Chapter 86

Karentina felt a twinge of guilt over the little white lie but decided to look on the bright side. She wanted to replace Stella’s old memory, those lonely times in the palace when she found the bean, but nothing special happened, with something happier.

“So that means I can really do whatever I want today?”

She nodded with a smile at Stella’s mischievous eyes.

“What would you like to do?”

“Hmm… First, I want to go see the Applewood Street Festival!”

Karentina wore a confident expression. She had already planned this as a surprise for Stella, so it wasn’t a difficult request.

“Let’s go together. I’ll be your guide!”

The child’s eyes sparkled as she grabbed her hand tightly. The warmth that passed through made Karentina feel content.

“Brother and Karen, we’re all going together!”

It almost seemed like she was especially insisting that Ignis should come along, but maybe she was imagining it. Karentina responded.

“Of course.”

“Then I’m going to go get ready right now, Gemma!”

As Stella hopped down from her chair and ran out of the dining room, Joseph and Gemma hurried after her, bowing as they left. Karentina glanced at the little girl’s now-empty seat, left in the wake of her whirlwind exit, and couldn’t help but chuckle to herself.

“She’s really over the moon.”

Even though she didn’t show it on the outside, she was smiling just as happily as Stella. Being able to laugh like this on a New Year’s Day she used to spend all alone felt almost like a sweet dream.

She had never imagined someone would follow her like this.

‘I can’t believe I’ve become the kind of person who can care for and love someone so much like this.’

She wanted to make Stella even happier. After all, this little girl had given her so much strength and shown her just how warm and kind the world could truly be. Even when they returned to the palace, she wanted to protect Stella so she could safely become a transcendent.

As Karentina smiled softly and picked up her slice of galette, Ignis, who was sitting across from her, parted his lips slightly as if he had something to say.

‘What is it?’

Avoiding his gaze, she quietly set down her fork and spoke up.

“Is there something on my face, Your Highness?”

Ignis asked quietly.

“Why did you hide the piece with the lucky bean? If you became queen for the day, you could’ve done whatever you wanted.”

Karentina’s eyes flew open in surprise.

How did he notice? Was it because he’s a transcendent and has good eyesight? Either way, his perception was ridiculously sharp.

Feeling suddenly embarrassed, she just played with her fork.

“When I see Princess Stella happy, it makes me happy too.”

Karentina lowered her gaze and smiled gently. At that, Ignis’s ears instantly flushed red. He quickly tried to compose himself and spoke in a calm tone.

“Is there anything you want? I’d like to give you a reward.”

“A reward?”

Karentina blinked in surprise.

She should’ve felt hurt that he was drawing a line by calling it a reward, but she knew that, for the cold and rational Ignis, doing something for someone else was his way of showing gratitude.

“Can I really ask for anything I want?”

With a mischievous look in her eyes, Karentina waited for his answer, and Ignis answered with a blunt expression.

“Anything, as long as it’s not about me.”

‘Seriously? What’s with his giant ego?’

Karentina couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh, making an exasperated face.

At that moment—

‘Huh?’

It seemed he found her reaction amusing, because a slight smile crept onto Ignis’s lips. He didn’t seem like the same person who always drew cold lines with an expressionless face. Her heart pounded uncontrollably at the sight of his handsome face breaking into a smile.

‘Wait a second, he’s obviously teasing me!’

When she squinted at him, he broke out into a clear, genuine laugh.

“Hahaha!”

A smile like that from a handsome guy should be illegal. Karentina cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure.

Ignis, who had stifled his laughter but was still smiling broadly, slowly opened his mouth.

“Before you tell me what you want as your reward, there’s something I need to tell you.”

When Karentina tilted her head, curiosity piqued, his gentle voice continued.

“After the New Year’s Festival is over, I’ll need to return to where the subjugation force is stationed.”

“Pardon?”

“Once I rejoin them, the whole subjugation force can return to the castle. Of course, that includes Damion as well.”

It felt as if her heart had dropped all the way to her feet.

The return of the entire order meant the monster subjugation was almost over and that they would soon be headed back to the capital.

“Didn’t they say you already took care of most of the monsters, Your Highness?”

“That’s right. But if I go, the knights will be able to return even faster. I’ve already sent a letter telling them to pack up, so it won’t take long.”

There was no real need for him to go back to the forest.

‘Ignis is doing this… for me…’

A small ripple spread through Karentina’s heart.

Worried he might hear how loudly her heart was beating, she hurried to speak.

“Your Highness, thank you so much.”

A bright smile bloomed once again on Ignis’s face.