Thanks to Kalos’ unexpected explanation, Irene was able to learn in detail about the Poyeon ceremony and Poyeon items.

For example, the Poyeon ceremony is held only once a year, on the brightest moonlit night in November.

She heard many fascinating stories, such as that Kalos is the only person in the entire continent who can perform the Poyeon ceremony.

While Kalos didn’t reveal how to tame magical beasts or imprint humans as their masters, he readily explained how to undo it.

“One of the two has to die.”

That method was rather horrific, but.

“It’s fine if the magical beast dies, but if the human dies first, it becomes troublesome. Ninety-nine out of a hundred magical beasts freed from imprinting go berserk.”

He said that dealing with such magical beasts was also the duty of the Esper family.

Is this why the Esper family is rumored to have deep connections with magical creatures?

Thinking that might be the case, Irene glanced sideways at Kalos sitting across from her.

Inside the large carriage were only Irene and Kalos.

Originally, Jerdin was supposed to ride with them, but he said he had other business and left earlier, saying he’d see them later.

Kalos was looking out the window with an indifferent expression.

“Why do you keep looking at me?”

How did he know I was looking when I thought I was being discreet?

Irene answered, somewhat flustered.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Is that so?”

Kalos turned to look at Irene.

“I have something to say.”

Her body, which had been fidgeting, suddenly tensed up. Irene clasped her hands together and responded politely.

“Please, go ahead.”

“First, under no circumstances are you to leave my side.”

It was a reasonable request. Before Irene could agree, Kalos continued.

“And if you hear any strange sounds as we pass by, ignore them all. They’re nonsense.”

Who’s going to say strange things to me?

“I… understand.”

Though puzzled by the vague order, Irene replied for now.

“Lastly, though it shouldn’t happen, if by some unavoidable circumstance we get separated, absolutely do not move from where you are.”

Kalos went on.

“I will definitely come to get you.”

His purple eyes, fixed on Irene, showed firm determination.

“You just need to wait quietly for me.”

*

When the carriage that had been running diligently came to a stop, Kalos got out first.

“Come down.”

And he extended his hand towards Irene.

“…”

Although she knew it was simply to escort her.

It wasn’t the first time she had held Kalos’ hand, but Irene still couldn’t bring herself to take it readily.

As Irene hesitated, Kalos frowned slightly.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m, I’m sorry.”

Startled by the sudden question, Irene hastily took his hand.

At that moment, she felt a sharp pain in her chest, followed by a sensation of strength draining from her body.

It was a strange feeling she often experienced when holding Kalos’ hand.

It wasn’t terribly unpleasant, but it wasn’t comfortable either.

How could it be pleasant when it felt like her strength was being drained?

So Irene wanted to let go, but she couldn’t because Kalos was gripping her hand tightly.

“Welcome, Master.”

As Irene finally stepped down from the carriage, Jerdin, who had arrived earlier and was waiting for them, approached with a bright smile.

“We left together, but you’re late. Well, I guess the road was a bit congested because of the people?”

“You arrived early.”

“Well, I came on horseback.”

While Kalos and Jerdin were talking, Irene’s attention was entirely focused on their joined hands.

There was no reason to keep holding hands now that they were out of the carriage, but for some reason, Kalos continued to hold hers.

“There aren’t many wandering spirits on the streets this year. Is it because the ceremony hasn’t been performed yet?”

“Since spirits are still magical creatures that could cause problems, I’ve prohibited them from roaming the streets.”

“Oh, really?”

But since the two were having a serious conversation, she couldn’t interrupt.

As Irene was fidgeting and staring at their hands, she suddenly felt a gaze and looked up.

A man with chestnut-brown hair standing behind Jerdin was staring intently at her.

Startled by the probing gaze, Irene shrank back like a turtle pulling in its neck.

“Who do you dare to suspect?”

Kalos then asked the man in a sharp tone.

The man bowed his head and apologized respectfully.

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

“It’s not me you should apologize to, but her.”

The bowed head turned towards Irene.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I merely wanted to confirm if you were the lady from the rumors, but I unintentionally made you uncomfortable.”

“Oh, it’s alright.”

Feeling his sincerity and not wanting to make a big deal out of it, Irene readily accepted the man’s apology.

But Kalos seemed displeased, clicking his tongue and turning his head away.

The man placed his hand on his chest and introduced himself.

“Pardon my late introduction. I am Raymon Oldron of the Imperial First Knight Division. I am currently in charge of guarding His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I am…”

“That’s enough.”

Irene was about to introduce herself, but Kalos stopped her.

“He already knows who you are, so there’s no need for introductions.”

But shouldn’t I introduce myself when meeting someone for the first time?

Irene was puzzled, but since Kalos said so, she kept quiet.

But if he’s the Crown Prince’s guard, he should have been by his side all along, so why haven’t I seen him even once until now?

Suddenly curious, Irene stared at Raymon.

Then Kalos asked,

“If you don’t like that man, shall I send him away?”

Irene was startled and shook her head.

“No, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just wondering why I’m seeing the Crown Prince’s guard for the first time today…”

“That’s to be expected.”

Jerdin shrugged and joined the conversation.

“Sir Raymon has been outside the Esper Castle all this time.”

“What? Why?”

Shouldn’t the Crown Prince’s guard be by Jerdin’s side?

“Why do you think?”

Jerdin glared at Kalos and grumbled.

“Because Master wouldn’t allow Sir Raymon to enter the castle. I begged so many times to let him in since he’s my guard, but he absolutely refused.”

Kalos smoothly lifted the corners of his lips.

“I should have refused to let you in as well.”

At a glance, it seemed like he was smiling pleasantly, but he wasn’t.

“I momentarily lost my mind and misspoke. I’m sorry, Master.”

Jerdin, who knew well the expression Kalos made when he was displeased, quickly apologized and changed the subject.

“Since we’re here, instead of standing around, let’s go sightseeing. I saw a minstrel performing on the street over there earlier.”

“…”

When Kalos didn’t respond, Jerdin switched his target to Irene.

“Irene, you’ve never heard a minstrel sing before, right?”

“Huh? Oh, no, I haven’t.”

When Irene answered reflexively, Jerdin smiled brightly and said,

“Then let’s go watch together.”

At those words, Irene looked down at Kalos’ hand still holding hers.

Jerdin’s gaze naturally followed. Raymon, Jessie, Deuce, and Dewey also looked at their clasped hands.

As the attention focused on them, Irene felt embarrassed and tried to gently pull her hand away, but Kalos grabbed it again.

He held it more tightly and closely than before, making it impossible for her to pull away.

Why is he doing this?

Puzzled by Kalos’ inexplicable behavior, Irene looked up at him.

“…”

The strange thing was that Kalos also looked surprised.

He also seemed somewhat confused.

Why is he making such an expression when he’s the one holding on? Irene found Kalos even more incomprehensible.

An awkward silence fell between them.

Irene hoped Kalos would let go of her hand on his own, but even after a long while, he didn’t release it.

“Could you… please let go of my hand?”

Finally tired of waiting, Irene cautiously requested.

“…”

Kalos stared intently at her face and then looked down at their tightly clasped hands.

He knew he should let go.

He was well aware that Irene was flustered, that others were looking at them strangely, and that his behavior seemed foolish.

But he couldn’t let go, didn’t want to let go,

Because the moment he held her hand, his empty body and heart felt completely filled.

Because it felt so good.

Because he didn’t want to lose it again.

Because if possible, he wanted to swallow her whole, not just her hand.

So, so…

“Your Grace…?”

“…”

Snapping back to his senses at the small voice that sounded like it might shatter at any moment, Kalos exhaled deeply and ran his other hand over his dry face.

There was no need to rush.

Although time was running short, it wouldn’t solve the problem even if he did.

Rather, if he acted hastily, it might cause the mishap of her getting scared and running away, so he needed to approach slowly with patience.

So even though he knew he should let go now.

He didn’t want to let go, knowing the emptiness that would flood in the moment he released her hand.

‘Is there really a need to let go right away?’

It seemed like he could be a little greedy, given how long he had waited and how long he would have to wait.

“Keep holding hands as we walk.”

The sudden surge of desire numbed his reason and moved his mouth on its own.

“Pardon?”

As Irene’s eyes widened in surprise, Kalos quickly added an excuse.

“Publicly… we’re known to be in a relationship, so it would be better to hold hands while walking around.”

Though it was said on impulse, Kalos was satisfied that it seemed like a reasonable excuse.

“Besides, it’s crowded here, so it might be hard to find each other if we get separated.”

He added another plausible excuse in case Irene became suspicious.

“…”

Irene turned her head and looked around the wide square.

As Kalos said, the square was bustling with people who had come to see the festival, with barely any room to step.

It would certainly be dangerous to get lost in a place like this.

And it would look strange to walk apart as if we were strangers when we openly declared our passionate love at first sight in front of the priests.

“…”

Although she didn’t feel comfortable continuing to hold hands with Kalos, she had no grounds to refuse.

Irene hesitated for a moment before nodding.

At that moment, a gentle smile spread across Kalos’ face, but fortunately or unfortunately, Irene didn’t see his smile as she was preoccupied with their tightly clasped hands.

“Shall we go then.”

Not even imagining that Kalos might have other ulterior motives.

Irene entered the densely packed crowd, hand in hand with Kalos.