Episode 27
“There aren’t enough hints yet! So far, the only hints are: boy, kindness, and courage!”
That was my usual excuse whenever I tried to look for the person working with Joseph.
I couldn’t let this chance slip.
“Besides, there are so many people who could be picked as this year’s Herod!”
That was true.
The plague had brought pain to many, but even in that sadness, the people of the land helped each other.
And I knew—where they first started to find hope again.
“But still, Your Highness. I think…”
Ian leaned in slightly, maybe curious about who I thought the Herod might be.
Even though he tried not to show it, I could see right through his expression, and I smiled naturally.
“You really are the best, Your Highness!”
I grinned brightly, full of emotion.
As I giggled, Ian’s cheeks turned a little red.
“W-What are you saying…”
See? My husband still wasn’t used to compliments.
That’s why he got embarrassed over such small things and asked obvious questions.
I should trap him in a compliment jail forever!
“What do you mean? It’s totally true!”
So now it’s your turn to get used to this, Ian Vesperd.
“Your Highness!”
“Welcome, my dear.”
I ran up and gently held the Grand Duchess’s skirt.
Some might say that’s improper, but oh well.
This is exactly what my mother-in-law likes.
‘I barely spoke to her in my past life, so I didn’t know this before.’
The Grand Duchess gently covered my small hand with hers.
Feeling her warmth, I walked beside her.
Sometimes she called me out for a walk or invited me for tea.
She was always so kind and thoughtful, and being with her made me smile without realizing it.
“The flowers in the garden were so beautiful today. I had to show them to you.”
“Hehe, they’re really pretty!”
“And there’s a new tea that just arrived.”
“Wow!”
She brought me to a greenhouse made of clear glass where you could see all the lovely flowers.
In the center was a table filled with fragrant tea and a 3-tier tray stacked with desserts I loved.
It was clear how much care had gone into it.
“Look at this cake! It’s so cute!”
“Go ahead and try it. The chef worked hard on it since he heard you liked it.”
“Yay!”
I rushed to the table and took a bite of cake.
The sweet flavor filled my mouth, making me smile happily.
The Grand Duchess looked at me kindly and asked,
“I heard you’re interested in the Herod Festival?”
“Huh?”
“The Grand Duke asked if he could let you go out that day.”
The Herod Festival is a day for the townspeople.
People from the Vesperd family always stayed out of the way, no matter their status.
It was the townspeople’s special day.
Ian knew that better than anyone.
“His Highness said that? For me?”
It surprised me, and my heart felt full.
“Don’t you want to go?”
“I do! But… that day belongs to the people.”
I answered calmly.
The Grand Duchess smiled softly at my reply.
“So you do want to go.”
She chuckled and took a sip of her tea.
With her lowered gaze and graceful posture, she looked just like Ian’s elegant mother.
Her silver hair shimmered as she moved, almost enchanting.
“Come closer.”
She whispered something in my ear.
“…Really? Can I?”
I was so surprised that my eyes widened.
“Your Highness, this is your first time wearing clothes like this, right?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Oh come on, when would you ever have worn clothes like this?”
Near the central city of the Vesperd lands, along a forest path.
After getting off the carriage, I started walking with Ian.
Hidden knights were stationed all around us, protecting us in secret.
‘We’ll just sneak in without anyone noticing!’
It was a bold idea from the Grand Duchess.
But what shocked me most was what she said next.
‘His Highness and I once went to see it that way too.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, back when he was still the Grand Duke. He looked so dependable in that new look.’
She had smiled at the memory and gently patted my head.
‘Go secretly with Ian. I’ll get His Highness’s permission, so don’t worry.’
Maybe she and I were alike in how we cared for Ian.
As if she read my thoughts, the Grand Duchess added,
‘After surviving the plague, this festival will be meaningful. It’ll help Ian too.’
So that’s it. She wanted Ian to see the peace he brought to his people.
Alright, let’s go! Compliment jail, here we come!
I agreed to her plan with a nod.
That’s why today, instead of our usual fancy clothes, we wore outfits like the ones local teenagers would wear.
“Pull your scarf down a little more to cover your head, Your Highness.”
Even in casual clothes, Ian’s face stood out too much.
“You too, you know.”
He pouted a little like my words annoyed him.
“Anyone can tell you’re the Grand Duke. Honestly.”
I reached up and adjusted the scarf around his head.
As I fixed it, Ian quietly looked into my eyes.
“Actually, people might stare more if they hear someone calling me ‘Your Highness.’”
“But still…”
“Right?”
Now that he mentioned it, he had a point.
But still…
“…”
“You agree, right?”
Ian smiled gently and tied the scarf under my chin like a ribbon, hiding as much of my golden hair as he could.
“Golden hair shines even more at night. And your blue eyes stand out from far away.”
As he said that softly, I couldn’t help but think…
I probably look like a ghost with just a floating head now.
Just then, I heard Ian mumble something.
“…Pretty.”
“Huh?”
“Cough. Nothing.”
When I looked at him with wide eyes, Ian quickly cleared his throat.
Then he suddenly turned and walked ahead.
His steps grew faster, so I hurried after him.
“Your Highness! Wait for me!”
At my breathless voice, Ian stopped in his tracks.
This was my chance.
I ran up beside him and looked up at his face—and I couldn’t say anything.
The moonlight shimmered in his eyes.
Under the dark sky where all colors faded, the red in Ian’s eyes stood out so clearly.
“Ian.”
“…Yes?”
“Don’t call me ‘Your Highness.’ Call me Ian.”
“…”
“Normal people use names with each other.”
“…”
“If you keep saying ‘Your Highness,’ someone will notice us right away.”
When I didn’t answer, Ian quickly added an explanation.
But I still couldn’t answer right away.
‘Ian has a point…’
My lips parted slowly, unsure what to say.
“B-but still…”
“…”
I expected Ian to press me, but he just waited quietly for me to finish.
He was right. Calling him “Your Highness” would give him away.
But even so… I couldn’t answer quickly.
Because I remembered something that made my heart ache.
‘When it’s just the two of us, you may call me by name.’
That memory came back so clearly.
