Chapter 87

Karentina just stared at him in a daze.

He wasn’t building walls to keep everyone away anymore. His gaze wasn’t cold and sharp like a blade, and his face wasn’t stiff and unreadable like before. Ignis had changed.

Ignis, looking like he was done waiting, spoke up again.

“I’d like to hear the reward now.”

With Damion coming back, she couldn’t think of any wishes off the top of her head, but she fell into serious thought.

Deep down, she wanted to confess everything, that she had saved his life, and that she had created Zion under the orders of the Empress and her uncle. But, whether by her own will or not, attempting to harm a noble member of the imperial family was considered treason.

‘Not yet.’

Ignis had certainly changed from before, but he was still not someone to underestimate. Even if he seemed gentle now, there was no guarantee his attitude wouldn’t change. She needed to figure out exactly why he was looking for the black-haired woman.

If he truly didn’t mean to kill her, maybe then it would be safe to tell him the truth.

After pausing for a moment, she slowly opened her mouth.

“I can’t really think of anything right now… Could I just get a wish ticket instead?”

“A wish ticket…?”

“Yes. There might come a time when I really need Your Highness’s help.”

Ignis just nodded silently and got up from his seat.

“Alright.”

Karentina felt relieved, and the fact that she didn’t owe Ignis anything anymore put her at ease. Trying to hold onto the soft, swelling warmth in her chest, she popped the last piece of pie into her mouth. The sweet almond cream melted on her tongue, and it was delicious beyond words.

“Thank you.”

Hearing the voice from above her head, she quickly looked up.

She stood up quietly and stared after him as he walked out of the dining room before muttering under her breath.

“Did he just… say thank you to me?”

Her face suddenly felt warm, and she found herself playing with her fork.

The sweet taste lingering on her tongue spread throughout her mouth.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

Just as Stella wanted, the carriage moved slowly and eventually pulled up to Applewood Street. The little girl’s mouth dropped open as she couldn’t take her eyes off the people, marveling at everything she saw.

“Wow! There are so many people here.”

Because of the emperor’s illness, she had never actually been to any official imperial events. The Imperial Consort always saw Stella and her brother as a nuisance, and since no one could predict what might happen if they left the palace, Stella had to stay in the princess’s quarters until she awakened as a Transcendent.

Although she had seen plenty of nobles at the palace, this was the first time she had actually been outside the castle, seeing the citizens of the empire up close.

“I never thought I’d get to enjoy a festival like this with my brother.”

Stella beamed.

Her hair, which used to be honey-gold, and her jewel-bright ruby eyes were now black. She wore a fluffy fur hat and a cozy coat with a cape, both with big pockets, one of which had Leah’s face peeking out. Gemma had designed it so Stella could take her doll sightseeing with her.

‘Their beauty truly can’t be concealed.’

Karentina smiled contentedly as she watched the beautiful siblings walking hand in hand. Even with Ignis’s face half-hidden under his hood, women would still turn to look back at him whenever he passed by.

“Princess Stella, shall we head that way?”

“Yeah!”

Stella’s eyes lit up as Karentina pointed toward the makeshift stalls set up with tents.

‘Considering it hasn’t been long since the reconstruction began, it’s already starting to feel like the old days.’

The Applewood Street from her memories was coming alive again. Round magic stones, strung up like light bulbs, kept every walkway warm, warding off the cold and bathing the streets in warmth. As cheerful music played, you could see men and women dancing here and there. Smiles blossomed on everyone’s faces.

“Mmm, something smells delicious.”

The scents wafting through every street made everyone’s stomach rumble. There were skewers glazed with savory sauce, brightly colored cotton candy, and all sorts of games and attractions where you could win prizes.

The once-empty Applewood Street was slowly coming back to life.

‘I never realized there were this many people.’

Despite the cold weather that made everyone’s noses turn red, people were still dancing joyfully, and the sounds of cheerful laughter rang out everywhere. As Karentina watched the happily smiling people, her heart swelled with emotion at the thought that she could help make something like this possible.

Stella stared at the sign on one of the tents, then tugged her hand, excited.

“Let’s go over there!”

It was a play inspired by the founding of the empire and northern legends.

“Of course.”

Matching Stella’s skipping steps, Karentina smiled as they walked toward the theater.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

By the time the play ended, a lot of time had passed.

Karentina looked over at the sun, which was starting to set.

‘It’s time to show Stella the main event.’

As they left the busy streets and reached the Stium River, she felt her mind clear up in an instant.