TPVSR 39

 Chapter 39

The streets during the day were lively. Merchants shouted about their goods, people moved around, and carriages rushed past. Zion held my hand tightly and started weaving through the crowd.

“There are so many people.”
“It’s a big city, the archduchy.”
“I didn’t know people actually lived here. The archduke’s residence is always so quiet.”

I couldn’t hide my amazement, and my mouth opened in surprise. Zion chuckled softly.

“Loreah, you live here, and I’m a guest. Shouldn’t you be showing me around?”
“…But you said you’ve never been outside the archduke’s residence.”
“I just said that because you’re cute.”

Honestly, it was strange. Not because it was the archduchy, but even before regression, I had never been outside the royal palace.

‘The emperor said the outside world was too dangerous for a weak princess and summoned everything I needed to the palace.’

At that time, I thought it was just the emperor caring for me. Now, I realize it was more like keeping me as a tool, tightly controlled.

In the palace, everything I needed was there. People who came to me were so respectful that they barely remembered their own faces.

So hearing merchants shout, people laughing, and the uncontrolled sounds around me felt like a different world entirely.

“Loreah, your jaw might drop.”

Zion giggled.

“You said you wanted to explore, but why do you keep looking at my face?”
“Because your expression is more interesting than the city.”
“…Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing, I’m just finding you cute.”

Clearly teasing, but somehow making me blush. I looked away, covering my face with my hand. Zion laughed lowly and held my hand more firmly.

“Loreah, is there anything you’ve wanted to do outside?”
“Do what I want?”
“Yes. There are many things here you haven’t done. We look like kids, so we can do almost anything adults can’t.”

I hesitated. To answer what I wanted to try, I needed information about him—but I really didn’t know much. Zion waited patiently, watching me.

Finally, I pointed to one spot.

“Uh… that?”

Behind a lifted wooden plank, a crowd had gathered. From the side, I couldn’t see clearly what was happening inside.

‘With so many people, it must be fun or tasty, one of the two.’

Zion followed my gaze, tilting his head.

“Really?”
“…Why, can’t we?”
“Hmm, no. It’s good to experience it.”

He pulled me through the street to the crowd. People were holding coins and shouting at the vendor.

“Let’s raise the stakes this time!”
“I saw the ball, it’s over here!”

Zion guided me to the front of the table. I looked around, confused. The shouting and commotion were overwhelming.

“…What is all this?”
“Watch closely.”

Zion tapped my shoulder and whispered. On the table were three bowls turned upside down. People were tossing money in front of each bowl.

“Ever heard of shell games?”
“I think so… wait, is this gambling?”
“You really don’t know much. The palace didn’t teach you?”

Of course not. The palace never taught us these things. I vaguely remembered reading about it in a book long ago.

“Hey, kids, what are you doing? Go away!”

The vendor noticed us and waved. Clearly, kids shouldn’t be here.

‘Strictly speaking, we’re not really kids.’

I’m older than my apparent age, and Zion is older than all of these people combined.

“We have money.”

Zion casually reached into his pocket. A heavy pouch of gold coins appeared.

“Just having money is enough?”
“No, wait….”

The vendor’s face changed instantly.

“Alright, just this once. Pick your bowl!”

He shuffled the bowls so fast it was hard to see the hands.

“Loreah, your eyes might pop out.”
“Stay still. I’m following it carefully.”
“It’s going to jump out…”

I ignored his muttering and focused. When the bowls stopped, Zion nudged my side.

“Loreah, pick one.”
“Me? You’re not picking?”
“Yes, you said you wanted to do it.”
“…Then I’ll take the left one.”

I clearly saw where the prize had been.

“Good.”

Zion put all his gold on my choice. People around gasped.

“Kid, do you know how much this is?”
“Yes. Loreah wants to do it, right?”
“…Yes, but…”
“Then fine.”

Zion signaled the vendor to flip the bowls. The vendor chuckled and lifted the bowl.

“Huh, it’s gone?”

Naturally, nothing was there. Sighs arose from the crowd. The vendor grabbed the money with a grin.

“Ah, kids, that’s too bad.”
“No, it was definitely here!”
“Gone! Kids, leave!”

We had to leave quickly. As the crowd returned, I felt strangely empty. Not because of the lost money, but the lost opportunity made me dizzy.

“Loreah, disappointed?”
“Not disappointed… I think I understand why gambling is dangerous. Not for everyone.”

Zion laughed at my reaction.

“Actually, there was no real answer there.”
“What?”
“The vendor dropped the ball secretly. You didn’t see it?”
“Of course I didn’t… Isn’t that cheating?”
“That’s shell games.”
“…Wow.”
“But it was fun to watch.”
“Won’t do it twice.”
“Yes, once is enough.”

Then Zion led me to the other side of the street, giving me various foods.

“You have to try things like this at the market. Better than shell games, and you won’t lose money.”
“Why didn’t you say earlier….”
“But seeing your eyes sparkle is cute.”

I thought his praise was a bit over the top, but I accepted the food happily.

“Delicious?”
“Yes. I’ve never had this before. Especially these chicken wings. How did anyone think to put rice inside them?”
“Can’t have this at the palace or estates. Nobles are too picky.”

Zion fed me a chocolate-covered banana and poked my cheek.

“Small but goes right in. Does it have a pocket inside?”
“No, usually not.”
“Too bad.”

Then he pulled back and suddenly asked:

“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Is the archduke your real father?”
“Gak, cough!”

The banana stuck in my throat.