliana who was walking beside him.

“Is that okay?”

Since Juliana had also sold all the bouquets she had brought, she answered readily.

“Of course. Lesia, don’t be a burden.”

“Oh, of course not! Hehe!”

With this, everyone was happy with the banquet trip. As Lesia giggled and swung her legs, Grandma Lulu sitting across from her laughed and spoke.

“You’re that happy, huh.”

“Of course! Grandma, eat with us too!”

“Yes, yes.”

Then, after seeming to think about something for a moment, Grandma Lulu casually asked.

“By the way, Lesia, did anything happen at the banquet?”

“Happen?”

“Yes. Like meeting someone special…”

“Ah.”

There was someone who came to mind immediately at those words. Come to think of it, she should have told Grandma Lulu first, why had she only remembered now?

Lesia quickly opened her mouth.

“I found the ruby.”

“The ruby, you say?”

Grandma Lulu’s expression twisted slightly as she asked, but Lesia didn’t notice and poured out her words.

“Yes, just like you said, it was the most beautiful red in the world. Red like cherries, clear like a lake, transparent like glass…”

The more she spoke, the worse Grandma Lulu’s complexion became. Belatedly noticing something was wrong, Lesia cautiously asked.

“Grandma, what’s…”

Bump!

“Ah!”

At that moment, the cart jolted hard, and Lesia bit her tongue. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and tears welled up from the stinging pain.

“Lesia!”

“Child, are you alright?”

“Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t see the stone on the ground and ran hard. Oh dear…”

When Juliana and Grandma Lulu made her open her mouth to check the wound, they saw her tongue with red blood on it. Chalson, who belatedly realized Lesia was hurt, didn’t know what to do and stamped his feet.

“I’m fwine. It doesn’t hwurt.”

As Lesia stuck out her tongue to comfort Chalson, he looked even more distressed.

“This much will heal quickly if we just apply some herbs.”

At Grandma Lulu’s words, Lesia’s expression crumpled. Putting bitter herbs directly on her tongue, of all things.

“Uncwe Chalson, I forgwive you…”

Chalson made an ambiguous expression, neither laughing nor crying, at Lesia who had quickly changed her attitude at the mention of herbs after saying she was fine.

Juliana, having finished checking Lesia’s condition, stepped back and comforted Chalson.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m really sorry. I’ll be more careful from now on, Lesia.”

“Yesh.”

By this time, the villagers had already gone far ahead. Chalson couldn’t speed up anymore for fear of hurting Lesia again and slowly followed behind.

Unfortunately, the return journey coincided with the rainy season, and there was a risk of heavy rain, so the people of Flora Village hurried back, cutting into their sleeping time.

Thanks to this, they were able to arrive in just two days on a journey that had taken three days on the way there. As soon as they crossed the bridge and arrived at the village, the people of Flora Village dispersed to rest from their fatigue.

So when Lesia arrived, the streets were empty. Lesia jumped down from the cart and stood beside Juliana.

“I’ll escort Grandma Lulu to her home.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Uncle Chalson, Grandma Lulu. Good night!”

As Lesia bowed deeply and greeted them, Grandma Lulu and Chalson smiled kindly. Before leaving, Grandma Lulu called to Lesia.

“Child, could you lend me your ear for a moment?”

“Yes.”

At the sudden request, Lesia raised her heels and put her ear to Grandma Lulu’s mouth.

“Don’t be captivated by the beauty of the ruby.”

“What?”

Lesia’s eyes widened at Grandma Lulu’s words that were difficult to understand.