The violet eyes widened greatly and then returned to their original state.
I nodded my head repeatedly and enthusiastically. It was because I could tell he found my words completely unconvincing.
“I’ve never heard anything like that before.”
“So… other people don’t say things like this to you?”
“There aren’t many people around me to begin with. Staying near me would only make them more likely to get hurt… In that sense, you’re really…”
Siegfried paused for a moment and looked at me. He squinted one eye slightly.
“It’s strange. Knowing the situation I’m in, you’re not the least bit cautious.”
“What’s there to be cautious about? Both of us are breathing just fine, aren’t we?”
“How do you know what might happen next? Honestly, you’re the kind one here. Or maybe you’ve just lost your sense of fear.”
I hadn’t shown it on the outside, but truthfully, I was incredibly nervous when Siegfried was kidnapped. Maybe I should’ve screamed and panicked for his benefit.
As I wondered what exactly made me seem like someone with no fear, Siegfried suddenly started speaking rapidly.
“You’re weird. Unfamiliar. I’ve never met anyone like you before. Really, you’re just… weird.”
From beginning to end, all he could say was that I was weird. That seemed to be his final conclusion.
“I think I’ve heard you call me ‘weird’ at least two thousand times now, Your Highness.”
“…I didn’t say it that many times. And I told you to call me by name.”
“Oh, right.”
Even though I had tried to take it as a compliment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d just been scolded. I pouted, sticking out my lips. Siegfried continued speaking.
“And to answer the question you asked earlier… other people said it looks like I don’t have any emotions. No matter what Aisa did, I practically ignored her until she tried to poison me.”
“So… you’re not ignoring me now?”
“I don’t know why my brother is so desperate to kill me, but I can’t just sit back and do nothing. If he cuts me down, the next targets will definitely be Blanche or the lesser noble families.”
So he was thinking about all that too… It was surprising to learn about the male lead’s inner thoughts. Honestly, it didn’t sound like something a fifteen-year-old boy should be worrying about.
Is that what the imperial palace is like? A place filled with political strife that forces boys to grow up too fast?
Well… seeing how he still had to wait two hours just to go to a festival, I guess he hadn’t fully left childhood behind yet.
While we talked, we arrived near the area where the festival was taking place. I tugged at Siegfried’s sleeve.
“I’ve always wanted to try something like this.”
“Try what?”
“Ahem.”
I cleared my throat and stood at the edge of the market street. Why hadn’t I thought of this before? Smiling brightly, I raised my hand.
“From here… to the end over there. I’ll take it all, please.”
“…W-What? Are you serious?”
The shop owner, who had just opened for business, asked in surprise. Maybe it was because I was wearing a plain dress like commoners do—he seemed to think I was one.
From the shopkeeper’s perspective, this was an unexpected windfall. Before even properly starting business, someone was buying every snack laid out for sale.
“I’m serious. Here’s the money.”
I bought all the snacks displayed on the stall. When I pulled out a few silver coins from my pocket, Siegfried, standing behind me, called out.
“Why are you paying?”
“Well… you see…”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly and laughed.
Honestly, I hadn’t planned this from the beginning. But as I walked with Siegfried along the festival street and talked to him, I just kept feeling like I wanted to do something nice for him.
He pushes people away for their safety, faces death threats over and over, and on top of that, he even got kidnapped while resting in the count’s estate… Honestly, isn’t that just too pitiful already?
I know he has plenty of money, but I’d prefer if he used that money for himself.
Sure, even spending a lot here at the festival was probably just pocket change for him… but still.
I’m also receiving money from Abussion, but I hope the memories Siegfried takes from the Elifritz estate will be happy ones. After all, when it comes to the male lead, it’s better to earn his favor than his hatred. Especially since I’m in the position of the villain’s fiancée.
In the novel, Siegfried probably never saw me in a good light anyway. Before I end up on the path to a bad ending from getting on his bad side, I’ll win some points with him.
“Oh, look, the shopkeeper’s coming over with the bags. You’ll help me carry them, right?”
Rather than explaining, I chose to change the subject. I could see Siegfried frowning with displeasure for a moment, but I didn’t care.
“You said you weren’t bringing your wallet.”
“They said they’re selling accessories over there too. Want to take a look? I didn’t get to browse much yesterday.”
“Are you ignoring me on purpose?”
Yup. I answered inwardly as I shoved the bags onto him. Though he let out a deep sigh, he still took the snack bags from me. I checked to make sure he was following me closely and squeezed through the crowd.
Past the dessert stalls, colorful handcrafted goods appeared.
“Your High… no, I mean… Lashi… Ah, whatever. How about this one?”
I stood at a vendor’s stall and asked. What I pointed at was a hair ornament with red glass beads.
“Looks nice. I’ll buy it for you.”
“I haven’t decided if I’m buying it yet.”
I looked down at the hair ornament. I liked it. It wasn’t a design I saw often. It didn’t have excessive lace like most women’s accessories.
“Oh my, such a pretty young lady with excellent taste. This piece is actually part of a matching set. You and the young gentleman over there can each have one.”
The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together and approached. When he gestured for Siegfried to come closer, Siegfried pulled a face like he was appalled.
“I have no interest in wearing such decorations in my hair.”
Siegfried added an explanation that he had been mistaken for a girl when he was younger. Not wanting to lose customers, the shopkeeper quickly spoke again.
“Of course, the men’s version isn’t a hair ornament. We have many knights in our territory, after all. The count’s family is a warrior family.”
“So? So?”
When I heard talk about our family, my ears perked up. I looked at the shopkeeper with sparkling eyes, prompting him to continue.
“So, for men, we made a version that can be attached to a sword. It’s very popular with young ladies who admire knights going out on monster hunts.”
“Oh… Can I see what the sword ornament looks like?”
How romantic! Being able to wear matching items. My eyes gleamed with anticipation, and the shopkeeper quickly searched his stall.
“Here it is. The basic design is the same, but this one’s a hairpin, and that one’s made to hang from a cord on the sword.”
The sword ornament was also pretty. Without needing to ask more questions, I paid for both right away.
As I pulled out money again, Siegfried stopped me.
“I said I’ll buy it.”
“It’s a couple item! Shall we share one each? Not that it means anything special, though.”
“Didn’t you hear me say I’ll buy it?”
“Does it matter who buys it? Here you go, all packed up. Enough with the lover’s quarrel, just enjoy your date. The weather’s so nice today.”
The shopkeeper quickly took my money and handed over the accessories. As people gathered around the stall, I moved away. Siegfried glared at the shopkeeper and followed me.
“Do this with your future husband.”
Once we were in a less crowded area, Siegfried finally spoke. As I opened the package, I jerked my head up.
My future husband? Aisa? With the villain? No way. I don’t even want that kind of relationship with him.
“Could you not say such ominous things? I bought this specifically for you, Your Highness.”
“Call me by my name.”
“Only if you promise to help me put it on. Otherwise, no.”
“…”
Siegfried blinked like he was at a loss for words. I took out the men’s accessory and hooked it onto his crossed fingers.
“You’re going to join the monster hunt, right? Everyone else has one of these. You’d feel left out if you didn’t.”
“I’m too old to get sentimental over stuff like this.”
“Well, I’m young enough to get sentimental. If you refuse, I might cry.”
“Ridiculous.”
Apparently, Siegfried had never received this kind of gift before. The way he kept rejecting it made it obvious he was just embarrassed.
Since he came all the way to Elifritz, I wanted to give him at least one souvenir. It was a bit disappointing, but if he really didn’t want it, I could always give it to Abussion instead.
“If you really hate it that much, fine. Give it back. Poor little accessory of mine.”
Sniff sniff. I held out my hand. Matching couple items with my brother… What a life. Maybe I should give it to one of the knights from the count’s family instead?
As I debated, Siegfried glanced between my palm and the accessory he held, biting his lower lip.
“I never said I hated it… It’s just… a little overwhelming.”
“So that’s why you mentioned my future husband? Look, it doesn’t have to mean anything. Couple items are just marketing tricks. Don’t feel pressured.”
“It’s not that I feel pressured.”
“Then it’s settled! Should we go buy more snacks now?”
Looking a bit dazed, Siegfried nodded. I watched him tuck the accessory safely into his pocket.
I knew he’d keep it in the end.
