Chapter 35 Part 4: Blushed Red

In the middle of the Lantern Festival.

Cayron was different today.

Strangely proactive, strangely energetic.

He wore ordinary clothes like a young man from a commoner’s family.

On his face was a black wolf mask.

In the end, the two really did get their fortunes told.

As expected, the fortune teller shouted loudly.

“The two of you are a match made in heaven!”

A startled look.

There was a strong sense of a swindler.

“A fate connected by a powerful red string. My goodness.. In my decades of fortune-telling, this is the first time I’ve seen such a fortune.”

“..Is it that significant?”

“If it’s this significant, yes. It’s a bond that even time cannot break. Though it won’t be entirely smooth.”

He continued.

“Your compatibility is also perfect. It couldn’t be better.”

“What do you mean by not entirely smooth?”

At Cayron’s words, he answered.

“Literally what it means. But don’t worry too much. If you trust each other, you can overcome it.”

Clink-

Two silver coins were placed in the fortune teller’s hand.

The old fortune teller inwardly rejoiced.

In fact, there was one thing he didn’t say.

There were two fortunes.

And the other one was not good at all.

According to that fortune, the two would be separated countless times and go through many trials.

‘But..’

The fortune teller dismissed it as a mere coincidence.

Even if it wasn’t a coincidence, it would be better for both of them to say good things.

“Well then. Take care. May the guidance of the lanterns be with you.”

It was tonight’s greeting.

“May the guidance of the lanterns be with you.”

Cayron started walking again.

“I didn’t know you were like this.”

Rosa followed him with a bewildered face.

“What?”

“It’s obviously a scam.”

Cayron led her without saying a word.

“This is what festivals are like. You blend in with the atmosphere.”

His voice sounded strangely pleasant.

“Buy skewers!”

“We have beer soaked in honey! You won’t know even if someone dies while the two of you are drinking it!”

It’s as noisy as a downtown area.

But it felt quite enjoyable.

The street, filled with reddish lanterns, was full of things to see and eat.

In the middle of the square, an impromptu dance was taking place.

They are all dancers wearing animal masks.

Ring-

Wandering gypsies are holding an impromptu concert next to them.

Silver coins were thrown into the box in front of them one by one.

Rosa and Cayron were drawn to a street vendor.

There were accessories all over the stand.

Actually, it wasn’t that the two of them went, but rather that Rosa was dragged by the arm.

“Come here. Miss. Your arm is so slender and pretty.”

“Ah.. yes?”

A strangely powerful middle-aged woman.

The brown-haired woman wore a red fox mask and had accessories hanging from her arms.

“Oh my. Look at this hair. It’s pretty because it’s a transparent silver color, and it just flows. It’s also very wavy.”

By that point, the woman had already guessed Rosa’s identity.

‘She must be the daughter of a wealthy family or a carefully raised noble lady.’

But still.

At this moment, all of that is meaningless.

That is the meaning of this Lantern Festival.

A festival to be enjoyed regardless of status.

So she can give this kind of advice.

“The groom is really too much. Leaving such a pretty bride alone?”

“Gr-groom..?”

Rosa stuttered slightly.

“Oh my. Then are you lovers? Otherwise..”

The woman’s gaze is on the two people’s hands.

It wasn’t just a feeling of holding hands, but rather holding them tightly as if they wouldn’t let go.

But it was only the man, and the woman just had her hand held.

‘Oh dear..’

Experience doesn’t come for nothing.

The woman saw through the relationship between the two at a glance.

‘The man likes her more.’

Her guess was not wrong.

“No, I’m her husband.”

His voice is also quite nice.

“..What are you talking about.”

“It’s true.”

Seeing the two bickering, the woman burst into laughter.

Ah, there is one.

A way for her to make a profit, and for the man to gladly accept.

“Ah, come to think of it, the bride doesn’t have a necklace. Such a slender and pretty neck.”

The woman’s red fox mask and Cayron’s gray wolf mask.

Subtle gazes were exchanged over the two masks.

“If you have something that fits, please give it to her.”

The woman smiled.

Thud-

A necklace was fastened around her slender neck.

“It suits you. How about it? Doesn’t it look pretty to the groom too?”

It was already the seventh repetition.

“Hmm..”

Surprisingly, Cayron was serious.

He looked like a husband choosing a necklace for his wife.

“The previous one.”

“

Again, fingers brush against her soft skin.

“Hmm..”

Rosa’s face was flushed, but fortunately, it was not visible because of the light of the lanterns.

This time, it was a silver necklace with a small rose hanging in the center.

The sensation of fingers brushing against her neck.

Rosa slightly flinched.

It was a ticklish and unfamiliar sensation.

“The groom really has a good eye.”

The rose was made of carved ruby.

Of course, it was incredibly expensive.

Cayron, as if appraising, put his hand on his chin, nodded, and said.

“This one.”

The woman laughed.

Cayron, who had already sufficiently satisfied his selfish desires, paid the price quite generously.

Rosa, unable to do anything, followed him with an angry expression.

“Are you crazy..?”

“What’s wrong.”

“This is a rip-off..!”

It was.

The price Cayron paid was 500 shillings.

It’s two months’ living expenses for an ordinary commoner family.

“How can you spend money so recklessly?!”

Rosa was at a loss for words.

But Cayron just stared at her.

“So. You don’t like it?”

His gaze was fixed on Rosa’s neck.

“I paid that much because it’s pretty.”

That much money is nothing to him, if you really think about it.

“Pr-pretty..?”

Rosa’s words were suddenly blocked.

Yes.

He must be complimenting the necklace.

She can’t help but blush.

Feeling the heat on her flushed face, Rosa shook off his hand for no reason.

“That’s.. because it’s expensive.”

It’s nice to create a festive atmosphere, but it was also a clear case of overspending.

But Cayron just chuckled at her.

“Yeah.”

And he took Rosa’s hand again and started walking.

Suddenly, Rosa realized one fact.

‘Why does he like to hold my hand so much?’

There’s no need to act now.

It must be because there are too many people.

‘We shouldn’t get lost. The most effective way is to hold hands.’

Yes.

Just like friends putting their arms around each other’s shoulders.

There’s a considerable height difference between Cayron and her.

It’s more comfortable to hold hands than to put arms around each other’s shoulders.

Phew-

Still.

Rosa let out a breath she had been holding.

‘Of course, he was complimenting the necklace..’

He wouldn’t have said that she was pretty.

Honestly, Rosa was very embarrassed as to why she suddenly thought this way.

Her heart seemed to be strangely dyed.

By the atmosphere of the festival, and by the temperature felt from the held hand.

After that, there were a few more moments that made Rosa uncomfortable.

For example, when Cayron took a bite of the skewer she was eating.

‘Friends can share.’

Or when she almost bumped into a passerby again, Cayron told her to link arms with him.

‘This is also between friends..’

No, it’s not..

Rosa immediately refused, saying that was nonsense.

Anyway, there are many things that make her uncomfortable.

Cayron led her.

Unlike in the past when she always led, now it’s quite familiar to follow his broad back.

The hand holding hers was strangely large, and Cayron’s shadow cast a protective shield.

In the light that filled the road, in the cheers of laughter.

Suddenly, Rosa realized.

In fact, the most uncomfortable thing was herself.

‘It’s fun.’

That she couldn’t help but think so.

But she didn’t quite understand why that was uncomfortable.

This time is so much fun.

It was like playing with Cayron alone after a long time, like when they were children in the villa in Eckshire.

It was fun, it was enjoyable.

A corner of her heart was dyed with small happiness.

Yet, at the same time, it felt stuffy as if something was stuck.

Such thoughts of Rosa did not last long.

The two reached the square.

An exciting dance was taking place in the wide square.

Everyone is dancing as they please.

They link arms and spin around, hug each other’s waists without caring about their surroundings.

They line up in a row like a train.

Next to them stood the huge wolf lantern she had seen earlier.

There were many other lanterns around.

Everyone is wearing masks of various animals.

Nobles and commoners, men and women of all ages.

It’s such a joyful dance.

Waaa-

Cheers erupted.

Something fun must have happened.

It turns out that some of the dancers started a play.

An impromptu play about the hunter Iolard and Istasia.

The interesting early and middle parts have passed, and the play has reached its climax.

[Why. Why did you leave me. Istasia?]

A man kneeling on one knee in despair.

A woman approaches him.

[You don’t know. Why I left.]

Of course, the content that followed was all acting based on guess.

But people stopped dancing and watched the play with interest.

Cayron said.

“The story changes slightly every time. So even those who have seen it many times don’t get tired of it.”

“Ah.. Because no one knows the truth?”

“Yes.”

It is slightly visible through the mask.

Warm light dwells in Cayron’s red eyes.

A huge bonfire, and various kinds of lanterns.

The scent of honey and alcohol filling the air.

The smiles on people’s faces.

And the laughter and cheers of the children ringing in their ears.

“This is Elchen.”

Suddenly, Cayron said.

“The land I cherish, and the land where I will live with you.”

Rosa was at a loss for words.

She couldn’t answer right away for some reason.

She was overwhelmed without realizing it.

By the atmosphere of this festival, and by Cayron’s gaze fixed on her.

The two red eyes, which were always cool, were flickering with the warm temperature of the lanterns.

It felt like she was out of breath.

So she nodded without realizing it.

Chuckle-

It seemed like a small laugh was heard.

In the meantime, the music grew louder again.

It is clearly different from that of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra.

A little more exciting and faster tune.

People started singing one by one.

[Oh, then Iolard met. In a forest covered with large, black fir trees, Istasia, who was kinder and more beautiful than anyone else.]

Along with the exciting tune, the animal-shaped lanterns began to move.

From around them, these words were heard.

“Now, there’s really not much time left this year.”

“After about five or six more drinks, it will be time to release the lanterns.”

“Why. Shall we dance too? It’s almost the last one.”

“Not bad.”

Those who were sitting join in one by one.

In an instant, the crowd surged like a tide.

“Ah-“

Because of that, Rosa let go of Cayron’s hand.

As she was being pushed around, someone suddenly pulled her arm.

“Hey, miss. Wanna dance with me?”

It was a voice Rosa didn’t know.

He was wearing a gray bear mask.

There was no particular malice felt from the playful and bright voice.

That’s how this festival is in the first place.

It’s a place to mingle with others without hesitation.

However, while Rosa was startled, there was a force that pulled her shoulder again.

“I’m sorry. This lady. Already has a partner.”

It was Cayron’s low voice.

“Oh, sorry.”

The man scratched his head awkwardly and stepped back.

“You have to hold hands tightly. Rosa.”

At those scolding words, Rosa couldn’t really deny it.

She didn’t expect a man to approach her like this in the first place.

It was also the influence of the masks.

But the startled heart instantly calmed down.

As soon as Cayron wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Shall we.. dance..?”

Such were Cayron’s words.

Rosa had no intention of refusing.

Of course, dancing is not mandatory.

So if you don’t want to dance, you can just say so.

But the exciting dance started again, and everyone was enjoying this year-end atmosphere.

“Sure.”

Rosa was also dyed by that atmosphere.

As she nodded, Cayron took her hand and led her.

Through the crowds of the festival.

“But what kind of dance? I don’t know.”

At Rosa’s question, Cayron answered.

“Just follow your body.”

Then, the two hands clasped together.

A gray wolf mask and a white deer mask.

The two masks faced each other.

And the two started a dance of some kind.

In the middle of the festival, full of cheers, excitement, and light.

And late at night.

The two returned to the inner castle.

The night was not over yet.

Rather, it was just beginning.