Zerdin looked at the back of Callis walking ahead of him and recalled the conversation he had with Dewey.

“But Master, is it really okay for you to go out and watch the festival? You’re so famous, people will recognize you and it could turn into a mess…”

“No need for useless worries. No one will recognize the Master, so don’t worry. Even if they do, it will only be for a moment; they won’t pay any attention and will move on.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t overthink it. All you need to know is that the Master is like a shadow.”

Even the added explanation was vague, so he couldn’t fully understand, but seeing Callis outside the castle clarified everything.

Normally, Callis radiated an overwhelming presence, capturing people’s attention wherever he went.

There was even a saying in social circles that one should never invite Callis to events where they needed to stand out, like birthdays.

In the first place, Callis never attended such events.

However, the current Callis emitted no such presence.

As evidence, people passing by on the street and even the guards and knights in charge of security paid no attention to Callis.

A few did glance at them, but their gazes were directed at Irene, not Callis.

‘He really is like a shadow.’

Hidden in the bright light, if one didn’t pay attention, his very existence went unnoticed.

Even if someone did notice, the light soon drew their attention away, making them disregard the shadow.

‘He must be using his abilities.’

In other words, Callis knew people wouldn’t recognize him.

Yet, he was holding Irene’s hand tightly, under the ridiculous pretext that they had to appear like a couple.

Piercing through Callis’s hidden intentions, Zerdin grinned happily.

If one wanted to open up someone’s heart, they first had to open their own, and Callis was weak in that regard.

He’d heard that Callis had suffered losses because of this in the past, so he’d been worried, but it seemed like an unnecessary concern.

‘The problem is that woman.’

Zerdin looked at Irene.

Despite having many things to see, Irene only cared about the hand she held with Callis.

That meant holding hands with Callis was uncomfortable for her.

Given how perceptive Callis was, he should’ve noticed, but the fact that he still held her hand meant he didn’t care about Irene’s feelings at all.

Tsk, like this, not only will he not win Irene’s heart, but he might also earn her disdain.

Zerdin scratched his head and muttered.

“Man, I’ve got to help him out.”

He had tried not to intervene, knowing Callis wasn’t simply trying to win Irene’s heart out of good feelings, but rather due to complex circumstances.

However, if things continued this way, it would take a long time to open Irene’s heart.

That would be difficult not only for Callis but for himself as well, so Zerdin decided to step in.

“Irene, look at this.”

Finally out to enjoy the festival but pouring all her attention into the hand she held with Callis, Irene turned around when Zerdin called.

Callis also stopped, followed by Dewey and Duse, who had been following behind Irene and Callis, and even Jesse looked at Zerdin.

Pointing at the balloons stuck to the panel, Zerdin asked,

“Ever tried balloon darts here?”

Irene shook her head. This was her first time attending a festival, and she’d been confined all her life; she’d never tried it.

“So, want to try?”

“Give it a try, miss!”

Seizing the moment, the vendor piped up.

“Participation gets you a cute keychain. If you score over 400 points, you get this hairpin adorned with a mermaid’s tear.”

He ambitiously offered a hairpin with a blue gem, trying to tempt her, but unfortunately, it did not capture Irene’s interest.
Living in Duke Esper’s castle, I had seen countless accessories more splendid and beautiful than that hairpin, but none had sparked any interest.

“……”

What did catch Irene’s interest was the colorful balloons. She had never seen those even in Duke Esper’s castle.

“Would you like to try?”

Carlos asked when he noticed Irene’s interest in the balloon darts.

Irene hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked.

“May I try?”

“Go ahead.”

“Then, I’ll try just once.”

As soon as Irene finished speaking, Jessie paid the merchant and brought over a dart container.

“Here you go, Miss.”

Irene took the container and counted the darts inside.

One, two, three… there were a staggering 20.

Is it normally this many?

Although Irene was slightly perplexed, she had never played before, so she just let it pass.

“Stand here and throw the darts, Miss.”

As Irene stood where the merchant pointed, Jessie loudly cheered her on.

“Go, Miss!”

“Go!”

When Dewey also joined in, Irene blushed a little, her cheeks turning red.

It was only for a moment; Irene threw her dart with resolve. However, the first dart of her life didn’t even come close to the target and dropped pitifully.

You can’t expect success on your first try.

Determined to succeed next time, Irene threw the dart with more force but never managed to pop a balloon.

“……”