The Great Wish - Chapter 7.2

Vol.1 Chapter 7 Part 2 

In the Eastern marketplace, there was a street where all the boutiques and luxury goods were sold to the nobles and the wealthy. That area was always relatively quiet. Sometimes, one wondered whether the stores there made any money at all. 

However, if one hung around and kept watch, they'd realize that there was a steady stream of carriages that stopped by. 

The people that exited their carriages and the people that exited the shops to step into their carriages... all of them wore clothes that distinguished them from other people. While their eyes always turned to gaze at the bustling marketplace a distance away, no one ever went over there to see it for themselves. 

It was as if there was an invisible boundary between the land of the nobility and the land of the commoners. And sitting on this imaginary boundary, there was an incredibly large linen shop. 

Although the shop had another name, everyone called it the linen shop. Therefore, one day, the sign with the name of the store disappeared. And like that, the store became known as a general linen store. 

In this store, once could find every kind of fabric known to man. The customers that shopped at this store were from all ranks and positions. 

Half of their shop display showed luxury fabrics while the other half showed everyday fabrics. They had set up stalls outside the store itself to exhibit their fabrics that came in a variety of colors so that customers could take a look. 

Even though the man wasn't wearing a uniform, anyone could tell that he was a knight. And the woman in a cloak next to him was looking at the fabrics in one of the stalls. 

The hood was pulled over her face in a way that completely covered her forehead. Her face couldn't be seen, but her stature wasn't very different from the knight's. 

However, those that had come to the marketplace didn't care for this strange couple and continued to mind their own business. 

Additionally, the marketplace was a lot more crowded than usual. Many strange and unusual people were walking around, so the man and the woman didn't seem out of place at all. 

'How lovely.' 

Sienna was completely immersed in her first outing. She never knew such a colorful fabric with such a pretty design ever existed. This was the first time she realized that all her clothing started out as shapeless fabrics hung on pieces of wood. 

She had been browsing around for a while now, but she still wasn't tired of it. She didn't enter the shop. Instead, she merely looked around the stalls outside. The employees who watched over the stalls didn't say anything as Sienna went around touching the fabrics that were laid out. 

They could tell with just one look that she was a noblewoman who had come to the marketplace for an outing. They didn't dare to disturb a potential customer. 

The employees saw a wagon approach the store and jumped out of their seats. 

"Merchandise coming through! Please move aside!" 

"A carriage is coming through. Please move to the side so that you don't get hurt!" 

The employees began to shout and gestured to the people browsing the stalls. Sienna mixed in with the moving crowd and was pushed against the wall. She had been separated from the guard at her side as he was pushed further away. 

Sienna had almost never brushed sleeves with a complete stranger before. The feeling of being unable to move freely as she was pushed and pulled was a bewildering experience for her. 

Because she was quite tall, Gilbert managed to find her relatively quickly. Gilbert's face was dark with worry. He couldn't even shout out and call her, and he wasn't able to angrily order everyone to move out of the way either. 

"Let me through. Move, please!" 

He pushed people aside as he made his way towards the Princess. 

"Who's pushing?!" 

"What's wrong with you?" 

Outcries came from here and there. Suddenly, the wagon stopped in front of the store. It was almost twice as big as a regular wagon, and people were avoiding it, causing the crowd to split. 

Sienna moved back in order to keep a distance between her and these strangers. After being pushed and pulled in multiple directions, she finally managed to escape the crowd. 

'Whew...' 

She let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, a strong force wrapped around her from behind. By the time she realized that someone's arm was around her, she was already being dragged away. 

The small boutique next to the linen shop had closed down a few days ago. The shop canopy was folded back to indicate that the shop was closed. There was a diagonal shadow cast by the awning. It was big enough for someone to stand in, but not enough for someone to hide. 

Sienna remained calm. She didn't fight back. 

'If I wait a little bit, I'm sure the knights will come for me.' 

She could see the feet of the people passing by. She felt better knowing that she wasn't being dragged to a secluded place. 

"Are you surprised?" 

The low voice in her ear sounded familiar. 

'Kuhn?' 

Shocked, Sienna moved. The powerful arms that had been restricting her movements loosened. Instead of running away, she turned around. The hood that had been covering her head slightly lowered, revealing her forehead. She met the man's black eyes. 

'Ah...' 

The tension in her body immediately disappeared. Her eyes that had been cold with anxiety softened in an instant. She wasn't aware of this transformation that had taken over her. But Kuhn witnessed it all. 

Joy? Delight? He couldn't explain the emotions welling up in his heart. 

The truth was, Kuhn had been nervous. He was worried she'd look at him with her cold eyes when they met again. What would he do if she pushed him away with suspicion in her eyes? However, as soon as she realized it was him, her eyes shone with relief instead. 

As if he were up in the clouds, Kuhn felt as light as a feather. He felt like he was going to burst out laughing. He wanted to embrace her and pour kisses down on her. 

"Ugh!" 

Kuhn grunted as he felt a blow to his stomach. He had been careless and didn't notice the fist coming for him. No, he hadn't been careless. He didn't expect it at all. 

"What do you think you're doing? You need to go back and relearn your manners." 

Sienna waved her fist in front of his eyes as a threat. 

It actually hurt a lot. Kuhn frowned, but he couldn't hold back the laughter that bubbled out. Sienna glared at him. 

"I see that one punch wasn't enough." 

Kuhn snickered as he put both his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. Sienna's line of vision went from Kuhn's eyes to their front. 

As soon as Kuhn took his hands off her, the sharp end of a sword was drawn to his neck. 

"Are you alright?" 

Gilbert had entered the shadows of the awning with a murderous gleam in his eyes. Three more knights appeared and aimed their swords at Kuhn. 

Kuhn was surrounded in a flash. He raised both of his hands in surrender. 

Gilbert wasn't the only escort Sienna had brought with her. There were more knights who had been watching her from a further distance. Even though Gilbert had lost sight of her, the other knights kept their eyes on her from far away. 

If Kuhn had really wanted to kidnap Sienna and run away with her, he would have failed. Of course, Kuhn was already aware of these other knights in the first place. 

"I'm fine." 

Sienna pulled her hood back over her face. For a moment, she had forgotten about her escorts. Her face flushed underneath the hood. 

"I apologize. I will receive my punishment for being unable to fulfill my duties when we return. Please walk slowly and stand behind me." 

What should she do? Sienna struggled to find a way to save Kuhn in this situation. At this rate, he was going to be taken away by the knights. Just thinking about the events that would follow made her head throb. 

Kuhn worked for the Iron King, so the Iron King would step up and try to protect him. This would give the Red King an excuse to interfere. Sienna didn't want this problem to get any bigger. 

"I believe this is the first time we're meeting publicly." 

Kuhn spoke to Gilbert in a calm voice. All of the knights looked at him in confusion. 

"It seems that there has been a misunderstanding. I am Her Majesty's secret guard." 

Gilbert and the knights were shocked. Sienna was shocked. This sounded absolutely ridiculous. 

No one here was gullible enough to reply to Kuhn with, 'Ah, I see.' Actually, Gilbert brought his sword closer to Kuhn's neck. If he put pushed it forward a little bit, it would pierce through the skin. 

"Your Majesty, please come over here." 

Gilbert urged. Sienna walked over and stood behind Gilbert. Once she was safe, Gilbert began to interrogate Kuhn. 

"Secret guard?" 

"Her Majesty has come all the way out here. Did you really think she didn't have any other guards in such a dangerous place?" 

Kuhn glanced at Sienna and smirked. 

"Isn't Her Majesty a very thorough person?" 

Underneath the hood, Sienna glared at Kuhn. She felt that he was sarcastically teasing her. And he was doing so as he was nonchalantly lying! 

'I should have hit him a lot harder.' 

Sienna clenched her fists in anger. 

"I've never seen you before." 

"Because I'm a secret guard. I didn't plan on revealing myself, but as you well know, Your Majesty was pushed around in the crowd. I was worried you'd stumble and fall, so I dared to reveal myself. I apologize if I crossed a line." 

"...I was the one who wasn't able to properly fulfill my duties, so I have nothing to say." 

Gilbert's fierce eyes settled down at Kuhn's polite behavior. 

"Your Majesty, is this man telling the truth?" 

If Sienna denied Kuhn's claim, more charges would be laid against him. Therefore, Sienna could only nod her head. 

The chaotic spirits of the knights settled somewhat. If Kuhn wasn't someone sent to assassinate the imperial family and was actually a secret guard, the knights were willing to accept him with open arms. If he had been an assassin and the knights had been unable to protect the Silver King, they would be the ones that would take responsibility. 

"Are you alone?" 

"Of course not. You just can't see the others. Just like how there are five more knights other than you, sir." 

When Kuhn stated the exact number of knights in their company, Gilbert relaxed completely. 

"Please don't think that Her Majesty doesn't put her trust in the knights. It isn't strange for her to be adding to her protection." 

"You're right. I am not enough. She had had enough insight to know that and prepared accordingly." 

"I think we will take care of things from here. I feel that you are more comfortable in official settings whereas we are more prepared for the unexpected." 

Kuhn talked as if he were speaking for the other secret guards as well. Gilbert thought this over seriously as he hummed. 

"Why don't we just return to the Palace, Your Majesty?" 

Gilbert earnestly suggested this to Sienna. She thought too little of the dangers of traveling in secret outside of the Palace. Just thinking about how she had mixed in with the crowd earlier made his heart stop. He then realized that this is what it felt to have one's vision go blank. 

Sienna knew how she should respond. She thought about Kuhn's lie. If she returned now, she wouldn't raise any suspicions, and she shouldn't participate in the lie from a moral standpoint. Especially when the knights only had her safety in mind. 

However, she didn't answer back with, 'I will return to the Palace.' 

"Your Majesty?" 

"...I will continue with my outing. The rest of you may wait for me at the eastern entrance." 

"Yes, Your Majesty." 

No one tried to change her mind. Without another word, the knights stepped back, but Sienna felt herself fill up with guilt. 

'Why...?' 

She had ignored her reason and gone with her gut. She couldn't understand why she did this. 

Kuhn pulled on her arm. Sienna lost her balance and leaned on him. He held her close to him as he picked the lock of the store and entered inside. Once the door closed, the loud noises of the marketplace became muffled. It felt like they had entered a completely different world. 

Sienna coldly pushed him away. She felt him hold his breath as he anxiously waited. She felt like his reaction was also a lie. 

"Liar." 

"Your Majesty." 

"Conman." 

"..." 

Whenever he opened his mouth, he lied. Did he ever speak the truth? She angrily took off her hood. She sharply raised her fierce eyes and glared at him. 

However, when her eyes met his and saw his frustrated expression, she felt as if a dull thorn was poking into her heart. 

His eyes deepened. She could see the suppressed desire rear its ugly head within him. Those eyes were no longer unfamiliar to her. Sienna was tense. Her heart began to beat faster. However, instead of rushing to her, he actually stepped back. He grinned lightheartedly. 

"You've picked quite a pure person as your guard." 

She didn't like how he had put more distance between them, but she didn't show it. 

"Don't insult Gilbert." 

"I'm not insulting him. He seems very timid, but he's very loyal. But I think you still need someone next to you who will tell you 'no' once in a while. If I were in his position, I would have taken you back to the Palace even if I had to carry you myself." 

"I am not a self-righteous master. However, I will make my own decision. I don't need anyone else's opinion over something as trivial as this." 

Kuhn wasn't surprised by her reply since he already knew about her extraordinarily stubborn nature. 

'You are quite self-righteous, though.' 

Kuhn kept this thought to himself. 

"Will my secret guard help me finish this outing successfully?" 

"Of course. They are quite excellent. One person can do the work of ten." 

Sienna recalled how he had said 'we' earlier and chuckled. 

"Are you in the middle of an outing? You didn't come here to take a look at the marketplace?" 

Kuhn shook his head as he clicked his tongue. 

"Why are you acting like that? It's rude." 

"You hid your identity and came out to observe and inspect the daily lives of your subjects. Is my guess correct?" 

"You're correct." 

"Then you've approached this all wrong. Just wearing a plain dress can't be considered a disguise. Anyone who saw you will think you're a noblewoman with all those guards around you." 

Sienna didn't deny this. Even though the stall had been crowded, she had been able to observe everything easily. This was because no one had approached her. 

Whenever she moved on from one stall, someone else rushed to her place and took a look at the merchandise or spoke to an employee as if they'd been waiting for her to leave. She had seen this happen several times and figured out the reason for this behavior. 

"I purposely hid my face. My escorts wore plain clothes and hid their weapons. I was afraid I'd reveal something I shouldn't and didn't speak a word to Gilbert. What did I do wrong?" 

"Everything. Why did you hide your face? Normal women don't wear hoods like that. Even if Gilbert is wearing plain clothes, his stiff behavior makes it obvious that he's a knight. Commoners are more observant than you think. It's because they're weak. Therefore, they can't afford to be careless for one moment. They're like the animals who sleep with one eye open. If they slight a member of the nobility, it will lead to trouble. No one will let them off for being ignorant. And it's also strange to be so silent with those in your company. And the cloak you're wearing. It's incredibly expensive. Even if a commoner saved up a year's worth of wages, they still won't be able to purchase it." 

As she listened to every word he said, Sienna's head gradually lowered. 

She fiddled with her cloak. The embellished fox fur felt very soft. It finally hit home that her cloak was obviously expensive. 

Saving a year's worth of wages... She never thought about the value of an item like that. 

Gilbert had gotten the cloak for her. Why? Was it because he wasn't able to obtain a plainer cloak for her? 

As if he'd read her mind, Kuhn spoke up. 

"The person who gave you the cloak probably didn't realize it. It's very difficult to be aware of the lives that are completely different from one's own. The commoners also don't know the lives of the poor." 

She needed someone like this by her side. 

There were many talented people around Sienna. But it would have been fine if her followers were adequately foolish instead. Instead of a cunning person who was always thinking about their next move, Sienna would rather have a simple person by her side even if it came with its own frustrations. She was confident that she could fill in any gaps her followers had. 

The things she did not know. The trivial or maybe even the most important things. She needed someone to tell her these things in a straightforward manner. 

'That's why the Iron King chose Kuhn...' 

This fact that Sienna had just realized had long been known to the Iron King, and so he had been prepared for it. Is that why he became the emperor first? Sienna felt a peculiar sense of shock. 

Kuhn laughed with a troubled expression on his face. 

"Your Majesty, if you look at me like that, I'll misunderstand." 

"Misunderstand what?" 

"Your eyes are looking at me with such a hot gaze. Almost as if you want me." 

"You're right. I want you." 

"...What?"