Chapter 34 Part 3: Blushed Red

The Lantern Festival of Arnad.

It is held at the end of every year.

The last day of the year is spent in a festive mood.

In the afternoon, people gather to make lanterns.

In the evening, they have dinner with family or close friends.

It is said that five or six families usually gather to have a boisterous time.

“After that, in the square..”

Suddenly, Reina stopped talking.

“Ah, you’ll find out about this yourself tonight.”

The other handmaidens of the Archduke’s family, the sisters Wendy and Rudy, chimed in.

“That’s right. It’s no fun if you know in advance.”

“It’s not that we don’t want to tell you.. It might be more enjoyable if you don’t know. Actually, it’s the Archduke’s order!”

“Hmm…?”

Rosa tilted her head, but since the handmaidens said so, she let it go.

“Then I’ll look forward to it.”

“Of course.”

The handmaidens smiled brightly.

It’s like a year-end closing.

A time to look back on the happy and joyful events.

On this day, the city lights never went out until late at night.

The reason is simple.

It was really the last day of the year.

“The real fun starts at night.”

Reina said with a faint smile.

Rosa and the handmaidens are gathered in the glass greenhouse of the inner castle.

They all had cloth in their hands.

The handmaiden Wendy said.

“At a certain time, people take the lanterns they made in advance. And they climb the highest hill nearby.”

“Why so late at night..?”

Wendy’s twin sister, Rudy, added.

“And the moment the central tower bell rings, everyone knows. That a new year has begun.”

So, to summarize.

The time to release the lanterns is right then.

The time when one year really ends and a new year begins.

Head Handmaiden Louise added with a smile.

“It’s a sight I see every year, but it’s an unfamiliar beauty. The night sky, which should be dark, is dyed red.”

Ah, I think I get it.

There was something like that in the world before I was possessed.

The year-end bell.

And the colorful fireworks that explode accordingly.

A time for people to pray for their wishes and hopes.

Rosa was secretly looking forward to it.

She likes that kind of festival very much.

“First, what kind of animal should I draw?”

Reina murmured as if worried.

In fact, that was the worry of all of them now.

They draw their favorite animal on the lantern.

A tool like a brush made of horsehair, a slightly light brown thin paper.

“Be careful, Your Highness. It’s a paper made to be intentionally thin so that the lantern can float in the sky.”

There was also something similar to paint.

Mostly, it is extracted from special minerals or secretions of plants and animals.

“Hmm..”

After being worried for a while, Rosa soon made up her mind.

“What are you drawing. Your Highness?”

“I’m going to draw a white foal.”

The handmaidens smiled knowingly as if they understood.

“Did you always like foals?”

At Wendy’s question, Rosa shook her head.

“No. Not really..?”

“Ah, then it’s because the Archduke recently gave you a foal as a gift?”

“Cough.”

Rosa, who coughed, strongly denied it.

“Not really. It’s the first time I’ve had my own animal.”

Before she was possessed, she was an orphan.

Of course, she couldn’t afford to raise a pet like a cat.

But the handmaidens had an expression that said it was useless to deny it now.

[I’m going to draw a white foal.]

The Archduchess smiled brightly as she said that.

“Ah, Archduchess.”

At the Head Handmaiden’s subsequent words, Rosa tilted her head.

“For your information, you two don’t need to come out to the hill tonight.”

“Why?”

There was a reason.

The highest floor of the main tower of the inner castle.

In other words, it is the highest place in this city.

From the terrace in Rosa’s room, the sight of the sky turning red could be clearly seen.

“Besides, isn’t it the scheduled date for you two?”

The Head Handmaiden said with a benevolent smile.

“For your good night, we, the handmaiden department, will make every preparation.”

“Ahaha..”

Rosa could only swallow her words with an awkward smile.

‘You don’t have to go that far.’

After a while.

The handmaidens, each having completed their lantern paintings, got up one by one.

“Then we’ll see you later in the evening. Your Highness.”

Now it’s time for each of them to prepare.

The faces of the handmaidens were filled with anticipation.

“Yeah. See you later.”

‘After dinner..’

The wedding night.

Rosa saw them off with mixed feelings.

Dark blue evening came.

The lights of Arnad did not go out.

In the lighted stores along the road, tables were set up in the spaces in front of them.

The sound of boisterous chatter.

Children showing off the lanterns they made.

“Look. I drew a deer.”

“A man should be a wolf. That’s what my dad said.”

Nearby women are chatting.

“Mrs. Henry. The smell of the pie today is unusual.”

“It’s the Lantern Festival. I made it special..? I put in honey that has been aged all year.”

“Ah, I’m looking forward to it.”

The smell of delicious food spreading in the air, men and women dressed a little differently than usual.

They are all wearing animal masks.

“Giddy up!”

Several carriages ran along the road.

Each carriage had as many lanterns as there were people.

The wide open main gate of the inner castle.

Head Butler Hamel is standing there.

He, too, unlike his usual self, was wearing everyday clothes and welcoming those who were getting off the carriage.

“Welcome to the castle of Arnad.”

A middle-aged man approached him and offered a handshake.

“It’s been a while. Hamel. Is Your Highness well?”

“He is the same as always. Always steadfast. I feel like Lord Variang’s face has become even more radiant in the meantime.”

“Haha. Don’t flatter me. Let’s go in quickly. I want to see my daughters’ faces too.”

The man is the head of a powerful family in the Elchen region.

The master of Variang, and the father of the sisters Wendy and Rudy.

He came to Arnad for the Lantern Festival.

There were many others like him.

At least those who were friendly to the Archduke had all visited.

The banquet hall of the inner castle was large enough to easily accommodate dozens of people.

But it was decorated in a simple way without being too fancy.

It was literally a place to share the feelings of the year.

Appropriate food and drinks were prepared.

Everyone’s attire was closer to everyday clothes.

The people sitting in their seats were talking about one topic.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it the first time? That we’re meeting Her Highness the Archduchess.”

Rumors were rife.

Rumors that they could hardly believe.

“They say the Archduke cherishes her very much.”

“Because she’s such a kind and beautiful person. But also, the Archduchess is not a pushover..”

“Ah, you mean the story of Bella Isöynak?”

Regardless of age or gender, they were curious about the Archduchess, who would soon appear.

Meanwhile, Rosa was with Cayron.

“You don’t have to be too nervous. They’re all friendly to me anyway.”

“I’m not nervous.”

She knew.

That some nobles were visiting today.

‘Still, it’s the last day of the year.’

There must be a meaning to make an impression on Cayron, who has now become the Archduke of Elchen.

Contrary to her words, Rosa was clearly nervous.

She wanted to make a good impression on them.

Cayron looked at such a Rosa.

Today, she is dressed no differently than usual.

An everyday dress made of quite thick material.

A white sleeveless blouse and a blue skirt.

Certainly, it is not an outfit suitable for a formal occasion.

“Cayron. Is it really okay?”

Rosa was still in doubt.

“What is?”

“Even though it’s a place to see many people.. to wear an everyday dress like this..”

The only decorations were a white fur shawl around her neck.

And a thin, long belt around her slender waist.

In fact, if you look at her clothes alone, the daughter of a wealthy merchant family.

It wouldn’t be strange at all to see her that way.

‘But since Head Handmaiden Louise said it was okay..’

Cayron just chuckled.

In fact, everything was an instruction he gave to the Head Handmaiden.

Rosa doesn’t know anything.

The atmosphere of the end of the year that you only feel once a year.

If possible, Cayron wanted to surprise her.

“Let’s go.”

Cayron took Rosa’s hand.

His attire was no different from everyday clothes.

‘No. Is it really okay?’

Whether it’s a social gathering or not.

Not knowing Rosa’s thoughts, Cayron strode forward.

Soon, the Archduke and Archduchess of Elchen.

The two entered the bright hall together.

Rosa was surprised.

Everyone was too.

Almost twenty nobles were all wearing everyday clothes.

Unlike her, who was bewildered, everyone’s expressions were calm.

No, they were actually surprised.

The Archduke, who had a personality as cold as ice.

But the way he held the Archduchess’s hand tightly was very different from the Archduke they knew.

‘The rumors were true.’

‘His Highness the Archduke..’

The sight of the two beautiful people was enough to make anyone feel good.

The Archduchess was also more beautiful than imagined.

Cayron, without letting go of Rosa’s hand, looked around and opened his mouth.

“Thank you all for gathering like this. Since it’s not a social gathering, I hope you enjoy it comfortably.”

With that greeting, a surprisingly comfortable dinner time began.

“Nice to meet you.”

When Rosa introduced herself, everyone’s interested gaze was fixed on her.

Usually, that gaze contained goodwill.

As time went on, they listened to Rosa’s words.

Her first impressions of Elchen, especially how it differs from the Empire.

And also, what the process of adapting is like.

They had many questions for the Archduchess.

And.

Rosa just finished talking about Lactea.

“Oh.. Is that true?”

A middle-aged blonde nobleman exclaimed in amazement.

“I know Lactea well. I named it myself and gave it to His Highness as a gift.”

Lactea is a rough Fescia breed.

As such, it was violent and full of energy.

It was a great horse, but also difficult to handle.

Other nobles were also inwardly admiring.

“To ride a Fescia horse when you’ve only just learned to ride..”

“It’s a talent. It’s definitely a talent.”

“With such a Highness, Your Highness must be at ease. We, as your subjects, are also relieved.”

The father of the Archduke’s handmaidens, Wendy and Rudy.

“Ah, my name is Welter Variang.”

A bold and strong energy could be felt from his blue eyes.

He looks cool and upright.

He was one of the most powerful men in the Elchen region.

“Thank you for your kind words. Lord Variang.”

Following Rosa’s words, Cayron also spoke.

“My wife is not yet accustomed to this place. Still, she is trying every day to learn about this place.”

Lord Variang replied.

“Of course, I have heard many stories from my daughters.”

This time, Mrs. Variang added.

“They say that Your Highness will adapt well to this place in a short time. The praise is very high.”

She was a noble lady with light blonde hair, just like the sisters.

Rosa was a little embarrassed.

She was not used to such praise.

Of course, even after that, she had to listen to a shower of countless praises.

“Her Highness is kind to everyone. But she’s not just soft.”

“At first, she was reluctant to use informal language with us. That’s how kind her nature is.”

“She has the dignity of a noble, but she has no sense of authority at all.”

Wendy and Rudy, and Reina and Head Handmaiden Louise.

They seemed to have made up their minds to praise Rosa.

Most of them listened to the story with interest.

“This is a side of Her Highness the Archduchess that we have never heard of before.”

Lord Variang, who said that, had a somehow satisfied expression.

He seemed to be truly serving Cayron with all his heart.

The dinner time flowed peacefully.

They finished even the dessert in a friendly atmosphere.

“Well, it’s almost time.”

At Lord Variang’s words, everyone suddenly smiled and got up from their seats.

‘Is this what Wendy was talking about..?’

“Let’s go.”

Cayron took Rosa’s hand, who was bewildered.

“Where to?”

“You’ll know when you get there. Wear this for now.”

What Cayron handed her was a white deer mask.

Then, a group left the inner castle.

Surprisingly.

They were all headed to the middle of the city.

To be exact, the square.

“Whoa..”

It was truly crowded.

The brightly lit shopping streets, the hawkers trying to attract customers.

Tables in the square are filled with glasses.

The reason why it’s hard to say they came together.

The other nobles had already disappeared somewhere.

They had disappeared to enjoy the festival on their own.

The only one holding her hand is Cayron.

“Wh-what is this?”

At Rosa’s bewildered words, Cayron answered.

“The Lantern Festival.”

“I know that.”

Rosa grumbled for no reason and looked around.

The boisterous laughter, the sound of glasses clinking together.

The sound of music ringing in her ears and the huge lantern in front of her.

“Wow..”

It was a lantern.

Truly the size of a house.

“A wolf?”

“It’s a wolf.”

Rosa and Cayron exchanged words.

A wolf-shaped lantern stands in the middle of the square.

People were all wearing different animal masks.

Rosa’s emotions began to rise.

In fact, this is her first time going outside the castle.

And that first time was in the middle of a festival.

Cayron looked at such a Rosa and slowly opened his mouth.

It is literally a festival to close out the year.

So on this day, the evening of the last day, everyone enjoys the Lantern Festival without any restrictions.

“

Age, gender.

Status and such things were not important at all.

Literally, everyone in Arnad mixed together to decorate the grand finale of the year.

“With your most precious people, the night of the last day of the year.”

It was the slogan of this festival.

At Cayron’s words, Rosa was momentarily stunned.

“Oh- Move aside!”

Suddenly, Cayron pulled Rosa to the middle of the square.

Bumping into other people is not that unusual.

“Be careful.”

Suddenly, Rosa was nestled in Cayron’s arms.

She didn’t know if her slightly sinking heart was because of surprise or for some other reason.

“Oh, yeah.”

Rosa hurriedly escaped from his arms.

Cayron naturally took her hand.

“There are more people than I thought. It would be better to move to the edge.”

The red eyes looking up were stained with light.

It seemed to be because of the lantern hanging right next to them.

In the lively and boisterous scenery.

Rosa followed only Cayron’s back with her gaze.

“Oh my. It’s so nice to see!”

Suddenly, such a sound was heard.

A street vendor on the right side of the road.

“You two look good together. A fine-looking man and a beautiful woman.”

Cayron answered that voice.

“Whether we look good together or not. How do you know that, old man?”

The old man with pure white hair chuckled.

“An old man who has only gotten older like me. There are things that you can see at a glance.”

He lays out something on the mat.

“How about, do you want to have your fortune told? I’m quite good. I can even tell you your compatibility.”

“Eh-“

Rosa didn’t believe it.

Of course, she thought Cayron would be the same.

But the unexpected words that came to her ears.

“Alright.”

Cayron agreed.