PBGS 35

chapter 35

The morning sunlight shone sharply.

The cobblestone streets of the city, freshly washed by dawn rain, sparkled as people busily began their day.

“Butler, I’ll be going out for a bit. I’ll return before the meal, but in case…”

After asking the butler something, Rinka pulled the hood of her cloak down low and slipped out through the small side door of the mansion.

It wasn’t as though she was sneaking out, but the fact that she left quietly while he was still sleeping… well, the reason was too embarrassing to admit.

This is just a thank-you gift. All those thoughts I had last night were only because I couldn’t sleep.

She repeated that to herself, but couldn’t hide the way her heart was beating a little faster.

The name of Duke Belzert was well-known even in the capital. He was the head of the empire’s only ducal family, a noble with a port along the northwestern sea.

Yet he was also the so-called false duke who had no proper castle, moving from island to island.

On top of that, despite his strikingly captivating appearance, he rarely showed himself in the capital. The news that he had returned with a guest had long since spread everywhere.

So, for Rinka—who clearly appeared to be that rumored guest—to walk about the streets was a little conspicuous. Thankfully, commoners had no interest in noble gossip.

They simply offered her brief greetings before turning back to shop displays or their daily tasks.

Quietly, yet with firm resolve in her eyes, Rinka made her way toward a small herb shop at the corner of the street.

The little bell above the door jingled, and inside came a sweet, faintly bitter fragrance.

“Welcome. Are you here for tea leaves?”

An elderly woman in a dark green apron greeted her, wiping her wrinkled hands.

Rinka hesitated briefly, then nodded.

“Yes. Do you have something good for someone who often feels cold and tired? It would be better if it also helps with headaches.”

The old woman studied her for a moment, then smiled gently.

“Sounds like a gift for someone you care about, hmm?”

“What? Oh, no. He’s just… a benefactor.”

“A benefactor, you say… that makes him even more important. Let’s see now. For headaches, this herb works best.”

With a playful wink, the old woman disappeared behind the shelves and returned with dried herbs in deep yellow and light violet shades.

“This flower only blooms at night in Greensis. It’s good for those who run cold. You can even chew it raw—in fact, that’s better than tea if the person is often chilled. And this herb here…”

As the woman explained, Rinka drew in a soft breath. The scent tickled her nose—familiar somehow.

It reminded her of that night she had fallen asleep at Ananta’s side, the lingering smell from being near him.

“…I’ll take both.”

“An excellent choice, young lady.”

“Could you… make the wrapping a little pretty? It’s a gift.”

“Of course.”

The woman nodded with a smile, pulling out a neatly tied gift box bound with thread.

“The one receiving this will be very pleased.”

Rinka didn’t answer.

She hoped so…

As the old woman packaged the herbs, Rinka let her gaze wander around the shop.

Maybe she could open a place like this someday. She couldn’t stay in the duke’s house forever. When the time came for Ananta to leave the capital, she would have to go somewhere too.

She needed to think about what she might do then.

But for now…

What kind of expression will he make when he receives this?

The thought filled her with a fluttering excitement. Ridiculous, really.

“Here you are, young lady.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Treasure your bonds. The people you meet will be the ones who save you.”

“…Pardon?”

The old woman didn’t lose her warm smile, but her words carried a cryptic weight. Then she simply gestured to the door as if nothing unusual had been said.

For some reason, Rinka couldn’t bring herself to ask further. She opened the door and stepped out.

Clutching the small gift box close to her chest, Rinka started back toward the duke’s estate—but suddenly froze.

She felt it: a strange sensation, like someone’s gaze piercing into her back. Slowly, she turned.

“…Rinka?”

It was a familiar voice, but lower than she remembered, polished in tone.

Impossible.

There’s no way he could be here.

Rinka turned her head cautiously.

There stood a young man with neatly combed dark-brown hair, wearing a fine coat adorned with a brooch.

His eyes glowed warmly, his smile gentle. To any onlooker, he appeared the very image of a trustworthy noble youth.

“Macard.”

Rinka uttered his name curtly. Her voice was low and firm, but unwavering.

“Rinka Meribel. It really is you.”

Macard approached with a face full of joy he couldn’t hide. With each step he took forward, Rinka’s feet shifted back instinctively—until she forced them still.

“It’s been so long. To see you alive and well… and here, of all places, in the capital. Cather is quite far from here.”

“It is. And months have passed too.”

“Exactly. Do you know how worried I was when you vanished like that?”

Worried? The very man who tried to seize her that day?

The moment he saw her “power,” Macard Cather hadn’t even bothered to thank her. Instead, he demanded:

“What is this? Rinka… what did you just do? How can someone like you have such power?”

“Macard, wait. Don’t move yet—it might not be safe.”

“You had this kind of power all along and hid it?”

His face had been full of greed.

And when she fled, he immediately ordered the knights to capture her.

If not for that, she never would have ended up aboard that pirate ship—or be meeting him again now.

Because of him, she’d met many people, for better or worse. But Rinka never wanted to see Macard again, nor speak with him.

Yet clearly, he was eager to know her circumstances.

Or rather, how she escaped from Cather and was now living here.

“For you to have arrived in the capital before me is surprising enough, but dressed like this…”

Suspicion laced his words as his gaze flicked over her cloak, the lace at her sleeve, the golden embroidery at her waist. He even eyed the ribbon on the gift box in her hands before smiling once more.

“I’m relieved to see you doing well. You know, Rinka, you’re my only friend…”

“Macard Cather.”

She fixed him with a sharp stare, her fingers tense.

She knew instantly—he was probing her, just like always.

That was how he operated: gentle words that made people believe they were acting for his sake.

Had she not lived through that day, she might have fallen for it again.

“Stay out of my business. You know very well we’re not on speaking terms.”

“Ah, Rinka, that’s a misunderstanding. I only wanted to talk.”

“You clearly understand exactly what I mean.”

“What else could you misunderstand me about? Still… no matter where you’re staying, you know it would be troublesome if the truth about you were revealed.”

His words were light, almost playful—but carried the faintest note of warning.

“That won’t happen.”

Rinka’s reply was firm.

What did it matter if it did?

She was only staying here briefly anyway. She’d leave the capital soon enough.

It was unsettling that this lunatic was still searching for her, but she wasn’t powerless anymore.

Macard tilted his head at her cold tone, silent for a moment before smiling again. His expression remained gentle, but suspicion lingered in his eyes.

“I see… It seems you’re not ready to talk today. I’ll be going, then.”

“I never will be.”

“But I can’t help but wonder about that strange power you showed me. And about the person who made you this way. I don’t have many friends, so I treasure my old ones.”

He’s insane.

Without another word, Rinka walked past him, out into the street.

Macard didn’t follow. He simply stood there by the roadside. The smile had completely vanished from his lips.