The festival originally had a sacred image.

So among the people, it was openly believed that, “If something bad happens during the pilgrimage, bad omens will continue to follow for that year and the next.”

But to target the Duke’s territory like this.

Still, Atia had meticulously planned for any disruptions during the pilgrimage.

Even if an arrow flew and almost caused chaos, it could be turned into a surprise show she’d prepared for.

Fortunately, they had already shown various entertaining shows, including fireworks, so the people had no resistance.

Above all, their young Duke, Casus, showed no signs of panic. None at all.

So the people had no choice but to trust Casus even more.

“Arrows fell from the sky!”

“Could this be a festival special magic trick?”

“I thought so too.”

“Wow! Isn’t it amazing? We’ve seen this before.”

Atia had prepared for this situation as well.

Earlier, they’d shown a performance that looked like rain falling from the sky.

To be precise, it was a dazzling show where wooden poles, resembling arrows, had multicolored flowers tied to the ends and were shot into the air.

At that moment, the knights ran out shouting as if they were ambushed, creating a serious atmosphere.

Then they immediately reassured the people by shooting flower arrows.

All of this was to ensure that people wouldn’t be shocked by the actual arrow attack, namely Owen’s surprise attack, that would occur later.

Moreover, after witnessing the Duke’s composed expression, the people were 100% convinced it was an event for the festival.

A young Duke with a handsome face and a tall stature.

If there were princes in fairy tales, they’d look exactly like this.

“Wow!”

“Wooow!”

Ignoring the enthusiastic cheers of the people, Casus approached the trembling old man and bent over.

The remaining knights kept an eye on their surroundings, preparing for another ambush.

“Say it again. Who did you say?”

“Ththey…wore black masks…my daughter…”

The old man couldn’t finish his sentence and trembled.

“We should move him somewhere safe.”

The old man was escorted to a secure location by the guard.

Just as Casus was about to climb back onto the flower carriage.

“Quite impressive.”

“Hm?”

Blond hair, golden eyes.

A man in humble attire, yet with an extraordinary aura, approached with a squint.

The guards blocked the man’s path.

Casus narrowed his eyes to examine the man.

Blond hair and golden eyes were rare in the empire.

As far as Casus knew, there was only one such person.

“Need my help?”

The man with eyes as bright as the sun smiled lightly.

Soon, Casus’s guards recognized him.

“…Your, Your Highness, the Crown Prince?”

Upon hearing “Crown Prince,” Casus felt a sudden change in his mood.

Casus looked at the man.

His enigmatic golden eyes met Casus’s gaze.

There was a glimpse of arrogance in those piercing golden eyes.

What is he doing here?

‘Crown Prince Owen…’

It had been years since they last met.

Casus had seldom attended official events at the royal palace over the years.

Casus gritted his teeth, and Owen squinted.

“How many years has it been?”

Behind Owen, royal guards were surrounding him.

Casus’s guards and Owen’s guards faced off against each other.

The crowd buzzed.

By the look of Owen’s attire, this wasn’t an official visit.

Owen smirked at Casus, who was examining his attire.

“Did I surprise you by coming all of a sudden?”

“…”

“I didn’t want to be rude by revealing my identity when the festival has its own protagonist.”

Casus’s knights who had blocked the Crown Prince hesitated.

“Anyway, I came as a spectator this time.”

Casus lost his words at the sudden appearance of the Crown Prince.

Inside the carriage, Atia narrowed her eyes.

‘What now? Who’s interrupted again?’

Atia inside the carriage looked at the man conversing with Casus.

A handsome blonde man stood in front of Casus.
Beyond the window glass, although too distant to see clearly, there was no doubt that his looks were nothing less than spectacular, rivaling even Casus.

The moment Atia saw him, she felt captivated.

“No, wait. That man is…!”

A man emitting such an unparalleled aura couldn’t possibly be ordinary.

“Blond hair, golden eyes.”

Though his attire resembled that of a commoner, the nobility oozing from him was undeniable.

“Ah… That man is Crown Prince Owen…”

Therefore.

He was the protagonist of this novel, .

Simply by existing, he radiated pure charisma; later on, he even took the original heroine, who was Casus’s lover, under his wing.

To say that all the fortune in this world was attached to that man was no exaggeration.

However.

That man appeared in front of Casus?

This was not in the original story.

Furthermore, the relationship between the two was adversarial.

Biting her lip, Atia exhaled sharply.

“It’s ominous, very ominous.”

Why had he suddenly appeared in front of Casus?

Unless her arrow was misfired, what else could this mean?

“I thought I’d take a look at this grand festival. Pardon my rudeness.”

Owen lifted his red lips and spoke.