Chapter 77

The queen immediately planned to summon her father, Duke Skiera, to the palace.

After instructing the palace staff to send the message, she already felt a sense of peace.

"All my worries and concerns fly away with just one word from you."

"I'm glad to see your mood has improved, Mother."

The queen nodded with a satisfied look and gazed at her grown son.

"I'm not saying this just because he's my son, but shouldn't someone with such talent and ability ascend to the throne?"

The queen firmly held her son's hand and smiled deeply.

"Who else but you would be fit for the throne? That lowborn?"

The queen sneered.

"You can't compare. Not even his wife."

The thought of Aristine's inability to save Xianchel made her laugh.

'They will pay the price for daring to crawl to me.'

Chapter 24. Just Because It's Cute

"Wow, it's really hot outside."

It was a scorching summer. The summer in Ailugo was different from that in Sylvanus.

It was brighter, clearer, and more vivid.

"The smell of sunlight."

In the dimly lit confinement palace, the smell of sunlight was non-existent, and even at midday, there was a musty odor of mold.

Aristine took a deep breath and savored the scent of summer.

Tarkan, who had been watching her, pulled her closer to him.

"You'll fall."

"Ah, yeah. Thanks."

The carriage Tarkan and Aristine were in was a barouche, an open carriage with a removable canopy made of fabric.

It was perfect for the summer, but one could easily fall out if not careful.

Aristine straightened her body.

Even after that, Tarkan's hand did not leave her, but Aristine paid no attention.

Her focus was on the bustling street that was beginning to appear.

"Wow, this is my first time in such a crowded place..."

Aristine marveled, slightly adjusting her wide-brimmed white hat.

Tarkan glanced ahead.

There were quite a few people on the street, but for a bustling area, this was quite normal.

"Didn't there used to be more people during the wedding parade?"

"At that time, there were barricades, and I didn't walk among the people."

Aristine looked at Tarkan with a puzzled expression.

"Right now, the important thing is that I'm going to be among them."

Her face was filled with excitement and anticipation, making Tarkan smile.

But at the same time, a part of his heart sank.

To be so excited about walking through the crowd like this...

Tarkan could clearly see how Aristine had lived.

Despite her usual composed and unblemished demeanor, the contrast was stark.

The carriage finally stopped at the carriage house.

Tarkan got out first and helped Aristine down.

The hem of her tunic, which reached her ankles, fluttered in the air.

Aristine looked up at Tarkan and smiled mischievously.

"Today, it's a sort of incognito trip."

Indeed, in the palace, she couldn't jump out so casually.

Tarkan chuckled and said, "Do as you please."

"Well, even if it's an incognito trip, people will recognize us."

Aristine shrugged.

Currently, Aristine was wearing a white sleeveless tunic that exposed her shoulders, a leather belt with silver decorations, and leather sandals with laces that crossed up to her calves.

The tunic reached her ankles, so she wasn't wearing a skirt underneath.

The materials were simple but of high quality.

From her appearance, she looked like a well-off girl from a common family out for a casual stroll.

However, the problem was that Aristine's face was already well-known.

Even with a wig and makeup, her race was different, so she would stand out.

Anyone would think she was a princess on an incognito trip.

"Besides, your companion isn't ordinary."

Aristine glanced at Tarkan.

Originally, Aristine had no intention of leaving the palace with Tarkan.

Since they were going out incognito without revealing their identities, she planned to go with Mucali.

But somehow, Tarkan suddenly appeared and insisted on going with her.

Naturally, Aristine refused.

"But Tarkan is too noticeable."

Not only his face, but Tarkan's physique stood out among Ailugoans.

His broad and sturdy shoulders and chest, his tight waist, and his long arms and legs.

People would likely glance at him even from a distance.

"Mucali is also noticeable."

As he said this, Tarkan looked at Mucali.

Feeling his gaze, Mucali broke out in a sweat and quickly spoke.

"Yes, yes! I'm very noticeable. I'm the most noticeable!"

Aristine shook her head in disbelief.

"But even if people recognize us, the prince and the general are different, right?"

Anyone would think Mucali needs to go incognito every time he goes out.

But Tarkan didn't back down.

"Isn't this about you? What's the point of going incognito if it's just you?"

"Ugh..."

Aristine groaned, knowing he had a point.

It was true.

Given the recent diplomatic relations between Sylvanus and Ailugo, Sylvanusians were extremely rare in Ailugo.

Even a Sylvanusian passing by would draw attention, let alone Aristine, whose appearance was so striking that anyone would turn their head.

And her face was well-known.

"Whoever I go with, it's the same."

"But still, going with you will make us more noticeable."

Aristine spoke firmly but eventually shrugged.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Either way, it's like having 'princess on an incognito trip' written on our faces."

She had dreamed of blending in with the crowd, but it seemed impossible.

Since announcing their presence as the prince and princess would cause a commotion, they decided to go incognito, knowing people would recognize them anyway.

After much deliberation, the two of them were now outside the palace.

Aristine glanced at Tarkan.

He had loosely tied a black silk robe with a purple sash and casually placed his sword in the sash.

Despite his relaxed attire, he exuded an aura that was untouchable, like a sleek and black predator.

Aristine sighed.

'Even though I've given up, still!'

Seeing Tarkan, who was so noticeable, made her feel sad.

She didn't realize that she was just as, if not more, noticeable.

The coachman was waiting at the carriage house, and the two of them went to the square without a bodyguard.

The heat from the crowd added to the feeling of summer.

The blue sky was refreshing.

Aristine walked, taking in the lively street, and let out a subtle sigh.

'People don't come within ten steps of us...'

It felt like there was an invisible, transparent wall around them.

'Usually, people don't walk while constantly looking around, so it's good that I noticed this a bit late.'

Aristine grumbled to herself.

Then, a rough gasp was heard.

Turning around, she saw a man standing there, looking as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

Their eyes met, and he approached Aristine, entranced.

"R-really, a b-beauty... No, I'm sorry..."

For some reason, he was startled, his face turning pale, and he quickly turned and walked away.

"What's that about?"

"Indeed."

Tarkan casually replied and glanced around.

He saw men who had been entranced by his wife quickly turning away, and he turned his head with a snort.

It was just for security and safety, nothing more.

"Because there are so many people."

Saying this, Tarkan extended his arm.

"What's the point if there are so many people? No one is coming near us."

Aristine pouted but obediently linked her arm with his.

At that moment, a squelching sound, like a frog being stepped on, came from the crowd.

'What was that?'

Aristine looked in that direction.

"Wow... Did you see that? They're holding hands... Squelch!"

"To see it with my own eyes..."

Squelch, a sound that couldn't be described in words.

"Are they on a date while on an incognito trip?"

"Let's not bother them."

"But why do they keep following us?"

"It's not my will. My feet won't listen."

Such murmurs could be heard amidst the crowd.

First, the date was a misunderstanding, but why were they so moved?

It was incomprehensible.

Moreover, people who made eye contact with Aristine smiled kindly and mouthed words to her.

"We support you."

"You look good together."

"Be happy."

"Have a second child soon."

"Looking forward to a honeymoon baby."

Then they raised their thumbs.

What were these people?

Unlike Aristine, who was flabbergasted, Tarkan pulled her closer to him.

Squelching sounds came from all around.

"Let's go."

Aristine nodded at Tarkan's words.

Ailugo seemed to have a unique national character.

Since the incognito trip she had hoped for was already ruined, it was better to go to the merchant she originally intended to visit.

"Welcome, Your Highness Tarkan, Your Highness."

The merchant, who had been waiting since morning for the prince and princess, greeted them formally.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness."

He smiled and extended his hand to Aristine.

"Please, be kind."

Aristine gave him her hand.

The merchant briefly kissed the back of her hand and stepped back.

He was elegant, polite, and refreshing.

His neatly combed hair reflected his personality.

This was the first time Aristine had seen someone like this among Tarkan's subordinates, and she looked at him with curiosity.

She had thought someone like Umiru would be the merchant.

"Please, this way."

He gestured elegantly and led the way.

As they followed, he suddenly turned back.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I apologize."

He bowed politely and introduced himself.

"I am Zodiac, the deputy head of the Pink Pink Nyang Jelli merchant guild."

His glasses flashed sharply.

'...What?'

He said it so casually that Aristine was slow to react.

'Did I hear wrong?'

It sounded like something about Pink Pink Nyang Jelli.

Aristine looked at Zodiac, unsure if she had heard correctly.

He was smiling faintly, maintaining a composed and polite posture.

'I must have heard wrong.'

Looking at his face, she realized it must be a misunderstanding.

Even if she had heard wrong, it was too strange and bizarre to hear such a name.

'The actual owner of this merchant guild is Tarkan.'

No other merchant would have such a name.

"Sorry, I heard wrong. What's the name of the merchant guild?"

"Pink Pink Nyang Jelli merchant guild."

Zodiac's face showed no sign of hesitation or embarrassment.

"Um, I keep hearing it wrong. The name is Pink Pink—"

"Stop it, that's the name."

Tarkan scowled and spoke through gritted teeth.

He seemed more embarrassed than Zodiac, who had said the name directly.

Aristine's eyes widened.

"Um, so you—"

"I didn't choose it."

Grinding his teeth, Tarkan continued walking.

Aristine, who had stopped in surprise, quickly followed him.

Come to think of it, the emblem of the merchant guild she had seen briefly when they entered seemed to be a pink jelly foot.

"Why did you choose such a name?"

"Ask him."

Tarkan glared at Zodiac.

Zodiac, still smiling politely, opened the door to the reception room and asked.

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

Aristine pondered for a moment.

She was here as a business partner, not just as the wife of the actual owner.

The deal had already been successful, but it was their first meeting.

'A test?'

Her purple eyes became serious.

"Well, since the actual owner is Tarkan, it's probably to hide that fact. No one would think Tarkan's merchant guild would have such a name."

"What do you mean?"

Zodiac showed emotion on his face for the first time.

"Just because it's cute."

Looking at Aristine, his eyes were filled with immense disappointment and disbelief.

"Forget it, I just want to make money."