PWHHF | SS 2

Side Story – Chapter 2

The night market was bustling with people.

Each store was brightly illuminated with yellow lights, making the night seem as bright as day.

There were many stalls selling delicious food and alcohol, attracting couples and families alike.

Agnes and Kylo blended into the crowd, spending time together like ordinary people.

Kylo introduced Agnes to what he considered the tastiest street food he had ever eaten. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary chicken skewer… Agnes, feigning innocence, pretended she had never tried it before.

Then, right on the spot, she devoured five skewers. She felt a little guilty towards the imperial palace chef, but this was just as delicious as his best dishes.

After filling themselves with chicken skewers, they strolled through the night market, sipping on a sweet alcoholic drink.

As they walked, they reached the far end of the market. Unlike the crowded central area, this part was quieter, with some shops already closed for the night.

“Oh, look over there.”

Agnes pointed to a tent. It was nestled between dimly lit stalls, and atop its display counter were peculiar souvenirs.

As the two approached, a merchant in a deep black hood stood up from his seat.

“Welcome. I have many rare and fascinating items. Feel free to browse. Since such esteemed guests have arrived, I’ll offer you a special discount.”

For a moment, Agnes wondered if he had recognized their identities and scrutinized his face.

The merchant was an elderly man with white hair and a kind expression. Judging by the state of his stall, it seemed like he hadn’t made a single sale that day.

Being in such a secluded spot, it was no surprise that few customers passed by. Moreover, the displayed items didn’t seem particularly special.

But if they weren’t special, why was she drawn here?

At any rate, it didn’t seem like the merchant had figured out who they were. He was probably just saying whatever he could to make a sale.

With a curious expression, Agnes examined the odd items on the counter.

Most of them were decorations with no apparent use—an ornament shaped like a bronze toad, a small crown embedded with jewels, an unidentified trinket, and a rusted box adorned with gemstones. It looked more like an antique shop than a souvenir stall.

Normally, she wouldn’t have paid attention to such items, but maybe it was the alcohol—one particular object caught her eye.

“What is this? Is it a music box?”

The item Agnes pointed at resembled a snow globe. However, instead of snow, rain poured inside.

It seemed enchanted, as the falling rain looked incredibly realistic.

It was practically a storm… and in the middle of it, there was a green frog holding a yellow umbrella.

“Aha… Are you referring to this item? My, my, you have quite the discerning eye. To think you’d pick out such a rare treasure among all these goods…”

“What is it?”

“Hm… Have you ever heard of the Frog Fairy, dear customer?”

“Huh?”

Agnes’s face soured. The Frog Fairy… she didn’t have the best memories associated with that.

“There’s a legend in our empire that if you meet the Frog Fairy on a rainy day, it will grant you a wish. And this, my dear, is that very Frog Fairy!”

“…This?”

Agnes looked at the snow globe again, a renewed hint of interest in her eyes.

“Yes, indeed! Do you remember the long stretch of days without rain not too long ago? During that time, I stayed up for several nights and finally managed to capture the Frog Fairy and seal it inside this globe. Hahaha.”

“……”

He was obviously joking, but somehow, the little green frog inside the globe suddenly looked a bit sad.

“Oh dear… You seem to pity the Frog Fairy.”

“Well… It does look a little pitiful.”

“Hahaha, such a kind-hearted and gentle customer. In that case, why not buy it and set the poor Frog Fairy free?”

“……”

So, this was just another ploy to make a sale…

Agnes could see right through the merchant’s tactics, but she was in a good mood today and felt like being generous.

“Hmm, fine. I’ll buy it. How much is it?”

“You’ve made an excellent choice! Especially for you, I’ll offer it at the special price of just 1,500 detes.”

…What? Was he joking?

1,500 detes was about the same as a royal palace guard’s monthly salary. And the palace guards were considered a prestigious and well-paid rank within the imperial city.

Was this man serious? Even for a scam, this was ridiculous.

Agnes had half a mind to grab the merchant by the collar and demand he stop his nonsense, but she held back.

It’s a good day. Let’s just let it go…

But still, 1,500 detes for a tiny trinket? That was way too much.

As she hesitated, unsure whether to argue, Kylo pulled out his wallet and held it out.

“I’ll buy it for you.”

“Huh? But today is your birthday…”

“I have already received plenty of birthday gifts. Please, allow me the chance to return the favor.”

“…But—”

Before Agnes could finish, Kylo had already handed the money to the merchant. The old man, as if he had been waiting for this moment, swiftly snatched the money and began packaging the snow globe.

“Couldn’t you lower the price a little?” Agnes asked, clearly displeased.

The merchant, without a word, pointed to a sign on the counter.

[No Browsing Without Buying]
[No Haggling]
[No Refunds or Exchanges]

…So he was completely shameless. No wonder he had no customers.

Agnes was annoyed at the merchant, but she actually liked the item itself. Besides, it was a gift from her beloved. She would cherish it forever. She’d even take it to her grave.

Unlike before, when she had looked at it with mild interest, she now gazed at the snow globe as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.

After finishing the packaging, the merchant handed over the small box in a shopping bag.

“Congratulations, dear customer. The Frog Fairy will surely grant your wish.”

“…Really?”

For 1,500 detes, it better grant at least one wish…

“Oh, of course. The Frog Fairy grants any wish. However, keep in mind—no matter what you wish for, it will only last for a single day.”

“Really?”

Agnes found the merchant’s overly serious tone amusing. He was really committed to his act…

Still, as the final touch to their birthday date, this wasn’t a bad way to end the night.

Hugging the gift from her beloved tightly, Agnes returned to the imperial palace.

And that night…

After whispering sweet words of love, the two bathed and lay in bed, talking in hushed voices.

Sharing the day’s events like this was always a joyful and cherished routine.

At some point in their conversation, the topic of the snow globe came up.

“But that old man was obviously a scammer, wasn’t he? Charging 1,500 detes for that tiny ornament. The more I think about it, the angrier I get… Should I have him arrested?”

Watching Agnes fume, Kylo chuckled softly.

“If he were a real con artist, he’d be long gone by now.”

“Ugh, this is so frustrating…”

Agnes grumbled as she got out of bed and walked over to the shopping bag she had set aside.

She carefully unwrapped the snow globe and placed it on the bedside cabinet.

Despite all her complaints, she had given it the best spot—right in the center of the display shelf where she kept her most treasured items.

Surrounding it were photos of Kylo, cat plushies, and various pieces of mysterious merchandise. It was her personal “fan shrine.”

Just as she was about to turn away after placing the snow globe, she suddenly froze.

…Was it her imagination?

She could’ve sworn the frog inside the globe just blinked.

And now that she thought about it, the rain inside seemed to have eased up a bit.

Earlier, it had been a full-blown storm, but now it was more like a light drizzle.

It must be because it was a magical snow globe. Of course, the rain inside could change.

Shaking off her unease, Agnes stared intently at the little green frog.

‘It grants wishes, huh?’

One wish, for one day…

She suddenly recalled a comment she had once left on an online forum.

[Post Title] If you could transmigrate into your favorite character’s story, what’s the first thing you’d do? ^0^

[1,500 Comments]

[Anonymous82]

First, I’d kidnap them to my room, feed them sweet desserts and warm milk, and stroke their head. Then, I’d make sure they never have to worry about anything and can spend their whole life just relaxing. Of course, all while staying in my arms. lol

[Edit] [Delete]

My favorite… My precious baby cat.

That was Agnes’s wish.

To play with her beloved, transformed into a baby cat. To feed them sweet desserts and warm milk while stroking their head. And to hold them in her arms, making sure they felt safe and carefree.

With that in mind, she casually made her wish.

Of course, it was just for fun.

After all, that old merchant wasn’t a real wizard, and there was no such thing as a Frog Fairy.

If there were, wouldn’t most people in the empire have become frog hunters by now?

Scoffing at the ridiculousness of it all, Agnes climbed back into bed and nestled into Kylo’s arms.

She had no idea what would happen when she woke up the next morning.