The dust from the carriages hadn’t even settled yet.Once the crowd began to surge, people flooded in like a torrent, recklessly pushing her.Someone grabbed the hem of her hood to avoid falling, and in an instant, her clothes and hair were disheveled.Dust must have gotten into her eyes, as her vision blurred and tears trickled out.If she stumbled now, it felt like she’d be trampled to death.To survive, she screamed.

“Cardier!”

Rosetta doubted whether her call even reached him properly.Damn it, losing someone in a chaotic place like this would be the end.Rosetta stretched her hand high to signal him.And at that moment, a large arm firmly wrapped around her waist from behind.The moment she recognized the owner of that hand, relief spread through her entire body.She let Cardier turn her body and pull her into his embrace.In an instant, her body settled gently into his firm hold.

“Are you okay?”

He brushed back her tangled hair and asked, pressing his forehead close to hers.Though she was the one swept up by the crowd and gasping for breath, it seemed Cardier was the one more shaken.With trembling hands, he cupped her cheeks and neck.Rosetta could hear her heart pounding beneath his touch.

“If I’d known it’d be like this, I would’ve brought every single guard.”

“What? To a village festival? Ha, trying to ruin the mood?”

Rosetta steadied her breathing, burying her forehead in his broad chest.Damn it, she hated playing this frail role.She’d rather be the one protecting him…Cardier’s face darkened at her words.

“What does that even matter?”

“It matters. Haven’t you heard how many cursed stories come from ruining the Pontos Festival?”

Even as she spoke nonchalantly, her insides felt strangely unsettled.It hit her anew how fragile this body was, feeling threatened by the mere presence of so many people.

Before, those who knew Lea’s status kept their distance, and during the days of the Red Dawn, no one dared block her path.Even if they didn’t recognize her, she was the one who swept through crowds, not the other way around, so her pride was thoroughly bruised.

Rosetta stood defiantly and blurted out,

“When we get to Montrosa Castle, I’m using the training grounds.”

“Fine.”

“I’ll learn swordsmanship too.”

“Fine.”

“And I’ll sail a ship.”

“…Do as you please.”

“I’ll pay the price.”

With the hidden assets of the maritime bank.Or perhaps the diamond mines under Lea’s name.Whatever it took, she was ready to pay Cardier’s price.Even if Siclyrid’s social scene was smaller than the capital’s, rumors would spread just as fast.A single rumor about visiting the training grounds for physical conditioning could damage her reputation.Their original contract included a clause about maintaining dignity…

Calling a designer four times a month to tailor dresses as desired, summoning a jeweler anytime, replacing furniture custom-made once a year…The other clauses were similar, boiling down to living in a manner befitting a noble’s dignity, which Rosetta took lightly.

In that context, she was willing to compensate for any damage to her dignity caused by acting roughly at the training grounds.But Cardier, the one who should receive the compensation, recoiled and asked,

“What do you take me for?”

His brow furrowed as he lowered his hand from Rosetta’s neck.As the warmth of his touch faded, she felt an inexplicable emptiness.Unconsciously, she wrapped her hand around her neck, realizing her racing heartbeat had calmed.

Cardier stared at her with an unreadable expression before releasing her from his embrace and saying,His eyes seemed fierce at a glance, but from another angle…

“Do whatever you want. Reputation or whatever, it doesn’t matter.”

“…”

“Just don’t get hurt.”

It almost sounded like “Just don’t die.”It was hard to understand.Hadn’t they married for mutual public convenience?He, to restore his honor from scandal, and Rosetta, because she knew Cardier was the least greedy person to live Lea’s life with.Their marriage was a transaction, with no room for emotions.At least for her, survival and revenge came first.

“You sure ask for a lot.”

Before the mood could turn stranger, Rosetta stretched as if to pull away from him.

“Right, my fish!”

“I paid for it, but… you want to eat something covered in dust?”

“As long as it tastes good, who cares? Didn’t peg you for such a…”

Rosetta nearly let a curse slip out of habit but stopped herself.She knew she shouldn’t, but habits built over nearly thirty years didn’t change overnight.She quickly mumbled the end of her sentence and shrugged.

“Anyway, so picky. No wonder you’re the little duke.”

Cardier, suddenly treated like a spoiled noble who couldn’t eat “lowly food,” looked dumbfounded.As more carriages and crowds surged in, Cardier wrapped an arm around her shoulders, guiding her toward a less crowded area.

“Forget that. Let’s find a better shop deeper in.”

Rosetta nodded, smacking her lips regretfully.At street festivals like this, the real gems were always deeper in.As they moved further into the plaza, it became quieter.Rosetta glanced at some stalls and clapped her hands.

“Oh, that looks tasty too.”

She eagerly dragged Cardier’s arm toward a stall grilling seasoned chicken chunks.Her empty stomach growled at the sight of the appetizing meat.Cardier paid five coppers for three pieces of chicken.She’d half-expected the pampered little duke to pull out a gold coin, but his early education in the eastern slums had clearly paid off.

They also bought flatbreads stuffed with fillings, watered-down rum, and round honey candies, eating a bit of each.The greasy, sweet foods filled her up after just a few bites.Rosetta flailed her arms and legs, darting around excitedly.After nearly half a year of living the rigid life of a noble lady, this freedom felt exhilarating.

While enjoying herself, a sudden noise in the sky made Rosetta look up.Crude, but unmistakably fireworks.

“Did you see that? They’re using fireworks! Wow, those expensive things!”

“They’ve become more common in recent years. The blue moonstone powder from this village has helped make fireworks more accessible.”

“Plenty of people must be salivating over that.”

“You’re right. It’s one of the Montrosa territories seeing a recent boom in trade revenue.”

“So that’s why you suggested coming here?”

“What?”

“Local inspection or whatever it’s called. Checking out the money-making spots to squeeze them dry.”

“…Maybe.”

As they watched the fireworks, the sun, hanging over the horizon, slowly set.The bluish sky darkened, and lanterns hung around the streets began to light up one by one.A few sky lanterns, lit from the cliffs, floated gently into the sky.

Rosetta took it all in with awe-filled eyes.Then, Cardier intertwined his fingers with her delicate ones.When she turned with a puzzled look, he said softly,

“It’s time.”

“Huh?”

“I said we had somewhere to go.”

Come to think of it, he’d mentioned a local inspection.Rosetta vaguely recalled the conversation and followed him.She’d assumed they were heading to a mine or something… but Cardier led her toward the beach.Along the way, he bought a crown woven with white roses and a small bundle of flowers from an old woman selling them.

Rosetta followed, utterly confused.She couldn’t make sense of this combination.As they walked further, she saw anchored ships in the distance.Until then, she’d naively thought he meant to board a ship.But Cardier led her not to the harbor but toward the coastal cliffs.Upon closer inspection, there was a steep staircase carved into the stone.

“I’ll hold your hand. Watch your step.”

He descended a step and held out his hand to Rosetta.The faint early summer moonlight settled on his striking forehead.It felt like being enchanted by a sea god from a story.Rosetta firmly grasped his outstretched hand.

The staircase, with no safety measures, was so steep that a misstep could mean a fall.She was gripped by an odd sense of déjà vu.When they reached the final step, a small, secluded sandy beach appeared.

“Why on earth are we here…?”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.