Chapter 18
Something was starting to make sense.
In Prahenfelt, commoners had a culture of freedom in dating and sexual activity before marriage. Many began living together as soon as they reached adulthood, eventually marrying; others had children first and then married. Since paternity could always be verified at the temple, and commoners didn’t have “family lines to pass on to heirs,” they didn’t place much importance on bloodlines. Consequently, free sexual activity, divorce, and remarriage were not considered scandals.
But the strict aristocratic society was different. Whether paternity could be verified or not, unlike commoners, nobles—especially noblewomen—were not given such freedoms. Stories existed of noble young ladies secretly indulging in such little rebellions before marriage.
Hena’s exact social standing and family origin were unclear, but her noble aura was undeniable.
‘A young lady pretending to be a commoner and coming to enjoy the festival… I wonder which family she belongs to.’
Satisfied with his deduction, Kaisertern enjoyed a pleasant dinner with Roabellin.
After eating and strolling about happily, the night grew late, yet the marketplace was still alive with activity.
The night market offered tantalizing aromas, and yellow and red lanterns created a warm, dreamy atmosphere. People were swept into a fantasy where this joyful night seemed endless.
Kaisertern, too, had thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was one of the rare days in his life that could be counted on one hand.
‘I don’t want this to end…’
But he had to return to the palace. He had originally planned to monitor the festival only until the afternoon and then go back, but after meeting Hena, he hadn’t returned. With no prior notice to the palace and having come alone, if he didn’t return even at night, there might have been chaos.
Reluctantly, he forced his mouth to speak to her.
“I think I should head back now. I’ll take you to your inn.”
Roabellin, though disappointed, couldn’t ask a man she had just met to stay out all night.
“Ah… yes, you should. Thank you.”
Until they reached the inn where Roabellin was staying, Kaisertern didn’t release the arm he had draped around her under the pretense of the crowd. Roabellin also walked quietly, resting her head on his shoulder.
‘I wanted to walk slowly because I didn’t want to part… but why does it feel like we arrived so quickly?’
Only when they reached the inn’s entrance did Kaisertern release his arm. Roabellin gazed at him with lingering disappointment. His seemingly indifferent face met hers, and he spoke.
“Could you come out tomorrow as well?”
Though awkward in saying it, his warm gaze was genuine.
For a brief moment, Kaisertern had even considered, if she refused, using administrative measures to ensure she would have no choice but to meet him.
‘Should I have the inn closed for a week, issue an emergency order preventing anyone from wandering alone during the festival for lovers, or find out Hena’s family to ensure she’s sent to a palace ball…’
But before his ideas escalated too far, Roabellin playfully smiled and answered.
“You’re not saying I have to pay back what I got today, right? I have no money tomorrow, but I have plenty of time~”
Seeing him again was secretly what Roabellin had hoped for. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing this handsome man once more.
‘Fortunately, I won’t have to trouble the palace staff.’
Kaisertern smiled brightly and replied.
“Forget today’s debt. Tomorrow, I’ll create a new one for you. Come comfortably. I’ll pick you up here in the afternoon.”
Roabellin didn’t know how rare it was to see his smiling face. She was simply mesmerized by the radiant smile on that handsome face, unable to look away.
‘Just once… at that face…’
Impulsively, Roabellin called out to Kaisertern.
“Excuse me,”
When she said “excuse me,” he immediately corrected her.
“Kai.”
“Oh, Kai. Can you give me your ear?”
“Why?”
“Quick, I have something to say.”
Without understanding, he bent down, bringing one of his ears close to her lips. His shoulders already broad, now seemed even wider from her perspective. She held his shoulder lightly and stood on her tiptoes.
“Chop!”
Roabellin lightly kissed his cheek, then quickly ran into the inn.
“……!”
The unexpected ambush made Kaisertern’s face flush immediately.
“It’s a goodnight kiss! Sweet dreams~ See you tomorrow!”
Having done it herself, Roabellin’s face was also bright red. She couldn’t meet his eyes and dashed into the inn.
“…….”
Kaisertern stood dazed, watching the door she entered, then brushed the cheek she had kissed with his hand.
It felt soft and moist, as if her lips had really lingered there. It was the first time he had ever felt a woman’s lips.
‘I always wondered how it would feel from books…’
It was ticklish and far more pleasant than he had imagined.
‘Is it always this good, or is it just because it’s her… that it feels good?’
As he replayed the moment, he felt an unexpected longing.
‘Why just the cheek?’
He found himself strangely wishing for more. At the same time, thinking that he would see her again tomorrow made his lips curl into a smile. Habitually, he justified it to himself.
‘If you are the emperor, when you receive something from the people, you must give back tenfold. Tomorrow… that’s my turn.’
Arriving at the palace, Kaisertern was grinning as if a screw had come loose. He didn’t even notice the palace staff were startled by his unusual behavior.
His mind was filled entirely with ‘Hena’—Hena smiling, Hena blushing, Hena dining elegantly, and Hena shyly kissing him…
‘Tomorrow won’t end like this, Hena. You lit this fire.’
His eyes glowed dark golden as he continued thinking of her.
Back in her inn room, Roabellin lay on the bed, her heart fluttering, unable to sleep.
‘Wow… what did I just do…’
When she had met Kai yesterday and spent the day together, her feelings had been limited to “I’m glad I have a handsome festival guide.”
She had also wanted a little payback for what had happened at the magic tool store—a small revenge through a fancy meal.
But after spending the day with him, she realized she was getting drawn to him. Honestly, she had been captivated by him.
‘What’s wrong, Roa? You said you’d get revenge on Kai, so why is your heart racing, and why are you kissing his cheek?!’
She lightly slapped her own cheek to regain composure, but that handsome face kept appearing before her eyes.
‘Just once more, get a good meal, then leave without looking back. I’m going to the palace soon anyway. I probably won’t see him again…’
While convincing herself, she suddenly remembered something.
‘Right. The day before I came to Visentium, I prayed to Dominador. I asked to see that handsome face one more time. My prayer… came true?!’
Her drowsiness vanished instantly.
‘The last wish I made to that boy on the street seems to be coming true too.’
Her heart pounded.
‘Yes, I met this man because I wished for it. It was a destined meeting. Then I’ll date him for one day in gratitude to Dominador, and afterward go to the palace. Then… could my first and second wishes also come true?!’
Roabellin stayed awake for a while, busy rationalizing her extraordinary self-justifications.
‘Yes. Just one more day, only one day in my real face. After that, I’ll become “Yulli” without regret and enter the palace.’
It might be the first and last chance in her life. Roabellin stayed up all night, excitedly imagining what might happen.
The next day, Kaisertern arrived in the afternoon to pick her up as promised. Roabellin descended the inn stairs, her heart pounding, and froze when she saw him.
‘Wow…!’
Leaning against the inn entrance, he looked like a masterpiece sculpted by the gods from head to toe. Unlike yesterday’s simple attire, today he was dressed exquisitely. His long, fit body filled the clothes perfectly, immediately signaling the finest quality.
‘Wow, look at those clothes. He really is noble. He’s not hiding it anymore.’
Admiring him, Roabellin glanced down at her own outfit—a plain gray cotton dress common among young commoner ladies.
It was a bit loose, hiding her body’s curves, and had buttons up front covering the chest, leaving nothing exposed—a modest, ascetic design.
It was far from the festival’s popular trend of form-fitting, revealing dresses.
But she had no choice. Her striking face alone drew enough attention, and revealing her body would attract unnecessary stares.
During the eight years of hiding, Roabellin and Estina had always worn nun-like clothing that covered their figures.
‘I don’t have any other dresses… but honestly, it’s a pity. I didn’t expect to meet such a man here.’
While traveling through the city on the way to Visentium, she had worn pants, but for the festival yesterday and today, she wore a dress.
‘Phew… compared to Kai, I really stand out. People might think a nobleman’s young son is dating his maid.’
She was startled at the word that popped into her mind.
‘Dating?!’
