Ch.16Festival (6)

The fireworks that had painted the sky began to fade.

Shadows once again covered the brilliant sky that had been filled with vibrant colors,

and starlight began to quietly reveal itself, breaking through the gaps in the darkness.

The fireworks in this magical world were far more beautiful than I had imagined,

and I couldn’t easily take my eyes off those dazzling lights that still flickered in my vision.

It was a scene that had completely captivated me, making me think that if I closed my eyes, I might see those fireworks again in the darkness behind my eyelids.

But after such brilliance disappeared, what remained was quite a profound emptiness.

I closed my eyes tightly, then opened them and let out a sigh.

I worried that I might have been wrong to suggest to Airin that we attend the festival.

I had only encouraged it hoping to set aside the heavy burden in my heart and have a moment of peace.

But since coming here, what was clearly visible on Airin’s face was nothing but shadow.

She seemed distant from the light.

As if when the sun rose, she always stood on the opposite side, always trying to keep herself in darkness. As if she believed that brightness and herself were different things.

Looking at Airin, who wouldn’t say or answer anything, I realized that she frowned whenever people around her laughed.

She wasn’t making that expression out of dislike or annoyance.

She just seemed uncomfortable around such people, instinctively avoiding them like oil meeting water.

I thought I vaguely understood why she made that expression, which is why my smile wasn’t genuine.

I only smiled because I feared the gloomy atmosphere would completely sink if I frowned too.

Taking a deep breath, the cool breeze entered through my nose and filled my lungs.

Yet the heaviness wouldn’t disappear, and as I exhaled heavily, Airin glanced at me and spoke.

“You don’t look like you’re in a good mood.”

Because of someone, I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable. But I couldn’t bring myself to say that, so I forced a smile and shrugged.

“I just feel regretful.”

“……”

“Just that, on a better day, with a better atmosphere, we could have made better memories.”

I only felt regret that we couldn’t. Was it my fault for thinking Airin would simply enjoy this festival?

Or was it her fault for only seeing the negative in this fountain of joy?

Knowing it was neither’s fault, what I felt was just a streak of regret.

Regret stemming from the fact that we had so feebly spent the last fireworks we could see during this week that only happens once every five years.

As I shook my head and smiled bitterly, Airin, who had been staring blankly at me, looked away and gazed at the sky.

“We might have another chance.”

“What?”

“I’m saying we should come again when the next festival is held.”

Unable to understand her sudden intention, I stared blankly at those blue eyes, and Airin spoke indifferently.

“If Evan is still around then, we’ll clear our minds like now, not think complicated thoughts, and buy skewers from street vendors.”

“…Yes.”

“We’ll just come out like that and enjoy it lightly.”

Airin, who had been looking at the sky, turned her gaze to look at me.

I was momentarily surprised by her face, which now looked quite refreshed compared to before, and she spoke as she stared at me.

“So, please change that expression. You look like someone who just got dumped.”

“…Does my expression look that bad?”

“Yes, extremely.”

I thought I was smiling. But apparently my twisted lips weren’t really a smile, but rather a quite ridiculous look.

I touch my lips and let out a light sigh.

I don’t know why her mood suddenly changed, but should I be glad that at least she’s feeling better?

There was no longer any shadow on her pale face.

Her face, free from worries and concerns, looked much better than before, so I chuckled and looked back at the sky.

“Did you see the fireworks earlier?”

“I did. The green light spreading was quite beautiful.”

“…Was there a green firework?”

I didn’t remember any such firework. When I looked at her and asked, Airin just silently gazed at the sky.

Maybe it was just a mistake. She might have been confused about the color of the fireworks in the sky because she was troubled.

The green eyes I had seen in the mirror suddenly came to mind, but I shook my head and looked back at the sky.

The sky, now filled with stars instead of fireworks, still looked quite beautiful.

#

“My lady, where have you been?”

Sir Chris, carrying a skewer in one hand and Rofena sleeping on his back, strode toward us.

I wonder if Rofena had truly enjoyed the festival; she was sleeping so soundly on those broad shoulders, looking just like a baby bear.

“I was just wandering around with Evan.”

“…You should have at least told us before leaving. Even if Evan was with you, he’s not an official knight guard.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Sir Chris sighed at her expression, which suggested she wouldn’t keep it in mind at all, and squinted at me.

His face was already intimidating, and lately he’s been looking at me like that every time.

When I shrugged, he pointed at Rofena on his shoulder and spoke.

“Carry her.”

“…Yes.”

Rofena was quite light, probably because of her small build.

Even carrying her, I hardly felt any weight, so I wonder where all those sweets she eats daily go.

“Are you okay? Carrying Rofena like that.”

“She’s light, so it’s fine. Fortunately, Rofena is on the lighter side.”

Airin looked at me for a moment, then turned her head and began to walk.

People seemed to be gradually returning home now, and some were waving cloths to clear the smoke that had risen into the sky.

Now we should return to the duke’s residence.

The thought of the residence reminded me of that pile of documents on her desk, but I shook my head to clear the thought.

It’s not like I could help with that, though I did hope she would rest today.

After wandering around town all day without really seeing anything, she might seem fine now, but she’ll likely feel quite tired later due to accumulated fatigue.

I didn’t want to see her collapse again from overworking on those documents.

“You should go to bed early today and handle your work tomorrow morning.”

When I said this, Airin briefly glanced at me and spoke.

“You make it sound so easy. I’m the one who has to handle it.”

“…I’m saying this because I’m worried you might collapse again. If you fall asleep at your desk, you might catch a cold.”

And that’s why I covered you with a blanket.

When I added that, Airin narrowed her eyes and then quickly turned her head away.

I really don’t know what tune to dance to with her; she’s quite a difficult woman, even if she is my charge.

As I shook my head, Rofena made a groaning sound and rubbed her cheek against my back.

Is she talking in her sleep? I chuckled at the soft sensation on my back, and as if she heard the sound, Rofena mumbled something and fidgeted with her hands on my shoulders.

I wonder if Rofena enjoyed the festival in her own way. Seeing that Sir Chris still had a skewer in his hand, he must have indulged all of Rofena’s whims.

Despite his rough appearance, he has a warm heart, and the way he treats Rofena is just like a father with his daughter.

Perhaps sensing that I was looking at him, Sir Chris briefly glanced at me, frowned, and spoke.

“What are you staring at?”

“Just wondering what you did at the festival.”

“What did I do? Rofena kept whining about wanting to eat this and that, so I just ended up spending money unnecessarily.”

I smiled at his disgruntled expression, his face all scrunched up as if he didn’t like it.

If he really disliked it, he wouldn’t have spent the money. He’s so strict with me, but strangely lenient with Rofena.

When I smiled, Sir Chris began to glare at me fiercely, as if he found my expression displeasing.

It seems like he’s taking out his frustration on me again. But that angry gaze was only momentary, as Sir Chris let out a hollow laugh and turned his head away.

Chirp-chirp-

Eventually, silence spreads all around. The medieval tranquility that couldn’t be felt in the modern world.

The breeze blowing through the streets, with no tall buildings or neon signs blocking the stars, was refreshing.

No exhaust fumes, no tobacco scent that automatically makes you wrinkle your nose.

The scent of the wind blowing from the forest was that of grass, and the occasional faint fishy smell indicated the presence of a river in those mountains.

The chirping of insects, the rustling sound of wind brushing against grass.

The sound of gravel underfoot with each step had a strange rhythm to it, making it feel as if the white noise transmitted through the silence was calming my mind.

While the bustle of the festival was good, this quietness wasn’t bad either.

As I walked, feeling the wind gently caressing my face, a massive mansion began to appear in the distance.

Painted blue, it was probably the closest building to the sky in this area.

When we finally reached the main gate, I saw the head of the guard, and remembering the not-so-pleasant experience I had before, I handed Rofena back to Sir Chris and followed Airin.

Perhaps realizing I was by her side, Airin spoke when I was almost next to her.

“…Aren’t you tired?”

Tired? I didn’t know why she suddenly asked such a question, but when I shook my head, Airin stared at me.

As if she had something to say, she moved her lips, then stopped in front of her room door and sighed.

“…Haa.”

“My lady?”

Did she forget something? But she hadn’t taken anything with her, so that probably wasn’t the reason.

As I looked at Airin with concern, she turned her gaze to me and spoke.

“Go in and rest now.”

“What?”

What does that mean?

When I frowned, Airin narrowed her eyes in displeasure, then brushed her forehead with her hand and continued.

“…You worked hard today.”

The blue eyes visible through her narrowed eyes flickered for a moment, then hid between her tightly closed eyes.

As if she was embarrassed.

“For talking to someone who wouldn’t answer, for worrying about me as I walked around everywhere, I’m saying you worked hard.”

So she was aware of how she had been acting.

On one hand, my heart swelled with emotion knowing that she recognized what I had done, so I just silently looked at her.

Without saying anything, until she met my gaze directly.

Eventually, her closed eyes slowly opened, and now steady blue eyes met mine.

“I’m fine—”

As I began to speak, Airin firmly cut me off and replied.

“I’m not fine. Stop making me worry and get some rest now.”

After saying that, she looked at me with a cold gaze again and turned her back toward the door.

As if she had said all she needed to say, her attitude completely changed, leaving me stunned. As she opened the door and entered, she looked back at me and murmured softly.

“You can go now. Rofena will be here soon.”

Thud-

And the door closed. Without listening to anything I might have said, the door closed quite mercilessly, and I just stared at it with a bewildered gaze.

The occasional passing maid’s glances at me felt quite piercing.

What am I supposed to do now? I was concerned about Airin to just go back.

What if she was still looking at those documents? What if she collapsed into sleep again?

Worry creased my brow, and finally, I carefully knocked on the closed door.

And after a moment, Airin’s voice came from beyond the door.

“…I’ll go to bed early too. So rest easy.”

Hearing her voice, I finally let out a sigh of relief.

My tight chest loosened a bit, and it felt like I could breathe a little easier now.

But my feet wouldn’t easily leave from in front of her door, so I smiled bitterly and stared blankly at the door where she would be.

“Stop making me worry and get some rest now.”

Her words, telling me not to make her worry, strangely echoed in my ears.

Why did those words make me feel good? Was it because her initially harsh attitude had softened?

Or was it simply the joy of hearing Airin say she cared about me?

Even though it was probably a meaningless comment, somehow that languid voice seemed to linger around the corridor.

I don’t know why I’m feeling this way.

After running my dry hand over my face once, I sighed and began to walk away.

It was probably just fatigue.

After a good night’s sleep, these feelings would surely be forgotten.

Definitely.