Chapter 75

The Nerencia Magic Tower held complete monopoly over Gate technology.

Every detail related to the Gate was treated as top secret, and to prevent any leaks or tampering, soldiers were stationed at each one to guard against theft or damage.

And yet, that magnificent technology was being used to fetch well water at Melissa’s home.

Well, it was an important task after all.

“Look over there!”

Just as Demius was nodding seriously in agreement, Melissa’s excited voice rang out. She pointed somewhere ahead, her eyes gleaming.

When he turned his head, they had already reached a crowded food alley lined with stalls.

As expected from a grand market held only a few times a year, the streets were filled with well-prepared dishes, and the scent that rose from them made one’s mouth water even from a distance.

Seeing Melissa unable to take her eyes off the food stalls, Demius asked quietly,

“Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

Melissa laughed softly, her tone cheerful.

Demius seized the chance.

“I actually made a reservation at—”

“Ah, they’re grilling skewers!”

Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she ran toward the nearest stall.

“Five lamb skewers and five chicken skewers, please! Mimi, what do you want? I’ll treat you!”

Ah.

Demius, who had just raised his hand, slowly lowered it and replied,

“Five lamb skewers, please. And allow me to pay.”

“No, I can pay too!”

Melissa proudly showed him a small hand-knitted coin pouch.

“I’ve been saving my allowance little by little back in the Village at the Edge!”

The Village at the Edge?

Demius blinked, hardly believing what he’d heard.

“Wait, are you saying you’ve been living on that all this time? You know the Grand Duke’s household provides you with a maintenance allowance, right?”

“Oh, are we allowed to use that here?”

Demius glanced around briefly.

Well, perhaps this place wasn’t exactly the most refined setting, but…

“Yes.”

Anything Melissa did was dignified by default.

He nodded firmly.

“Please feel free to use it whenever and wherever you wish.”

“But it’s far too much.”

Melissa looked down, a little embarrassed.

“There’s no way I could ever spend that much.”

“If you find it uncomfortable, then why not use your savings for today’s skewers and the official allowance for everything else afterward?”

Melissa thought for a moment, then nodded eagerly.

“Alright! Then you can eat as much as you want today. I’ll pay for it with my money!”

Her eyes shone with determination.

Demius smiled faintly.

In truth, the very first outfit he had gifted her upon arriving at the Grand Duke’s estate was already worth half a year’s allowance for a successor’s wife.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ll be eating quite well today.”

He chuckled lightly. Feeling pleased, Melissa took the skewers from the vendor, then looked up suddenly as if she remembered something.

“Oh right, what were you saying earlier? I didn’t hear you because I was buying the skewers.”

“It was nothing.”

Demius took the five lamb skewers, pretending it was of no importance.

He would have to cancel the reservation at the restaurant. It had already been paid in advance, so at least they wouldn’t suffer any loss.

“Ah, what’s that!”

As Melissa darted toward another stall, Demius signaled one of his attendants to handle the cancellation.

“I’ve never seen anything like this!”

Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the light brown transparent treats on display.

Demius naturally stepped beside her and explained,

“It’s sugar craft. The Roemier region, just south of Eisenhart, is famous for its sweet carrots. The refined sugar from there is exported across the entire Empire.”

“They’re shaped like rabbits! And those look like deer and bears… is that a potato?”

“That’s a monster.”

“Wow, a monster!”

Melissa’s eyes gleamed even brighter.

“To be precise, it’s a golem.”

“A golem!”

Her wide eyes shone like jewels.

Demius continued with a hint of amusement.

“They’re monsters made from the waste of earth spirits.”

“I see!”

So there really were things that books couldn’t describe fully.

Her eyes sparkled like stars as Demius continued pointing out the sugar sculptures beside them.

“This one seems to be a basilisk. That one’s a mandragora, that one a cockatrice, and this one’s a slime.”

“Wow…”

Melissa’s mouth opened wide, her eyes glittering.

If she could recognize them all, it meant she had probably seen them herself before.

‘I want to see them too.’

Her gaze then caught something at the neighboring stall.

“I’ve seen that in a book! Those are fruit candies, right?”

“That’s right.”

To be precise, they were fruit ice candies.

Despite the name, they contained no actual ice. They were made by coating fresh seasonal fruits in thin layers of sugar syrup that hardened to a clear, glass-like finish.

“There are so many desserts in the north. It must be because sugar is so plentiful here.”

As Melissa admired the glossy fruit candies, she hesitated, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

Then she turned to Demius, her expression earnest.

“If I buy one of each flavor, will you share them with me?”

“Of course.”

Demius agreed immediately.

Canceling the restaurant reservation had been the right choice after all.

Just as he was feeling quietly satisfied, the candy vendor, who had been working busily, suddenly looked up and exclaimed in surprise.

“Good heavens, isn’t that young master Demius?”

The owner of the candy stall, a man named Furu, widened his eyes.

“How have you been, sir? When I heard you’d suddenly gone missing, I nearly fainted! Was it five years ago you last visited my stall? Or was it ten?”

“The young master’s here?”

In an instant, all the nearby vendors stopped what they were doing and turned toward him.

“By the stars, it really is him!”

“I remember when you were this small, and now look at you!”

A nearby vendor laughed and scolded the other.

“Hey, how long ago are you talking about?”

“No, listen. He came here with his brother back then, that adorable little boy—”

“Ahem.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

The vendor who had spoken quickly covered his mouth and bowed awkwardly.

“I’m terribly sorry if I’ve said anything impolite, young master.”

“It’s fine.”

Demius’s expression softened slightly, easing the man’s nerves. But then his face dimmed again.

“Ah, yes, about the First Young Lord… what a tragedy. Have there been any good news, perhaps?”

A faint smile crossed Demius’s lips.

Seeing that expression, the vendor smacked his lips in regret.

“Oh dear, I shouldn’t have said that.”

He hesitated, then continued in a low, sincere voice.

“Of course, we all believe the First Young Lord will return someday. If there’s ever any news, please do tell us.”

“Alright.”

The corners of Demius’s mouth lifted again, forming a faint but genuine smile.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, not at all, young master!”

Furu waved his hands hastily, then pulled a glossy candy from the display and held it out.

“Would you like one? You used to love these, remember?”

The other vendors quickly followed suit, offering their goods.

“Would you like to try ours too?”

“Here, young master, take this as well!”

“Oh my.”

Melissa gasped at the sight of everyone eagerly holding out their food. Flustered, she hurried forward to offer payment.

But the vendor quickly waved his hands.

“No, no, my lady. We’re not selling these today.”

At that, Demius stepped closer and gently placed a hand around Melissa’s shoulder.

“My lady, they’re offering their kindness. It’s alright to accept it.”

“But still…”

Melissa hesitated, shaking her head.

“I feel bad. I should at least pay something in return.”

“Your wife?!”

The vendors’ eyes went wide at once.

“Wait, that lady is your wife?”

“So the rumors were true!”

“No wonder she has such grace.”

“You mean you didn’t notice? I could tell at a glance.”

Soon not just the merchants but even the passersby began whispering and glancing in their direction.

Watching the growing commotion, Demius smiled inwardly.

‘Perfect.’

Because today’s date had never been just a simple date to begin with.