The market Laritte and Ian had nned to visit was to be held in Nikarkol Vige. The vige belonged to the Dukes Decree, but it was quite far from the Dukes residence. Since it was situated in the middle of various cities such as port cities and fishing viges, trade was active and there were many things to see. However, for that reason, it was also a vige that received many outsiders.


    Unlike other viges in the Duchy, the average security was not up to the mark. So it was natural for Ian to worry about going to the Nikarkol vige alone. Are you sure you want to go there? In fact, since the execution of the Empress, no one sought out to assassinate them, so it was an excessive concern he had.


    Yes.


    Besides, Laritte made a surprise appearance wearing the winter clothes she borrowed from Alice, so he had no choice but to follow her. Larittes strikingly bright silver hair was hidden under a woolly hat. The clothes she wore reached exactly down to her ankles since it was a luxury inherent in nobility to wear long fabrics. Her brown top and gray skirt wereyered warmly.


    I borrowed Alices clothes for a while since she was the same height as me. Do you like it? she asked. Ian gazed lovingly at the girl, perfectly dressed in amoners winter attire. He smiled contentedly with the look of a wolf looking at his onlypanion. He wanted to kiss her cute little lips.


    The book said hugs and kisses were normal after the 30th day, right? Itd be fine, right? He had thought over and over about this for more than 10 minutestely. However, the natural opportunity to kiss never came.


    Ian was also dressed up as amoner alongside his wife. The green leather vest he wore strongly held his pectoral muscles. And finished with arge robe and a hat, he looked like a hunter. Larittes impression was simple, I feel like Im back in the vi. It was quite fun back then.


    Checking their perfect disguise, they hurried out of the mansion before being caught by Olivia. Ian asked Laritte while choosing a horse from the mansions stable. Come to think of it, do you have the item I gave you earlier? In response, Laritte exposed the belt wrapped around her waist through the winter cloak. She pulled out apass from a bag smaller than her forearm.


    Likewise, it had magical effects because it was made from the remains of a dragon, I didnt forget.


    You dont have to worry about that. Having something expensive like this only makes you think about it.


    She followed Ian on the same horse. What kind of rare ability does thispass have? Of course, in just a few days in Larittes hand, the dragons magic would be lost and it would be a normal artifact. She wasnt going to use the ability of the thing, but she was curious.


    I heard it links you emotionally, replied Ian, driving the horse toward the Nikarkol vige and telling her the story. Thispass did not point to anything, including the north and south. But asionally, it guided the owner with directions. It was not known on which criteria the path to be taken was selected.


    An ancient schr discovered a new truth after following thepass. Some people were known to find the truth about something, while others found a water bottle they had forgotten in a warehouse. It is said that at the end of the guidance, whether there is a huge understanding or a small ie varies from time to time.


    Laritte nced to her waist where thepass was. Ian took hold of the reins and continued speaking. There will be nothing anyway. The former owner hadnt seen thepass move in ten years.


    Before long, the two arrived in the vige of Nikarkol. Standing at the entrance to the vige, Laritte looked up at the scenery under the bright sun. Wow, there are so many people even though its cold. Leaving the horse in the barn, Ian stood next to her.


    Because it is a trading town. Be careful not to bump into other people.


    The couple looked around the vige holding hands. Like newlyweds. Secretly, Ian looked up at the sky and smiled.


    The Nikarkol Chapel in the center of the vige was a narrow, pointed castle that also served as a clock tower. The streets were filled with shops everywhere, as they passed the houses with simr orange roofs. Their destination was thergest marketce they saw in the newspaper, which they reached by asking the residents for directions.


    Only 5 gil for ten salted apples!


    We only sell dresses that seem to have been made yesterday on Old More Street. Enjoy the feeling of nobility.


    Take a look at the prototype of a private shippany!


    The atmosphere was amazing ording to Laritte. Of course, the back alley where she lived until she was eight was full of trams. And when she was at the County, she had rarely been to the market because she was busy with chores and getting scolded. She came here to de-stress Ian, but it was Laritte who felt excited.


    Wow, look at that!


    Ians stress left his shoulders as she watched the excited form of Laritte.


    Yes. Its amazing.


    ***


    Olivia, who remained in the Dukes mansion, searched for Ian and Laritte. Where did they go? She couldnt find them anywhere. She only received cold reactions when she asked about the whereabouts of the Duke and the Duchess. She was worried that Laritte was not in front of her.


    Where the hell did they take her? The wounds she saw on Larittest night kepting back to her. She reached her daughters room after wandering from ce to ce. Through the crack of the door, she saw Alice and Irene cleaning the room.


    Madam said that she needed to borrow my clothes and promised to buy me a souvenir when she returns in the evening. Are you envious?


    Even I can give Madam some clothes! Irene yelled while dusting the window. By the way, what would she want to give you? Nikarkol vige gathers all kinds of specialties, so its difficult to choose.


    Nikarkol vige!


    Figuring out the purpose of Ian and Laritte, Olivia moved carefully. The knights guarding the mansion didnt like Olivia, but they let her leave. She limped along the path before she got on her wagon running with old wheels. But she was looking for a needle in the desert when she arrived at the vige.


    Stumbling amidst the throng of crowds, she could barely take refuge in a narrow alley. B*st*rds, Im going to die of pain. She cursed as she checked the palm of her hand as she fell. She stepped forward after dusting off her hands. She continued to walk down the dark alley before two men blocked her path from both sides.


    Auntie, you look like you have some money, dont you?


    Olivia wore a long coat because of the cold weather, but it was luxurious since it was borrowed from the mansion. She knew how to walk in back alleys. However, she was so upied withing to look for Laritte, and the fact that the Duchy generally had good security, that shepletely forgot to take care of her attire. She used to live in the back alleys with different kinds of criminals. This time, it was time for her to think about how she could get rid of the men with all her might.


    The man in front of her frowned as if he had seen Olivia, ..Where did I meet this woman? Duncan, do you know?


    I think Ive seen her too.


    After a few seconds, they recalled her from her silver locks traveling down her face. Ah! Youre the woman who used to visit the County every day! How many years has it been?


    They were once the knights who worked for Count Brumayer. When the Duke destroyed the reign of the Count, the employees were scattered. They all used to abuse Laritte, so they deserved to be abandoned. The maids did not receive a letter of introduction and were beaten for knocking on doors of other families. The knights became mercenaries or rogues doing only dangerous jobs.


    They noticed Olivia as well. She grew older, but her beautiful features brought back memories of despair. One of the men who was named Duncan was still dubious, while the otherughed with his rotten teeth. Why are you here? After you abandoned that illegitimate child in the mansion, you used toe every day to ask us to return your daughter because you changed your mind.


    But unfortunately, that truth never reached Laritte.


    Olivia looked like she was frozen in ice. It was more than a decade ago. The days immediately after Laritte was abandoned by her at the house of Brumayer.


    Meanwhile, Ian and Laritte were entering a theater.


    Ian, have you heard the name of the event? Ian blinked at the poster on the wall when Laritte asked.


    It was then that the hand of thepass in Larittes bag moved.