The sounds of people murmuring and the vibrant scenes filled the streets of the Royal Capital.

Surrounding us were shops adorned with precious gems, and the windows displayed rare magical tools that captivated the eyes of passersby.

Johan and Rudella walked side by side through the Royal Capital, emitting an awkward atmosphere.

Rudella stole glances at Johan’s profile beside her. His calm expression and measured steps gave off a strangely distant vibe, causing her to hesitate repeatedly before attempting to say something.

This moment, walking alongside him, felt both unfamiliar and oddly thrilling.

Before a sparkling gem shop, Johan paused for a moment to gaze at a radiant crystal jewel.

Inside, a subtle magical energy swirled, occasionally changing colors and creating a mysterious ambiance.

“This crystal orb resembles Lady Bismarck’s eyes,” Johan said quietly. Rudella tilted her head, looking at the crystal orb he was observing.

“Really?”

“There are many similarities.”

He continued, “Lady Bismarck’s eyes are a bright sky blue but can appear a deep blue depending on the light. The colors are similar, and that quality feels much like this crystal.”

Her eyes were akin to a sky-blue topaz, reminiscent of a clear sky.

“Are you saying my eyes are like that crystal?”

“Well, one could say that.”

Johan smiled at Rudella. Though it was a natural smile, she instinctively flinched and took a step back.

“…Your smile also shines like crystal.”

Rudella murmured quietly, hoping it wouldn’t be heard.

“Princess Fransia… no, Princess Ferbache has often said the same.”

But Johan heard her. Rudella looked at him in surprise, indifferent to the implications.

She let out a sigh of relief but felt strangely disappointed, as if he didn’t see her as a potential romantic interest.

“Let’s buy one.”

Johan, pleased with the crystal, suggested. Rudella averted her gaze and quietly nodded.

“Let’s go inside.”

They entered the shop and purchased a pendant filled with a shimmering blue crystal. Johan gifted it to Rudella with a gentle smile.

“Would you like to try it on?”

“Is it okay for me to accept this?”

“There’s no reason not to.”

Since it was mass-produced and not overly expensive, it held no special meaning. It was merely a token of appreciation for her managing her stress.

“Thank you.”

Rudella extended her hand cautiously to receive the pendant. However, Johan moved behind her to fasten it around her neck himself.

“What…?”

She froze in surprise at the warm touch of Johan’s hands on her nape.

As their proximity decreased, her breath quickened, and when his warm hands touched her skin, her heart began to race as if it might burst.

It felt as though his breath was right behind her, and suddenly, all her senses honed in on Johan.

Yet, Rudella couldn’t voice a single word and stood still, waiting for him to finish fastening the pendant.

“Usually, it’s customary for a man to fasten a gift like this.”

“Custom…?”

“Indeed. It’s similar to how Lady Bismarck receives escort when getting into a carriage.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes.”

Johan nodded with a subtle smile. Realizing there was no deeper meaning behind his action, Rudella awkwardly smiled, feeling a hint of disappointment.

“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”

Rudella fiddled with the sky-blue crystal pendant around her neck. It had a solid feel, yet it strangely emanated warmth.

She smiled softly as she gazed at the pendant but was suddenly drawn away by music drifting through the streets.

In the town square, street musicians and dancers continued their performance, creating a lively atmosphere.

The harmonious melodies of instruments echoed, and people naturally began to pause in their steps to enjoy the show.

“Shall we head over there?”

“Let’s.”

Intrigued by the music, Rudella’s sky-blue topaz-like eyes sparkled as she made her way to the center of the square.

With their noble attire and appearance, people naturally moved aside for Johan and Rudella.

─♬

When the music ended, Johan clapped and applauded, while Rudella gazed at him, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

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

“Have you ever heard it before?”

“Yes, back when I was attending the academy.”

Johan reminisced about the past. Life back then had been terrible, yet now he found himself longing for those simpler days.

He had lived without worries.

“Let’s explore more places.”

Nodding, Rudella followed Johan, her gaze wandering. Everything felt fascinating. Was the Royal Capital always like this?

Perhaps it felt new because she hadn’t paid attention to her surroundings recently, or was it that the person walking with her was Johan? While she didn’t know the exact answer, she decided to savor the moment.

“What about the street vendors?”

Johan asked, pointing in the direction of various stalls selling skewered meats and other street foods.

“I think it sounds good. The rabbit meat we ate in the cave was delicious.”

Impressed by her remark about enjoying meat that lacked seasoning, it seemed Rudella might not have particularly refined tastes after all.

“Let’s go!”

Johan took Rudella’s hand, leading her forward. Though she flinched at the sudden contact, she didn’t pull away.

“Two skewers, please.”

“Sure!”

As expected, the swift stall vendor handed over the two skewers in no time. Johan took one and handed it to Rudella.

“Be careful when you eat.”

“Thanks…”

She cautiously accepted the skewer, tossing her hair back as she took a bite. It was a flavor that couldn’t be experienced in the Imperial Palace.

“It’s delicious…”

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

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Rudella turned red, embarrassed at her sudden display of emotion, and hastily looked away while chewing on the skewer.

Johan found her strangely cute as he couldn’t hold back a smile. The more he got to know her, the more new sides of her he discovered.

‘From now on, I shouldn’t have preconceptions about the main characters in this world.’

Kasys Lenokhnen and Fedelian Rojino were as he expected, but Rudella was quite different from the character he had known.

Of course, the feelings he had for her weren’t those of romantic inclination. If he had to describe it, she felt like an ordinary little sister.

With their skewers in hand, they strolled through the Royal Capital, gazing at the sky.

“It’s nice to wander around without a plan.”

“Indeed. It’s a completely different feeling.”

Rudella looked satisfied with her newfound experience. Johan wore a proud smile.

*

As they wandered through the Royal Capital, having finished their meal, night fell before they knew it.

The streets of the Royal Capital took on another magical dimension at night. Streetlights made of magical tools glowed softly, casting a mystical aura with hues of blue and purple.

The streets remained bustling with people, while vendors served warm bread and spice-laden meals, filling the air with tempting aromas.

Rudella bought a small fruit from a vendor and took a bite, her eyes going wide in surprise, showcasing her delight.

As she observed the starlit streets of the Royal Capital, she spoke up.

“…Would you hold my hand?”

“My hand?”

Johan tilted his head in confusion. As he squinted at her with a puzzled expression, Rudella quickly added, “W-well, we might get lost, right…? You’re my escort, so holding hands to avoid losing each other seems like a good idea… If you don’t want to, that’s fine…”

Rudella stumbled over her words, her cheeks flushed bright red.

“Well, sure. It’s crowded, so it’d be better not to lose each other.”

Johan took her hand firmly. Out of habit from always holding Princess Fransia’s hand, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

“…!”

Rudella felt her heart pound as she shivered at the contact. Why did he act so casual yet intrusively close?

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

Awkwardly, she asked. Johan replied nonchalantly.

“There are a lot of people. If we don’t do this, you might get lost.”

It was a reasonable excuse. He didn’t seem to harbor any special feelings. Rudella nodded, feeling an undeniable sense of disappointment.

Ding-dong, ding-dong!

At that moment, the clock tower situated atop a distant spire chimed, announcing the hour.

The subtle toll seemed to signify the end of the city’s day, filling the night air of the Royal Capital.

“Hmm, I noticed people have been quite lively since the day began; turns out today is the day of a small-scale festival. It’s the day of harvest, did you know that?”

At Johan’s question, Rudella shook her head.

“I’ve never heard of that…”

“Didn’t you? Then it seems you’re quite lucky.”

He smiled as he led Rudella back towards the town square.

In the center of the square, knights maintained a safe distance, standing in formation.

Inside, wizards were preparing something special.

“Are they going to have fireworks?”

Johan murmured softly. Hearing this, Rudella tilted her head in confusion.

“Fireworks?”

Seeing her puzzled expression, Johan briefly explained.

“They hold them at the Imperial Palace too, and sometimes guild wizards do colorful displays. Today, it’s a small-scale festival, but it seems the wizards are preparing fireworks for a special occasion.”

He continued, looking at the wizards, “Fireworks are always beautiful, regardless of their scale. You should look forward to it.”

“Is that so…? It’ll be my first time seeing it properly, but since you say so, I’ll look forward to it.”

Rudella firmly grasped Johan’s hand as they watched the wizards. Just then, it seemed they were ready, beginning to draw magical circles in the air.

Various colorful magic circles shot up into the sky.

Boom—! Bang!

Fireworks burst forth in the night sky, blooming like golden flowers.

Red and blue hues flickered before they faded into gentle waves of light. The scattered sparks in the darkness embroidered the sky with fleeting beauty.

Though it was a small display, it was enough to fill the night sky, where stars began to rise.

“Beautiful.”

Johan murmured softly as magic unfolded alongside the stars. At his words, Rudella instinctively turned her gaze. He was staring at the magic spreading across the sky.

Rudella’s heart raced as she watched him, feeling a lump in her throat.

Now might be the right time.

With the noise fading now.

If he couldn’t hear it…

Couldn’t she express her honest feelings?

She knew it was something she shouldn’t say.

Yet, Rudella couldn’t hold back the explosion of feelings.

“…The truth is, I like you.”

She whispered quietly, hoping her voice would be drowned out by the sounds of fireworks and cheers.

Her heart raced uncontrollably. Heat surged through her body, causing her face to turn beet red.

“…Fireworks.”

Thinking he might overhear her, Rudella hastily added. She swallowed hard, feeling like she was gulping down stones.

“Me too.”

Johan replied lightly, looking at Rudella. The moment he turned to meet her gaze, she felt as if time stopped.

That brief moment suddenly felt too long, as if he was peering deep into her heart.

Knowing he was speaking about the fireworks, Rudella nonetheless fell into the illusion that he was whispering to her.

Rudella tightened her grip on their hands, trying to calm her thumping heart, but it wasn’t easy.

Feeling breathless, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him.

What if he realized the truth behind her whispered feelings?

Though Johan’s gaze remained unwavering, Rudella stifled the impulse to draw closer and whispered once more.

“I really do like you.”