Chapter 18. Yupranga 76th Street (1)
Escallion brushed his hair back and looked upset.
He licked his lips nervously before speaking.
“Bella, I have something urgent to take care of, so we have to stop the festival here. I’ll call a knight for you—please go back to the castle first.”
Ah… Oh well.
Belladonna nodded with a disappointed face.
Escallion looked at her, then signaled to someone in the crowd. A big man with a gentle face stepped out—he was not like Escallion at all.
Who’s that? Where did he come from…?
“Guide Bella back to the castle.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The knight bowed to Escallion, who left right away—he didn’t even say a real goodbye.
“….”
Belladonna stood there, watching Escallion walk away quickly.
She saw other knights, who had been hiding, now following him.
So they were all hiding, just watching us.
“My lady, I’m Hazel, I’ll escort you to the castle.”
Hazel came closer and introduced himself.
Belladonna smiled politely at him.
He had brown hair and a warm, kind face—not what she expected from a knight.
He doesn’t look like someone from Astanya… Maybe I saw him before at the knight’s training grounds?
“I came with you from Astanya, do you remember?”
Oh, I guess not… Oops.
Belladonna smiled wider and nodded anyway.
Hazel looked happy.
“Thank you for remembering! Let me take you to the carriage. Please follow me.”
He pointed to the wide street.
Belladonna looked back at the festival crowd one more time.
‘Maybe I’ll never come here again…’
She’d eaten good food and even got a portrait. That was enough.
Belladonna started to walk.
Hazel looked at her and hesitated before speaking.
“Um, do you feel sad leaving so soon?”
Huh?
Belladonna looked up.
Hazel looked from her to the street, serious.
It’s a little sad, but I’m also getting tired…
“Well… I’ll explain everything to the Captain. He trusts me a lot!”
What? Explain what?
Hazel smiled brightly at Belladonna.
“Let’s enjoy the festival a bit more before we go back!”
No, that’s okay… I really just want to go back!
Belladonna waved her hands, trying to say she was fine and wanted to leave.
“Really, it’s fine! My captain isn’t so strict!”
What are you talking about…?
“Let’s try going this way first!”
Hazel smiled and led the way. Belladonna followed, confused.
No, that’s not what I meant…
“So…! Hic! I joined the Griblatta Knights before I even turned sixteen…!”
“….”
“At first… it was hard for me too! Hic!”
“….”
Belladonna stared at the huge man in front of her.
“But our Captain… He’s a warm-hearted man! Hic! I know it…!”
“….”
Hazel had bought her more snacks and led her from tent to tent, enjoying the festival together.
At first, he seemed okay—friendly, easy to talk to, and made Belladonna laugh.
He joked with the sellers, and for a while Belladonna forgot about going home.
But now…
‘Why did he get so drunk!!’
Hazel was now drunk, red-faced, and swaying in his seat.
“Hehe… My lady…”
Ugh, I hate drunk people’s rambling the most.
Belladonna crossed her arms and looked away from him.
Maybe I should have insisted on going home!
“Ma’am! Do you want to visit anywhere else? Hic! I’ll go with you!”
Would anyone want to go anywhere with a drunk knight?
Belladonna shook her head, managing her expression.
She stood up, trying to say she wanted to go home.
“Oh! You’re leaving? Okay, I’ll take you home! Safely…!”
Hazel stood up but stumbled badly.
Belladonna reached out to help him.
“I’m fine, really! How can a delicate lady help me…”
Hazel waved his hand, trying to stand straight.
“The carriage isn’t far. Hic! And today… what happened today is our secret, okay? Promise? Secret!”
Hazel grinned and held out his pinky finger.
Belladonna forced a smile and hooked her finger with his.
This is how I end this, right…?
“Yay! Now we have a secret…!”
Let’s just go back, please…
Belladonna turned away, exhausted.
“Thank you, boss! I drank well…!”
Hazel staggered out of the tent.
Belladonna hurried after him, unsure if she should support him or just keep her distance.
Suddenly, loud voices came from across the street.
“Did you win money or something?”
“Let’s go drink more! I’ll pay today!”
“Let’s go!”
All the men were red-faced and clearly drunk.
Why is everyone drunk? The sun isn’t even down yet!
Belladonna tried to move away from them.
But she was too slow.
One of the drunk men bumped into her hard.
Ouch! She grabbed her shoulder and stepped back.
“Ah, sorry—Ahhh!”
Hazel moved fast.
He spun around and grabbed the man’s neck with his big arm, and kicked the man’s shin.
The man fell to the ground with a loud thud.
“Ugh…”
“Hey, are you okay?”
The drunk group stared, wide-eyed.
Belladonna stared at Hazel in shock.
What just happened?
“How dare you block my lady’s path?”
Hazel’s face was completely different now—serious and scary.
The drunk men paled and pulled their friend away.
“Sorry! He’s just really drunk—”
“We’re sorry!”
“Sorry!”
They picked up their friend, bowed to Belladonna, and ran away.
What… just happened?
Belladonna stared after them, eyes wide.
“Ma’am, are you hurt? I should have been more careful. I’m really sorry.”
Hazel, now calm and serious, looked at her.
Weren’t you drunk a minute ago?
Belladonna stared at him, then finally nodded.
Hazel smiled, relieved.
A few seconds later, he went back to his goofy self.
“That’s good, let’s go, ma’am! Hehe…”
What is this, two personalities?
Belladonna followed, shaking her head.
Even when he’s drunk, he does his job…
Belladonna felt a little guilty for doubting the Griblatta Knights.
Well, they are famous for being good at their jobs…
“Oh? Ma’am! I know this street!”
You led me here! Who else would know?
Belladonna sighed as Hazel pointed down the road.
“I come here sometimes with the Captain. Oh… didn’t know the alley behind the pub led here! New shortcut found!”
Hazel shouted like a child.
He pointed to a narrow alley between buildings, leading from the busy part to the start of the residential area.
Belladonna looked at the street sign on the brick wall.
[Yupranga 76th Street]
Yupranga…
That address sounds familiar.
Huh? Where have I seen that name before?
No way I’d know any address in Griblatta…
“Let’s go! The carriage is just around that building. It gets colder after sunset, so let’s hurry!”
Hazel started walking again.
Belladonna followed, but stopped slowly.
‘Wait a second…’
Yupranga 76th Street.
That was her address.
