It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 46

“During the Harvest Festival, we allow citizens to set up stalls upon request. They sell not only their own crops but also various crafts and snacks. Every year, the number of applicants increases, and stalls spread out like a spiderweb from the central plaza into the surrounding alleys. That means more spectators too.”

Just as Louis explained, the view outside the carriage window was overflowing with people. I was beginning to wonder if the carriage could go any further when Hans spoke through the window.

“We can’t proceed any further. The crowd is too dense.”

“Let’s get out.”

I said, adjusting my dress. Even though it was a simple one, I had to gather the hem in my hands to move inside the carriage.

“Do you truly intend to walk through this crowd without the carriage?”

Hans asked stiffly. Holding my dress in both hands, I replied,

“How can you enjoy a festival from inside a carriage? And with this many people, bringing the carriage in would just inconvenience everyone.”

Hans looked at me in surprise, clearly not expecting that answer. I was the one who felt awkward. Isn’t it normal to walk around a festival on foot? Martenal chimed in from the other window.

“What’s this? Sir Knight, are you saying you’re not confident?”

Hans’s thick eyebrows twitched, but he answered earnestly.

“I didn’t expect such a large crowd. I thought there would be a designated area for distinguished guests…”

“Hahaha! A special area for nobles at a festival? That’s the first I’ve heard of such nonsense! You’ve never been to a festival like this, have you? At most, you’ve probably attended those stiff palace banquets.”

Martenal laughed loudly. Hans didn’t deny it, just clenched his jaw.

“Oh, is it harder to guard me if I get out of the carriage?”

I asked apologetically. Martenal quickly responded,

“Nope! I expected this kind of situation. No problem with the escort. Except maybe for our pampered knight here.”

“I only asked for your opinion because I didn’t anticipate this. There’s no issue with the escort.”

Hans glared at Martenal through the window. The tension between the two knights was palpable. Caught between them, I shrank my shoulders and watched nervously. Then, Giscal raised a hand.

“Stop the pointless bickering and focus on the escort.”

The tension dissolved at Giscal’s gesture. After confirming the two had quieted down, he offered me his hand.

“Shall we get out?”

I gaped at the sea of people before me. Giscal firmly held my hand, ensuring I could safely step down without being swept away by the crowd.

The view from outside the carriage was vastly different from the glimpse I’d had through the window.

Colorful banners fluttered above the crowd, and vibrant tents filled the plaza.

“If we’re not careful, we’ll get separated. …Keep holding my hand.”

It was too crowded to argue that I wasn’t a child. Giscal gripped my hand tighter, as if losing me would be a disaster.

Thankfully, Martenal and Hans’s sturdy builds helped us push through the crowd without being swept away.

I slowly walked forward, browsing the stalls scattered across the plaza. Next to a candy stall that children would love was a fabric shop with beautiful cloths, and across from it, chickens clucked noisily in cages.

By midday, drinking had begun. Several red-faced men occupied all the chairs at a snack stall, and women shopping for ingredients filled their baskets with vegetables and wrapped meats.

The atmosphere and energy reminded me of the markets in my original world. Children ran around with candy in their mouths, tugging at their mothers’ skirts, begging for treats.

I used to be like that. Our house was near a market, and on market days, I’d beg my mom for snacks.

“Your Highness, would you like to try one of those?”

Louis must’ve noticed me staring. She pulled coins from her small purse.

I had been watching a little girl clinging to her mother’s skirt, but Louis was eyeing the fried bread sizzling on a griddle.

“You’ve walked a lot. You must be hungry. I’ll get it quickly!”

Without waiting for a reply, Louis ran to the stall. Honestly, I was hungry, so I waited quietly.

Soon, Louis returned with a paper bag full of fried bread. There were many kinds.

Round fried bread, bread stuffed with vegetables and meat, sweet-sauced bread, twisted sugar-coated bread, cheese-filled bread… All hot and crispy, steaming from the heat.

“There’s no place to sit and eat here. Should I rent that stall with tables?”

Louis seemed unusually generous today. I waved my hand.

“What are you talking about? Street food tastes best when eaten by hand.”

I took the lead and handed out the bread to those around me.

“Wow, it’s still warm. Honestly, I’m more used to grabbing food like this at markets. But I’m surprised. I didn’t expect Your Highness to know how to eat at a market.”

Martenal said, biting into a round bread. I froze. Arne would never have visited a bustling market. I quickly glanced at Giscal and Louis, but thankfully they were focused on their bread. I hurriedly took a bite of my cheese bread and said,

“Haha, it’s my first time trying this kind of bread, but it’s good.”

“Yes, it’s my first time too. Surprisingly tasty.”

Hans echoed my words, and I was grateful. I relaxed and took a proper bite. The bread was crispy outside, soft and moist inside, and the cheese blended perfectly. It was truly delicious. Louis smiled warmly as she watched me eat carefully to avoid spilling cheese.

Everyone quickly finished their bread, but Giscal ate slowly. He looked like someone who’d take one bite of the most expensive dish at a top restaurant and leave. Watching him eat greasy bread wrapped in paper was oddly fascinating.

Then, I met Giskal’s deep red eyes.

“What?”

“Ah? Oh, nothing!”

I quickly looked away. Just then, I spotted a stall selling fresh fruit drinks. I picked one up.

“I was just looking for something to drink.”

I took a big gulp, trying to shake off the awkwardness of staring at Giscal. But that was a mistake. The cool drink slid down my throat smoothly, but the next moment, my head spun.

“Are you okay?”

“Are you alright?”

Giscal and Louis supported me. Even passersby murmured,

“Is that young lady okay? She just downed strong liquor in one go.”

Something felt off. I felt tipsy. My face flushed instantly.

“Your Highness, are you alright? Why would you drink such strong alcohol all at once?”

Louis raised her voice. But I felt fine. My body swayed, but my mind was clear.

Or so I thought.

“Fruit juice isn’t alcohol! I’m not drunk. Louis, are you drunk? Why are you shaking me? Hahaha.”

“…”

Louis stared at me, clearly not convinced. Feeling scolded by her gaze, I shut my mouth and let her guide me to a chair beside the stall.

“Stay seated. I’ll get you some water.”

Her voice was unusually firm. Even with my dizziness, I lowered my shoulders like a child being scolded.

Nearby, Martenal and Hans’s voices buzzed.

“This stuff’s strong enough to knock me over. And she drank it all at once!”

“Her Highness probably thought it was just juice. But the alcohol content is too high. Selling it like this is dangerous.”

“You’re so uptight. Markets are meant to be enjoyed with a drink.”

“Still, letting people access such strong alcohol so easily…”

Their voices faded. I gagged weakly. Trying to turn in case of an emergency, I swayed.

I nearly fell off the chair, but a firm hand caught me. It was Giscal. His shadowed red eyes looked slightly angry.

“Don’t eat or drink just anything.”

“Okay, okay. Got it.”

He spoke like scolding a child, but I couldn’t help but nod. His eyes weren’t filled with anger or annoyance, but with genuine concern.

“Let’s head back now.”

It was a sensible decision, considering my condition. As I stood with Giscal’s support, a woman’s scream rang out through the crowd.

“Pickpocket!”

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