Chapter 51
“Do you have money?”
“What?”
Ria’s tone sounded like she was trying to extort him, and Jen looked at the street stall in disbelief.
“Don’t tell me you actually want that?”
Ria nodded brightly. She knew well enough that the trinkets here couldn’t compare to the countless ornaments scattered all over the duke’s estate. Everyone standing in line at the stall looked like commoners too.
But it’s so fascinating.
Ria’s eyes sparkled. Who cared if it wasn’t some luxurious item? Just the fact that they would craft jewelry with the stone she chose made it worth buying.
“Sorry, but I don’t carry money.”
In this world, currency was something only commoners used. Nobles typically dealt with promissory notes or vouchers issued in their family’s name.
“Then what should we do? Should I ask Cordelia to lend me some?”
“What?”
“Cordelia runs a shop, so she might have a few coins on her.”
“That’s not what I meant… Do you really want that badly, that thing?”
“Yeah!”
Jen stared at her, dumbfounded. He couldn’t fathom what she was thinking. The duke’s mansion was full of dazzling jewels and gems, yet she wanted a cheap piece of stone?
I should’ve brought an attendant. They’d at least have some gold coins.
Jen regretted, briefly, not bringing anyone along for appearances’ sake.
As they bickered about whether to head back to the salon, a couple walked past Ria and queued in front of the stall. The man, gazing at the stones with rapture, began to plead.
“I really want one of these.”
The woman shook her head, then pulled out a few silver coins.
“Which one?”
“That blue one! No, wait—the clear one looks good too. The round one is pretty.”
When the man hesitated in serious thought, the woman handed two silvers to the vendor.
“One blue, and one clear, please.”
“Huh?”
“One for each of us to wear.”
The man’s eyes widened. He suddenly hugged her tight, while the woman blushed and looked away, flustered. The man gazed at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Ria watched the sweet couple in a daze.
“What are you staring at?”
Jen suddenly leaned in from behind her, closing the distance. Startled, Ria jumped back several steps.
“Hm?”
She quickly covered her face with her hands.
“What’s wrong with you now?”
When Jen stepped closer, puzzled, Ria held up one hand to stop him while still covering her face with the other. His brow furrowed, but she was too busy trying to cool down her flushed cheeks.
It was only after seeing that affectionate pair that Ria realized—
Shopping, eating together, browsing stalls… everything we’ve done today… is totally a date course!
It was such a textbook pattern that it was strange she hadn’t noticed earlier. Sneaking a glance through her fingers, she saw Jen standing there with his arms crossed, still looking confused.
“…Jen.”
“Yes.”
He took a step closer, locking eyes with her.
“What’s wrong? Do you feel sick?”
“Well…”
He gently pulled her wrist down, exposing her bright red face.
“Do you have a fever?”
“No, that’s not it…”
He nodded patiently, as if to say he’d wait. Swallowing nervously, Ria finally blurted out:
“Is this… a date?”
Jen froze instantly. He didn’t even blink, holding both her wrists as if time had stopped.
“…Jen?”
“Uh… well…”
He suddenly dropped her wrists and turned his head sharply away. His neck was flushed red.
Ria blinked in astonishment. He actually looked… embarrassed.
Jen? Embarrassed? That can’t be. Then yesterday too…
She recalled how awkward he had seemed when suggesting they go out to the busy district.
“Well, I…”
He wetted his lips, about to continue, when Ria’s eyes suddenly went wide. She pointed and exclaimed softly:
“Ernie?”
“What?”
Jen whipped his head around. Ria was right—there stood Ernie, her red hair tied back and dressed in a plain gown that didn’t suit her noble status.
“Didn’t you say nobles hardly ever come to crowded markets?”
“…That’s true. And it seems she’s not alone.”
Only then did Ria notice the man beside Ernie. He was tall, cloaked in a long black robe that obscured his face, exuding a dark, oppressive aura.
“Who’s that?”
Grabbing Jen’s sleeve, Ria quickly pulled him into a nearby alley.
“What are you doing?”
“Aren’t you curious?”
“No.”
She shot him a glare, then peeked again at Ernie and the mysterious man, forgetting all about her flustered thoughts of dates.
“She doesn’t even attend school, so why come here with someone so suspicious?”
“Maybe they’re on a date.”
Jen’s curt tone almost sounded sulky. Ria glanced at him in puzzlement, but soon turned her attention back.
“Oh, they’re leaving!”
Half crouching, Ria shuffled forward after them. Jen stared at her in disbelief.
“You’re actually going to follow them?”
She nodded eagerly and gestured for him to be quiet, tugging him along.
“Bend down too. Haven’t you ever tailed someone before?”
“…No. Have you?”
“Nope.”
Even while whispering, Ria never took her eyes off Ernie. Ducking into alleys, hiding behind walls, even holding up a stray newspaper to cover her face, she crept along. Jen trailed her with a bored expression.
“Ah!”
At last, Ria froze in place. Ernie had entered a shabby, signless shop covered with dark curtains. From outside, they couldn’t see in.
“What kind of place is that? Doesn’t it look really shady?”
“…It does.”
This time Jen agreed with a nod.
“And look around—it’s creepy here.”
She realized they’d wandered far from the bustling district. The streets were empty, lined only with rundown shops like the one Ernie had entered.
“This must be the slums.”
“…Why would Ernie come here?”
“How should I know? I don’t care to, either.”
“Aren’t you worried? What if that weird guy drags her into something?”
“She didn’t look like she was being dragged anywhere.”
Ria frowned. Jen was unusually uncooperative today. Something was definitely bothering him.
Does he dislike Ernie that much?
He muttered again in that same cold tone:
“Anyway, let’s head back now.”
“What? Why? We have to wait until she comes out.”
Jen sighed deeply, crossing his arms.
“I thought you two weren’t exactly close?”
“What, me and Ernie?”
“Yes.”
“Well… no, we’re not. But still, I can worry, can’t I?”
Jen stared at the shop.
“I’m not sure this is something worth worrying about.”
Then, abruptly, he drew his sword.
“Jen?”
Ria’s eyes widened. Gone was the man who had been grumbling moments ago—now he radiated killing intent.
“Stay behind me.”
He pointed his blade toward the end of the alley.
“What?”
“Now!”
His sharp voice snapped her into action, and she quickly moved behind him.
“Wh-what’s happening? Why are you—”
She glanced around. To her, the alley was empty.
No one’s here?
Which meant no one could help them either. A chill ran down her spine.
When did we even wander this far?
Trash littered the ground, and broken street fixtures stood abandoned.
This was a mistake.
Worrying about Ernie was the least of her problems. The image of Jen covered in blood flashed in her mind again—along with the hail of arrows from that cave not long ago.
With a trembling voice, she asked:
“Is someone there?”
“…Yes.”
His low tone made her hug her arms tighter.
“The palace guards were following us earlier.”
“Seems they lost us.”
Ria looked around wildly. Just earlier, the guards had been stationed only a short distance from the market stalls, yet now they were nowhere in sight.
Because of me…
She thought miserably that her insistence on tailing Ernie must have thrown them off. Her chest sank, and once more the memory of Jen’s death loomed over her. Noticing her shivering, Jen spoke firmly:
“Stay sharp and stick close. You’ll be fine.”
“Y-yeah…”
Right. The Winter Festival isn’t here yet. Jen can’t die now. He’s strong, and if it comes down to it, I can heal him. Everything will be fine.
She nodded quickly, as if to reassure herself.
At that moment, something flared at the end of the alley. A blinding green light, so intense she squeezed her eyes shut.
What…?
When she opened them again, everything was silent. Too silent. Something was wrong.
“Jen?”
She blinked rapidly. The oppressive aura that had surrounded the alley was gone without a trace.
“My lady!”
Far down the street, the guards came rushing toward her.
“Jen…”
“Where is His Highness?”
They panted heavily, scanning around. Their faces were flushed from running. Ria just stared blankly down the empty alley.
“My lady?”
One guard pressed her for an answer. She collapsed weakly to the ground.
“My lady!”
Startled, they hurried to support her. With vacant eyes, she finally whispered:
“…Jen. Jen’s gone.”
He had vanished without a trace. Right before her eyes, in an instant.
