Chapter 67
‘So, Dierian is looking for me. With that kind of explosion in the mountains, of course he’d be worried.’
The blue words slowly faded away.
The two of them walked the last short stretch of road and entered Lopshion.
Before they knew it, dusk had begun to fall.
“The atmosphere is a bit unsettled,”
Tebet murmured as he scanned the street. Eslin nodded.
“I agree.”
Lopshion was the largest settlement in the area.
So, a certain level of liveliness was understandable.
But this isn’t quite liveliness, is it?
It was an odd mood—partly excited, partly tense, like people weren’t sure how to feel.
“For now, let’s get something to eat.”
Tebet stopped walking in front of a place that sold food.
The smell of rich spices and grilled meat reached their noses.
“In this situation?”
Eslin let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“It’s not like we can’t eat.”
With that retort, Tebet walked into the restaurant.
“We haven’t had a proper meal this whole time.”
“Well… that’s true.”
The journey had been short but grueling. They’d rested here and there—at mountain keepers’ huts or in small villages—but reaching their destination always came first, meals second.
“If you don’t eat, you’ll end up falling asleep anywhere,”
Tebet said dryly.
Eslin felt a twinge of embarrassment again.
“Fine, I guess…”
The moment she stepped inside the restaurant, she froze in surprise.
She had never seen such a crowded dining place before.
While she stood there blinking, Tebet guided her to an empty table.
“Order something simple. I’ll take care of it.”
He headed toward the counter with the ease of someone who had been here before.
This is my first time in a place like this.
In fact, she had never been to a commoners’ restaurant at all.
There were no servers coming to take orders—something even that small felt unfamiliar.
I never thought I’d end up here…
She had literally crossed mountains and rivers.
She never imagined she’d be wandering across Vertania like this—especially with that man.
She glanced around, a small smile tugging at her lips. People laughed loudly and clinked cups together.
She still had plenty to worry about, but—
At least I’ve made it this far in one piece.
The air was thick with the smell of savory oils, pungent spices, and sharp liquor. It reminded her of the pristine meals in the imperial palace.
The first time she’d eaten while laughing and clinking utensils with others had been back at the Duke’s estate.
I wonder how everyone’s doing.
Sefia, Anne, and Rena came to mind.
Hugo and Hazleton must be busy right now too.
Once the thoughts began, they wouldn’t stop.
She snapped out of it only when she heard the voice of a drunken man.
“Why on earth is His Highness Prince Erdan all the way here in Lopshion?!”
What? Who?
Eslin jerked around instinctively.
“Quiet down! Sorry, he’s a bit drunk,”
the man’s companion said awkwardly.
“No problem…”
She faced forward again, but her attention was already locked on the table behind her.
The drunk man lowered his voice.
“They say he’s visiting Viscount Sevis here in Lopshion. They’re apparently good friends, right?”
“But isn’t it strange for such a delicate man to leave the palace? If he wanted to see someone, he could’ve summoned them there.”
“He probably needed a change of scenery. Ever since… the twin princesses… after that, he barely left his chambers.”
“Is that so? Still, it’s weird lately.”
The man paused to gulp down beer.
“And why has the missing Duke Riperius suddenly appeared in Lopshion too?”
“Right? And I heard rumors he vanished again after that.”
Eslin’s gaze drifted to Tebet’s back as he waited for their food.
“Wait—do you think the Second Prince is here to find Duke Riperius?”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well… maybe to confirm he’s safe, or persuade him to join his side?”
They burst into loud laughter.
“As if the Second Prince—who already gave up the succession fight—would suddenly chase after Riperius? Ridiculous! You’re definitely drunk.”
“Maybe so. Haha.”
They clinked mugs and changed the subject.
Eslin stared at the table, deep in thought.
A large hand suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Are you sure you’re not sick?”
She looked up to see Tebet frowning slightly, setting down a tray of food.
“I’m fine,”
she answered quietly and fell silent again.
The meal passed in relative quiet. Eslin slowly ate grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and bread sprinkled with sesame seeds.
With a small clink, Tebet set down his wineglass and spoke.
“Let’s rest here tonight. We’ll head out again tomorrow—this time by carriage.”
Eslin set down her fork.
“Head out? Where to?”
“Back to the Duke’s estate, of course.”
His gaze sharpened.
“You said you were a maid there, didn’t you?”
“…”
A brief silence hung between them. As Eslin began to speak, Tebet cut her off coldly.
“Returning to the palace is out of the question.”
Why on earth is Prince Erdan in Lopshion?!
The drunken man’s earlier voice echoed in her mind.
Erdan was here.
She didn’t even need to think hard to know why.
And on top of that, she’d felt Dierian’s magic lingering around her for a while now…
Everyone’s looking for me.
Eslin picked up her utensils again, her expression complicated. The strong flavors of the food no longer registered at all.
Tebet noticed every detail.
They left the restaurant and walked for a while.
In the distance, a crowd had gathered in a square.
What should I do?
Would it be better to slip away now? Or tell him she needed to meet her companions?
Either way, he’s not going to make it easy.
Eslin sighed quietly and stole a glance at Tebet.
The sunset painted his chiseled face in warm crimson. A sharp nose, a jawline both refined and strong, eyes so cold she couldn’t guess his thoughts.
“Ah!”
Something bumped into her leg. She stumbled, but Tebet caught her.
“Oops, sorry!”
A child bowed quickly. He must have run into her while playing with a friend.
“Be careful not to get hurt,”
Eslin said kindly. The child hesitated, then laughed and ran off.
“That’s yours, isn’t it?”
Tebet jerked his chin downward.
She looked down to see something familiar on the ground.
“My magic stone pouch.”
“Ah, I must’ve dropped it.”
She bent to pick it up, but a red shard rolled out of the half-open pouch.
“Oh no.”
She reached for it—
—but Tebet was faster.
“I’ve been meaning to ask—whose is this?”
He studied the item in his palm.
It was a broken shard of a crimson Pelicerus magic stone.
“That’s…”
Eslin chose her words carefully. Tebet waited patiently.
“It’s mine.”
A smirk escaped him immediately.
“Another lie.”
“…What?”
“Or did you steal it from me?”
“Do you… remember this?”
Her voice was low, almost cautious. His lips curled into a sardonic smile.
“Unbelievable.”
He closed his fist tightly around the shard.
“Since we’re on the subject, I’ll be taking the rest of the pieces back too.”
“No! I need them—”
“Need them?”
Eslin shut her mouth.
How could she explain that she intended to have a powerful mage restore it to help him regain his memories?
When she stayed silent, he leaned closer. Sunset light flickered in his eyes.
“Need them?”
he repeated.
She was about to answer when—
“Your Grace?”
A young man’s voice called out.
Tebet’s head turned.
In that instant, Eslin quickly tucked the teal pouch into her clothes.
“Your Grace!”
“Jerome?”
Tebet’s brows furrowed.
A man was running toward them, his face a jumble of relief and shock.
“Your Grace! What on earth are you doing here? Do you know how hard I’ve been looking for you?”
Jerome didn’t even pause for breath. Tebet only raised an eyebrow.
Come to think of it, he might have seen Jerome in Lopshion before.
A flicker of something passed through his eyes.
“This is perfect timing.”
“…Sir?”
Jerome looked baffled.
Tebet stepped aside, revealing the woman who had been standing behind him. He placed a hand on Eslin’s shoulder.
“Do you know this maid?”
“…What? Why would I—wait, I do know her!”
“What?”
“She’s a criminal of the imperial palace!”
Jerome’s shout made a few passersby glance their way.
But Jerome only jabbed a finger at Eslin, raising his voice even more.
“They’ve been searching the palace for a maid with light purple hair and deep blue eyes. If spotted—”
“If spotted?”
“—you’re to capture her immediately and deliver her to the First Prince!”
“To the First Prince?”
“Yes. Apparently he’s been desperately searching for her. He ordered that she be brought back alive, no matter what.”
Tebet’s hand fell from her shoulder without hesitation.
