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Chapter 16
“Gasp!”
“Oh my!”
Before I could even shout anything, the ominous sound accompanied by the wooden door slowly opening startled me.
Standing there was Garnet, ready to rush in, one hand holding a tray and the other gripping the doorknob.
Next to her, Ria’s mouth was agape, her eyes full of surprise as well.
“Milady! You’re safe!”
“Of course I am. I just… dozed off for a moment and missed the timing to respond…”
I jumped up and dashed toward them like a bullet.
Only then did Garnet, relieved to see I was unharmed, sheepishly lower her hand from the doorknob and apologize.
“I… I lost my composure, worried you might be in danger… I’m so sorry, Milady!”
She looked like she was about to cry.
I quickly stepped closer, waving my hands dramatically, and grabbed Garnet’s hands, inspecting her carefully.
“It’s okay! Haha. The doorknob is really worn out. Perfect timing—we’ll replace it with a new one. But are you hurt anywhere? Any splinters, thorns… that would be a serious problem.”
“Milady…!”
The maids’ faces were touched.
But they didn’t know the truth.
In reality, my big gestures were a desperate attempt to distract Ternox’s gaze…
While everyone was lost in sentiment, I subtly glanced at the table.
But Ternox was still sitting there, as proud as ever!
‘Insane dragon! You want us both dead, huh?’
Somehow, my assessment of him had reached ‘mad dragon’ level.
Whether he was or not, Garnet, unaware of the situation, spoke with a moist, emotional voice:
“Milady, I’ve fallen in love with your generous heart all over again. Thank you so much. And I’m fine. What’s more important is your meal.”
“Among today’s dishes, there’s your favorite potato stew! You must eat it before it gets cold!”
Clearly moved, Garnet and Ria spoke almost in a rapid-fire manner.
To speak that quickly—amazing.
Could this really be the power of love?
That this affection was directed at me was both overwhelming and heartwarming.
‘Alright. At least the maids will… listen to me.’
In my previous life, I often took the blame or was misunderstood for things that weren’t my fault.
Maybe that’s why I had a tendency to shrink back unconsciously.
Summoning my courage, I stepped back a little.
Into that space, Garnet and Ria entered the cabin gracefully, holding the tray.
“…Hmm?”
“Milady, please sit. You must be hungry.”
Then, without further comment, they began placing the food on the table.
Even with a dragon, someone I’d never seen before, sitting boldly across from them!
My eyes widened, and Ternox, folding his arms, chuckled.
[“Idiot? I’m a dragon, you know?”]
Judging from the maids’ reactions, it seemed they couldn’t hear him either—only I could.
“Crrr…”
Damn. Invisibility, huh?
A real invisible dragon.
Must be nice to have childhood wishes granted.
Smirking inwardly, I trudged to the table, feeling strangely empty.
The meal, which had doubled since the first day, no longer surprised me.
Spoonfuls of steaming potato stew in hand, my gaze met Ria, standing neatly across from me.
Ria gave a small smile and said as if she had just remembered something:
“By the way, the territory festival is coming up soon.”
“Festival?”
“Yes. In Celeste, they hold a small spring festival around this time every year.”
Although the weather was still cold, after a certain date, spring would come as if by magic.
It was like the Korean concept of Ipchun (the beginning of spring).
Garnet added that in Celeste, the tradition of holding the festival at this time was to welcome spring with hope.
‘So it’s basically a festival to celebrate the beginning of spring.’
…Just hearing about it was exciting!
Noticing the life returning to my previously dull eyes, Garnet smiled.
“It sounds fun, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. I didn’t even realize there was a town here. Of course, people live here, so it makes sense.”
“Right. Since Milady has been staying in the cabin all this time… you’ve never explored the town. It must feel a bit frustrating.”
Hmm, not exactly frustrating, but apparently my homebody nature hadn’t changed.
I wondered if my so-called ‘rest’ might have looked like confinement to others.
A festival in a fantasy romance world I had only read about—who wouldn’t want to go!
As my cheeks twitched in anticipation, the dragon’s expression in front of me turned subtly.
Soon, a crooked smile appeared.
‘Why now?’
But the childish uncle-lizard, obsessed with teasing his niece, wasn’t important right now.
I poked at the salad with my fork, thinking for a moment:
“But… is it okay if I go to the festival?”
“It would probably be proper to get permission from the Grand Duke first, wouldn’t it?”
Ah, the same invisible authority trying to stop me again!
I had planned to stay under the radar, but since arriving here, I hadn’t ventured out of the Grand Duke’s estate, so I hesitated.
Sure, the maids would guide me, but… that was part of the problem.
They were overprotective.
So, the moment I hesitated, they tore open the door and came in!
‘At this rate, I might end up being led around like I’m trapped in a circle of holding hands with the maids…’
A realistic thought, but maybe not bad.
In a romance fantasy world, such festivals inevitably bring some incidents.
Although I might not be the protagonist… being cautious wouldn’t hurt.
Before I knew it, my resolve had hardened: I would definitely go to the festival.
“Shall I ask through the steward?”
Ria added worriedly as I lingered in thought.
But as the Grand Duchess, I didn’t want the maids to take on such tasks unnecessarily.
Besides, this wasn’t something that needed overt permission.
Confident in my cleverness, I chuckled confidently.
“No, I have my own way.”
A few days later, on the day of the spring festival, at the Grand Duke’s Castle.
“Hi, Tia.”
“Hi! Are you going to the festival today too?”
“Of course! It’s all done, so I’m about to change and go.”
“Let’s go together! Meet at the side gate?”
“Sounds good.”
The maids, now brighter in expression, chattered happily as they carried laundry baskets.
Perhaps it was the anticipation of the festival.
Even inside the usually quiet Grand Duke’s Castle, a subtle excitement lingered.
From lunch toward evening, despite the expected fatigue on the staff’s faces, their energy was different today.
The generous Lord of Celeste had granted most of the staff an afternoon off to attend the festival.
Excluding essential personnel, everyone headed to the festival, adding to the lively atmosphere.
“…Hah.”
And the one who gave the day off?
Grand Duke Xenos Celeste was sitting in his study, handling business.
Although he was the master of the territory, today’s festival was for the commoners.
His role was simply to ensure everyone could enjoy safely and happily, having placed additional knights to maintain order in the square.
“Time already…”
The bright sunlight streaming through the office windows was fading.
Soon, the fiery red sunset would engulf the world.
The spring festival, which usually began at noon, would continue until midnight.
After the sun fully set, the festival’s highlight—the lantern release—would begin.
Although Xenos had never personally released a lantern…
From his study window, the colorful lanterns drifting along the river could be seen clearly.
Watching them quietly each year was one of the joys of being a lord.
Having worked since before sunrise, he was about to take a brief break.
“?”
Something caught Xenos’s eye as he put down his pen.
A small envelope, wedged between the stacks of documents.
Hidden as if it didn’t want to be discovered.
“…What’s this?”
Xenos hadn’t realized he had been the recipient of a ‘sneaky letter,’ but until now, he had no particular thoughts.
He glanced at the unsealed letter, curious for a moment.
“….”
As he casually opened the envelope and scanned its contents, his expression gradually turned subtle and uneasy.
