Chapter 59 Part 3: At the Hill of the Festival

A cool breeze blew. The bright sunlight illuminated the avenue.

Green flags fluttered from every streetlight.

Buzz-buzz-

The wide-open square was bustling with the festival crowd.

The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air.

“This way.”

Rosa was holding hands with Caron as they walked.

Without realizing it, she sometimes found herself noticing.

Caron was bigger than her in many ways.

The size of the warmth that reached her hand.

The large back and shoulders that stood protectively in front of her.

‘He’s big.’

She realized that unfamiliar fact.

“Hey, don’t push.”

“I can’t see. Lower your head a bit.”

The crowd was quite large.

There was hardly any room to even put your foot down.

Soon there would be a parade in the city.

In fact, the two could have watched the parade from a good position, comfortably, at any time, but Caron had brought Rosa out himself.

To enjoy the festival together for the day.

Just as the girl had guided him long ago, now he, holding Rosa’s hand, skillfully escorted her.

Rosa liked this feeling.

The night of the lantern festival before.

She had felt this emotion then, too.

Amidst the large crowd, she could only feel Caron’s presence.

So much so that she felt no worry no matter what happened.

The sense of security that Caron was leading her, taking care of her.

“How about here?”

Caron soon found a suitable spot.

A gentle slope, but a place where fewer people were gathered.

“It’s good.”

Rosa nodded.

Flower petals fluttered in the sky, a happy family with blossoming smiles.

As they looked around, a unique parade began.

With the cheerful sound of musical instruments and the cheers of the people.

“Yea-“

“It’s Teysia!”

Men and women wearing animal masks.

Since it was the clothes of ancient hunters, should it be said that more parts were exposed?

The clothes felt somewhat suggestive.

The dance they performed gradually changed.

At some point, the cheers of the men grew louder.

“It’s the courtship dance!”

“So pretty!”

Rosa realized once again how open-minded Elchen was.

“Oh my…”

Her mouth fell open.

It was literally a courtship dance. Bending their waists and shaking their hips wildly.

The women in animal masks danced flexibly.

‘You can almost see their breasts.’

They were as alluring as dancers.

Without knowing why, she felt restless.

Then, worried about Caron for no reason, Rosa glanced up at him.

At that moment, her gaze met Caron’s.

“Why?”

Caron wasn’t even looking that way in the first place.

“N-nothing.”

Rosa felt like hiding in shame.

Caron just chuckled and interlocked their fingers.

The music changed its tune, and the dances changed with it.

“Wahahaha-“

“Look at that. It really looks like a wolf crouching.”

Some dances that looked somewhat bizarre, and some that made your body want to move, passed by.

People threw flowers they had picked, one by one, as if paying to watch.

In the midst of the festival, the two held hands tightly.

The street was filled with flowers and people.

The lively parade continued.

And Rosa and Caron were also in the crowd enjoying the festival.

In that short time, there was a brief bickering.

“I really didn’t mean anything by it.”

At Rosa’s words, Caron replied.

“No meaning, I think it was on purpose.”

He wondered why Rosa had looked back then.

Why she had looked back when those boisterous women appeared.

Of course, he knew the reason, but he was half-jokingly interrogating her.

Rosa’s face gradually turned red.

When it was almost as red as a tomato, Caron said.

“I told you. Rosa. You’re the only one for me.”

“Geez…”

Seeing Rosa’s changing expression, Caron chuckled loudly, a rare occurrence.

It was hard to tell if she was laughing or crying.

He was worried that she might burst.

Even though they were in the middle of the street, Caron couldn’t resist and hugged Rosa.

After the parade ended.

The two walked along the street, hand in hand.

The avenue was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Street vendors naturally lined both sides.

They stopped several times.

“Caron, shall we try that?”

“Hmm… Sure.”

Rosa and Caron enjoyed the food like ordinary lovers.

But something was strange.

Caron never bought anything for himself.

“I’m fine.”

Instead, he just silently watched Rosa eat.

The two sat on a long bench in the square and placed the food they had bought between them.

In fact, Rosa couldn’t eat much.

“I’m full. Caron.”

She had said she couldn’t eat much.

In the end, Rosa left everything half-eaten.

‘But Caron bought it for me.’

With that thought, she took a few bites of everything.

But lately, her stomach had shrunk.

Rosa was managing her weight.

Absurdly, the reason she was concerned about her weight was simple.

‘Because Caron hugs me so often…’

She was worried that she might have a belly.

This was also a recent change.

Rosa had become conscious of how she looked to Caron.

“Are you done?”

Caron’s question.

“Yes.”

When Rosa answered, a white, soft handkerchief wiped the corners of her mouth.

“You had something there.”

“Is that so…?”

Thump-thump-

Her heart couldn’t help but race at such tenderness.

Caron was particularly tender towards her.

Of course, Rosa was unaware of it.

In fact, Caron had learned all of that from her.

But what really troubled Rosa was what followed.

“Ah, that’s…!”

Surprisingly, Caron picked up what she had been eating.

“It’s okay.”

He had a completely nonchalant expression.

The food she had bitten into went into Caron’s mouth.

“It’s delicious.”

Rosa was so embarrassed that her face turned red.

Caron held out the skewer he was holding to Rosa.

“I’m quite full, though. Just eat this one.”

Perhaps he was aware of it himself, but.

In fact, Rosa also ate what Caron had just bitten into without any hesitation.

“It’s not much, why do you eat so little?”

Caron stroked Rosa’s shoulder.

Then he suddenly realized something and said.

“Rosa, you need to put on some weight.”

She was so slender and fragile that her whole body fit in his arms.

“…?”

Rosa was puzzled.

She couldn’t guess what Caron meant by that.

Caron was looking at Rosa’s shoulder.

Coincidentally, to Rosa, it looked like he was looking at her chest.

Her face, having made that assumption on her own, flushed.

“Wh-what do you mean by that…?”

She nudged Caron’s side for no reason.

But her face only turned redder at the feel of his firm muscles.

Even if she hit him with all her might, it wouldn’t even make a dent.

She realized that fact.

“You’re too thin. Your body.”

Caron answered with a puzzled expression.

He had no idea what Rosa was thinking.

Rosa just kept opening and closing her mouth.

She had realized in an instant that she had misunderstood.

‘I’ve been thinking about that stuff so much lately that…’

But Caron didn’t know Rosa’s inner thoughts.

What’s wrong with saying she’s thin?

Most women would like to hear that.

Caron unknowingly looked at Rosa’s chest.

In fact, it was the only place on her upper body that wasn’t thin.

Although she had a slender and delicate body, her feminine curves were pronounced.

It was quite strange.

How she could have such pretty breasts even though she was so thin.

Caron still remembered Rosa from that day, in the dark room.

Meanwhile, Rosa misunderstood again.

‘I thought it was a misunderstanding……’

But she felt like it might not be.

This time, it was certain. Where Caron’s gaze was directed.

Rosa looked down at her chest.

‘Is it… that small?’

It didn’t seem that small to her.

She felt needlessly depressed and her mood sank.

Rosa was very honest.

It showed in her actions and expressions.

Only then did Caron notice something.

‘I didn’t know she cared about that.’

He found it absurd but also found Rosa cute.

So he chuckled and said again.

“You need to gain some weight.”

“Why should I…!”

Thus, they bickered over nothing.

But the way to appease an upset Rosa.

Kisses that began under an unspoken agreement.

“Wait…! If anyone sees!”

“Let them see.”

Thus, time passed quickly as they enjoyed their happiness as a couple.

And, around evening.

A shallow shade began to fall on the square.

The early spring air was quite chilly.

Perhaps that was why many people started to go inside buildings.

Rosa and Caron were the same.

[The Terrace of Wind and Stars]

A place with such a name.

Ding-a-ling-

The soft sound of music.

Ivory tables, cute decorations.

Colorful flower pots adorned the interior.

The two sat at a quiet terrace.

“Wow, this looks delicious…”

Rosa exclaimed softly at the sight of the desserts.

Moist chiffon cake. Soft and flavorful castella.

“Here.”

She habitually took care of Caron first.

Then Rosa’s fork moved without rest.

Originally, she didn’t like sweets.

‘To be precise, that was before the transmigration but…’

But lately, for some reason, she had come to enjoy them quite a bit.

The sweet flavor that melted in her mouth.

A small happiness spread across Rosa’s face.

“Ah, it’s delicious.”

“You said you were full.”

Caron, who had been quietly watching her.

“We… Freya told me.”

A flushed Rosa made her excuse.

“There’s a separate stomach for dessert.”

She didn’t know she would ever say such a thing herself.

Hiding her flushed face, Rosa asked Caron.

“You, Caron. Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’m full.”

Just watching Rosa eat deliciously filled him up.

That was Caron’s honest feeling.

So he answered like that.

But soon, Caron changed his mind.

“Then I’ll try some. Just one.”

“Yes. Try some.”

“Now that I have permission.”

Rosa’s puzzled expression.

Soon her chin was caught in Caron’s hand.

Just then, the terrace curtains fluttered.

The shadows of two heads overlapped into one.

It was the Day of Emergence, a small festival.

A time for everyone to enjoy their leisure time in a simple way.

On this holiday, the square was open until late at night.

The early evening breeze was cool.

Lights were lit one by one in the square.

“Come and get stew!”

“We have alcohol!”

The smell of food mixed with the evening air.

In the morning, there was a procession planned by the residents of the estate.

In the evening, there was a performance invited by the Archducal House.

After enjoying dessert, Rosa and Caron.

Naturally, the two finished their preparations and were waiting for the performance.

A huge platform was installed in the square.

It was surrounded by a black curtain.

Almost two hundred seats were spread out in a fan shape.

All the shops around the square had opened their second floors to everyone.

The Archducal House paid for all the expenses.

It was a consideration for those who didn’t have seats.

People started to take their seats one by one.

All with excited expressions for the upcoming performance.

This year’s Day of Emergence was particularly grand.

“Did you know? It’s the Melaphis Theater Troupe.”

“It’s also the first time the inner castle has been opened.”

“The exhibited works are said to be works of art.”

The seats were gradually filled.

Prominent figures of the region, influential merchants who frequently visited, and the staff of the inner castle, as well as Rosa and Caron.

The two sat in the front seats.

Having returned to the inner castle and changed clothes.

A pure white dress that fell to her ankles.

A red, transparent shawl around her slender neck.

Perhaps because of her innocent and delicate atmosphere, or perhaps because of the gentleness of her ruby-like eyes.

In fact, many people who saw the Archduchess couldn’t help but exclaim.

In fact, the rumors about the Archduchess were quite famous.

That the North Wind-like Archduke was quite serious about her.

“It can’t be helped.”

“The Archduchess is beautiful.”

Many people were convinced when they saw Rosa for the first time today.

Flutter-

And at one point.

The black curtain rose.

The well-decorated stage was revealed to everyone.

“Waa-“

The moving stage of the Melaphis Theater Troupe was famous.

“Ladies and gentlemen!”

The owner of the theater troupe came out and spoke.

About the meaning of the Day of Emergence, gratitude to the Archduke, and the honor he felt at this moment.

Under the soft, reddish light, he spoke at length on various topics.

“The vast and beautiful land of Elchen. Please enjoy our theater troupe’s new attempt, tailored to that open-minded atmosphere.”

Whoa-

People exclaimed.

“The title of the play is, <Oh, Mademoiselle!>. I hope you all enjoy it!”

Amidst enthusiastic cheers.

Rosa realized upon hearing that name.

‘The performance that will unfold from now on…’

It was the work of Louis, the boy she had been sponsoring.

And the lights went out for a moment.

Louis’s script, <Oh, Mademoiselle.>

It was a story similar to Daddy-Long-Legs.

There was a boy with a difficult situation.

One day, the boy met an anonymous sponsor.

She was a young lady from a noble family.

She was kind-hearted, and as beautiful in appearance as she was in heart.

Eventually, the boy secretly harbored feelings for the young lady.

Now was the climax.

[Oh, my lady. I have harbored love for you for many years.]

[Love? What is that?]

The actress playing the role of the lady, Rosalyn, had a very flustered expression.

Her hand holding the dress was trembling slightly.

On the other hand, the boy stood with his chest proudly puffed out.

The boy, having mustered his last courage, confessed with his hand on his chest.

[Love is not such a grand thing. It’s my heart beating when I think of you, it’s my wanting to always be by your side, and it’s my hoping that you feel the same way.]

That was love.

The actor playing the role of the boy spoke passionately.

[I may not have been supposed to have these feelings. But my heart keeps going to you. If my heart could become a single burning flower, I would become that flower and go to your side. I want to remain by your side like that, always.]

Everyone in the square was focused on this play.

It was a common story.

A love story between two men and women.

A love story that transcended differences in status and environment.

The audience found themselves unconsciously hoping that the two would end up together.

Usually, plays performed on such a large scale always focused on heroic epics.

War, heroes, and victory.

About the lessons given by great figures in history.

Even if there were love stories, the themes were always repetitive.

The first king or queen of the empire, the first hunter Iolad and the silver-haired beauty he loved.

So this was really a first.

A play that could reach the general public as well.

“Rosalyn! Accept his feelings!”

“You’re cool! Boy-!”

There were enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

‘You did it. Louis.’

Rosa was just proud.

In fact, she had done almost nothing, but the boy had achieved his dream.

Just then, the two actors hugged each other.

Waaa-

Cheers erupted.

Rosa also stood up and applauded.

The play ended in success.

The actors came out and greeted the audience one by one.

And when the playwright came out and greeted them.

Rosa couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Thank you for enjoying my play.”

Tall height, a solid physique.

It was Louis, who had become a complete young man.

Was it a coincidence?

Their gazes met.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, Louis made an announcement in front of everyone.

The creative background of <Oh, Mademoiselle.>

He wanted to dedicate the infinite grace and glory he felt to the beautiful Archduchess of Elchen. My angel, my light. The Archduchess is actually the one who

“Tonight, all of this is thanks to the person who sponsored me.”

There was a sense of amazement in the audience.

The Archduke was right there.

But wasn’t that a greeting that could cause misunderstanding?

What the true intention was, only Louis himself knew.

Of course, up to that point, it could be seen as a pure expression of gratitude.

But the content of the play was quite coincidental.

A tense-looking Louis was standing there.

But his words just now were completely sincere.

Buzz-buzz-

Amidst the murmuring atmosphere.

Caron, with a twitching brow, quietly rose from his seat.

Then he slowly opened his lips.