Chapter 16 Part 1

As we entered the Imperial grounds, my previously bored view was immediately filled with elaborate decorations and various sights from the entrance.

I hadn’t noticed before because I wasn’t paying attention, but now I could see that the entire capital was bustling due to the National Foundation Festival.

Judging by the situation, if we had come by the regular route, we might have been delayed by the commotion in the streets.

“I forgot that the National Foundation Festival was such a grand event…”

“The Imperial family opened part of their garden this time. That’s why there are even more crowds.”

When I let out a brief sigh at the scene before me, Hyle calmly explained the reason.

Even if it was just a part, opening the Imperial garden to the point… it meant the Emperor was greatly anticipating this National Foundation Festival.

So he probably hoped that no problems would arise.

But unfortunately, the Cardinal’s exposé had already been secretly arranged.

Of course, only I, Hyle, and a few people from House Feros knew about this.

Since the plan was to preemptively strike before the announcement that I was the Holy Maiden, fortunately, it seemed I would be able to safely return to the Laté estate today.

“Sigh, if I had known it would be like this, we could have just taken the carriage all the way to the front of the palace.”

“There are too many people for that, which would actually take more time. Walking is faster in this situation.”

I hadn’t thought it was that far normally, but looking at it now, the distance to the palace seemed quite substantial.

Above all, my vision was dizzy not only from the numerous people filling the path but also from the various street vendors selling all sorts of things.

Then suddenly, a hand was extended right in front of me.

Looking up, I saw Hyle holding out his hand to me.

“Take it. I won’t let go.”

“W-what? Suddenly…”

“You don’t like crowded places, right? I’ll lead the way, so follow me.”

“…Thank you.”

I didn’t have the energy to ask how he knew that.

Silently grasping his hand, I simply leaned on the warmth and firm strength that was transmitted.

As I walked the path, more or less led by Hyle, a familiar scent began to waft from somewhere.

Hmm, how to describe it, something that vaguely tickled my nose, a rather familiar scent of home…

…What could it be?

“Rosiel?”

While I was turning my head this way and that looking for the source of the smell, Hyle, who had just turned around, was looking at me with curious eyes.

“I’m feeling better than before, so let’s walk a bit slower. We can sightsee too.”

“Sure, just tell me if you get tired.”

Hyle, who simply accepted my request, quickly stood beside me.

Thanks to Hyle matching my short strides, I could truly leisurely look around.

And then I finally discovered the identity of the scent I had smelled earlier.

Somewhere… a slightly out-of-place chicken skewer stall caught my eye.

Chicken skewers in this novel… I never expected to see something I’d only seen in Korea here. Somehow it feels nostalgic?

“Do you want some?”

Perhaps because I was staring too obviously, Hyle followed my gaze to the chicken skewer stall.

“Huh? No, I just…”

“Shall I buy you some?”

“Do you have copper coins? Those should be bought with copper. Small merchants whose main customers are commoners won’t have change for gold coins.”

I said this concerned that Hyle might offer a gold coin and cause trouble… but somehow it seemed to amuse him.

Letting out a small laugh, Hyle looked at me with raised corners of his mouth and spoke.

“Look at you. Considering a complete stranger’s circumstances like this, how could you possibly be a villainess? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I know, I’m actually quite nice, right? People just don’t realize it.”

“Wait, I happen to have some copper coins.”

Hyle, pulling out shining copper coins from his chest, made me promise twice not to go anywhere, as if dealing with a small child, before leaving to buy chicken skewers.

Come on, there’s no need to tell me not to go anywhere twice!?

This makes me feel like I’m really a disobedient child…!

“Here.”

Quickly returning with chicken skewers, Hyle handed me one long skewer.

With the handle wrapped in foil, it was a perfect chicken skewer that looked just like something you’d see at a Korean night market.

But after all, it’s a chicken skewer from a novel, so I shouldn’t expect too much detail in taste, right?

However, the moment I took a bite, my eyes widened involuntarily.

“Wow… it’s incredibly delicious…!”

Perhaps because it had been so long since I’d tasted something like this, a longing for Korea that I hadn’t particularly felt before surged wildly.

So this is why many people feel nostalgic about their hometown food! Who knew eating just one food item could make me want to go home this much.

“You seem familiar with how to eat it. Putting meat on a long skewer like this… it’s not very common.”

Meanwhile, Hyle seemed a bit awkward, just holding the chicken skewer and turning it around.

Since there was a high probability of sauce dripping, it seemed difficult for him to bring it to his mouth rashly.

Finally, I saw him take a bite.

“I’ve eaten it a very long time ago. But… do you like it? Isn’t this your first street food?”

For a well-raised young master to put meat that’s not steak into his mouth in this way must be a first, but Hyle was eating it quite skillfully, better than expected.

“When we go on demonic beast hunts, we occasionally stay in peripheral villages. Though not often, I do encounter street food like this from time to time. It’s actually quite good.”

Hyle was eating even more eagerly than I was.

There was no more meat left on the skewer, which had emptied in an instant.

He really eats well? It must have been really delicious… What would have happened if I hadn’t suggested eating…

“Oh, that.”

Now that my eyes had opened to the hometown food I had forgotten, more and more foods that I missed began to enter my vision.

“S-slushie…!”

Discovering a stall selling orange and pineapple flavored slushies, I led Hyle right up to it.

Is it because the author is Korean? All these little Easter eggs are hidden here.

“Hyle, I want to eat that too. Give me some copper coins.”

I kept wiggling my palm extended toward Hyle as if I had entrusted him with it.

Ah, hurry up and give it to me. At festivals like this, it’s the rule to carry a slushie in one hand while sightseeing.

“You’re excited. You seemed annoyed earlier… Rosiel, how about eating in moderation…”

“Next is over there!”

Hyle’s face was swept with bewilderment as he looked at me, who had already adapted to the festive atmosphere of the National Foundation Festival.

In the end, only after I had taken all the copper coins Hyle had were we able to enter the Imperial Palace.

* * *

“This can’t be…”

“I told you not to eat too much.”

The national founding celebration that the Emperor cared about seemed to produce a feast of unimaginable quality.

The buffet was spectacular, with tables laden with so much food they looked ready to collapse.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t take even a single bite.

I’d eaten far too many chicken skewers and slushies outside.

Hyle glanced at my sour expression and tapped my cheek lightly, telling me to cheer up.

“Well, nothing to be done about it now. Still, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten this much.”

His comment helped me regain my composure, and I let out a sigh that no one else could hear.

In truth, I could have this kind of buffet whenever I wanted, so there was no need to feel too disappointed.

But I couldn’t just go to the village for chicken skewers and slushies… Yes, it had been money well spent in its own way.

Lady Laté isn’t eating anything despite this beautiful buffet before her. That must be how she maintains such a lovely figure.

Whispers drifted to my ears from the surrounding crowd.

I never expected my not eating would be seen as dieting for my figure.

This was really just another villain buff.

After all, a villainess in a romance fantasy novel must remain beautiful in any situation…

No matter what I eat, I can’t gain weight. That’s the villainess constitution at work. Mmhmm.

“If they knew I’d eaten three chicken skewers and a slushie, they wouldn’t say such things.”