Chapter 38: Her Assigned Mission Part 2

The murmurs of people could be heard, and the bustling streets of the imperial capital were filled with diverse scenes.

Shops adorned with fine jewels lined the streets, and rare magical artifacts displayed in every window caught the eyes of passersby.

Yohan and Rudella walked side by side down the imperial capital’s street, exuding an awkward atmosphere.

Rudella stole glances at Yohan’s profile as they walked together.

His calm expression and composed steps somehow created a sense of distance, making her hesitate repeatedly to speak up.

Walking alongside him felt both unfamiliar and strangely tense.

In front of a sparkling jewelry shop, Yohan paused to gaze at a radiant crystal gem.

The magic swirling subtly inside it occasionally changed colors, giving it a mysterious aura.

“This crystal orb… it resembles Lady Bismark’s eyes,” Yohan said softly.

Rudella tilted her head, looking at the crystal orb he was observing.

“Does it?”

“There are many similarities,” he continued. “Lady Bismark’s eyes are a light sky blue, but they sometimes appear a deep blue under the light. The colors are similar, but more than that, there’s something about it that resembles this crystal.”

Her eyes were like a sky-blue topaz stone—clear, reminiscent of a bright sky.

“So, are you saying my eyes are like a crystal?”

“Well, you could say that.” Yohan smiled at Rudella.

Though it was a natural smile, she flinched and took a step back instinctively.

“…Your smile also sparkles like a crystal,” Rudella murmured quietly, hoping he wouldn’t hear.

“Lady Francia… no, Lady Ferbache often said the same thing.”

But Yohan heard it.

Rudella looked at him in surprise, realizing he hadn’t given it much thought.

With a sense of relief, she also felt a faint disappointment, as if he didn’t see her as a woman.

“Let’s buy one.” Yohan said, interested in the crystal.

Rudella averted her gaze and nodded quietly.

“Let’s go in.”

They entered the shop and bought a pendant containing the sparkling sky-blue crystal.

Yohan presented it to Rudella with a gentle smile.

“Would you like to try it on?”

“…Is it all right for me to accept this?”

“There’s no reason you shouldn’t.”

It wasn’t expensive, just a simple item, with no particular meaning attached.

He simply admired how she managed her stress, so he wanted to give her a gift.

“Thank you.”

Rudella carefully extended her hand to receive it.

However, Yohan moved behind her and fastened the pendant around her neck.

“What…?”

Startled, her body stiffened as his hands brushed her neck.

As they grew closer, her breathing became shallow, and when his warm hands touched her neck, her heart began to pound uncontrollably.

His breathing felt so close, as if it was right behind her, and for a moment, all her senses seemed to focus on him.

But Rudella couldn’t say anything, standing frozen until he finished fastening the pendant.

“When giving a gift like this, it’s customary for the man to help her put it on.”

“Customary…?”

“Yes. It’s similar to how Lady Bismark would receive an escort when boarding her carriage.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes,” Yohan nodded with a light smile.

Realizing there was no deeper meaning, Rudella awkwardly smiled with a hint of regret.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

Rudella gently touched the sky-blue crystal pendant on her neck.

Though solid, she felt a faint warmth radiating from it.

She smiled slightly as she looked at the pendant, but her attention was soon drawn to the sound of music coming from the street.

In the center of the square, street musicians and dancers were creating a lively atmosphere with their performance.

The harmonious melodies of their instruments echoed, and people began to stop to watch, drawn in by the rhythm.

“Shall we go over there?”

“Let’s.”

Intrigued by the music, Rudella’s eyes sparkled, resembling the sky-blue topaz, as she stepped into the center of the square.

Their noble appearance made it clear who they were, so the crowd naturally parted to make way for Yohan and Rudella.

When the music ended, Yohan applauded, clapping for the performers, and Rudella gazed at him quietly before a gentle smile spread across her lips.

“It’s been a while since I heard street music.”

“You’ve heard it before?”

“Yes. Back during my academy days.”

Yohan was suddenly reminded of his past.

Though life had been dreadful back then, thinking about it now, he felt nostalgic, as those were carefree days.

“Let’s explore other places too.”

Nodding, Rudella followed Yohan, looking around.

Everything felt new and fascinating.

Was this how the imperial capital always was? Or was it because she was walking with Yohan? She couldn’t quite say, but she decided to enjoy the moment.

“How about a street vendor?”

Yohan asked, glancing toward stalls selling various street foods like skewers.

“That sounds fine. The rabbit meat we ate in the cave was delicious, too.”

Calling that bland meat delicious—maybe Rudella’s taste wasn’t as refined as expected.

“Let’s give it a try.”

Yohan took Rudella’s hand, guiding her.

Though the unexpected touch made her flinch, she didn’t shake his hand off.

“Two skewers, please.”

“Sure thing.”

The street vendor, used to quick sales, handed them two skewers in no time.

Yohan took them and offered one to Rudella.

“Enjoy carefully.”

“Thank you…”

She cautiously accepted the skewer, tucking her hair behind her ear before taking a bite.

It had a wild flavor she wouldn’t find in the palace.

“It’s delicious…”

Covering her mouth with her hand, her sky-blue topaz-like eyes sparkled.

She seemed to truly enjoy it.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Hm, hmph.”

Realizing she had openly shown her feelings, Rudella blushed and turned her head away.

But she continued chewing on the skewer quietly, savoring it.

Yohan found her oddly cute and couldn’t help but chuckle.

The more he got to know her, the more new facets he seemed to discover.

‘I guess I should avoid forming preconceptions about the main characters in this world from now on.’

Cassis Renokhonan and Fedelian Rogino were as expected, but Rudella was quite different from the characters he had known.

Of course, the emotions he felt weren’t romantic—if anything, they were closer to what he’d feel for a younger sister.

With skewers in hand, the two strolled through the imperial capital’s streets, gazing at the sky.

“Wandering around without a plan like this is nice.”

“Isn’t it? It feels completely different.”

Rudella seemed satisfied with the freedom she’d gained this time.

Yohan felt a sense of pride and smiled faintly.

As they finished their meal and wandered around, night gradually fell.

The night on the imperial capital’s street brought forth a different kind of magic.

Street lamps, created by magical artifacts, emitted a soft glow along the path, with each lamp casting a subtle blue and purple light that created a fantastical atmosphere.

The streets were still bustling with people, and the food stalls exuded rich aromas of warm bread and spice-laden dishes.

Rudella bought a small fruit from a stall, taking a bite and widening her eyes in surprise.

As they continued to explore the starlit streets of the imperial capital, she spoke up.

“…Would you hold my hand?”

“My hand?”

Yohan tilted his head in confusion.

When he narrowed his eyes in surprise, Rudella quickly added in a rush.

“W-Well, I might get lost… You’re my escort, after all, so it’d be good to hold hands to make sure we don’t get separated… If you don’t want to, that’s fine…”

She stammered, her words stumbling over each other, and a deep blush spread across her face, making her cheeks turn bright red.

“Well, sure. There are a lot of people around, so it’s best to be careful not to lose each other.”

Yohan took Rudella’s hand without hesitation, even interlacing their fingers as he often did with Francia.

Rudella felt her heart pound as her shoulders trembled.

Why did he act distant only to suddenly close the gap like this?

“Is it really necessary to hold on this tightly?”

Rudella asked, flustered.

Yohan answered with a composed expression.

“There are a lot of people. If we don’t hold on like this, we might lose each other.”

It was a logical explanation, with no other meaning behind it.

Yet, Rudella nodded, feeling a subtle sense of regret.

Dong—dong!

Just then, a low chime rang from a clock tower atop a distant tower, marking the passage of time and signaling the end of the day in the imperial capital.

“The crowd’s been unusually lively since this afternoon, and I just remembered—it’s a small festival today, celebrating the Harvest Day. Did you know?”

Rudella shook her head at Yohan’s question.

“It’s the first I’m hearing of it…”

“Really? Then you’re in luck.”

He smiled, leading Rudella by the hand back to the central plaza.

In the plaza, knights were maintaining a safe perimeter, keeping order within the crowd.

Inside the circle, a group of mages seemed to be preparing something special.

“Could it be a fireworks display?”

Yohan muttered quietly, and Rudella tilted her head, puzzled.

“Fireworks?”

Seeing her confusion, Yohan explained simply.

“It’s a dazzling show, sometimes held by the palace or by guild mages on special occasions. Although today’s celebration is small, it seems the mages are preparing fireworks as a commemorative display.”

Looking at the mages, he added, “Fireworks are always beautiful, no matter the scale. You can look forward to it.”

“Really? It’ll be my first time seeing them, but since you say so, I’ll look forward to it.”

Rudella held Yohan’s hand tightly, watching the mages.

Just then, the preparations seemed complete as they began inscribing magic circles into the air.

Various intricate magic circles rose into the sky, high above.

Pop! Bang!

In the night sky, small fireworks burst open, blossoming into golden flowers.

Red and blue colors spread in turn, leaving waves of gentle light that slowly faded.

The sparks scattered across the dark sky like stars, painting a fleeting beauty.

Though a small display, it was enough to fill the starlit night.

“It’s beautiful.”

As magic filled the sky among the stars, Yohan murmured softly.

At his words, Rudella instinctively looked at him, catching him watching the fireworks in the sky.

Rudella gazed at Yohan’s profile, her throat tightening.

‘Would it be okay now?

Now, with all the noise gone.

Now, when he can’t hear me.

Would it be all right to say what I feel?’

Even though she knew it was something she should never say.

Unable to hold back, Rudella whispered softly.

“…I actually like you.”

She spoke in a quiet voice, assured it would be drowned out by the noise of the fireworks and cheers.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Her body was flushed with heat, and her face turned as red as it could get.

“…The fireworks.”

Fearing he might have heard, Rudella quickly added, swallowing hard, as if a heavy stone were lodged in her throat.

“I like them too.”

Yohan said lightly, looking at Rudella with a smile.

When he turned and their eyes met, she felt as if time had stopped.

That brief moment felt so long that it seemed Yohan could see deep into her heart.

Though she knew he was talking about the fireworks, Rudella felt as if those words were meant just for her.

She squeezed his hand even tighter, trying to suppress her racing heart, though it was no use.

She felt her breath quicken, but she couldn’t look away from his gaze.

Afraid he might have sensed the truth of her whispered confession, Rudella held back the impulse to get even closer to him and whispered again, “I really do like you.”