Chapter 27
Around noon, several gates opened.
Pailun Castle was filled with a vibrancy that Theresia had never seen before. The atmosphere was completely different from the restless tension that had prevailed just before the festival—it was a lively energy that embraced their home.
Even the servants, who usually busied themselves indoors, had gone out for the week to spend time with the people they loved.
Yet there was one person—Theresia—who remained confined to her room, unmoving, despite the warmth and happiness spreading throughout the castle.
The reason for her unusual seclusion was simple. She had heard that the saint was helping out in various places, and she didn’t want to accidentally run into her by going outside.
Additionally, she felt she had no right to enjoy the greatest northern festival herself.
She simply intended to remain invisible, like a mouse, and if she ended the day as nothing more than a pawn for Aiden Pailun, she would ask for nothing more.
“I wish I could just quietly fall asleep like this…”
Lying sideways on the bed, Theresia gazed at the curtained window and murmured sadly.
In the heavy silence, only faint echoes of someone’s joyful laughter occasionally reached her from outside.
‘Maybe I’m feeling a little lonely…’
She slowly closed and opened her eyelids, which were starting to feel heavy. The room, unusually bleak today, seemed to blur and sharpen repeatedly before her eyes.
Just as she thought she might truly fall asleep, there was a knock on the door from outside.
Startled, Theresia sat up and looked toward the door. Two short knocks were followed by a third, accompanied this time by a voice.
“Theresia, are you inside?”
Hearing the familiar voice, her tension melted.
Yet at the same time, she felt puzzled. Slowly, she opened the door and asked the man standing outside. It was the first time he had called her “Theresia” instead of “Your Highness.”
She remembered he never paid attention when she asked to be called by her name alone. What had prompted this change in attitude? She couldn’t help but wonder.
“Sir Cecil? What brings you here? The festival should be in full swing by now.”
“Ah, so you are here after all. I came looking for you since I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
Cecil leaned against the doorframe with an expression that suggested he understood why she was alone. His attire was noticeably more casual than the usual uniform of a knight commander.
“You came all this way to find me?”
“The northern festival is an event for everyone to enjoy. If it’s alright with you, how about stepping out for a bit of fresh air?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m comfortable as I am. I don’t want to disturb everyone’s fun, after all.”
‘Do you know who drove them away? Right. You and your damn brother.’
Theresia recalled the day she left the castle with Aiden and smiled bitterly. She could almost hear his calm yet angry voice nearby.
Even though those who had been chased out by Azer had no place else to go and settled here, she couldn’t dampen their noble festival just because she knew the truth.
‘These people don’t really believe in gods either. They think the north is a land abandoned by the divine.’
‘In the Empire, disbelieving in the goddess often brands one a heretic. But is that really their fault? Even if abandoned by a god, must humans simply wait and believe?’
Moreover, now that even the goddess watches over this land, there was nowhere for her to belong. As if that had always been the case.
“Well, I thought you might say that. So, do you know who I’ve brought with me?”
Cecil’s words cut through Theresia’s thoughts, which had been wandering, as he casually continued.
She looked up at Cecil, who seemed almost indifferent. He straightened up from leaning on the doorframe and stepped aside to reveal someone standing behind him.
“Ugh, Theresia! I even made a mask for you, and you weren’t going to wear it?”
“…Sophia? Weren’t you going to enjoy the festival? What are you doing here?”
“Sir Cecil said you weren’t to be seen anywhere! I followed you just in case, and I really didn’t expect you to be holed up in your room… It’s unfair!”
Sophia, who had popped out from behind Cecil, pouted with a clearly disappointed expression.
Theresia knew well that Sophia had been working hard to make her the prettiest mask despite being busy with festival preparations, so she couldn’t easily say anything.
While Theresia hesitated, Cecil quickly took the initiative.
“Well then, I guess there’s no choice but to go out now. Luckily, Miss Sophia has prepared plenty so you can enjoy yourself without worry. Leave it all to her.”
“Excuse me? What exactly do you intend to do…?”
Sophia grabbed Theresia’s hand with determination and said firmly,
“As long as you don’t look like ‘Theresia,’ we’ll make sure no one recognizes you. You absolutely must attend the masquerade today. Absolutely!”
Meeting her sparkling gaze, Theresia had no energy left to refuse. She sighed and nodded.
From that moment, Sophia began laying out the items she had brought. Theresia was astonished at the sheer amount—refusing would have made little difference to Sophia’s preparation.
Soon, Cecil looked at Theresia, whose disguise was now perfect thanks to Sophia’s careful hands, and could not help but admire her.
“Indeed, no one would suspect you are Theresia now.”
Her fiery red hair, which automatically evoked the image of the Empire’s third princess, was gone, as were her brilliant golden eyes.
In their place, she now had the most common shade of brown in the Empire. Her delicate features remained, however, making her appearance all the more striking.
‘Good grief… the disguise is perfect, but I still don’t feel completely at ease…’
Cecil glanced at her awkwardly and secretly clicked his tongue.
“They say beauty shines in any form… You’re stunning, Theresia! Sir Cecil, please take good care of her today.”
Sophia, the most excited of the three, urged Cecil, who bowed politely and extended his arm toward Theresia.
“Shall we go? I will escort you with all my care until the masquerade begins.”
“…Alright. I’ll be counting on you.”
Upon stepping out of the castle gate, the sounds were overwhelming compared to the quiet of her room. The lively energy of the festival was palpable.
“First, let’s quench our thirst. Follow me.”
Cecil led Theresia to a place that smelled of roasted meat.
The shop sold bite-sized portions of roasted meat, along with red-hued wine.
Frowning in confusion, she asked,
“Sir, did you really bring me here? I thought alcohol and meat were forbidden during the festival.”
Cecil chuckled knowingly.
“This isn’t a shop that sells alcohol or meat. That wine contains no alcohol and is sweet, popular among northern children. And the ‘meat’ you see is actually made of beans, so no need to worry.”
“Beans made to taste exactly like meat? That’s amazing… Was there a reason behind it?”
“The north is known for its harsh land, making farming and livestock difficult. These beans were originally too tough to eat, but after several trials, people found they resembled tough meat and enjoyed them. Over time, it became a northern specialty.”
“That’s an ingenious solution.”
“Exactly. Would you like to try some? Actually, I brought you here for that reason. I’ll get you a portion myself.”
“Really? I can accept that from you?”
“Do you think I’d escort you without a plan? This is just the beginning—you’ll see much more.”
With his cheerful attitude, a faint smile appeared on Theresia’s lips. She had never imagined such a conversation would be possible when they first met, but it felt surprisingly good now.
‘It seems a lot of time has passed since I was exiled to this place.’
Theresia glanced around at her surroundings, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
