Chapter 72
“If you’re done talking, you may leave. Just head straight down this path. And don’t ever set foot in the marquisate again.”
Without noticing the figures slowly approaching from behind, Ian coldly issued the order of expulsion to Helen. Rather than responding with words, Helen stepped in closer to him. She reached out to touch Ian’s face, tilting her head upward as far as it would go.
‘What the—?’
Ian instantly reacted to Helen’s hand approaching him like the creeping vines of a living witch from a fairy tale. He bent his waist as far back as he could to avoid her face and hand. But that was as far as he could go. Unable to roughly push a woman away, he simply stepped back and grabbed her shoulders to stop her.
As if she had anticipated this, Helen’s lips curved into a long smile. She deliberately shifted her balance forward at an even steeper angle than Ian’s retreat and threw her full weight toward him.
Her hand, which had aimed for his face, landed just below his chest. Displeased by the touch, Ian furrowed his brow deeply but instinctively reached out to stop her from falling. It was a reflex, like catching someone collapsing.
Just as she had planned, Ian’s hand caught her shoulder—though Helen was already nestled into his arms by then.
“…Thank you, Ian.”
Helen whispered, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her olive eyes sparkled with delight. Standing on her tiptoes, she leaned in. Ian turned his head away in alarm, and although he managed to avoid her lips, he couldn’t dodge the sensation of her cheek brushing against his.
As her warm breath touched his neck, Ian immediately shoved her away. His expression darkened as if he might throw her off entirely. But before he could curse her, Helen spotted the people behind Ian and quickly changed her tone to a falsely apologetic one.
“Oh dear! I’m so sorry, Miss Aisha. What a terrible sight you must have seen. My goodness. I feel so bad.”
Her cheerful, high-pitched voice under a bright smile revealed her glee. In contrast, Ian turned his head stiffly, a look of dread falling over his face.
Chapter 7: A Changed Heart
“Wow! Isn’t this amazing?”
“Yeah. Totally worth sneaking out.”
Though the sky was dark, the stars twinkled brightly. Ian and Aisha’s eyes sparkled just as much as the stars as they wandered through the capital’s night market, having snuck out without the adults’ knowledge. Holding hands tightly, they turned their heads toward each other and burst into laughter for no reason.
The boy, who looked around his mid-teens, and the girl, who appeared slightly younger, stood out even in the bustling night market. Though their clothes were simple, the noble air that radiated from their faces and their flawless, unscarred hands gave them away. As a result, many eyes were drawn to them.
“Charles, looks like we’ve got another clueless young master and lady sneaking out for fun. Keep an eye on them, alright? One bad incident and the night market’s reputation we’ve upheld for decades could be ruined.”
“Sigh. My luck. Can’t even enjoy myself, and now I’ve got babysitting duty…”
“What can you do? That’s your job. And admit it—they’re kind of cute, thinking no one’s caught on.”
The merchants guessed that the two must be highborn kids playing dress-up and, worried something might go wrong, subtly pointed them out to the guards. The guards, though annoyed, nodded in acknowledgment.
“Ian, look over there! He’s breathing fire! Let’s go see, please?”
“Aisha, it’s not that amazing once you know how it works… Actually, never mind. Let’s go! I want to see too.”
Unaware of the adults whispering about them, Ian and Aisha were immersed in the sights of the night market. They gaped at everything—from fire shows to cheap magic tricks by fake witches and even money-betting games.
“Such a cute little miss. How about trying one of these?”
After wandering for some time, they passed a row of food stalls when a young man selling skewers called out to Aisha. His decently handsome face under short brown hair and his muscular build matched the large skewers he held.
“Don’t worry about the money. Here, try one. These are a specialty of the night market.”
The glistening grilled meat and lightly charred vegetables on the skewer did look delicious. Though shy, Aisha slowly reached out her hand, and the vendor smiled, offering the skewer. But just as she was about to grab it, someone else’s hand intercepted it.
“How much is it?”
Ian’s eyes were filled with suspicion and hostility as he glared at the vendor. The young merchant chuckled at the sight of a boy barely in his teens stepping in front of the girl and staring him down.
“I was just giving it to her because she’s cute. No harm done, right?”
“I asked how much it is.”
“I told you, it’s a gift for the young lady. Haven’t you ever heard of knights doing such things for their ladies—?”
“Here. This should be enough.”
Embarrassed by the man’s teasing tone, Ian slapped a few coins onto the stall. Then, taking Aisha’s hand tightly in his, he strode away briskly, not once looking back.
“Rich boys really don’t understand money, huh? This isn’t even enough to cover the cost of ingredients. But well… I can’t shame a gentleman in front of a lady.”
Though he’d wanted to keep playing with the cute kids, the little gentleman clearly wasn’t having it. The merchant chuckled as he watched Ian and Aisha disappear down the road.
No matter what the merchant thought, Ian was fuming as he stomped along. That man—though just a vendor—had a face women would like and a body even men would admire. Ian hated that he hadn’t grown up yet and was also annoyed, despite knowing the man’s interest in Aisha wasn’t romantic, only affectionate like for a younger sibling.
His jealousy boiling over, Ian didn’t stop walking even after they left the main street. Finally, Aisha couldn’t take it anymore and whined softly.
“Ian, slow down, please? My legs hurt.”
Her voice snapped him out of it. Looking apologetic, Ian led her to a bench tucked away in a corner of the market.
“Here. You wanted this, right?”
He dusted off the seat and helped Aisha sit before handing her the skewer. Even as he offered it, he stared at it like it was his rival. But Aisha, hungry, hesitantly brought the skewer to her mouth.
“Ian, you eat too.”
Having eaten a few bites of meat and vegetables, Aisha wiped her mouth and offered it to Ian. Though it wasn’t the first time they’d shared food, something about it felt different. Embarrassed, Ian quickly took a bite and mumbled while scuffing the dirt with his shoe.
“…It’s gotten cold.”
“That’s okay. It’s still tasty. Hurry up and eat the bell pepper too. Being picky is bad for you.”
Unaware of Ian’s softened voice, Aisha lightly scolded him. She hated bell peppers and didn’t want him to try to make her eat them. Noticing her concern, Ian chuckled and ate the bell pepper himself. Then he held the skewer back out to her.
“After we finish, there’s somewhere I want to take you.”
“Huh? Where?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
Aisha widened her eyes in curiosity at Ian’s mysterious words. Ian gently stroked her hair and waited patiently as she ate to her heart’s content.
“I’m full. Did I eat too much?”
“No, Aisha. I ate plenty too.”
The big skewer had filled them both up. Ian tossed the wooden stick into a nearby bin and once again held Aisha’s hand tightly.
“We’re here.”
After about ten minutes of walking, they arrived at a side street two blocks from the central night market. Though smaller than the main area, this street was still lined with merchants. Perhaps to make up for its poorer location, the street was decorated beautifully. Seeing the glittering lights, Aisha gasped.
“Wow, it’s so pretty and sparkly.”
“There are lots of jewelry shops here, that’s why.”
Pleased by Aisha’s excitement, Ian proudly explained and guided her further. Eventually, they stopped in front of a stall.
“Shoo, go on. This stall may look humble, but it’s the finest in the area.”
The vendor, who had been standing back a little, shooed the kids away with an annoyed look. Aisha, who had been admiring the shiny fake gems up close, shrank back in fear.
Seeing her shrink away, Ian narrowed his eyes threateningly. Only then did the vendor look up and realize who he was talking to—and was stunned.
‘Well, well. What fine faces they’ve got.’
Even at their age, such looks could attract customers. Clearing his throat, the vendor decided to treat them properly and stepped closer. But before he could come too near, Ian spoke in a firm voice.
“There was something I saw here before. Inside the shop.”
“Huh? Inside?”
The stall was only open during night markets; normally, the vendor sold real goods inside the shop behind it.
“Well, in that case, come on in.”
Unlike the cheap trinkets out front, the shop’s interior held genuine jewelry too expensive for commoners. The vendor, now pleased with the unexpected business opportunity, quickly covered the stall and led them inside.
