Chapter 20

“…Light snacks…?”

What Reina was holding was a one hundred thousand Theon bill. That didn’t exactly feel like pocket money for snacks. She glanced toward the stall without meaning to.

The stall owner seemed worried about what she might buy with that bill. His lips were curled into a businesslike smile, but his face had gone pale.

In the end, Reina slipped the one hundred thousand Theon into her wallet and took out her own money instead.

She hesitated over how to address Estelle. Calling her my lady would stand out too much, so she decided to drop all titles today.

After all, she was already calling the duke Damian. At that point, did it really matter.

“Kids, let’s eat something here while we wait for Mr. Damian.”

“Okay!”

“Sounds good!”

From the moment they settled near the stall, the children’s eyes were fixed on the animal shaped iced cookies on display.

“How much are these?”

“Two hundred Theon each. But if you buy ten, you get one free.”

“Oh my.”

Even if she bought eleven, they wouldn’t be able to finish them all, so Reina decided to get just one per person.

Estelle chose a rabbit cookie, and Bonita picked a squirrel. Watching them, Reina thought it was funny how they had chosen animals that suited them perfectly.

“Aren’t you eating, Mom?”

“Yeah, you’re not having one?”

The children were already nibbling on the ears of their cookies as they looked up at her. Reina held the four hundred Theon in her hand and met their sparkling eyes.

“Well…”

“A cookie just like you, madam, is right here.”

Not missing the chance, the merchant beamed and held up a pink flower shaped cookie.

“…Uh, um…”

Reina wasn’t particularly tempted, but with the children’s pleading looks and the fact that it was a special day, she decided not to refuse.

In the end, she stood there holding her own cookie as well.

Just as the children were finishing theirs, a man in a flashy uniform came rushing through the crowd, scanning his surroundings in a panic.

‘Does he have some kind of emergency?’

As Reina kept turning the cookie in her hand, debating whether to eat it, the man suddenly snapped his head toward her. His eyes went wide, and he ran straight over.

“…Madam. You are the madam, right?”

“…Y-Yes?”

Being called madam by a stall owner could be brushed off as sales talk, but there was no reason for a stranger like this to call her that.

The man grabbed Reina’s hand with the desperation of someone who had found a savior.

“Oh dear, please come quickly. And your daughters too. The gentleman is waiting.”

“Excuse me…”

Reina desperately wished someone would explain what was going on. The children clutched at her skirt, their eyes trembling with fear.

“I can’t follow someone I don’t even know.”

“Ah…!”

Only then did the man realize his mistake and let go of her hand.

“I was in such a hurry that I was rude. I’m Sein, the head of the Seinbell Troupe, which spreads stories of the god across the land. I’m the second Sein.”

“…”

“The gentleman has arrived and rented the entire performance for this time slot. He said he wanted to watch comfortably with his family.”

“What?”

Reina and the two children stared at him with their mouths open. What was this man even saying.

At the same time, Reina realized why Damian had disappeared.

Before the three of them could fully process it, troupe staff gently guided them into the tent.

In that vast space, there was only one person.

A dignified man sat with his legs crossed, arrogance in the way he carried himself even from afar. He stared at the empty stage with a bored expression, then turned his head at the sound of people entering.

“…You’re here.”

“M-Mr. Damian? What is all this?”

“I need to show my daughter a play. Does it make sense to have her shivering outside while waiting.”

Of course it didn’t. What kind of household did Estelle belong to.

The duke twitched his brow slightly.

‘If that was the case, couldn’t he have invited the troupe to the mansion from the start?’

Reina thought of several things she could argue about, but swallowed them again.

Estelle looked around the empty audience seats. Tugging on Damian’s clothes, she asked,

“…Then does that mean the people outside can’t come in until we finish watching?”

“That’s right. You’ll be able to watch more comfortably.”

Though he said it firmly, Estelle’s expression darkened instead.

At a loss after seeing her face fall, he looked up at Reina.

Lately, Reina felt she was seeing more and more of the duke’s human side.

She stepped closer and whispered softly, too quietly for the child to hear.

“She feels bad for the people waiting outside.”

“…Why?”

“They made time to wait, and there are empty seats here. But because you rented the whole place, they have to wait even longer.”

“…”

Damian seemed unable to grasp Estelle’s thoughtfulness and fell silent again.

After a moment, he spoke to the troupe master.

“Fill the seats first with those who brought young children.”

“…Y-Yes.”

“No… wait.”

He touched his lips, then changed his mind.

“Invite the children from the orphanage as well.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. Immediately.”

“…”

“I’ll pay double what I already paid.”

“U-Understood. I’ll bring the children right away.”

Reina didn’t want to know how much Damian had paid earlier. She felt like knowing would mean crossing a river she could never return from.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, he confidently led the children to the best seats and sat down.

“Will this do?”

Damian asked Estelle. After hesitating, she nodded.

Perhaps from the cold, her cheeks were flushed red. After a brief pause, Reina sat beside Bonita.

“…My lord.”

“I told you to use my name.”

“There’s no one listening here.”

“…Fine.”

Reina finally gathered the courage to ask something that had been on her mind.

“So, what exactly did you tell the troupe master about us?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“Really?”

“I said I brought everyone out to show my daughter a play. I gave him money and told him there would be a woman nearby watching over two children, so he should bring you.”

“…I see.”

He hadn’t said wife, nor claimed Reina as family. The troupe master had simply filled in the gaps on his own after hearing Damian’s clumsy explanation.

Not long after, the troupe hurriedly prepared the stage, having rushed to invite the orphanage children.

It seemed they had some spare time originally, as the first performance began as scheduled.

“…Wow.”

The tent darkened, and a magician from the troupe released beautiful magic into the air.

The children gasped, their eyes shining at the sight of magic they had never seen before.

It wasn’t just Bonita and Estelle.

The many children from the orphanage forgot to close their mouths as they stared at the breathtaking opening.

Reina smiled at how all the children, though different in appearance, wore the same expression. It was funny and lovely at the same time.

“…What are you staring at like that?”

Damian tilted his head and whispered to her. Reina turned quickly to answer and was startled by how close his face was. Her eyes widened.

“…J-Just… the kids are cute.”

Behind the dark curtain, their voices were as soft as wind brushing over grass at night.

“…”

“You gave the children a wonderful gift.”

“It wasn’t what I intended.”

“Still.”

Feeling awkward, Damian straightened his posture.

Watching him, Reina smiled gently and whispered,

“Mr. Damian, you’re like Santa Claus.”

“…?”

“Oh, would you like this?”

Reina snapped her flower shaped cookie cleanly in half and handed the larger piece to Damian.

He fiddled with the small cookie now in his hand, recalling what she had just said.

Santa Claus.

A being that no longer existed, not just in the empire, but anywhere in the world.

Damian looked at Reina, who had compared him to something he didn’t even know.

She had already turned back to watch the stage with the children.

She looked oddly excited, almost like a child herself.

And somehow, Damian felt he would never forget this moment.

* * *

The play opened with the line,

“Bendicion saw the first child born on this land, and could not help but fall in love.”

The story was crafted to match Star’s Birthday.

In the distant past, before gods existed, a great drought struck the world.

Many people starved to death.

In the depths of that endless despair, one child prayed.

“Dear God. Please hear my prayer. Please watch over everyone.”

The god did not answer.

The child prayed again.

“Dear God. Please hear my prayer. Please save everyone. I’ll give you anything you want.”

At that moment, a being like sacred light appeared.