Varkas stared at the ruby, red as if it were burning, for a moment before approaching the merchant and paying for it.

Talia looked down at the ruby brooch placed in her hand, her eyes clouded with frustration.

In an indifferent voice, Varkas asked,

“What about the others?”

It was probably a meaningless question, yet why did it feel as though he were probing her heart?

She forcibly restrained her gaze from returning to the moonstone.

“I don't need anything else. They're all mediocre.”

The merchant's expression twisted slightly.

Pretending not to notice, Talia turned toward the entrance, only for Varkas to follow and wrap an arm around her waist. It seemed he was trying to support her, knowing how easily she staggered.

Accepting the touch she had already become accustomed to, she stepped outside and found that besides Daren Dru Siorcan, several other retainers were waiting.

One of them approached and reported.

“We've completed our inspection of the market. Supplies are stable, and trade in the major goods appears active. However, there have been quite a few complaints regarding public security.”

Passing through a noticeably quieter corridor, Varkas turned toward him.

“Is there a problem with the guards?”

“Not with the guards themselves. It seems bandit activity has increased recently. There have been successive attacks targeting merchant caravans.”

A slight crease formed between Varkas's brows.

The man added cautiously,

“The Lord of Dorkaen has requested an audience to discuss the matter. What are your orders?”

“...Very well. We shall meet the lord first.”

Stroking his chin, Varkas nodded readily.

Watching him from the corner of her eye, Talia glanced back.

The jewel she had abandoned seemed to flicker before her eyes.

She tried to convince herself that a trivial gemstone like a moonstone was unnecessary, but her regret refused to disappear.

By the time they left the exchange and reached the carriage waiting on the avenue, anxiety had begun to creep in.

She might never find another stone with that color again.

Sitting in her seat and glaring unhappily at the ruby, Talia peered through the window.

Varkas was discussing something with his retainers. It seemed he was passing on the decisions they had just made to the knights.

Since it did not appear they would depart immediately, Talia rummaged through the storage compartment inside the carriage.

After thoroughly disturbing Varkas's belongings, she finally found a leather pouch filled with gold coins.

Without hesitation, she stuffed it into her clothes and carefully slipped outside.

The soldiers seemed too busy loading wedding gifts presented by the city's influential figures onto the wagons to pay attention.

After observing them carefully, Talia crossed the avenue.

When she entered the trade exchange again, she saw merchants putting away their stalls.

Pulling her hood down low, she pushed through the crowded street.

Perhaps because of her hurried movements, her calf muscles stiffened and pain spread all the way to her hips.

Ignoring it, she hurried into the jewelry shop and walked up to the display.

The gem resembling Varkas's eyes was emitting a soft light upon a red cushion.

Picking it up, she stared at it for a while before turning to the merchant.

“I'll buy this gemstone.”

The man, who had been staring at her in surprise, broke into a broad smile.

“You certainly have a discerning eye. This moonstone is an extremely rare item with unique colors and patterns. Normally I'd ask thirty-five Soldem, but for Her Grace the Grand Duchess, I'll let it go for thirty.”

Talia absentmindedly tuned out his rambling while opening the leather pouch.

At that moment, a blunt voice came from behind her.

“What a swindler. Since when does a moonstone cost thirty gold coins?”

Turning around, Talia's eyes widened.

Lucas Laedgo Siorcan was standing there.

Looking down at the gemstone in her hand, he sneered.

“It can't be worth even five.”

“W-what absurd nonsense are you saying?!”

The merchant raised his voice indignantly.

“This moonstone is a rare masterpiece! Do you think it's common to find something with these colors and patterns?”

“Even so, thirty Soldem is ridiculous.”

“Thirty Soldem is already cheap! If it were put up for auction, the price might rise even higher—”

With the merchant's face red from anger, Talia dumped the gold coins onto the counter.

With a clatter, imperial coins piled up in a heap.

At a glance, there seemed to be well over thirty.

Stuffing the gem into her pouch, she said arrogantly,

“I'm too lazy to count. Take whatever's necessary yourself.”

Then she turned and walked out of the shop.

Several mounted warriors with grim expressions were waiting outside.

Raising her chin proudly, Talia passed by them.

But she had not even gone a few steps before Lucas caught hold of her.

“Hey, if you keep wandering around like that—”

“Hey?”

At the savage glare she shot him, the boy flinched and lowered his eyes.

It was the result of several days of diligently putting him in his place.

Suppressing his irritation, he corrected himself.

“You shouldn't wander around without an escort, Sister-in-law.”

“I was going right back.”

“You should still tell us. How can you just sneak off like that?”

Talia roughly brushed away the hand on her shoulder.

“I'm not a prisoner of House Siorcan. I have no obligation to report my every movement.”

“That's not what I meant! What if something had happened to you—!”

Ignoring his presumptuous nagging, Talia headed toward the square.

In the meantime, preparations for departure had apparently been completed. The knights were all mounted.

Talia hurried toward the carriage.

Then Varkas, who had been speaking with a nobleman nearby, turned his cold eyes upon her.

Talia swallowed dryly.

Was he angry because she had disappeared without saying anything?

As she stood there tense, Varkas let out a small sigh and gestured lightly with his chin.

“Get in. I will be traveling on horseback.”

Then he turned and walked toward the knights.

Talia let out a small sigh of relief and climbed into the carriage.

Not long afterward, the waiting carriage began moving along the avenue.

Talia took out the gem hidden inside her coat.

The bluish-silver stone emitted a pale glow in the dim shade.

Like someone seeing a jewel for the first time in her life, she stared at it for a long while before tucking it back against her chest and looking outside.

Clouds the color of ash had gathered in the sky that had been bright only hours ago.

The heat of summer had completely faded, and the chilly air carried the scent of dry grass.

Judging from the humidity, rain seemed imminent.

Just as she had expected, by the time the carriage left the city and passed through the walls, the darkened clouds began releasing a gentle drizzle.

Pressing her cheek against the cold window, Talia looked ahead.

On a gentle hill shrouded in pale rain stood a somewhat rough-looking fortress.

It appeared to be Dorkaen Castle.

“Thank you for coming!”

As they arrived before the gates, a man wearing a bear pelt over his shoulders hurried out.

He was a middle-aged man with a thick black beard.

Bowing respectfully to Varkas at the head of the procession, he introduced himself.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am Uzan Darken, the administrator of this region.”

Varkas leapt down from his horse and accepted the greeting with his usual calm expression.

“I am Varkas Laedgo Siorcan.”

Studying his new lord with curious eyes, the man smiled warmly.

“You must have had a difficult journey. Please, come inside. We have prepared a grand banquet in Your Grace's honor.”

“You have my thanks.”

After exchanging proper greetings, Varkas handed his reins to a servant and approached Talia.

Standing foolishly in the drizzle, Talia shrank her shoulders.

Varkas spread out his cloak above her head, shielding her from the rain.

Watching the scene with interest, the lord cautiously addressed her.

“This beautiful lady must be Her Grace the Grand Duchess. It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. Please feel free to call me Uzan.”

Talia merely inclined her head.

Momentarily embarrassed, the man quickly returned to smiling and fawned over her.

“It is an immeasurable honor to welcome such distinguished guests. I shall do my utmost to ensure Your Highness's stay is comfortable.”

“Enough with the pleasantries. Show me to my room already. How long are you planning to leave me standing in the rain?”

At her chilly reply, the man hurriedly climbed the steps.

“O-of course! My apologies, Your Highness. Please, this way.”

Following him inside the massive stone building, Talia was greeted by the smell of burning firewood and candle wax.

Pressing herself against Varkas's side, she slowly surveyed the gloomy old castle.

Judging by its appearance, it had been built during the Age of the Warring Kingdoms. Thick darkness and damp moisture clung stubbornly to its aged interior.

“You may use this room.”

The lord led them to a chamber on the second floor.

It was a rather cozy bedroom.