Chapter 49Lantern Festival (2)

Translator: Kimmy

Editor: Sasha_00

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There was a small awkward incident between Karlos and Eva but they all agreed to enjoy the festival and started moving.

Karlos, Eva, and Brigitta all worked so they knew the importance of enjoying a break to the fullest when they had the chance.

This week has been especially hard on Eva, who had to finish her manuscript while masterminding with the Chancellor.

She managed to finish it on time and the deadline was tomorrow.

So, today was the only day she could rest since tomorrow she would have to start working on the next chapter.

Then! I will! I will get drunk today— not too drunk of course just the right amount— and have fun! I have to start working tomorrow!

Eva’s passion to have fun intensified.

On top of that, it was safe today. She had two knights accompanying her!

She felt like a protected princess and that made her happy.

Liveliness radiated from her flushed cheeks.

She had a sword master on her left and the emperor on her right.

Even an actual princess would drop her jaws at this extraordinary accompaniment.

Eva walked along the food stands and drooled when she saw the skewer stand.

Meat! Meat is a must!

Eva was used to eating a simple meal— though now Brigitta was feeding her well— so she always enjoyed light snacks that didn’t require the use of any utensils.

“Let’s buy that!”

“Oh! Yes!”

“?”

Karlos paced slowly behind the two ladies who sprinted towards the stand and observed the surrounding like a town boy who had just arrived at the capital.

Surprisingly, everyone regardless of gender or age were wearing colorful paper flower decorations.

Every single person wore a big smile.

A merchant with a thick Southern accent called for the people and a bard was tuning a mandolin in one corner of the square, preparing to sing tales.

It was loud and congested but it was also delightful and lively, and this—— how should I express it in words?

He realized that this is his first time seeing such a scene despite him successfully rejuvenating the country after the war with the Chancellor’s help.

Was this possible? For so many people to roam around happily?

It was an impressive accomplishment that was recognizable from on paper and documents, yet he had never felt on his skin.

Everything felt so surreal.

What Diego had said before was half true and half not.

When the war was over, it’s wasn’t that Karlos didn’t leave the capital— he was just trying not to leave the palace.

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

There was no specific reason, he was just raised that way.

He was used to being tucked away from the people’s sight so that he would not threaten or frighten the people.

Well, he was only out for the war because they needed him.

He was in fact, very helpful.

Since the Chancellor had a splendid talent of manipulating and Karlos was an obedient and strong chess piece.

And when he somehow ended up wearing the crown of an emperor, another problem occurred.

Now people didn’t want him to be tucked away.

They wanted him to take the responsibility of a leader and help Lesa.

He had no other choice.

He had the ability to do those things and the empire was in dire need of help.

That’s why what Diego had said before was half true: ‘Your emperor. Is he even interested in being the emperor?’

“Karl!”

A skewer of glossy meat appeared in front of his eyes.

The barbequed meat was still steaming from heat.

Guessing by the red chili powder sprinkled over the brown sauce, it must be a southern-style grill.

Karlos liked meat that was cooked in the southern-style.

Why did this appear all of a sudden? Am I hungry? Why is the meat in the air?

“Take it! It’s good.”

“Ah.”

When he lowered his view, he saw Eva’s hands.

The skewer seemed big compared to her hands but she was holding it well.

She must possess some technique on grabbing since she was holding two in the other hand.

“Eh? Ah. No. Wait. Eva. Ah. Uh. How much was this——”

“Hey, stop! I’ll be the one buying.”

Eva made a confident expression on her face to assure him.

The seller of the skewer stand overheard them and let out a sigh of relief.

A man as big as a northerner was approaching him with a scary face so the seller was scared that Karlos was one of the gangsters.

When the seller obviously knew there were no gangsters around the place!

The seller of the stand was so astonished by the small young lady who just bought 6 skewers.

She even stuttered when she spoke to him, who is known for a teddy bear-like appearance— but she was so comfortable around that intimidating man.

Shouldn’t it be the opposite?

“B, but…”

Karlos continued to mumble but Eva stopped him by questioning him.

“Karl, this is out of the blue, but what money did you bring today?”

“What? Ah, uh, a bit of Lesa gold and Siraq grandsilver….?”

“Hmm, as expected.”

“Uh, sir, I’m sorry to interrupt but the skewers don’t cost that much and I don’ think I even have enough change for such big money…”

Karlos’s eyes went wide at his words.

He doesn’t even take the Siraq grandsilver?

The Siraq grandsilver was 1/4th the size of Lesa grandsilver so its worth was also about 1/4th lesser than Lesa grandsilver.

That was also the lowest bill the emperor had in hand.

But he won’t take it? Then what does he take?

“The most you could spend in night markets like this are one Lesa silver. And this skewer is worth 20 molenas each. If you give them a grandsilver they will freak out.”

Eva forcefully made Karlos hold the skewered meat and took some coins from her wallet.

It was a bronze coin with the number 10 and a laurel wreath engraved on it.

Karlos carefully looked at the tiny coin in her hand.

Molena.

He knew it existed but he had never seen one.

He never bought anything himself and the amount he used usually was in hundred or thousand Lesa gold.

Karlos became thrilled at finally seeing what he had only read about in books.

That meant, his eyebrows were lifted more than usual and the look on his face became more menacing.

It was to the point Eva got a little surprised, so the seller of the stand turned his body away and faced the wall.

She tried to alleviate the mood to help out the seller.

“So I’m buying this! Try it.”

The skewer in his hand started feeling heavy.

My beloved author is buying me something?

A drop of sweat rolled down his back.

He wanted to tell the seller to take the money and that he didn’t want to get the change but the seller was somehow avoiding his eyes.

Karlos had to give in to Eva’s awaiting gaze.

This was the only defeat the emperor had ever experienced and the fastest one.

He said politely.

“…Thank you…”

“Your welcome!”

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

Should I preserve this? I think if I freeze it well, the wizards can cast a preservation spell.

He contemplated but he spotted Eva nodding her head as he glared holes through the skewered meat.

Brigitta already took a bite of hers but it was too spicy for her so she ran off to find something to drink.

They decided to walk around more while also looking for Brigitta.

Hmm, I knew he would bring money that’s too big to use.

Eva felt satisfied that she had guessed something right.

This big knight seemed to not know much about the world.

No wonder he sent valuable things like mandragora roots and potions to the publishing company without any safety measures.

The face of the staff who brought it to her was so pale when she found out what was in the box— she mentioned that its worth was equal to her yearly income.

Sometimes there were people like Karlos who knew nothing about currency in the Harvest festival’s night market.

Most of them were sons and daughters of nobles or great merchants.

This was quite common and happened at every Harvest festival. She knew Karlos would be one of those people but she didn’t expect him to bring Siraq silver.

Thanks to Eva, he avoided any scamming or hassles but he seemed to be uncomfortable at the fact that Eva bought it and only glared at the skewer.

“It’s alright, eat it. Ah, can you eat spicy food? Bri can’t. Is the food in the north not spicy?”

“…Most of the dishes in the cuisine from the North aren’t spicy but I like spicy food.”

“Then try it. I noticed they use good meat. It won’t be good if it gets cold.”

Karlos glanced away again.

Eva could now read Karl’s expressionless face.

Is he feeling uncomfortable again?

They weren’t that close but she was confident in her keen sense of observation.

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