Chapter 28
The first day of the Harim Festival. The area in front of the Gaia Temple was a chaotic throng of people eager for prayers and visits from high-ranking dignitaries.
Long lines snaked into the temple's prayer halls, while street vendors had set up shop along the roads to serve those waiting. The city of Terra, home to the temple, was decked out for the festival with sculptures modeled after the goddess, flowers, and colorful paper decorations, the festive energy spilling over every corner of the streets.
"Hey, you! How dare you cut in line!"
"What are you talking about? I was here first! Who snuck in while I was just stepping away to the bathroom?"
Of course, it wasn't all just lively fun. With crowds this dense, a few bad apples were bound to show up. This time, it looked like a line-cutter had sparked some trouble.
"Princess—er, I mean, Lia. What should we do?"
"From the looks of it, that cutter forced their way in. Even if waiting is boring, they can't infringe on other people's rights. Let's intervene right away."
"Got it!"
The princess had teamed up with Polo to act as helpers around Terra City during the Harim Festival. Though "helpers" was the polite term, their duties were more like vigilante patrol. Stopping pickpockets using the big event as cover, arresting lawbreakers of all stripes. Protecting lost children and reuniting them with parents, assisting the elderly or infirm, maintaining order in lines and crowds—it was all the grunt work.
But if the princess stepped up openly, it would cause a huge stir, so Astraia had dyed her hair a plain brown with potion and thrown herself into the volunteer work incognito.
"Haa... This is so boring."
Teaming up with Polo for "volunteer work" that felt like a date had been great at first. The problem was how way too focused he was on the actual job. Being diligent was fine and all, but since they were already out together, couldn't he spare a little more attention for her...?
"Hey, hey! Let's grab some of that next!"
"You sure you have room after eating like that? And don't you remember we're on duty?"
"I've been working hard! A snack or two won't hurt!"
"Take it slow. What if you get kidnapped again?"
"What kinda weird talk is that? With you here, what's there to worry about?"
"Jeez..."
Suddenly, Astraia spotted two familiar faces at the edge of her vision. Lady Celine Euse and the Mars Noctus team. For some reason, ever since the kidnapping incident with the lady, the two had seemed much closer. To be precise, it was the lady glomming onto Mars of her own accord, but Astraia couldn't help hoping it might thin out one of her rivals. She made a mental note to investigate their dynamic more closely when she had the chance.
"A date, huh... They look like they're having fun."
To anyone watching, Celine and Mars appeared downright enjoyable together. Sure, Mars was being dragged along half against his will, but he wasn't stopping her antics or pushing her away—he just stayed by her side. It was the picture-perfect image of an ideal partner, exactly what Astraia had always wanted.
Just... staying by their side.
Staring blankly at them, Astraia mustered her courage. She decided to suggest to Polo that they steal a moment alone together.
"Um, Polo. If you're okay with it, how about you and I—"
"Ah, Princess! I'll go help that old man over there!"
But Polo had already dashed off into the crowd to support an elderly fellow leaning on his cane.
Too late to stop him—the chance slipped away. And it kept happening. Astraia tried approaching Polo several more times for some one-on-one time, but he ignored her intentions entirely, zeroed in solely on the volunteer tasks.
Just the day before, she'd been thrilled at the prospect of spending time with him. But now, even sharing the same space felt like they weren't together at all. That hollow companionship stirred a familiar ache in her chest.
He... never once looked into my eyes.
From Polo's perspective, it was just caution—staring too much at the "princess" might give away her identity and make things awkward. But to Astraia, these small oversights cut deep wounds.
Worse, they reminded her of someone else from her own blood who, despite their ties, never spared her a glance. As time wore on, the pain in her heart only intensified.
"You're... just like him. My father..."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"Nothing... If it's alright, could you join up with the lady's group first? I need a moment to think."
"But leaving you alone..."
"I've handled being by myself during shifts a few times already, haven't I? Don't worry—just go ahead. I need some solo time to sort my thoughts."
"Mm... Alright, I'll head over then."
Astraia let out a soft sigh as she watched Polo walk away.
Is it really that hard to meet someone's eyes?
If only her mother were still alive... Would he have looked at her properly then?
"Princess..."
Astraia turned at the voice calling her. No one should recognize her with the dye, yet there stood a kindly-faced old man behind her, his expression oddly shadowed. An ordinary face, like any neighborhood grandpa—but the princess knew exactly who he was and the immense respect he commanded.
"You're... the Prime Minister, aren't you? What brings your precious self all the way here?"
"Princess... I have urgent words for you."
"?"
* * *
"..."
When Astraia came to, she found herself in an unfamiliar forest. A modest rear hill—not too high up. Gazing down, she could see the songs and dances blessing the sacred Harim Festival below, from a small knoll behind the temple. That's where she'd wandered aimlessly before snapping back to awareness.
"...They look so happy."
The boisterous laughter from the crowds below stabbed at her heart like needles.
Then, fragments of her recent talk with the Prime Minister resurfaced.
His Majesty intends to marry you off to the first prince of the Creteia Kingdom.
I was supposed to tell you after the Harim Festival... but I couldn't hold back. I had to warn you now.
...I'm sorry, Princess. This old man couldn't sway his decision.
Even the forces you've secretly gathered won't be able to intervene, I fear. His Majesty... has already seen through even that about you.
"So... I can't escape it."
All her life, she'd craved her father's love. She knew it was cowardly. She was a criminal's child, after all. Born devouring her mother's life. Hated by her father for it. A common tale, wasn't it?
"Still... I thought this time would be different..."
She had no memories with her father. Because he'd truly done nothing for Astraia. Her life lacked for nothing. As royalty, she'd worn dazzling clothes, savored rare delicacies, received top-tier education from the continent's finest.
But the emperor never once sought her out. He'd scold his other children, at least, but with Astraia? Utter indifference.
Yet she clung to hope. She groomed herself beautifully, mastered royal etiquette to perfection, studied late into the nights until nosebleeds came, sacrificing sleep.
Imperial studies, economics, humanities, magic, agriculture, languages, religion, military strategy—everything. She shone in nearly every field.
At first, dismissed as the discarded princess, but as time passed, people were captivated by the emperor's true heir, outshining all. They praised her endlessly, insisting she should be the next ruler.
Realizing she needed her own power base, she entered the academy to recruit talented allies. All so her father might one day turn back to her. Stroke her hair. Offer even a single word of praise.
"It was... all for nothing..."
Tears trickled down. She couldn't even understand why they came. Betrayal by a father who'd dashed her hopes? Futility of everything she'd built crumbling to dust? Rage at being ignored her whole life, only to now be sold off?
"Hic... Hic... Sniff..."
"Someone crying...? A kid lost on the path?"
Then, a familiar voice rustled through the bushes. Irritated yet concerned—the voice Astraia knew all too well.
"Little one~ Did you lose your mom...? Huh? Princess?"
"Mars... Noctus..."