The rare objects stretched endlessly along the road.

In other places, merchants and customers are busy haggling over and over again. It was a scene that reminded me of the liveliness Adella’s market.

Suddenly there was a delicious smell somewhere. As I turned my head, I saw a street vendor selling grilled meat.

“Shall we have a meal first?”

That sounds good so I agreed and nodded my head. When I answered him in warm welcome, Gerard guided me, saying, that there is a restaurant that he knew well.

As soon as we sat down, Gerard started talking with a confident face.

“The roast deer meat and the meat stew here are superbly delicious. The bread with meat and vegetables inside is delicious as well.”

I let out a laugh.

“Is it all meat?”

“Of course.”

I noticed his shoulder playfully moving too.

“Okay then I’ll have meat stew.”

Gerard soon raised his hand and informed the staff of our order. The food came out faster than I thought.

“Uwaaa… “

The sight of the steaming food made my mouth water.

Thanks for the food! After greeting like a habit, I immediately started eating with a spoon.

About 30 minutes later.

“Ah, I’m full.”

We packed ourselves plentifully and came out of the restaurant. Every time I opened my mouth, the burp signaling my full belly comes out.

“It was good, wasn’t it?”

“Eung, it was so good.”

It was a very satisfying meal. Not only the beef stew I ordered, even the roasted deer meat that Gerard recommended was much more delicious than I thought.

Moreover, Gerard paid for the lunch.

“You eat much better than you look.”

“It was delicious.”

“Then will you call me oppa?”

“What makes you think I’ll call you like that?”

While walking and engaging in such a playful banter, the market reappeared from my sight again.

Every step I take was accompanied by my exclamations of admiration. There were even more interesting and beautiful rare things in the nearby street vendors.

“Gurugl-gurugl-“

_{(t/n: growling stomach.mp3)}

It was then that I saw two cats, one of them was slumped against the wall with it’s legs wide open.

Of course, their innermost thoughts naturally reached my ears.

[Kkeuk, I’m full.]

[How awful. Go do that over there.]

[I’m so full I can’t take a step forward.]

[Who told you to eat like that? Look at all the fats in your stomach.]

[Isn’t this my charm?]

[Bullshit]

“Pfft puwahahah”

I burst into laughter without realizing it.

On the surface, it looks like one is lying languid and the other is playing nicely with it’s front paws. Who would think that they’re actually having a conversation like that?

[Lulu.]

[Why.]

[That human, she’s looking at us.]

Then the cat, who was pressing down on his friend with his front feet, turned his head and looked at me.

“Meoww”

[What are you looking at?]

“nyaaa”

[Never seen a cat before?]

I tilted my head slightly to the side as they look at me.

Are they brothers, and not friends? I think they look kind of similar.

[No, it’s not my first time seeing one.]

“kiyaaaaang!”

A cat sprang to his feet with a sudden squeal in my words.

[You, you, you, you just answered me?!]

[Yes.]

[This is crazy!]

Then the other cat, lying loosely, opened its eyes wide and chimed in.

[I’ve never seen anyone who understands us before. Isn’t that right, Lulu?]

The guy named Lulu didn’t answer. However, looking at his shaky pupils, this must have also been the first time he met someone who understands their conversation.

Well, if there’s anyone else besides me who understands animals, I think I’ll be scared as well.

[Do you really understand me?]

[Yes.]

[You’re amazing, human. You’re not a cat in a human mask, are you?]

“Of course not!”

I wanted to say that in my mind but I got too excited that I said aloud it without realizing it.

Then I suddenly felt eyes on me so I turned my head.

My eyes met Gerard’s eyes that’s filled with confusion at my recent outburst.

“What do you see?”

“You.”

“……..!”

“And cats.”

Gerard started off with a smile on his face.

“Are you having a staring contest with a cat just now?”

“What contest? I’m looking at it because it’s cute.”

“From the side, it looks like you’re going to eat it.”

“I won’t eat it!”

His words might cause some big trouble, seriously.

I sneakily took a glance forward again.

Ah, too late. The cats that are previously sitting in front of the low wall disappeared without a trace.

I can still hear their voice far away though.

[Phew. I almost got eaten.]

[That’s why I’m telling you to lose some belly fat.]

_{(t/n: lmao cat’s logic is on point in this novel )}

I can hear them very faintly, but it seems that they’re already gone behind the corner.

Something caught my eye so I gave up from my regret for scaring the cats and started moving again.

It was a colorful candy in a glass bottle.

Ah candy! It’s been a long time since I saw one.

I just had a delicious lunch. That must be the reason why I’m craving for something sweet, so I asked Gerard while looking at him.

“Want some candy? I’ll buy you some.”

“Alright.”

We approached the stall, the owner greeted us customers with a big smile.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Yellow candy. What about you, Rose?”

“I’ll have that.”

What I chose was a big candy, as big as my fist. Then I took out my money purse from my small bag to pay for it.

“How much is it for these two?”

“It’s originally 50 fernde, but I’ll only give it to you for 40 fernde.”

“Thank you! Here’s 40 fernde…. Oh, OH?! “

I was about to hand over the money to the owner but a hand suddenly appeared from behind and quickly snatched the pouch from my hand.

“That person!”

Gerard, who was standing next to me, hurried over to follow the thief.

I grabbed the hem of my skirt and followed as well. But they’re too fast that it was hard for me to keep up.

How long have Gerard been following that thief? Suddenly there was a loud noise and I could see people crowding in a circle.

“Wait, excuse me.”

I squeezed in through the gap. Luckily, I saw Gerard’s face immediately, and he was clutching at the weight of a man lying on the ground, straddling him on his belly.

It was then. I screamed when I saw another man sneaking up at Gerard.

“Gerrard! Behind you! Behind you!”

“Huh? “

Then Gerrard instantly swung his fist in a very threatening manner.

*pheuk–! *

“Ugh… “

He managed to land a strong blow on the man’s jaw.

The man groaned in pain and fell to the floor with a thud. Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

“Let’s see..”

Gerard crouched down in front of the two fallen men with his hand with his waist. I don’t know where it came from but he’s now holding a long rope in his hand. And now he’s tying their hands tightly with it.

After a while Gerard came and stood in front of me. There was a familiar purse in his hand.

“Is this is?”

“Yes.”

“I should’ve told you in advance that there’s a lot of petty thieves here, but I forgot. I’m glad I found it.”

“….thank you.”

I packed my money back in my bag. Soon Gerard pointed somewhere with his finger.

“If you go straight along this road and turn left, there’ll be a flower shop. If you follow the small side road you can see from there, you will find the harbor. You know what our ship is like, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Of course I know. A strange anxiety rose at the same time as I answer him.

“But why are you teaching me the way all of a sudden?”

“Aah, I’m gonna hand them over to the shelter.”

The shelter, I’ve heard of it. It’s where the sinners are kept. To put it simply, it was a place that had the same functions as a prison.

“Go back first. I’ll just go to the shelter and I’ll back again.”

“Alright.”

“See you later, then.”

*chuu*

“………..!”

The sudden touch I felt on my cheek made my eyes widened in shook.

Gerrard, who looked at me while grinning, gently rubbed my head and approached the men who were still lying down and soon led them away somewhere.

_{(t/n: hooo! HOOOO!! AREN’T YOU GOING TOO FAST MISTER?!)}

The harbor was bustling with people.

I looked at the still sea. The sun, which was high up in the sky when we got off the ship, was already setting down.

Another day passes just like this.

Looking at this wonderful scenery kinda makes me feel a little emotional. When I was in school, I was too enthusiastic about my studies, and after becoming a member of society, I didn’t seem to have seen the end of the day this properly because I was hooked on to work.

‘By the way, why isn’t Gerard coming?’

I am now standing on the harbor near the ship, and quite a few people have already crossed the bridge leading to the ship. Because of that, there’s only been little sign of people still going on board.

After a while, an old man came up to me.

“Lady, are ya a guest on this ship?”

What he pointed to was the ship right next to us, and I nodded, saying yes.

“Then get in. We’re about to sail.”

The remark made me feel impatient.

“My friend hasn’t come yet.”

“Really? Goodness, it’s time.”

“Hey, Jan! Let’s close the door! Get in!”

I could hear a loud voice. The old man, who answered in a loud voice, looked at me again and said anxiously.

“We have to leave now. Wouldn’t it be better for yah to get on first?”

“Yes, but…could you wait a little longer?”

“I’d like to do that, but it’s going to be difficult. My colleague’s temper is not normal ya know·····”

*Buu-uuu-uuu*

The boat horn sounded long before the old man’s words were finished.

At the signal that he was about to sail, he muttered, “Oh no!” and looked at me with a sad face.

“It’s really the last time. Once I get aboard, the door will close.”

At the sound of the whistle one more time, old man took a quick step toward the ship.

There was really no time now. Looking alternately at the distance behind my back and the ship in front of my eyes for the last time, I was forced to board the ship.

◆◈◆◈◆◈

Guuurl you just got ghosted! He kissed you on the cheek and said see you later then BAM! GHOSTED! Didnt know ghosting was already a thing in the past… Or in another dimension. Lols.

Kidding aside. I’m pretty sure we’ll encounter Gerard again once Maria arrives in the palace… But as who, I wonder?