I’ve Become a S*ave Bride - Chapter 27
“Have you ever tried street food?”
Street food?
The kind of food sold at stalls when the market opens?
“I haven’t had much, but… I have tried some.”
“You won’t have any aversion to it, then. Let’s go.”
This person is truly consistent.
At the very least, shouldn’t he tell me where we’re going?
“Wait a moment. So, are you saying we’re going to eat street food now?”
“Yes.”
“Where to?”
“There’s a special market nearby. I was thinking of going there. Don’t you want to see the market?”
“No, I like it.”
I was just surprised that he suddenly suggested going.
When Lenette responded positively, Kazen nodded to his subordinate.
Before long, a few guards flanked her on either side.
At that moment, she was speechless, looking at each of them before turning her gaze back to Kazen.
“Are we really going like this?”
“Markets can be especially dangerous.”
“But you’re going too.”
Kazen raised his eyebrows dramatically as he looked down at Lenette.
“Does that statement mean you trust me?”
“The only person I can trust and rely on here is you.”
“That’s not a very good judgment.”
He smirked mischievously, narrowing his eyes.
“It’s not a wise judgment, but it can’t be helped. After all, I’m your bride, and you’re my husband. There’s no relationship more certain than that for me.”
“Hmm.”
He seemed skeptical of her words. Well, in truth, Lenette didn’t expect him to readily believe her submissive demeanor either.
“Let’s go. It’s my first time seeing the market day here, and I’m curious.”
* * *
Central Plaza of the Ecaron Kingdom.
The sounds of various instruments and the laughter of people filled the plaza, creating a lively atmosphere.
From meat roasted with expensive spices to long-aged fruit wine, the streets were filled with enticing aromas that made one’s mouth water.
“Come on, what’s a great sight without delicious food? It’s cheap, it’s cheap! Everyone come and grab one while watching the military ceremony!”
Next to the food vendors, clowns in ridiculous outfits were entertaining children with their antics.
Not far from there, women dressed in colorful dresses suitable for a bright afternoon were admiring jewelry.
“You usually have to pay three times more for this hat, you know? Today, it’s being sold cheap as a special offer for the military ceremony!”
Originally, the military ceremony was just about wishing for the safety and victory of the kingdom’s troops as they set out.
But perhaps because there had been nothing but successful wars until now?
The military ceremony in the Ecaron Kingdom was celebrated like a festival every time. Today was no different, as a variety of people gathered, laughing and chatting while waiting for the ceremony.
Just as the atmosphere was reaching its peak, a cheerful trumpet sound rang across the plaza. It was the signal that the military ceremony was about to begin.
“Where are they going this time?”
“I don’t know. I heard something about a village to the west.”
“Was there a rebellion there?”
“Not exactly a rebellion, but it seems there was some disturbance.”
“Damn those bastards! They just won’t tire of causing problems!”
“Exactly.”
A few days ago, a riot broke out in a small territory far from the capital. One of the merged principalities had caused the issue.
However, their influence was so minimal that it wasn’t a matter that warranted a full military response.
But that didn’t mean it could be ignored. For the newly unified Ecaron Kingdom, it was essential to demonstrate overwhelming strength whenever the opportunity arose.
Wow!!
The long-awaited Knights of the Lance appeared.
Even an elderly man with difficulty moving stood up from his seat to cheer for the royal order, the “Order of Glory.”
At the forefront, riding a horse, was the King of Ecaron, Gareth Ekaron, who waved with a solemn smile.
“Look at that! There’s a cannon where His Majesty is gesturing, a cannon!”
“Where, where! I want to see too!”
While the king was indeed noteworthy, the attention of the kingdom’s citizens was undoubtedly captured by the new weapon, the “cannon.”
Soldiers who had participated in battles spoke in unison.
When the cannon is fired, it shakes the heavens and earth, and the ground crumbles. The sound is so loud and terrifying that it surpasses the roar of a lion.
How could one not be curious about the existence of that “canon,” which was filled with tales reminiscent of classical folklore?
“They said there would be a cannon demonstration today, right?”
“That’s right. That’s why I closed my shop to come and see it. I want to see how amazing it is with my own eyes so I can tell my grandchildren about it later!”
Like that middle-aged man collecting stories to share with his grandchildren, most of those present were there to witness the cannon demonstration that would take place during the military ceremony.
And finally, the “Order of Glory” came to a stop in the central plaza. Despite the bustling crowd, that area was quiet because access was restricted for the cannon demonstration.
“It seems like it’s finally starting!”
“I’m so excited! Are they going to smash that rock over there?”
“Yes. They said they’re finally going to get rid of that eyesore!”
The target for the cannon fire today was a large rock that stood prominently in the center of the Ecaron Kingdom.
Initially, it had been treated with a certain sacred significance, but once the area around the rock turned into a slum, it was regarded as an “eyesore.”
“From now on, there will be a cannon demonstration, so everyone, please step back!!”
“Everyone, step back!!”
“Everyone, step back!!”
With the shout of the demonstration’s chief organizer, those present began to yell at the crowd.
As their shouts spread like a wave, people took a few steps back, distancing themselves from the cannon and the rock.
“Let the demonstration begin!”
The king’s permission was granted.
Then the artillerymen began to move busily. A mix of anticipation and fear about the unfamiliar filled the air, bringing a tense silence.
The artillery officer shouted,
“Take aim!”
His deep, resonant voice echoed around.
The artillerymen carefully poured gunpowder into the cannon through the muzzle. After pushing the cannonball in, they signaled that they were ready.
The artillery officer shouted loudly,
“Fire!”
At that shout, one of the artillerymen ignited the fuse, and immediately everyone covered their ears.
“Everyone, cover your ears!”
The crowd, watching their movements, instinctively followed suit and covered their ears.
“Oh… finally!”
“I can’t believe I’ll see something like this in my lifetime!”
With crackling sounds, everyone fixed their eager gazes on the cannon as the burning fuse ignited.
However, there was no roaring blast like a lion’s roar, nor was there any shattering of the rock.
“Huh?”
“Is that it?”
Just as someone voiced their confusion,
KWAANG!!
A deafening explosion erupted from within the cannon.
“UAAAH!!”
The situation unfolded in an instant.
Shattered steel fragments flew in all directions in a heartbeat.
Debris from the cannon and the shrapnel pierced not only the soldiers but also the unprotected citizens who stood closest.
“KYAAAH!”
“AAAH!!”
Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, the surroundings turned into chaos.
Amidst the horrific scene tangled with smoke, dust, and screams, the cannon was shattered beyond recognition.
“Get the king to safety! Quickly!!”
“Your Majesty!!”
The knights, who had been observing the situation from a distance, sprang into action.
However, it was difficult to maintain order in a scene so horrifically transformed that it was hard to distinguish between the citizens and the soldiers.
“Your Majesty!!”
“KYAAAH!! Honey… P-please save me! Huh, someone help me!!”
“Your Majesty!! Where are you?!”
Those who experienced the military ceremony that day spoke like this.
If there is a hell, it would probably look like that. She was right in the middle of that hell.
“UAAAH! Help me…!! Save me!! My arm…!”
“Find the king and escort him to safety!”
“Mother! Mom!! Please, get a grip!!”
“UAAAH!! Daddy!!”
“Your Majesty!!”
That day, the military ceremony was recorded as an unprecedented failure.
It became a crucial turning point that shattered the might of the Ecaron Kingdom.
* * *
“The king is requesting the presence of the first prince and his wife.”
The attendant calmly spoke to those anxiously waiting in the waiting room.
A few days ago, the king had lost consciousness due to the cannon explosion.
Now, just as he regained consciousness, the first ones he called were not his family but investigators. The king had locked himself away for several days.
Today, however, he called for his family for the first time.
“Go in.”
It would be understandable for him to feel disappointed that he was only looking for the son of his late wife, but the queen appeared quite composed.
There was no joy on Dawes’ face as he stood up with a stiff expression, even though he was the one being sought first.
“I’ll go in first…”
With a rigid mouth, Dawes reached out his hand to his wife, Ophelia.
“Go in.”
“Dawes… I… I shouldn’t be here?”
She wanted to say that.
However, Ophelia couldn’t speak because everyone’s piercing gazes were directed at her.
“…I understand.”
The two entered the king’s bedroom.
As soon as they stepped inside the room,
“Who on earth told you to handle things like that?!”
With a thunderous shout that echoed through the room, a heavy glass flew toward Ophelia.
CRASH!
“KYAAH!”
Ophelia trembled and clung to Dawes’s arm. Dawes, flustered, hid his wife behind him and tried to calm the king.
“Your Majesty! I will explain everything!”
They expected to be scolded, but they didn’t expect him to shout like this out of nowhere.
In a panic, he rushed toward the king, but it backfired.
“Explanation? What explanation! The investigation is already complete! Did you think I wouldn’t know that the accident that day was all because of that woman?”
The king glared at his eldest son with a look full of disdain and clicked his tongue.
“What a pathetic fool. I thought you had some initiative, and you dismissed Clermont to take in that worthless child. And is this the result of that trust?”
