~Chapter 90~
When Ancia tried to gently take his hand, Rishar immediately removed his glove and held hers barehanded.
A married couple in love—how ideal.
Ancia kept smiling brightly, and each time, Rishar gave a faint smile in return.
Good… my health is fine.
All preparations were complete. The only thing left was managing the festival’s progress, which didn’t require her interference. Her stamina had also improved—enough that she began to feel excited about enjoying the festival a little.
Once seated in the open-roof parade carriage, they set off more slowly than usual. The air brushing her cheeks was cold, but her body was warm under thick clothing.
Even as the weather cooled after sunset, holding Rishar’s hand kept a pleasant heat in her body.
It’s not real fever, right?
She checked her neck and forehead with her hand—no sweat, no discomfort.
As the carriage left the mansion, magic stones along the road to the central plaza began to glow, revealing the scenery they’d prepared for days.
The Gwinted domain’s festival had begun.
After the opening ceremony, Rishar and the Crown Prince left for the monster hunting contest. Most knights followed, though some stayed at the plaza.
When Ancia arrived at a previously rented building, she was surprised to see it looking as if nothing had happened.
“How did they fix it so fast?”
“We repaired the exterior and first floor quickly with magic stones, but the upper floors are still unusable.”
“That’s a shame.”
The building owner seemed innocent, though further investigation was needed. With repairs set to finish before the lease ended, there wouldn’t be much loss.
Calmly calculating the owner’s profit and loss, Ancia entered the building. The knights had worried she’d be frightened after the explosion incident, but she sat comfortably at a first-floor table, easing their minds.
She smiled at the townsfolk peeking in from outside.
“I’ll lend a hand too—start your work.”
It was the first day of the festival, so small problems were bound to happen. With Ancia helping, issues could be solved more quickly.
Managing the festival site wasn’t hard, but the constant small incidents kept her so busy she had no time to eat, despite the delicious food smells outside.
While Ancia handled complaints, Rishar and the Crown Prince hunted deep in the forest.
“How often do you hunt monsters?” Caelus asked, loosening his cravat.
“Regularly each month, and almost daily if neighboring territories send requests,” Rishar replied without pause.
“No wonder northern knights grow so big.”
The black-uniformed Gwinted knights looked like massive beasts in human form, while the Crown Prince’s guards were spotless and elegant—a contrast Caelus didn’t seem to like.
“If you’re uncomfortable, we can return to camp,” Rishar offered.
“What’s uncomfortable? My knights are guarding me.”
Caelus scanned the area.
“Plenty of monster eggs, even though it’s not breeding season.”
“We’re investigating the cause.”
“Without knowing the cause, that’s troublesome. I’d lend my knights, but His Majesty wouldn’t allow it.”
“Your consideration is appreciated.”
Rishar couldn’t quite read Caelus—showing interest in Ancia one moment, stepping back the next.
Watching his guards destroy monster eggs, Caelus suddenly asked, “How is the winner decided?”
“By the number of magic stones collected.”
“So false winners could happen if people help each other.”
His guards returned with magic stones, clean and glistening after being wiped with handkerchiefs. Caelus took them elegantly and extended them toward Rishar.
“I only held out my hand, yet I already have this many stones. At this rate, I’ll be the winner.”
“If the first contest winner is Your Highness, it will be an honor.”
The title itself didn’t matter to Rishar—solving the monster overpopulation did. That was the point of holding a contest during the festival: to lower fear and attract mercenaries to help.
Caelus let the stones fall to the ground.
“These are trash compared to those sent to the palace. No reason to keep them unless they’re valuable.”
Then he looked at Rishar.
“Sometimes, a stone turns out to be a rare gem. Like your duchess.”
“I’d like to hear about the Duchess.”
“It’s a match made by the Emperor. I know no more than Your Highness,” Rishar said.
“A few months ago, she was only a baron’s daughter—yet she fears neither you nor me. Intriguing.”
“I find it unfortunate that the woman who interests me is the Duchess. Surely you could tell me more?”
Rishar swallowed his anger and kept calm.
“What about her do you want to know?”
“Anything. Her cleverness… or her loveliness.”
The contest became a battle of words, and Rishar kept his responses curt, as always, until the hunt ended.
“Who’s in charge here?”
A mercenary stormed in, stomping hard enough to shake the floor. The door had already been removed earlier because of frequent aggressive visitors.
“What’s the matter?”
“Who are you? Get the person in charge!”
He ignored the receptionist at the entrance. The festival staff, used to such scenes, turned their heads toward Ancia, sipping tea calmly. The mercenary followed their gaze and froze, taking a step back.
He’d expected to intimidate a commoner or low noble, not face a high-ranking lady. Her beauty left him startled.
“If you’re looking for the highest authority here, that’s me. Why are you looking for the person in charge?”
“Wh-why is a noble here—”
Clearly, he’d come to pick a fight with someone beneath him. Ancia realized he was another easy troublemaker and leisurely set down her teacup.
