Episode 4 – The Market
“We can’t exactly take Sir Devonshire with us to buy his own retirement gift… I’ll find someone to replace him soon.”
Even if Cheringen was a poor little territory with nothing worth stealing, Celeia couldn’t be without protection.
She would have to find a new guard and captain to take Maximilian’s place.
But who would take both roles for the same pay, Maximilian barely accepted…?
“There’s no need to hire someone new.”
Hayder Elden’s voice cut in suddenly, making Celeia lift her head.
Her soft green eyes met his deep navy ones.
“You seem to have forgotten. I’m here for the purpose of protecting your safety.”
His face was as blank as ever—so much so that it could’ve been mistaken for disapproval.
But the words themselves were an unmistakable offer of goodwill.
That’s right.
Sir Elden is here to protect me.
But still…
There was a reason Celeia couldn’t treat him comfortably—and he knew that reason too.
Her hesitation left the air between them thick with silence.
“Mom!”
Lotte’s cheerful voice rang down the hallway.
“Lotte!”
At the sight of her daughter, Celeia’s face bloomed with a bright smile.
Hayder watched her—so different, so alive—when she looked at the girl.
“Well now, who’s this pretty girl?”
“Mmm, Mom’s daughter!”
Bundled in a fluffy white coat and a pink scarf wrapped neatly around her, Lotte answered cutly as she ran over and hugged Celeia’s waist.
Praise always made her shy, but she couldn’t resist basking in it.
“Let’s go already.”
Her voice came out muffled against her mother’s skirts.
Her big green eyes peeked out from the folds of fabric—warily glaring at Hayder.
Though she never said it out loud, Lotte didn’t seem to like him much.
Hayder, for his part, didn’t bother trying to win her over either.
The distance between them stayed the same.
“Alright, Lotte. Let’s be on our way.”
Celeia took her daughter’s hand and headed down the stairs.
Waiting by the carriage was a dignified older man with a neatly groomed white beard.
“You’re just in time.”
It was Maximilian, Cheringen’s captain of the guard.
His forehead was deeply lined, but his warm gaze landed on Celeia.
“Are you certain it’s fine for me not to accompany you?”
“Sir Elden will be with us. It’s alright.”
Though she tried to reassure him, worry still creased his face.
“My lady, the border feels uneasy these days.”
Celeia’s expression also grew serious.
Trouble at the border wasn’t new—but if Maximilian mentioned it, he was thinking of the article from this morning’s paper.
“They said the Teian envoy was attacked while crossing the border at dawn. Is that what you mean?”
“Yes.”
The emperor had already raged, ordering the arrest of the count whose land the envoy had crossed.
Count Brett of Rhineland… he once supported the late crown prince, and he had territorial disputes with Duke Piel.
And his wife had been the sister of the crown princess who died in Hendrick’s rebellion five years ago.
Names that had been splashed across the papers back then were surfacing again now.
Something about this feels off…
Maximilian went on. “We don’t know who was behind the ambush yet, but both the envoy and our own side suffered casualties. Each will try to pin the blame on the other.”
“Could it lead to real conflict?”
“It’s hard to say. But Teian won’t be able to muster a large force. The king’s health is failing.”
Celeia’s gaze deepened.
Five years ago, Hendrick had seized on Teian’s border raid to murder his father and brothers, making himself emperor.
To distract from the blood on his hands, he turned the empire’s anger outward.
He’d declared Teian an enemy, cut off diplomacy, raised tariffs sky-high, and slandered them at every opportunity.
The kingdom hasn’t retaliated yet, partly because their power is weaker—but mostly because King Cleos is so ill.
“The queen died five years ago, and their only prince is still a child,” Maximilian added. “They’ll tread carefully.”
In truth, the relationship was a ticking bomb.
Celeia had never fought in a war herself, but she would never forget the rebellion—blood splattering, screams, chaos.
She shut her eyes tightly, then opened them again.
“For now, we’ll just watch. Nothing drastic will happen while the envoy is still inside the empire.”
“…As you wish.”
Maximilian bowed his head.
After all, no amount of worry from them would change Hendrick’s mind.
Hayder, having finished his preparations, walked up, ending the conversation.
“Then please, travel safely, my lady. Young miss!”
Maximilian’s voice called out as the carriage door closed.
From her seat on Celeia’s lap, Lotte poked her head out the window and waved her tiny hand.
The servants and villagers who had come to see them off waved back warmly.
“Don’t eat too many sweets at the market! I’ll have venison ready for dinner!”
Vera, the castle’s head maid, nanny, and cook, called cheerfully, her black bob swishing as she waved.
Lotte only nodded silently, but she kept waving until the people behind them shrank to dots, and finally disappeared.
Only then did she plop down beside her mother.
The carriage was warm inside.
Lotte fidgeted with her scarf, tugging until Celeia leaned over and untied it for her.
“Lotte, have you thought about what gift to get Maximilian?”
“Hmm, I’m still thinking.”
She swung her little feet idly.
Her vague answer didn’t fool Celeia—she could tell her daughter already had something specific in mind.
“Then we’ll look around first. Take your time.”
Celeia smiled and tapped her daughter’s cheek, soft and warm.
Already, the bustling hum of the market was drifting to their ears.
The market was as lively as ever… but something felt strange.
Celeia glanced down at the small hand she held.
On the way here, Lotte had looked so determined, like she had a mission.
But after greeting villagers and peeking into a few shops, she seemed distracted, unfocused.
“…Weird…” Lotte muttered under her breath before quickly shutting her mouth.
“What’s weird?” Celeia asked.
“Uh… I just can’t find what I was looking for.”
“What were you looking for?”
But instead of answering, Lotte’s sharp eyes kept scanning alleys and empty spaces between buildings.
What on earth is she searching for?
Before Celeia could press further, Lotte tugged her hand and pointed.
“Mom, look! How about that for Maximilian’s gift?”
“…A pocket watch?”
Sure enough, she was pointing at a shop window displaying watches.
“I saw it. Maximilian’s old watch broke recently.”
“Really?”
If that were true, then a new one would make the perfect gift.
Celeia, convinced, walked toward the shop.
Hayder followed silently at their heels.
“Well, if it isn’t our lady of Cheringen!” the shopkeeper greeted warmly.
“I’d like to see some men’s pocket watches. Something sturdy.”
“Of course, right this way.”
But just as Celeia stepped inside, Lotte suddenly slipped her hand free.
