“Jane Youngae, let’s go together!”

“The puppet show is about to start! Hurry, Mirium!”

It was around the time when the afternoon sun became stronger.

As I opened the window, the lively noise from the street flowed into the bedroom.

It was a different atmosphere than the always quiet North, and I smiled, leaning against the window.

“The atmosphere is completely different from the Twins’ Castle in the North, isn’t it?”

Minah said, pouring afternoon tea into a teacup.

“Yeah, it’s lively, probably because it’s the capital, and the buildings are packed together, and there are a lot of people around the city. It’s very vibrant.”

The Delta Street, where only the most powerful noble families or outstanding sign houses could establish themselves.

Right in the center of that street was the townhouse of the Twins’ family.

Perhaps in preparation for the Imperial Birthday Celebration Week, Delta Street, visible through the window, was even more splendidly decorated.

“I arrived last night and didn’t know, but the street is quite pretty. The weather is warm, unlike the North.”

Closing my eyes, enjoying the mountain breeze, Minah approached me.

“It would have been nice if Lady Bianca had come too. Since she spent a long time in the townhouse, she must be very familiar with the capital’s geography.”

“It would have been the most regrettable… Anyway, everyone will be here tomorrow, so…”

Last night, I arrived alone at the townhouse in the capital.

Originally, the Twins’ family was supposed to leave for the capital tomorrow, but I moved up the schedule alone.

I had to visit the Capital’s Gift Exchange before it was too late.

Minah glanced around and whispered to me.

“I received a letter from the Light Mansion servant earlier. It’s a letter sent to me.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“But when I read it… It seems that His Grace is still uncomfortable.”

“Ah… really?”

I pursed my lips unintentionally.

I felt somewhat sorry for coming alone to the capital despite Cedric’s proposal to wait one more day and go together.

“Then, why don’t you come with me for about two days in advance to the capital? Both you and Bianca can come together.”

“…. Is that so?”

It was a joking remark born out of disappointment.

But Cedric was ready to drop everything and leave together, even if he had to discard everything.

At least until his aide opened his mouth.

“Your Grace, excuse me for saying something inappropriate, but it’s not usual for a lot of local affairs to pile up just before the Imperial Majesty’s Birthday Celebration. Just by looking at the piles of documents here and there, you can see that…”

Even I, who didn’t know much, could see that the amount of piled documents was huge.

So, perhaps, Cedric couldn’t refute his aide’s words.

He just glared at the aide with a disgruntled look.

‘It seems like the accumulated grievances at that time have not been resolved until now. Unstoppable, really.’

With a reluctant shake of my head, I put the teacup on the table.

Then, I picked up the hat and umbrella placed next to it.
“Minah, let’s start going now. If we want to arrive before the market starts, we should leave now.”

In response to my words, Minah, who had been unresponsive, squinted her cat-like eyes.

“Your Grace, I think I can go alone.”

Minah scratched her sideburn with a puzzled expression.

“Hehe, actually, I don’t know the way to the capital well… So, I found someone to accompany me instead.”

“Someone to accompany you?”

Minah, nodding, subtly pointed her gaze towards the pocket watch.

“Yes, by now, I think they would have arrived in front of the main gate!”

As we stepped out of the townhouse’s main gate, someone waiting became visible, as Minah had mentioned.

A man standing under the stairs in front of the main gate.

I recognized who he was after taking only a few steps forward.

“Adrian!”

“Oh, you came out.”

Adrian, who turned around to look at me, had a welcoming smile on his lips.

“It’s a pleasure to see you in the capital, Your Grace.”

“I’m glad to see you too, but…”

My words, checking Adrian’s attire, slowly trailed off.

Unlike usual, where he always stuck to the butler’s outfit, this time, he was dressed in a sophisticated manner that would make him look like a distinguished member of a powerful family to anyone.

I was momentarily enchanted by the even more impressive appearance of Adrian than usual, but belatedly snapped back to reality.

“…But why is Adrian here? Didn’t you say you were on vacation for the Imperial Birthday Celebration week?”

“Yes, I also have to represent our family and attend the Imperial Birthday Celebration, so I received permission and came to the capital in advance.”

Right. Adrian was also a prominent noble of a well-off family in the demon realm.

It was a well-known fact, but whenever I saw him like this, it felt unfamiliar.

Adrian, who was smiling faintly, gently took my arm with a smile and pointed to the other side with his other hand.

“Our townhouse is beyond that block, on 3rd Avenue of Delta Street.”