TCPETBL 59

Chapter 59…………………………………………………

“Excuse me, wait a moment!”

Ibellina pushed through the crowd, chasing after the woman.

Almost losing her grip, she finally managed to grab the woman’s wrist.

Startled by the sudden hold, the woman’s eyes widened.

Her hair was jet black like the night sky, and her eyes were the same red as Ibellina’s.

The difference was that while Ibellina’s eyes were ruby-like, the woman’s eyes burned like flames.

“You… dropped this.”

Ibellina, panting, extended the object she had been clutching in her hand.

In her flustered state, she hadn’t even realized what she had picked up. Looking now, it was an old pendant.

Upon seeing it, the woman flinched and quickly started searching her clothes.

Realizing she had dropped it, the woman accepted the pendant from Ibellina.

“Thank you.”

“No, it’s nothing. It’s only right to return something that belongs to someone else.”

Ibellina smiled gently and shook her head.

“Next time, be careful not to drop it. It seems important, so you shouldn’t lose it.”

“How did you know it was… important to me?”

A wary look entered the woman’s eyes.

Ibellina, flustered, hurriedly explained.

“The pendant looks very worn. Usually, people buy new things when the old ones get worn out. So if you insist on carrying something old, it must be very precious to you, right?”

The woman acknowledged that her suspicion had been hasty and apologized.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to give you that look.”

“It’s fine. I would have done the same. Well, I should get going now.”

“Wait, just a moment!”

“Yes?”

Ibellina turned her body and quickly looked back.

The woman approached swiftly and grabbed her hand.

“You’re not from the kingdom, you’re from the empire, right?”

“Uh… yes, that’s right. I’m just traveling for a short while.”

“Then… could you tell me where you’re staying? I want to repay you.”

“Repay…?”

The woman nodded.

Ibellina, flustered, shook her head.

“No, that’s unnecessary! I just picked up something you dropped.”

“This is a keepsake from my late mother. If it weren’t for you, I would have lost it and spent my life blaming myself. That alone is enough reason for repayment.”

Ibellina grew uneasy.

No matter how many times she said it was fine, the woman refused to give up.

Just as Ibellina, feeling awkward, was about to say she had to leave because her party was waiting, a familiar voice called out.

“Ibellina!”

Both Ibellina and the woman quickly turned toward the voice.

Arsen ran straight toward Ibellina.

The woman had been staring at him intently from the moment he appeared.

“Ibellina, I was surprised you weren’t at your post.”

“Oh, sorry. I was about to leave soon…”

Ibellina forced a polite smile.

She was about to explain that she had to go because of her party, but the woman’s reaction was unusual.

She stared at Arsen almost unbearably.

Finally, Arsen opened his mouth to say something about the woman’s rudeness, but she beat him to it.

“Um… haven’t we met somewhere before?”

Arsen’s eyebrows twitched.

That question could easily give Ibellina the wrong impression.

Without thinking, he answered.

“No, we haven’t.”

“No… it feels familiar… think carefully. Haven’t we seen each other somewhere?”

“We haven’t. You must be confusing me with someone else. I’ll be going now.”

Arsen answered curtly.

The woman tilted her head, clapped her hands, pointed at Arsen, and shouted.

“I remember now, you royal brat!”

Arsen froze stiffly at her words, and Ibellina’s eyes widened as she alternated her gaze between the woman and him.

They moved to a different location.

The street wasn’t suitable for conversation.

A teahouse with partitions provided enough privacy.

The woman picked up the teacup in front of her, took a sip, and looked at Arsen.

“Long time no see, royal brat.”

“…Indeed.”

Ibellina’s eyes widened.

The woman spoke casually to Arsen, but he addressed her formally.

This meant her rank was higher than his.

While trying to guess who she could be, the woman suddenly grinned and grabbed Ibellina’s hand.

“What a coincidence! I never thought this royal brat would get married.”

“R-Really…?”

Ibellina forced an awkward smile.

She wasn’t used to such friendly familiarity and felt slightly uncomfortable.

The woman gasped and leaned back.

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Selene Argent Astina.”

“Astina…?”

Ibellina’s eyes widened as she remembered.

They were in the Astina Kingdom.

“Could it be…?”

“Yes. I am the queen of the Astina Kingdom.”

Selene smiled broadly.

Her smile was like fire.

Ibellina hurriedly rose to show respect, but Selene waved her off.

“No need, I hate stiff, formal manners.”

“Still…”

“It’s fine, just sit down.”

Selene was bright and cheerful.

Despite meeting Ibellina for the first time, she spoke without reservation.

Ibellina cautiously asked, looking between Arsen and Selene.

“So, how did you and Arsen know each other?”

“Oh, that…”

Arsen was about to answer, but Selene interrupted and answered herself.

“A few years ago… that royal brat was still a prince, and I was the heir. I came here for something like studying abroad, I think?”

Arsen frowned slightly but nodded.

“That’s correct. Though brief, I stayed in the Astina Kingdom under the pretense of studying abroad.”

“Oh, so that short visit when he was a prince… was that it?”

“Yes.”

Arsen nodded briefly.

“I see… I never imagined we’d meet like this.”

“Neither did I. Since all our curiosities are settled, shall we be on our way?”

He smiled at Ibellina and began to rise.

Selene chuckled at the sight.

“You still have no manners, even now.”

“…I think the same could be said about you, Your Majesty.”

Selene’s red eyes clashed with Arsen’s blue ones.

Sparks seemed to fly instantly, and the atmosphere turned tense.

Feeling uneasy about their interaction, Ibellina fidgeted.

Arsen tried to handle it calmly since this was their first trip alone together.

“Well then, we should be heading back. Please take care on your way home.”

Arsen spoke stiffly and bowed.

Selene smiled brightly.

“I haven’t yet received a proper thanks for returning my pendant.”

“Oh, that’s fine! Really, I insist, Your Majesty.”

Ibellina shook her head repeatedly, refusing.

Selene rolled her eyes and spoke.

“Hmm… then how about staying at the palace while you’re in the Astina Kingdom?”

“…Excuse me?”

Ibellina’s eyes widened.

Selene smiled slyly at her.

“Inn stays are uncomfortable. You’re not giving me gold or treasures, so staying at the palace for a bit is no problem. Honestly, I’d feel uneasy letting you go otherwise, okay?”

Selene, realizing Arsen wouldn’t be persuaded, turned to convince Ibellina instead.

“And I want to talk to you a little more.”

“With me…?”

“Yes. I’ll leave it at that. Come to the palace anytime tomorrow. I’m busy, so I’ll go now!”

Before Ibellina could respond, Selene quickly left the teahouse.

Ibellina awkwardly reached out, staring at the spot where Selene had vanished.

Silence filled the teahouse.

The next day, Ibellina and Arsen reluctantly left the inn and headed for the palace.

It would have been impolite to refuse the invitation without a word.

“As expected of a palace, it’s huge.”

Ibellina tilted her head to look at the tall iron gates.

Unlike the imperial palace, which had pointed roofs, these were rounded.

Similar, yet somehow different.

Arsen approached the knight guarding the door.

The knight eyed him warily.

“What business do you have?”

“Inform the queen that Duke and Duchess Rockfelt have arrived.”

After the knight went inside, a familiar voice called out.

“You came!”

Ibellina and Arsen turned sharply.

Selene, dressed differently than the day before, approached them.

Unlike the empire, the Astina Kingdom didn’t wear extravagant dresses.

The weather was warm year-round, so people wore thin, straight-cut clothes without a defined waist.

The layered thin fabric gave a light, soft impression rather than stiffness.

Though her outfit was simple, her jewelry was elaborate.

Bracelets, necklaces, even ornaments in her hair jingled as she walked.

“I was worried you wouldn’t come, thank you so much.”

Selene approached boldly and hugged Ibellina tightly.

Arsen twitched his hand.

Ibellina, surprised by the sudden hug, awkwardly smiled and hugged her back.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“Let’s go quickly. The rooms are already prepared.”

Selene laughed playfully and tugged Ibellina along.

She looked more like a mischievous child than a queen.

Ibellina followed her in confusion, while Arsen sighed and followed behind.

A very ominous feeling settled over her.