When Jordan choked up with the bread still in his mouth, Lesia pretended not to notice and continued eating her bread.

After their simple meal, Jordan covered the cart with a makeshift tent to create a ceiling, then laid a blanket on the floor to fashion a reasonably comfortable sleeping space.

“What about you?” 

Lesia asked as she slipped between the folded blanket. Jordan plopped down beside the cart and replied.

“I’m used to sleeping outdoors, so don’t worry and get some rest.”

Lesia rolled her eyes at his response. The Velius Grand Duke’s territory was so cold it might as well be winter year-round. Anyone who suggested sleeping outdoors in this weather would be called crazy, but the people of Flora Village had dressed warmly for their journey to the Grand Duke’s castle. 

Since that applied to Jordan too, Lesia nodded without argument. No matter how friendly she was with the villagers, sleeping next to Jordan would be uncomfortable anyway.

Lesia pulled the blanket up to her neck and gazed at the makeshift ceiling of the tent. Though she had been brought here unexpectedly, her heart pounded with excitement at the thought of attending the banquet she had given up on.

‘It must be incredibly glamorous and beautiful?’

In Grandma Lulu’s stories, the banquets were the epitome of beauty and splendor. Suddenly, Lesia’s expression darkened.

‘What if they won’t let me in because I don’t have a dress and I’m too shabby?’

In Grandma Lulu’s stories, the protagonists at banquets always wore glamorous, expensive clothes while dancing. Lesia lifted the blanket to check her own clothes. Fortunately, she wasn’t in her pajamas since she had changed to see off the villagers, but her outfit was still plain. 

Thinking about this made her resent Uncle Jordan again, despite having forgiven him. If only she could have changed into prettier clothes, she would have felt less sad.

‘But maybe they’ll let me in because I’m cute?’

This wasn’t groundless confidence. Everyone in the village always called Lesia “pretty,” “cute,” and “lovely” whenever they saw her. Having grown up hearing only these words, Lesia never doubted that she was pretty, cute, and lovely… until just now.

‘There must be many prettier and cuter children there.’

Children from other villages and noble families would be attending too.

‘That’s right. Grandma Lulu said the Grand Duke’s son is about my age.’

Lesia didn’t know much about the “Grand Duke’s son” either, only that he was around her age and very handsome.

‘I wonder if I’ll get to meet him.’

With that thought, Lesia immediately dismissed the idea. No matter how sheltered she might be, she clearly understood her position. If the Grand Duke’s son was the sky, Lesia was the ground, or rather, beneath it. Even if she were lucky enough to encounter him, he would be someone she couldn’t dare approach. This thought made Lesia feel gloomy.

Starting to doubt whether she was actually cute, Lesia spoke up.

“Uncle Jordan, am I cute?”

“Huh?”

Jordan’s confused voice responded to her sudden question. He quickly answered.

“Of course. Lesia, you’re the prettiest, cutest, and loveliest in the world.”

Sensing no falsehood in his words, Lesia asked again.

“Really, really?”

“Really, absolutely. To our eyes, you’re the most beautiful child in the world.”

After a moment of silence, Jordan carefully added.

“If you’re worried about being looked down upon at the banquet, don’t worry. When we reach the Grand Duke’s castle, I’ll buy you a pretty dress.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the tent covering the cart was suddenly lifted, and a small white head popped out. Lesia’s blue eyes sparkled brightly.

“Really?!”

“Yes. You’ve gone through something unpleasant because of me, so I should at least do this much.”

“Oh, you don’t have to… but if that’s what you want, I’ll gratefully accept it! Hehe.”

Feeling like she could float away with happiness, Lesia grinned broadly and wrapped herself tightly in the blanket. She imagined the banquet again, but this time, instead of wearing shabby clothes and staying in a corner, she transformed into someone wearing a beautiful dress and receiving everyone’s love.

‘I’m so excited.’

Lesia buried her flushed face in the blanket. Despite her worry that excitement would keep her awake, Lesia fell asleep quickly, like someone had given her a Red Sun potion.

* * *

After traveling steadily for three days, they finally reached Will Castle, within the walls of the Velius Grand Duke’s Castle at the center of the duchy. Will Castle was bustling with people from the entrance, presumably for the banquet. Lesia slightly lifted the tent to look around. 

This was the first time in her life she had seen so many people, and just observing them made time fly by. They had started queuing from dawn, but it was almost evening by the time they entered Will Castle.

“Wow…”

The inner fortress was even more crowded and lively than the entrance.

“Let’s see, it should be around here…”

Jordan looked around while pulling the cart. He was searching for the lodging reserved in the name of Flora Village. While Jordan was finding his way, Lesia’s eyes sparkled as she took in the sights of Will Castle. 

Though people were mixed together chaotically, it was easy to distinguish between Will Castle residents and visitors. The people of Will Castle wore more luxurious clothes than those from other villages and had a relaxed expression on their faces. Some greeted passersby and shared food, saying they must have had a tiring journey.

The wonder of Will Castle didn’t end there. When Jordan’s cart passed through the central square, Lesia experienced another marvel. In the center of the square, a band had gathered and was performing.

“Uncle Jordan, Uncle Jordan. Who are those people? Why are they singing there?”

Jordan looked in the direction Lesia was pointing and replied with an “Ah.”

“They seem to be a traveling band.”

“A traveling band?”

Lesia’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar term. Finding her cute, Jordan explained with a warm smile.

“They’re artists who travel around the world and perform music wherever they go.”

“Traveling around the world… just like birds.”

“Birds. Yes, they’re free like birds.”

Even as the cart moved farther away, Lesia couldn’t take her eyes off the traveling band. To Lesia, who had left Flora Village for the first time in her life, Will Castle seemed incredibly large and fascinating. 

If Will Castle was this impressive, how many more amazing and wonderful things must exist throughout the world?

While she was lost in her dreams, the cart stopped in front of a building. Unlike the bustling streets, this was a somewhat gloomy alley. There were several buildings in the alley, but they were hard to identify without even signs.

When told they had arrived, Lesia jumped off the cart, and Jordan took her hand as they entered one of the buildings. Unlike its somewhat dreary exterior, the inside was clean and well-organized. Most importantly, there were many familiar faces in the first-floor dining area.

“Lesia?!”

The first to recognize Lesia was her mother, Juliana. She must have been in the middle of eating, as she put down her spoon, almost throwing it and rushed over to examine Lesia. 

Then she looked up at Jordan with eyes demanding an explanation. Though he had prepared himself, Jordan was clearly nervous in this situation, with cold sweat pouring from his forehead.

By then, all the villagers had gathered around Lesia.

“Lesia? Why are you here?”

“Jordan, what’s going on? Why did you bring Lesia with you?”

“Say something!”

“You didn’t bring Lesia without Juliana’s permission, did you?”

The Flora villagers, always on edge when it came to Lesia, bombarded Jordan with questions.

“Well…”

Just as Jordan was about to reveal the truth, Lesia suddenly interrupted.

“I snuck onto Uncle Jordan’s cart. Uncle Jordan did nothing wrong. I’m sorry.”

“…Is that true, Lesia?”

Juliana asked with a stern face. Though Lesia flinched at that face, which she feared the most, she nodded that it was true. Then she bowed her head with a genuinely remorseful expression.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I just wanted to attend the banquet so badly…”

“Hah… you really…”

Juliana let out a deep sigh, seemingly exasperated by Lesia’s impulsive action. The villagers, who had been watching the tense atmosphere, began to defend Lesia.

“Lesia seems to be reflecting on her actions, so please forgive her.”

“Yes, she must have really wanted to come.”

“I understand how you feel, but what can we do now that she’s here? There’s no time to go back…”

“Since things turned out this way, let’s just consider it an opportunity for Lesia to see the outside world! We can watch over her carefully.”

“Lesia, you’ll listen to your mother well, right?”

At the last comment, Juliana looked at Lesia. Lesia nodded her head so vigorously it seemed it might fall off.

“Yes! I won’t leave your side and I’ll listen to everything you say. I’m sorry, Mom.”

“Juliana, even Lesia is saying all this…”

The villagers always had endless patience when it came to Lesia. Knowing how deeply the Flora villagers cherished Lesia, Juliana substituted her anger with a sigh. Then she instructed Lesia in a strict tone.

“You must keep your promise.”

“Yes! Thank you, Mom.”

Lesia’s expression immediately brightened. When she looked at the villagers with a triumphant face, they silently cheered, celebrating her apparent great accomplishment.