Chapter 38
To lighten the mood, they decided to visit the night market. Unlike the formal royal parties, it didn’t require etiquette, so both Ad and Yello could enjoy it as well.
When Arin mentioned she didn’t want to reveal her noble status and wanted to visit quietly, the old butler prepared a neat but not-too-flashy carriage. Dressed lightly, Arin picked up Ad and strode toward the prepared carriage. Yello eagerly followed, excited to eat some skewers from the market.
Arin opened the carriage door to get in, tilted her head, and then promptly slammed it shut.
Bang!
“Old Butler, this is the carriage I’m supposed to take, right?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then… why?”
“His Grace the Duke is joining you.”
Deneb, having just experienced the door slammed in his face, opened the door again and beckoned with his finger.
“Get in.”
Arin entered and immediately bent his index finger back.
“I told you not to wag your finger at me, didn’t I? You wanna go?”
For some reason, even his fingers were tough. She tried to twist it, but it wouldn’t budge. Giving up on revenge for now, she sat down with Ad on her lap. Yello jumped up and settled next to Deneb.
Soon, the carriage set off, heading for the capital’s night market.
As the carriage gradually slowed down, the coachman’s polite voice came from the front.
“We’ve arrived. Carriages are prohibited beyond this point.”
“Return here once the fireworks are over.”
“Yes, sir.”
Thinking about enjoying the market, Arin felt buoyant. The colorful magical lights, vendor stalls, and groups of families and friends laughing together gave the night market an incredible charm.
“What should we eat?”
[Skewers!]
“Skewers!”
Yello and Ad were perfectly in sync. Arin widened her eyes, scanning for a skewer stall.
“Deneb.”
He turned to Arin, who was staring intently at one particular stall.
“Pick up Yello. We’re charging in.”
The stall she chose was absolutely packed. Unless it was a battle, Yello remained in his large-dog form, and Ad was still a ten-year-old child. Without precautions, they’d surely get swept away or hurt.
Following her command, Yello jumped into Deneb’s arms. In front of food, even a proud beast would willingly act like a baby for the commander.
With sharp reflexes, Deneb caught the furry beast and let out a dry chuckle.
“Let’s move out!”
At Ad’s shout, Arin infused mana into her legs and zipped through the crowd. Deneb instinctively followed her. After pushing through safely and lining up, Arin shouted to the vendor:
“Sir, ten skewers please!”
[Ten? That’s not enough! Order twenty!]
“Wait, make that twenty!”
“You all sure can eat. I’ll grill them quick.”
Thanks to the capital’s variety, unique spices made everyone’s mouth water. Arin, Yello, and Ad all gulped simultaneously. The vendor laughed heartily at the sight.
“Your husband must make good money. You, your son, and even your pet cat(?) seem to have big appetites.”
Mistaken as a family, Arin shook her head vigorously.
“Sir, we’re not married. You’re blocking my marriage prospects! He’s my little brother, and the man next to me is my mortal enemy—coworker-type. Right?”
“……”
Despite her denial, Deneb said nothing. The vendor didn’t believe her.
“Hey! Say something and deny it!”
As Arin fussed and Deneb stayed silent, the skewer vendor gave them a knowing, amused look.
He quickly packed twenty skewers and handed them to Arin.
“Come back again sometime. Even better if you’re married by then!”
“Oh, come on, seriously!”
Forgetting the bickering just moments ago, Arin pouted as she accepted the skewers.
They’d bought from what looked like a famous stall, but finding a place to eat leisurely was the next challenge. After wandering a bit, they found an empty street, and Arin finally put Ad down.
Ad took a skewer and munched away, getting sauce all over his face.
[Hey, kid! You think you’re the only one with a mouth? Share! If not, I’ll gobble you up!]
Ad glanced at Yello nudging his side and then looked at his skewer. He plucked a piece of meat off and brought it to Yello’s mouth.
Yello bit into Ad’s messy, sauce-covered hand without hesitation. After chewing, he spat the hand out—completely clean. No washing needed.
Seeing that, Arin held her head.
“Ad, Yello’s special. You can give him the whole skewer. He’ll eat around it.”
“Okay!”
Ad grabbed ten skewers and offered them all to Yello. The generous tribute made Yello’s eyes shimmer with emotion.
[So much delicious food for me… You do respect this big brother, don’t you? You do, right?]
“Yello, eat a lot and grow big, okay?”
Ironically, they got along so well because they couldn’t actually communicate. Arin left them to their cozy scene and turned to Deneb.
“Old Butler said the fireworks here are beautiful. Since we’re out, let’s go see them. Do you know a good viewing spot?”
“No.”
“Then we’ll just go to the one he recommended. Let’s carry the kids—it’s crowded.”
“Sure.”
They arrived at a seven-story restaurant about fifteen minutes away. It was the tallest building run by commoners, with expensive rental fees—but for Deneb and Arin, it was pocket change.
She rented a private room with a good view and sipped beer while gazing at the night sky.
“Ahh, this is the life. The food’s not here yet?”
“They said it’ll take a while since we didn’t pre-order. But we can bring in outside food if you want. Just tell me what you’d like—I’ll get it.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just eat what I brought.”
From Arin’s arms came a pile of snacks—jerky, chocolates, all kinds of system-provided food.
After her third beer, there was a knock. The ordered food had arrived, and four staff members continuously brought in trays.
Arin was too distracted by the food to notice, but Deneb saw Melodyan walking by and peeking into their room. As she seemed about to enter, he shot her a wave of killing intent. Whatever her motives, he had no intention of letting this moment be disturbed.
Just then, the last staff member closed the door. Judging by her trembling legs and teary face, she wouldn’t be back.
Arin noticed Deneb suddenly grinning wickedly and tilted her head. Didn’t he only smile like that when tormenting Respan? Whoever it was, someone just got seriously owned. Arin shrugged it off.
Three days passed since the fireworks night.
In that time, the pest trials and compensations were fully resolved. Deneb had finished all his duties in the capital. He told Arin to prepare to return to the territory as soon as the imperial family delivered the promised 1,000 gold.
And of course, the day of departure had to be eventful.
Along with the emperor’s gifts, an imperial envoy arrived.
“Baron Arin Yan, please show respect.”
Unfortunately, the envoy was none other than Respan. Arin respectfully received the items following proper protocol.
Once the official procedures were done, everyone from the palace left the mansion—except for Respan and his escort knight, Kiran.
“Sir Arin, would you have a cup of tea with me before returning to the Altair territory?”
“…Pardon?”
“Didn’t I say before I’d invite you to the palace?”
As Respan smiled charmingly, Kiran’s face turned pale. He had no interest in watching his master’s flirtation games. As Kiran pursed his lips like a chicken’s beak, Respan shot him a murderous glare with his eyes.
Thankfully, Arin didn’t notice their eye battle and pondered seriously. Should she go, if she can take Ad with her? Once they returned to the territory, there wouldn’t be another trip outside—and Ad wouldn’t meet Respan again.
“Can I bring Ad and Yello?”
Respan remembered the clingy kid and the glaring leopard and made a calculated decision.
“Yello is a familiar—it might be difficult. But Ad is fine.”
And so, a visit to the palace with Arin and Ad was decided.
Having accepted the invitation, Arin escorted Respan, who had business with Deneb. After passing through the tranquil garden, they reached the office of Altair.
Just as Arin raised her hand to knock, the office door opened, and a teary-eyed Melodyan emerged. Arin was startled—Why are you here?
Melodyan’s glistening eyes locked with Arin’s.
“Um… Lady Yan.”
“Me?”
Melodyan looked like she was about to say something important. But just then, Deneb appeared and firmly pushed Melodyan out.
“Lady Rigel, I already told you. It’s time to leave.”
Melodyan looked terrified by the murderous look in Deneb’s eyes. Her knees wobbled, and she stumbled.
Seeing this, Respan, remembering his own misdeeds toward her at the royal party, stepped in to help.
“Isn’t it too much for a knight to glare at a lady like that?”
His mocking tone made Deneb’s expression twist further.
“You’re overstepping, Crown Prince.”
“What?”
“Today’s not the day for this…”
Deneb pulled Arin toward him. Arin and Deneb ended up inside the office. Melodyan and Respan were left in the hallway.
The threshold of the office now seemed like a line dividing two camps.
Deneb bowed slightly and said firmly:
“We’ll see you another time.”
SLAM!
As the door closed in their faces, Melodyan and Respan’s expressions turned sour. Each stewed in frustration in their own way.
Having witnessed it all, Kiran covered his mouth with both hands and screamed silently inside.
