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Chapter 21
We walked together toward the row of shops near the plaza.
Festival goods had already begun to appear, displayed one by one in anticipation. Every stall was adorned with vibrant fabrics and festive decorations, and merchants greeted us with bright smiles.
“Everything’s cheap today! Take a look!”
“Prices go up once the festival starts—today’s your best deal!”
“This is…”
I picked up a gleaming trinket from one of the stalls—a brooch shaped like a *Luminel* flower.
It sparkled in the sunlight, made of transparent glass interlaced with golden threads in delicate, chaotic patterns.
“Oh my, it’d suit you beautifully. And is that your husband? If it’s a gift, now’s the perfect time—I’ll give you a good deal!”
My face flushed bright red at the merchant’s words.
Well, technically he wasn’t wrong… but we weren’t *truly* married.
“Do you want it?”
“What? N-No!”
Caught off guard by Denok’s sudden question, I hastily put the brooch down and moved along.
The merchant’s disappointed voice faded behind us as I tugged Denok toward the next stall.
“Fresh melons just in! Come have a taste!”
A loud call rang out, followed by the sweet scent of fruit drifting through the air.
The fruit vendor handed me a slice of melon with a polite tone.
“Would the young lady care for a taste?”
Though I wore a robe and hood, he still addressed me with utmost courtesy.
Apparently, I hadn’t hidden my identity completely.
*Still… it doesn’t seem like he knows exactly who I am…*
Without thinking, I stole a glance at Denok, then cautiously accepted the slice of melon from the vendor’s hand.
It was my first time sneaking out in disguise like this. My heart thudded wildly, and my fingertips tingled with excitement.
*Is this what they call rebellion?*
As soon as I tasted the melon, the cool, sweet flesh spread across my tongue. I couldn’t help smiling at how delicious it was.
“I’ll take one.”
Denok had stepped forward, offering payment for a melon.
“My, such a gentleman! I’ll pick out the juiciest one for you right away!”
Flustered, I tugged at Denok’s sleeve.
“Why are you—?”
“You seemed to enjoy it.”
“Well, yes, but…”
Just then, the vendor muttered to himself.
“Ha! Our melons are the best in the region. I bet even that beast of a duke would stop screaming if he got a taste of one.”
The merchants around him burst into laughter.
“There he goes again!”
“I swear it’s true!”
Their raucous laughter echoed, muffled as if underwater.
They were all smiling—casually spitting out that slur.
Just like the nobles at the banquet who had laughed at Denok.
Words spoken without thought, simply passing along the rumors.
And even though I knew that…
…why did it still make my heart sink?
*Is this guilt too?*
“Here you go—fresh melon, just as promised!”
The vendor thrust the melon toward me.
I stared at it in silence for a moment, then said quietly,
“…I’m sorry, but I don’t think it was *that* good.”
“Pardon?”
“I won’t be buying it.”
“Madam—”
I heard Denok call out behind me, but I tightened my grip on his sleeve and turned away.
Behind us, the vendor sputtered in disbelief, but I let the sound fade as I melted back into the crowd.
“Why did you say that?” Denok asked, his voice low.
“…Because it upset me.”
“What upset you?”
Why was he suddenly asking so many questions?
Frustration bubbled up, and I couldn’t help but pout.
Maybe it was because we were surrounded by strangers who didn’t know who I was.
My carefully constructed composure felt unusually fragile—like it was coming undone.
In other words, I’d gotten childish.
“Doesn’t it bother you?” I asked. “What they called you.”
He said nothing.
“You didn’t hurt anyone. You’ve only ever suffered alone.”
I bit my lip and murmured,
“It makes me angry. Even if it’s just for a year… we’re family.”
Nominally, I was his wife—but couldn’t I be upset on his behalf?
The Denok I had come to know wasn’t the monstrous, barbaric figure people whispered about.
He was gentle, thoughtful—even kind.
Maybe that’s why he always grew silent whenever children were mentioned in the original story.
Remembering that, the words had simply tumbled out.
No answer came from his side.
I hadn’t expected one anyway.
There was only one thought ringing in my head:
*During this festival, I’m going to change that story.—*
At the very least, the people of the territory deserved to see how hard he was trying.
That he endured so much to keep their peace.
“Hey! Watch out!”
Just then, a voice rang out in alarm.
We had just passed the last row of stalls and were about to reenter the plaza when we turned at the sound.
A cart was barreling toward us in a cloud of dust.
Loaded with cargo, it wobbled dangerously as it sped down the road—then, all at once, a wheel broke loose.
“—!”
The cart tipped sideways and slid toward us like a runaway boulder.
I tried to move, but my body refused to obey.
My heart pounded in my ears as if it would burst.
And then—an arm wrapped tightly around my waist.
“It’s dangerous.”
It was Denok.
With one swift motion, he yanked me backward.
My back hit his chest just as the cart whooshed past us, missing by inches.
*Thud! Crash!*
Stones scattered, screams rang out around us.
“…!”
I blinked and let out a shaky breath, turning to thank him—
But the moment I saw his face, I froze.
Denok was still holding me, his eyes locked on the cart with a cold, piercing stare.
A chill ran down my spine as I caught a glimpse of his gaze between strands of my hair.
“Denok?”
He didn’t respond.
I tugged harder at his sleeve.
“…Denok!”
Only then did he look at me.
His eyes were hidden once more beneath his hair, unreadable.
But I could feel the change in his presence—his intense magic slowly unwinding.
Looking past him, I saw the cart had crashed into a wall, its contents spilled across the ground. An exhausted worker leaned against the side, barely conscious.
The earth was gouged where the wheels had skidded, but thankfully, no one seemed injured.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“…Yes. I’m fine.”
I steadied my breath and nodded.
Only then did the tension in his arm ease, and I felt him release me.
Yet the heartbeat I felt behind me was still hammering against my back.
—
Standing in front of the mirror in the bath, I gently brushed my hand over my side.
“…Ouch.”
His grip had been stronger than I realized.
There was a dull ache where he had pulled me in—a light bruise, probably.
*But more than that…*
That icy air.
His unflinching stare at the cart.
*He scared me a little.*
Enough that I instinctively grabbed onto him.
It was an understandable situation, but his reaction had gone beyond anger.
As I stood there, lost in the memory, I turned my head.
He would be waiting just outside.
He must’ve been shaken too—I didn’t want to show him my fear.
So I composed myself and exited the bathroom with a calm expression.
As I entered the room, Denok was waiting in silence on the bed.
“Oh, you’re early tonight,” I said with a soft smile as I approached him.
—
That night,
I was awakened by a strange sound.
“…ugh, ha…”
A muffled groan, as if someone was in pain.
*What…?*
I blinked against the weight of sleep and turned my head—only to snap awake in an instant.
Denok’s face was twisted in agony.
