Chapter 39
Meanwhile, Arden’s face darkened as he listened to Sienna bare her true feelings.
He had already known all of it—but hearing it spoken aloud made him feel like an even worse person.
Where had it all gone wrong?
Staring at his daughter, who looked back at him with an expressionless face, he finally—very reluctantly—granted her permission to go out.
“…Be back before sunset.”
The moment she passed through the castle gates, her heavy mood lifted as if it had never been there.
Why did the sunlight beyond the walls feel so much warmer?
“Hm~!”
Humming to herself as she headed toward the bustling district, Sienna caught Arthur’s attention. He asked, sounding intrigued,
“You always seem so cheerful, Princess.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe it’s because I came back from the dead. Every day feels precious and joyful.”
“…Pardon?”
Seeing Arthur’s baffled expression, Sienna chuckled.
“I’m kidding. The weather’s just nice.”
It was something she had only realized after standing face-to-face with death.
Something the mind could never grasp on its own.
People were foolish like that—there were simply too many things they couldn’t understand until they experienced them firsthand.
“What a strange joke to make.”
Arthur mulled over her answer for a moment, then came to an odd conclusion.
“Ah… perhaps I should have been born a princess too.”
“…What? Hahaha.”
“I’m serious.”
After laughing for a while, Sienna suddenly felt concerned.
“Is something troubling you?”
“No, not really. It’s just that human greed has no end, doesn’t it? Even when you lack nothing, seeing another knight’s polished sword makes you want it for no reason.”
“I know. I really do. Human greed is endless.”
Sienna even nodded in agreement.
At first, it was enough just to exchange greetings. Then she wanted to talk. Then she wanted to hold hands. And after that…
“…Why is your face red?”
“It’s not.”
“It is. Completely.”
“It’s not.”
While they bickered over nothing, they arrived at the bustling district.
“Wow!”
Barenne, the capital of Stern.
The commercial district located before the castle gates was a hub where goods from many nations gathered.
Thanks to that, trends changed quickly, and the streets were always brimming with energy.
…That’s how it was described.
Just like in the book, it was truly noisy and lively.
“Hey there, pretty miss! How about a crêpe?”
As if enchanted, Sienna drifted toward a street vendor calling out to her.
Of course—this was how it should start.
But Arthur grabbed her bag.
“Why?”
“You’ll get sick if you eat just anything.”
“But I want to…”
“No.”
Unusually firm, Arthur pulled her away from the stall without budging.
Nooo!
There were baskets of colorful fresh fruit, glittering candies, sizzling grilled shellfish—
Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and thick, overstuffed sandwiches.
After passing through the market full of temptation, the street suddenly grew quiet.
They entered an alley lined with jewelers and boutiques housed in elegant brick buildings.
“Where is Madame Lang’s boutique?”
“Third shop down this alley.”
“I knew it.”
It was noticeably larger and more luxurious than the neighboring stores.
Once she recognized it, she spotted the small logo tucked into the corner.
As soon as she stepped inside, Madame Lang greeted her as if she had been waiting.
There wasn’t a single other customer in the shop.
Don’t tell me…
“It is an honor to serve you, Princess.”
“It’s very quiet in here.”
“I cleared the shop in case you might feel uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t have to go that far…”
“Not at all. It’s a great honor—and a point of pride for me.”
She guided Sienna warmly.
At the back of the shop, the items Sienna had ordered were neatly prepared.
“I thought it would take longer.”
“I felt inspired for the first time in a while. After all, it’s my first time making clothes for—well—our little bunny.”
A little bunny…
The odd yet adorable phrase made Sienna burst out laughing.
“That’s so cute! Chouchou will love it.”
Only afterward did it occur to her that she must have sounded childish—or downright strange—but Lang, a shrewd businesswoman, simply smiled fondly.
After checking Chouchou’s clothes, Sienna tried on the dress she’d ordered for going out.
“I love it. It’s like you stepped right into my mind and came back out. It’s wonderful!”
“Oh my! I’m so happy!”
Lang hugged her tightly.
Sienna froze for a moment, then leaned her cheek against hers.
Lang was knowledgeable and a wonderful conversationalist—being with her, laughter never ceased.
She wanted to talk longer, but since she had to return before sunset, Sienna reluctantly hurried.
“Here—these are the things you asked for, Princess.”
Sienna accepted the note Lang handed her.
It contained a simple map and a list of names. Thankfully, the place wasn’t far from here.
“Thank you.”
After sending the additional purchases off in a carriage, Sienna walked on, admiring the beautiful streets.
Of course—
“What’s that?”
“That one’s pretty too.”
“Arthur!”
She had to stop every few steps.
Sienna had lived confined inside the castle long enough for landscapes to change outside its walls.
To her, the world was filled with nothing but fascinating, delightful things.
Even Arthur, who had initially urged her along, soon gave up and began enjoying himself with her.
They were crouched together, staring at a curious flower blooming in a flowerbed when—
“Isn’t that the Princess?”
A carriage as ornate as the king’s own came to a stop before them.
The elderly man inside greeted her without even stepping down, despite clearly knowing who she was.
When Sienna recognized his face, her body stiffened.
Faded blond hair, drooping eyes, and familiar deep-blue pupils.
That man is…
The wealthiest noble in Stern.
The one who held the greatest power beneath the king.
“…Duke Ludwig.”
Emmett Ludwig.
Pierre’s maternal grandfather.
More than anyone else, this man was responsible for turning Pierre into a monster.
He had subjected him to merciless training from childhood to mold him into a king, pushing him mentally without restraint.
As a result, Pierre grew increasingly anxious—and dangerously sensitive.
If, one day, it wasn’t Pierre who killed her, the most likely culprit would be this old man standing before her.
If something stood in his way, he removed it—no matter what.
Later on, he was also the one who tormented Eleanor the most.
The truly frightening one was never Pierre.
Pierre was nothing more than Emmett’s puppet.
Ha…
Of all people, she had run into the one she least wanted to see.
Is this really a coincidence?
Of course not.
Sienna wasn’t naïve enough to accept all of this as mere chance.
Damn it.
Her head was already starting to throb.
The suspicions she had deliberately pushed aside were resurfacing.
There was a spy.
And they were very close.
Her heart felt heavy.
Having to suspect someone she saw every day was unbearable.
Emmett studied the frozen princess, then leisurely stepped down from the carriage.
Adjusting his glasses—which hadn’t slipped at all—he greeted her.
“It has been a very long time.”
“It has indeed been a while, Duke Ludwig.”
“You’ve grown even more beautiful since I last saw you.”
He slowly scanned her from head to toe, then frowned as if concerned.
“But why is Your Highness walking the streets without proper protection? And what is with that plain attire?”
“I thought it best not to draw attention. Besides, my escort knight is very capable.”
They’d exchanged greetings—she wished he’d just leave it at that.
But Emmett smiled slyly and continued.
“I am always grateful to you, Princess. What a blessing it is for His Highness to have such a lovely younger sister.”
A lovely younger sister…
She didn’t even feel like responding—she simply smiled.
But his next words were even worse.
“I heard that the Pomelo household sent you a tea party invitation.”
“…News travels fast.”
The corner of Sienna’s smile trembled ever so slightly.
So blatantly.
Was this a warning?
She had received the invitation only a few hours ago.
Unless someone inside the princess’s palace had spoken, no one else could have known.
And it was impossible that Duke Pomelo—who despised Duke Ludwig—would have shared such information with him.
Emmett didn’t bother weaving schemes against Sienna.
More precisely, he didn’t need to.
Just a little intimidation like this was enough to make her retreat into a corner on her own.
His deep-blue eyes—bottomless and unreadable—examined her closely.
They looked ready to lunge at any moment if she turned her head.
Like a snake.
Sienna swallowed dryly.
I’m going to be devoured.
She couldn’t say a word.
Her shoulders drew inward, shrinking under his gaze.
