TGDHC Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Eve Festival (2)

“But from here, I can’t see all the way to the back.”

From the terrace, parts of the market were blocked from view, so my shoulders kept leaning over the railing.

“Look, there’s Leta and Morina!”

“Where? …Ah, I see them. Looks like they bought candied fruit. Looks tasty.”

Down below, Leta had been given rare free time and was strolling arm-in-arm with her younger sister.

“You should just go out there,” Tiern said when I leaned forward for the fifth time. He hovered awkwardly, unable to touch me, only gesturing in the air.

“But if I go out, won’t I bother people?”

‘It’s me who’s uncomfortable watching you do this,’ his eyes seemed to say.

Pretending not to notice, I turned my head back.

Since the egg incident, it was the first time so many people had gathered, and honestly, I felt nervous.

I had dressed plainly to avoid drawing attention, but if I went outside, knights would have to follow, and people’s eyes would all turn toward me.

‘I can’t let anything spoil such a good day.’

I sighed regretfully.

It would’ve been nice to walk around with Loic.

‘If he were here, I wouldn’t need knights, and no one would dare behave rudely. I could look around in peace.’

But with this many people, Loic’s coming was impossible.

The laughter and cheers below felt strangely distant, like they belonged to someone else’s life.

“Everyone looks so happy,” Cecilia said beside me, resting her chin on her hand, eyes full of quiet envy.

“Cecilia, why don’t you go down and enjoy it?”

“What, and leave Your Highness behind? I’d look so disloyal.”

“There’s no need for both of you to stay here.”

“I can see fine from here.”

“Isn’t Lady Territo due to arrive soon?”

“Well, yes, but…”

Though most invitations had gone to commoners, a few nobles had also been invited to spread the word, including Lady Territo, Cecilia’s and Norton’s mother.

“If you’re going, bring me one of those croissants. The smell is reaching up here.”

Cecilia hesitated, then stood up.
“Then I’ll bring back an apple pie too. Adem said it’s delicious.”

I nudged her gently.
“Take your time. I’ll play with Sir Tiern while you’re gone.”

“Kh–” Tiern made a strange noise behind me.

Cecilia looked worried about leaving me alone with him, but eventually shuffled off.

Looking down, I spotted Lady Territo and her daughter walking arm in arm. Nearby, Norton scolded Cecilia for something, and the two started bickering.

‘They look harmonious.’

With so many shops, people moved busily from stall to stall. Some bought snacks and then sat by the lake to enjoy the view.

The market was both relaxed and full of life.

‘Honestly, Goldrain doesn’t stand a chance against this.’

At first, I had planned to fill the lakeside with large shops like in Goldrain. But when the Merchant Guild refused, I cut shop sizes in half and doubled the number instead.

It forced us to lower the entry bar for small merchants—but it had turned out to be a good move.

More skilled artisans could join, and with many food stalls, turnover was fast. Combined with the lakeside scenery, it was the perfect setup for a tourist hotspot.

‘I built it, but even I think this will be a huge success.’

“The fountain show should be starting soon,” Tiern said, seeing me look a little restless.

“Right.”

The sky was darkening, but the market—bright with lanterns and lamps—looked more lively than ever.

‘I wonder if my duke has eaten dinner yet.’

Strange.
Even surrounded by noise and light, I felt oddly lonely.

“You’ve been standing too long,” Tiern said.

“I’m fine.”

Chairs and tables were set up on the terrace, but sitting meant the railing blocked my view.

‘Though, my legs are a little stiff.’

I shifted my weight, but one calf cramped from standing too long.

“Ah!”

I almost slipped—

—and then a strong hand steadied my waist.

It couldn’t be Tiern; he would never touch me.
And this cool scent…

“Loic?”

The pale face under a black robe loomed close.

“Are you all right?”

“How did you get here?”

“I rode.”

He adjusted my hand as he helped me stand straight.

“That’s not what I meant…!”

Though it was early summer, Loic wore a thick black robe and gloves.

“Don’t tell me you even wore shoulder guards?”

I peeked under the robe—beneath his broad shoulders was solid armor, like a walking wall.

‘Did he dress like this just to avoid bumping into people?’

“I thought I should at least check. But… it seems walking around together will be difficult.”

More and more people crowded in for the fountain show.

‘I didn’t release that many tickets… but they’re sneaking in extras.’

In this crush, bumping into others was unavoidable—especially for someone of Loic’s size.

His face was apologetic.
He was remembering what I had said a few mornings ago, while tying his cravat:

—“It would be so nice to walk around together and see everything—!”

I had cut myself off quickly, embarrassed. But ever since, Loic had been quieter than usual.

Even this morning, when I insisted I could handle things alone, he had looked dejected.

And now, he had come anyway.

He brushed back my loose hair gently.
“Why are you here, Annette? Not exploring?”

“Ah…”
‘Because there are too many people, and I was afraid of being jostled again.’

“It’s fine. I can see well enough from here.”

“And your maid? Did she leave you alone?”

“She went to see her mother.”

I chuckled.
“I’m not a child. I can manage on my own.”

Loic’s stern frown softened; he seemed to realize why I hadn’t gone down.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, lowering his voice so Tiern wouldn’t hear.
“I… can’t move around like other people…”

His shoulders slumped like a dog that had failed to fetch a ball.
Dressed in all black, with dark eyes darting nervously, he looked less like a dog—more like a black wolf.

“What’s there to be sorry for? We can watch together from here.”

I tugged on his velvet robe sleeve, pulling him closer.

“Would that be all right?”

“Of course. The fountain show will look better from above.”

When I explained that I’d planned to stay on the terrace anyway, his face brightened faintly.

“Watching from here is fun too. Look!”

Excited, I pointed outside, and Loic leaned out beside me.

“That juice stall has the longest line. Sir Leon says it’s always been popular, even as a street cart. Northerners supposedly hate queuing, but look at them!”

“True. And is that another café in the back?”

“You can see that far? I can only make out the yellow roof.”

Standing side by side, I began chatting happily.

***

“Why are there so many commoners?!”

Meisel hissed to her maid, annoyed.

She had expected a refined soirée when she heard “Eve Festival.”

‘This is nothing but a noisy market!’

She had secretly bought 100 copies of The Northern News but still failed to win an invitation.
In the end, she bribed a stranger at the entrance to act as her companion.

With her hood pulled low, and security checks not too strict, she managed to get in.

‘But where is the Duke?!’

After nearly an hour of wandering without spotting him, her nerves began to fray.