ILTDAMH |CHAPTER 59

Chapter 59

Summer Festival (2)

“Ahem. Well, this should be enough. But if someone grabs your waist, Rosaline, just do this to break free. Or… you could just stab them with this.”

“What?”

As Ruan imagined anyone daring to lay a hand on Marican, even the thought made his blood boil. 

He pulled a small dagger from inside his coat and handed it to her.

“Ruan, no matter what, stabbing someone with a knife feels wrong.”

Of course. 

Telling a noblewoman who had never even wielded a sword against a person to go around stabbing people—it was absurd, even to him.

Ruan sighed and set the dagger on the table.

“I know. It’s ridiculous. I just… the thought of someone touching you like that, it made me angry. Anyway, let me show you a few more self-defense moves.”

“Yes!”

Contrary to Ruan’s worries, Marican absorbed the techniques with surprising speed and precision.

***

A few days later, Marican sat down with Zelda at her shop, sharing tea for the first time in a while.

Clink!

Zelda slammed her teacup down on the table, her voice rising.

“What? You’re living together now?”

“Zelda! Keep your voice down. Someone might hear.”

“My word… so the two of you are like that now? I thought you’d grown closer these past three months, sure, but the Duke has always been so careful, watching you and doing nothing. I was beginning to think you two would just go on like this forever. And now you’ve actually moved in together?”

“No, that’s not it. The truth is…”

Marican explained about Daimond’s escape from exile and the entanglement of fate that bound him and Ruan together.

“What? So that scoundrel prince might come after you? Good heavens, and you’re sitting here leisurely having tea? Get up and go home this instant!”

“Zelda, don’t worry. It’s daytime, and there are plenty of people here. He can’t possibly try something in public. Besides, Ruan taught me some self-defense moves. And he even gave me a weapon.”

“A weapon? What sort of weapon?”

“Tada!”

Marican pulled a small dagger from her sleeve.

“What on earth—? That’s a knife! Why are you carrying something so dangerous?”

“He told me to keep it hidden in my sleeve for emergencies. But honestly, I doubt I’ll ever use it. Whatever happens, I don’t want to stab anyone.”

Zelda frowned, uneasy as she eyed the sharp little blade.

“So things are that serious? You really have to carry a knife? Rosaline… aren’t you scared? Wasn’t it that prince who tried something terrible before?”

“Of course, when I think back to that time, his disgusting stare still makes my skin crawl. But… oddly enough, knowing Ruan is protecting me makes it less frightening.”

“Ruan protecting you, huh. Damn, that’s gallant. Our Duke really is something. If it weren’t for that one lie he told you, he’d be perfect. Honestly, I wish I’d been born into that viscount’s family instead—then I would have become the Duke’s bride. Then he’d be looking at me like that, not you. Don’t you agree?”

Zelda let her imagination drift to Ruan’s striking figure.

Sure, she understood Marican’s feelings. 

But if it were her, she would’ve forgiven him after a few apologies.

“Zelda, you’re impossible.”

“Oh, that reminds me. That sister of yours—thin as a twig, like one good shove would send her flying. She barged in here spouting nonsense last time, but if I ever see her again, I’ll tear her hair out first thing.”

“What? My sister’s hair?”

“Some sister she is—pretending to be so virtuous while badmouthing you. And then thinking about marrying your man? She’s out of her mind, clearly.”

“She won’t come back again. And even if she did, I wouldn’t want to see her. She’s no longer my family. She’s just a stranger now.”

“Exactly. From now on, I’m your family. And, well… so is the Duke, of course.”

“What?”

Following Zelda’s gaze, Marican turned her head—

And there Ruan was, standing at the shop entrance.

“Ruan? What brings you here? Did something happen at the manor?”

At her question, Ruan smiled, warm and radiant.

“I’ve come to take you home.”

***

“What did you just say?”

When Damon appeared after vanishing for a week following his escape from exile, Caymon’s expression darkened at his audacious words.

This idiot… My grandson?

And after everything, after causing all this trouble, he stands there so brazenly? 

Shouldn’t he at least apologize for putting me through this?

Were it not for Antwart’s desperate pleas, kymon would never have brought Damon back alive.

“I only need three or four knights, Grandfather.”

“And what exactly do you need knights for?”

The sheer gall of him made kaymon want to strike him across the face.

But Damon continued, utterly unashamed.

“Don’t worry. I’m not planning to wander around the capital. There’s just a personal matter I need to attend to, and it’s too dangerous alone. I’ll need some guards.”

Guards? For you?

Caymon bristled. 

How dare you even think of wasting knights I trained on something so trivial?

Were it not for Antwart’s promise, Damon would already be dead by his own hand.

Forcing a smile, kymon coaxed, “YourHighness, it’s dangerous outside. Better to remain here. This place may be small, but only Their Majesties and I know of it. It’s the safest spot in the Empire.”

Daimond glanced around at the cramped little house, far smaller than his old chambers, and sneered.

“Well, you’re right about that. No one would ever imagine I’d be rotting away in a hole like this.”

“……”

Kymon clenched his jaw, struggling not to lash out.

Catching the shift in his grandfather’s face, Damon grinned.

“Don’t take it personally, Grandfather. I don’t blame you for the size of the house. I just have something very important to do, so please—give me a few knights. I promise, I won’t cause any trouble.”

For as long as kymon could remember, he had chased power. 

He had sacrificed and schemed to put his daughter Antwart on the throne, to grasp all the privileges of the imperial court in his own hand.

And then—

‘Father, if you rescue Daimond, I will give you the Empire itself.’

That was Antwart’s whispered promise when she had come to him in secret. 

That was the only reason Damon still breathed.

But seeing the boy strutting about as if he already wore the crown made Caymon’s blood boil.

Still, he needed a puppet emperor. 

For that dream, he endured.

“Your Highness, lending you a few knights is simple enough. But for your own safety, at least tell me what this is about.”

Daimond’s cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Nothing much. Just a short trip to the provinces. I’ll be back within a week.”

So he won’t say. 

Fine. 

He may be a fool, but not so foolish as to ruin everything outright.

Kymon thought for a long moment, then nodded.

“Very well. I’ll give you three or four of my best knights. But beware. According to my spies, the Duke has already returned to the capital under the Crown Prince’s orders. He is gathering men. You must return before anything happens.”

The Duke… back in the capital? 

Then that means the girl is alone. 

This is my chance. The heavens favor me!

Damon’s face lit up, remembering Lucianne’s words that Ruan and Marcian were together.

“Yes, of course, Grandfather.”

After warning him once more, kymon left the house. 

At once, his steward Hugo approached.

“My lord, what did His Highness say?”

“He wants knights. As if he could accomplish anything.”

“Knights? At a time like this? What is he planning?” Hugo’s brow furrowed in concern.

“Fetch me three or four of the best.”

“You’re really going to give them to him?”

“I need a puppet on the throne after the great work is done. For now, give him what he wants.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Together, they climbed into the waiting carriage.

***

“A summer festival?”

Marican, halfway through making sandwiches, blinked at Zelda.

“That’s right. In Phenomenon Village, there’s a festival around this time every year. This year it starts next week.”

“What exactly is a summer festival?”

Marican’s eyes shone with curiosity. 

She had never been to one in her life.

“It’s held at Lake Arnando, just behind the village. It lasts a week. Really, it’s less about ceremony and more about everyone from the surrounding villages gathering. They trade goods, play games, and strengthen ties.”

Games and friendship…

“A festival. I’ve never been to one, but just hearing about it makes it sound fun.”

Zelda’s eyes went wide at Marican’s wonder.

“What? You’ve never been to a festival? Rosaline, what have you been doing all your life? Don’t they have them in the capital?”

Of course they did. Several, every year.

But Marican had never gone. 

Her mother and sister had always gone without her.

She forced a faint smile. 

“There were festivals, but… with no money, it was hard. My family couldn’t afford to bring me along.”

“Wait—don’t tell me your wretched mother and that sister of yours went without you?”

Marican gave a small, awkward laugh.

“Ha… something like that.”

Zelda’s fists clenched. 

How could a mother do that? 

If she couldn’t take both, she should’ve taken neither. To choose only one child? 

She had no right to be called a mother.

“Unbelievable. If I ever meet those people, I’ll give them a piece of my mind. Don’t worry, Rosaline. You’ve got me now. This time, I’ll take you to the festival.”

“What happens at the festival?”

Marican quickly steered the conversation away from her past.

“There are lots of events, and people bring fascinating things from all the nearby villages. They even set boats out on the lake. You should ask Peter to row you—he’s the best around.”

Zelda raised her voice deliberately, making sure Ruan—who had been silently cleaning nearby—would hear.

“Peter? Really? I had no idea he could do that. I’ve never even been on a boat before. I’d love to try.”

“Zelda, may I come as well?”

“Oh my, Ruan too?”

Zelda smirked to herself. 

As expected. 

When it comes to Rosaline, the Duke reacts instantly.