“Mathias Kareem greets the Princess Sezh,” Even in the bustling market, Mathias was still as graceful as ever.

“By the way, Princess, what are you doing here? You said you’re not that type to leave the palace, so I almost didn’t expect it to be you that was here.”

“A-And you…?”

“I was on my way home from buying a present for the Princess. On that street across the market, there’s a place that sells pretty good teas.”

Mathias smiled and shook what he was holding in his hand. Sezh could see the wrapping paper looked the same as the tea he gave her last time.

Anyway, Sezh was lucky to have met Mathias today. With his help, it might be easier to find Luna.

Sezh spoke urgently, “I went to the market to find a maid. She must be around here, but there are so many people…”

“You mean the maid who usually receives my letters?”

“Yes, her name is Luna. She looks…” Sezh then explained Luna’s appearance as much as possible.

Mathias listened to all those words with a serious face.

“First of all, I will tell my servants to find her. Princess, don’t worry too much, and please return to the palace…”

“No, I have to find her too. I can’t go back until I meet Luna.”

Mathias seemed to be thinking about something in response to her firm answer and then nodded his head.

“Alright. Then, we can find your maid together. It’s dangerous for a princess to walk alone.”

***

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they wandered all over the market. Despite the cold weather, Sezh’s body was wet with sweat, and her feet were starting to ache. She had already circulated the market three times with Mathias, but Luna was nowhere to be seen.

“Why… Nowhere….” Sezh grumbled with a pale face.

Has something already happened?

“How long has the maid been gone?”

“It’s been about two hours now,” Kaen answered.

“She might have already returned, so you should go back to the palace and check first. I will accompany the Princess.”

Kaen nodded in response to Mathias’s instructions and then started to walk away at a hurried pace.

“Princess, how about taking a little break? Your complexion-“

Mathias was speaking, but the Princess didn’t seem to be engaging with anything he was saying. He was disheartened to see her wandering around with her messy hair.

“Lord, are there any other markets nearby? I think she’s not here…”

“If it’s not the market… I know there are a few small shops across the street.”

Then maybe Luna went there.

Maybe they already crossed each other…

Before Sezh even had time to ask him for directions, Mathias grabbed Sezh’s shoulder.

“It’s this way. Please follow me carefully,” After saying that, Mathias started walking at a fast pace.

Mathias took Sezh to the back of the market. After walking through the crowds in a narrow alley a few times, Sezh arrived at the place.

“It’s right in front of us.”

Indeed, a few small shops caught her eye. They were not that big, so Sezh could more easily search.

It was at the moment when Sezh was about to take a step. At the end of the opposite street, the woman she had been looking for so desperately walked out. It was Luna.

There were a few paper bags in her hand. Luna held them in her arms as if they were a treasure.

Silly Luna.

You can skip such things. Why are you wasting your time doing that?

Still, Sezh was happy. She felt relieved. After that, Sezh called out to her, “Luna!”

Luna looked around and soon found Sezh standing across the street. Her round eyes widened, making her look like a rabbit.

Luna made a puzzled expression for a second but then started running to Sezh with such a joyous face.

And it was at that moment…

…The darting carriage didn’t slow down its speed, and it crushed Luna.

“Aakh!” Someone screamed.

The carriage collapsed and skidded across the street. The coachman shrieked and rolled over on the ground. The big horses that carried the carriage made a loud groaning sound.

“Pr-Princess…”

Mathias called her with a discouraged voice, but Sezh didn’t answer.

She didn’t scream like the other passersby who witnessed it. She silently stood there, motionless like a stone. And soon after, she began rushing toward Luna.

***

The mansion in the early evening bustled with busy maids and servants. Raytan climbed a tree and looked down at them quietly.

The Franz family mansion was not far from the Imperial Palace. It seems Raytan didn’t need to worry much about getting caught drenched in blood on the long way home after ending the Duke’s life. It was a good thing for Raytan.

The reason he came here today was simple. To get rid of Johan Franz without any hassle, he needed to know the whole pattern of his daily lifestyle. When does he go to the bedroom, and with who?

“Why are you so late! I already told you! You have to prepare the Lord’s dinner early!” A maid screamed.

Raytan overheard their conversation.

“I apologize. I was receiving the medicine from the doctor… .”

Medicine? Raytan’s eyes narrowed. He had also heard that Johan Franz has a chronic disease.

However, the medicine that the maid had received did not seem to suit the disease the Duke should have.

“…Why are you getting the medicine? You’ll get beaten again in a few days anyway.”

“That’s… but…”

A smirk arched over Raytan’s lips. He knew about it too: Johan Franz’s bad habits.

He is that kind of guy…

‘He seems to have had an eye on Princess Sezh ever since the debutante ball. That’s why he asked Yerena to take the Princess as his second wife.’

Without realizing it, Raytan bit his lips.

‘For Yerena, it’s a deal with nothing to lose. If she becomes in-laws with him, Duke Franz will certainly help her in many ways.’

It wasn’t surprising at all. Sezh wanted to leave the palace when she reached adulthood, but Yerena wasn’t a person who would nicely let that happen.

However, selling your daughter to such a human…

For the first time, Raytan could sincerely obey Lize’s orders. Even if he’ll be covered in blood and heard a strange voice, he felt like he had to kill him.

“…”

Raytan’s blood-red eyes slowly moved to the right. It was Johan Franz’s bedroom. He could see the extravagant chamber through the large window.

The sun had not yet fully set, but he was already lying on the sofa in his pajamas. His belly protruding like a pig caught one’s attention. There was no way he could get away from Raytan’s sword.

For a moment, a disgusted look appeared on Raytan’s face. Soon after, he jumped off the tree. The spying was over. It was time to return to the Imperial Palace.