Josselyn did not move right away.
For a few seconds, she simply stood in front of the small mirror at the side of the tea stall, staring at her reflection.
The butterfly-shaped hairpin was still tucked into her hair. Blue, softly shimmering whenever sunlight slipped through the festival canopy and touched it.
She slowly lifted her hand, brushing her fingers over it.
"…It's beautiful."
The words slipped out almost unconsciously.
"You like it?"
Killian's voice came from so close behind her, it nearly brushed her ear.
Josselyn really did like it.
Too focused on her reflection, she had not noticed the way her lips softened, or how the tension in her shoulders had eased.
Until his voice broke through her thoughts.
"A group of soldiers is moving around this area."
Josselyn turned.
Darius stood not far from Killian, his face as usual, cold and controlled. But his eyes were sharper than before.
"If your identity is exposed, the entire city will know the Crown Prince slipped out without protection," he continued. "And that will cause public chaos."
Killian did not answer immediately. His gaze remained on Josselyn, as if the rest of the world did not matter.
"I'm not finished here," Killian said at last, his voice low.
Darius exhaled quietly. "You don't have a choice, Your Highness."
No argument followed. Only fact.
A brief silence fell between them.
Josselyn, who had been absorbed in her reflection, began to sense the tension in the air. Her hand slowly dropped from her hair.
"You came into a crowd like this without protection?" she asked softly, looking between them.
Killian did not answer. Instead, he stepped a little closer.
But before he could say anything, a shout rang out from the distance.
"Josselyn!"
It was Sebastian.
Howarth turned immediately.
Through the crowd, Sebastian and Howarth approached. Howarth looked as relaxed as ever, while Sebastian appeared more alert, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
Killian frowned slightly.
Darius took a half step back.
"It's time to go back, Your Highness," Darius said briefly.
Killian did not move.
"Just a moment."
"No." Darius looked at him sharply. "Now."
A pause.
Then Killian exhaled softly, like someone forced to leave something unfinished.
His gaze returned to Josselyn.
For a moment, there were no words. Just a look that lingered too long, revealing reluctance.
"…I'll come back."
Josselyn did not know why that sounded more like a promise than a statement.
Killian finally turned away.
Darius followed, but before leaving completely, he paused.
His eyes flicked back.
And in that brief moment, his gaze met Josselyn's.
Not long. But enough to leave a strange discomfort in her chest.
Then he was gone.
"Why are you standing here alone?"
Howarth was already in front of her, nudging her shoulder lightly.
Josselyn flinched slightly, then quickly composed herself.
"It's nothing."
Howarth studied her hair for a moment. The blue shimmer of the butterfly hairpin caught his attention.
"That hairpin is beautiful," he said.
Without realizing it, Josselyn touched it again. "Oh… this."
Sebastian followed Howarth's gaze. "You found it?"
The question made Josselyn pause slightly. Her eyes shifted to the side as she thought.
"…Someone gave it to me."
Sebastian raised a brow but did not press further.
"Don't tell me you already have an admirer at the festival."
"I don't know if it can be called that."
Howarth chuckled softly. It sounded forced. He clasped his hands behind his back.
His fingers tightened around a green butterfly hairpin, the same shade as Josselyn's eyes, one he knew would never reach her.
That night, the three of them continued walking, blending into the lively festival once more.
But Josselyn was not entirely at ease.
Sometimes, in the middle of the crowd, she felt as if something was watching her.
Whenever she turned, there were only ordinary people.
Merchants. Townsfolk. Laughter.
Everything looked normal. And she chose to ignore it.
On the other side of the street, not too far away, two figures stood behind the crowd.
Killian and Darius.
"Is she aware?" Killian asked quietly.
"No," Darius replied. "But you're staring at her too often."
Killian did not deny it.
His eyes continued to follow Josselyn's figure in the distance.
The hairpin was still in her hair.
"She didn't take it off."
There was a faint satisfaction in his voice, almost imperceptible.
Darius glanced at him. "You shouldn't stay here too long."
"I know."
But his steps still moved, subtly aligning with Josselyn's path.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the festival, Josselyn stopped in front of a small mirror at an accessory stall.
She caught her reflection again.
And this time, she smiled.
The hairpin truly suited her.
For the first time, she had received something that was truly meant for her.
Not a hand-me-down.
Not something given because it was no longer needed.
But something chosen just for her.
Her chest felt warm.
Sebastian smirked. "You look like a child who just got a new toy."
"I'm not a child."
"But your expression says otherwise."
Josselyn pressed her lips together, not arguing.
~
The afternoon passed too quickly. The sky turned golden as they made their way back toward the palace.
Josselyn's hands were full with things she had bought, food, a warm blanket, and several winter clothes she had picked up without much thought.
"I might have overdone it," she muttered, slightly overwhelmed.
"No," Howarth said. "That's normal."
Sebastian walked on her other side. "Women are supposed to be like this, right?"
Josselyn smiled brightly. Her heart felt light today.
Howarth watched her. The smile on her face confirmed how happy she was. Yet for some reason, there was a faint dimness in his gaze.
He took a bag of bread from his pocket and slipped it into Josselyn's right hand.
"This bread is from the most famous bakery in the kingdom," he whispered. "Eat it. You must be hungry after all that shopping."
Howarth winked, then walked ahead with Sebastian, parting ways toward their respective corridors.
Josselyn looked at the bread in her hand. The smell made her stomach growl.
She glanced left and right, making sure no one was around. Then she placed her belongings on the marble floor.
She unwrapped the bread and took a bite.
Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath.
"It's so good…"
Then suddenly,
"Josselyn."
Someone pulled her from behind a pillar.
"Hey…!"
Her body was yanked quickly. By the time she realized what was happening, she was already behind a large pillar.
And Killian stood very close.
"Why are you here? This isn't an area…" Josselyn did not finish her sentence.
Killian had already moved. His gaze dropped to her face, then stopped at the corner of her lips.
There was a small crumb of bread there.
Without a word, Killian leaned down and brushed it away from the corner of her lips… with his tongue.
The motion was quick.
But it stole Josselyn's breath. As if every sound around them vanished, leaving behind a single moment that stretched far too long.
"…You're always careless," Killian murmured, his voice low.
Josselyn's heart lurched wildly. She could not respond. Could not move. She could only feel the heat spreading from her face, stirring restless butterflies in her stomach.
Until the sound of footsteps approached from a distance.
"Lady Josselyn!"
A maid hurried toward them, her face pale with panic.
"Forgive me for interrupting, but…"
She hesitated, glancing between Josselyn and Killian, then swallowed.
"The Queen… her condition has worsened, Lady."