The capital's market streets were full of life.
Vendors called out loudly, selling fresh fruit, bread, jewelry, and colorful fabrics. The air smelled of spices and warm food.
Among the busy crowd walked a young girl in a simple commoner dress.
It was June Astral.
Her long ponytail swayed behind her, and her bangs moved slightly as she walked, giving her face that playful, mischievous charm.
She looked around with bright curiosity.
"Ooo…"
June stopped in front of a fruit stall.
"That looks good."
A moment later she was laughing with a vendor, joking about the price of apples.
"Too expensive," she said, crossing her arms dramatically.
The old vendor laughed.
"You drive a hard bargain, little lady!"
June grinned happily.
To everyone around her, she looked like a cheerful and funny young traveler enjoying the market.
Free. Relaxed.
Nothing like the daughter of the Emperor.
But while June laughed with the merchants…
Someone far above the city was watching.
At the highest window of the Magical Tower, Lucas de Hein stood silently.
His silver eyes looked down at the capital streets below.
Normally, he had no interest in the people of the city.
But today…
His gaze stopped.
A strange flicker of magic had caught his attention earlier.
Now his sharp eyes focused on one person moving through the crowd.
The girl with the long brown ponytail.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Interesting."
His voice was quiet and cold.
In the middle of the noisy market, June Astral laughed again while talking to a merchant.
She had no idea.
She had just captured the attention of the most dangerous man in the empire.
Lucas de Hein.