“Huh?”

Suddenly puzzled by the sound while eating her sandwich, Delrina blinked. Then, Belrion spoke.

“Not just because I’m bored.”

“……”

“There’s another reason too.”

Shocked by his statement, Delrina looked up at Belrion, forgetting her sandwich.

“So, Your Highness, are you saying the conversation came up because you misspoke?”

“Yes.”

“So the sole reason you’re keeping me around isn’t just boredom?”

“That’s right.”

Ah…

Belrion continued.

“Initially, yes, but not anymore.”

“And then?”

“If you’re not here, I feel empty. And… going to another empire is even more annoying.”

“……”

“So keep receiving my support. Don’t go anywhere.”

Smiling, Delrina asked.

“So does that mean I’m the closest among those you support?”

“It could be seen that way.”

“Won’t Callics be upset? He’s still the heir of the Ulphirim Duchy.”

“……”

After pondering for a moment, Belrion responded.

“The closest among those I support is Callics; you’re my closest jester.”

“……The title ‘jester’ will stick with me forever, won’t it?”

Still, being the closest jester meant something. Delrina continued.

“I’m also grateful.”

“……”

“You could have easily been taken to the Lunen Empire, but you stepped in without hesitation.”

Although Decar was alone in the reception room, he was never really alone. Dozens of shadows capable of drawing their swords at any time were nearby.

‘No wonder he was famous during that war.’

Though he wore a smile, he was truly a terrifying man. And someone like Belrion would have known the quiet presence of those around Decar. Despite this, Delrina was very grateful to Belrion for having drawn his sword without hesitation.

“And thank you for the festival today. I’ve been here before. It brings back memories and feels good.”

In her vague memory, her entire family, including her brother, mother, and father, had come to see the festival. She didn’t know then that the next person she’d attend the festival with would be the Duke of Ulphirim.

‘Though, people here can’t even imagine that the Duke of Ulphirim is watching the festival while buying a sandwich.’

Belrion, who doesn’t like crowded places, being here was already a sign of his consideration for her. And for Delrina, that was enough.

“Also, that merchant earlier said Your Highness and I looked like father and daughter, which was amusing. To actually be your daughter, you would’ve had to give birth to me before reaching adulthood……”

‘Ah.’

Delrina suddenly closed her mouth. Literally, because Belrion did have a daughter.

‘Right, there is. The daughter of His Highness…….’

She should always have had it in her mind. Although she only made her appearance as an adult, she should never forget Belrion’s daughter, Celin. Delrina quietly stood up from her seat.

“Shall we start heading back after a little more sightseeing?”

Just as Delrina, who had finished her sandwich, was about to lead Belrion back,

“……!”

Suddenly, a window opened, and red characters started to blink.

‘Why, suddenly, why……?’

Before Delrina could comprehend, the word ‘Reserve’ began to blur. She quickly opened the window to check it and jumped up from her seat, her face turning pale.

‘No way, no way!’

“Zen!”

“What?”

“Zen, where are you right now?”

The owner of the words appearing on the screen was none other than Zen. Delrina also became frantic. Though she didn’t know the details, it felt more dangerous than last time when red characters appeared over other children’s heads.

“Just a moment.”

At the sight of Delrina’s anxious face, Belrion turned back and gestured. A few shadows appeared under the tree. Before Delrina could even be surprised, Belrion asked them.

“Location.”

“We confirmed he was headed west a little while ago.”
After the shadows reported, everything progressed rapidly. Bellion, who had picked up Delrina, began to walk quickly through the crowd. From her elevated vantage point, Delrina craned her neck frantically looking for Zen.

“Please, please….”

She didn’t know what was happening, but it felt ominous. The red characters on the window blinked even more rapidly, as if to indicate that Zen was near. Finally, Zen’s back came into Delrina’s view.

“There he is!”

Having also spotted Zen, Bellion made his way there at once. Betty was by Zen’s side, and in front of them stood a group of men.

“Zen!”

Delrina quickly approached Zen after breaking free from Bellion’s hold. Zen looked to be in a bad state. His teeth were bared in a defensive posture, his eyes filled with hostility and anger directed at the men in front of him.

“What’s going on here?”

The men sneered upon seeing Delrina.

“Looks like the merchandise has made a friend. And Zen? Is that a name?”

“Got a name and all, you’re moving up in the world.”

Merchandise.

Realizing they were referring to Zen as merchandise, Delrina understood who these men were.

‘Auction house people…!’

Zen’s eyes were burning with rage, especially now. It was precarious.

“What’s going on?”

Bellion, who had quietly moved closer, asked Betty.

“From what I gather, they’re from the auction house. They recognized Zen and approached. We’re at a stand-off now.”

Seeing Delrina and Bellion dressed in casual clothes, the men remained smug. They even seemed annoyed at the calm stares from Betty and Bellion.

“Zen, are you alright?”

But Delrina was more concerned about Zen, who seemed to be panting unstably. His shoulders were trembling as if he was frightened. At that moment, the men began to sneer.

“Heh, it seems you remember us?”

“Do those clothes and that scarf even suit you? Or should we play like we did at the auction house?”

As the men took a step forward, Zen’s bared teeth became more pronounced, but his trembling shoulders suggested fear. That’s when Delrina stepped in to block them.

“Don’t you dare!”

“What?”

“Zen is no longer a slave! So you can’t have your way!”

“What’s this brat–”

Before they could finish, they felt the cold, weighty sensation of blades behind them.

“…!”

The shadows appeared quickly behind the men, their swords threatening them into immobility.

It was only then that the men began to tremble. The shadows stood still, as if waiting for Bellion’s command.

Throughout, Delrina called out to Zen in a desperate tone.

“Zen, look at me, okay?”

As if recalling the collar he used to wear, Zen began to scratch his neck. His breathing became even more ragged.

“…”

“Zen!”

Seemingly snapped back to reality by Delrina’s forceful tone, Zen slowly raised his head to look at her.

“Del… Delrina…”

“See, you recognize me?”

Though he had stopped scratching, the scarf around Zen’s neck was already tattered. Delrina unfolded the scarf for him to see.

“Look, this is not a collar, it’s a scarf. The scarf I gifted you.”

“…”

“You’ve been free since the day I gave you this scarf. You’ll never go back to a place like an auction house.”

Zen’s slave contract had been torn up long ago. Delrina extended her hand to Zen as if encouraging him to stand.

“You’re not a slave. You’re my friend.”

“…”
“If anyone ever tries to send you back to the auction, then I will do everything I can to protect you. Hmm, of course… I am much weaker than you, but I’ll stubbornly block their way.”

Delrina, clenching her fist as if making a resolution, caught Zen’s eye. Slowly, a smile spread across Zen’s face. Just then, Betty quietly asked Bellion.

“What should we do with those men?”

“If they want to play, take them somewhere to have fun.”

“Understood.”

Betty walked slowly toward the men. As she approached, they shuddered at her fierce expression.

“Come on, Zen. Let’s not look at that and go. What do you want to eat?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Meanwhile, Zen, who was smiling brightly, sidled up to Delrina and nodded. Delrina subtly looked above Zen’s head. Her chest tightened at the sight of the no longer visible red letters.