I replied playfully to Hertian’s expectant voice.

“Yes, it’s my first time with Hertian. Not only the sea, but it’s also my first time living in the North, living in the palace, and getting married.”

“You must be happy. Madam.”

Hertian’s voice was full of anticipation.

So, I deliberately turned my head away.

It was because I wanted to laugh along with that laughter.

“Let’s go quickly. I’m hungry.”

Turning around, I stepped forward energetically. Then Hertian caught up with me and put a robe on me. It was a plain brown robe that wouldn’t stand out even if we wandered around the small village.

“We don’t need to spread rumors that the runaway Duke and Duchess are here.”

It was because of the dress that stood out in this small village.

Moreover, Hertian didn’t need to worry about me sending a letter to the Empress, so he took care to tie the robe’s string into a ribbon and put on his own robe.

It became more comfortable to face him with his face shadowed.

“Shall we have breakfast first?”

“What do you want to eat?”

“There’s a place around here that makes delicious stew with beef and tomatoes.”

“Wow. Let’s go right away.”

Tomato stew, which I love.

Hertian knows me too well.

Even in a village like this, he found a place that makes the menu I like.

“How did you know it’s a good restaurant?”

“When I came here last time. Osen told me it was delicious.”

“Do you remember that?”

“Someday, you might come with your wife, so I took a note.”

Thorough to the core.

With his face shaded by the robe, he seemed to shine.

We finished our meal at a restaurant with simple beef and tomato stew. A combination of freshly baked baguette and stew served by the landlady. My stomach was so full after a long time that my steps became unsteady.

“Shall I carry you?”

Hertian asked with a chuckle.

This is all Hertian’s fault.

Because Hertian ordered an additional serving of stew…!

“It’s my fault for eating it all. I’ll walk.”

I sighed deeply, grabbed my waist, and walked. Now even my breath smells like tomatoes.

Hertian came close to me and offered one of his arms. I grabbed his sturdy arm and walked.

“You looked good eating.”

“After living in the capital and the palace, eating only greasy food, it seems I’ve gained weight.”

I missed simple and hearty food.

Even if it’s not fancy ingredients, it’s delicious food.

“But I won’t forget about stew for a while.”

Eating two bowls and cleaning them up. My stomach that had shrunk over time would be surprised.
“If you ever think of it later, please remind me as well.”

With an endlessly gentle tone, I almost said, “We could go eat together.”

‘I probably won’t come back here.’

I answered plainly without revealing any intentions.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Even if it’s not at that moment, Hertian would often think about it.

“There’s a market too!”

To change the topic, I exaggeratedly pointed to the market unfolding in the background of the sea. Hertian also looked in that direction.

“Even though it’s a small village, there are a lot of people?”

“Navelle is a port city, so it’s a place where trade with other countries is active.”

So, everyone looked subtly different.

The appearance of people passing by with their luggage was unique.

“Would you like to tour the market together?”

“Do we have time?”

“Up to an hour or two is fine.”

“Let’s go quickly!”

With a cheerful response, Hertian firmly took hold of my arm and walked.

The bustling market street displayed various items such as seafood, fruits, vegetables, and sundries.

Being a port city, neatly arranged fresh fish, crabs, shrimp, and clams on ice exuded freshness just by looking at them. The man at the sales counter confidently introduced customers to the freshly caught fish for water play.

In the bustling market scene of the port city, I could briefly set aside the headache-inducing matters.

Among them, my steps stopped in front of a deck where a sweet fragrance wafted heavily.

“Wow. What is this?”

The man, who had stumbled due to Hertian’s tall stature following, answered.

“Grilled bananas. Delicious. Try one.”

“Yes, please give me two.”

I promptly paid and brought skewered grilled bananas. One was for Hertian.

“Grilled bananas. They must be delicious. Try one.”

When I handed him a ripe banana, Hertian hesitantly accepted.

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t walk because you were so full just a moment ago?”

I took a bite of the banana and mumbled. Hertian looked at me with a curious gaze.

“How can it all fit in that small body of yours?”

“I didn’t know there were separate compartments for dessert and main meals in the stomach.”

“Madam has two stomachs, apparently. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He chuckled at something amusing. Today, he seemed to tease me frequently, so I glared at him with innocent eyes.

“It’s just a banana.”

It’s not dessert; it’s more like a snack.

The banana was lightly sprinkled with sugar and grilled, giving it a caramelized outer layer.

“It seems like you knights need to buy a lot of snacks.”

Sharing something delicious makes it even tastier. Hey, eating snacks after filling your stomach lessens the pain.

“Bananas get cold if you go. Let’s go buy other snacks.”

After swallowing the remaining banana, I led Hertian by the hand, and he followed along with a reluctant smile.

“Let’s explore the market.”

In the market, there were not only fresh fish and fruits but also various snacks. I seriously contemplated what to buy. Since knights might not like overly sweet things, I was extra cautious.

As we were strolling through the market.

“Huh?”

I found purple clamshells piled up on a deck. It was purple clamshells, an alternative to expensive purple dye.

“We shouldn’t be selling this now.”

In the original work, this was discovered later, and I planned to give it to the court painter as a replacement for purple dye.