Episode 26: Autumn Festival (2)
In front of the square where the fountain bubbled delightfully, a bard appeared to be serenading the crowd, strumming a harp while delivering a magnificent epic poem, likely from a far-off land.
Alexia observed the young couples who had stopped in their tracks, entranced, and a smile danced on her lips, almost as if she were savoring their joy.
“Aren’t you thirsty, Alexia?” Luke chimed in, his bag releasing the warm, nutty aroma of roasted almonds, a treat he had purchased earlier from another stall.
Alexia had a notorious habit of snapping up anything suggested to her, never once paying full price. No, she always felt compelled to add just a tad extra.
“Care for a drink?” he asked.
“Well…”
Luke was met with Alexia’s contemplative gaze as she slowly scanned her surroundings.
“Let’s go with that one,” she announced, gesturing towards a shop lined with wooden barrels.
“Is that the scent of… apples?”
“Correct! That’s apple cider,” she clarified.
From the barrel, a clear, amber-colored liquid was poured into a cup. When held to the light, it shimmered like liquid gold, releasing a tempting aroma of ripe apples.
“It’s sweet and delicious! So refreshing, yet it leaves a complex aftertaste,” Luke remarked.
“The flavor transforms depending on last year’s apple harvest. It had a stronger kick last year, but this year, it’s much smoother, as you said, Luke!”
A satisfied smile spread across Alexia’s face.
“Not only is it perfect for drinking, but it seems ideal for marinating meat as well. I’ll give it a whirl next time,” she contemplated aloud.
“Awesome! I’m counting on you,” he replied enthusiastically.
It seemed to complement pork and lamb beautifully, and even those gamey meats would likely become palatable after a soak in the apple cider.
With a flutter of excitement in his chest, Luke savored the amber-hued apple drink.
The festival stalls were so numerous they were almost a blur, and the throngs of people gathering only added to the spectacle.
The duo wandered through the shops, aimlessly browsing and meandering down the bustling streets, following their whims.
The street vendor delicacies were conveniently designed for one-handed consumption, allowing people to walk and munch at the same time.
From debating which treats looked best to sharing various flavors by splitting them, everything was a delightful adventure.
(This is fun!)
Luke reflected deeply, clutching his fists in excitement.
(This is way too much fun…!!)
When it came to scale, the capital’s festival might outstrip Rietberg’s, but the sheer population size certainly made a difference! The elaborate decorations and the vast number of stalls were grand enough to live up to the royal family’s home turf.
Yet, for Luke, the festival in Rietberg sparkled hundreds of times brighter.
Needless to say, it was all thanks to Alexia.
Strolling beside her, freely discussing the sights that caught their attention, and casually indulging in delightful snacks—everything felt so overwhelmingly fun that fabricating any expression other than a smile was impossible.
Alexia’s animated face, engaged in explaining things to him—her first-timer buddy—was too beautiful, while her lips nibbled on snacks in a slightly mischievous way, radiated allure.
If only this could be a dream that wouldn’t end! And if it were reality, he wished it could last forever.
(Oh, how I wish to be with Lady Alexia forever…)
Luke embraced every precious moment with Alexia, savoring their time together wholeheartedly.
He was fully aware that this wasn’t a date, yet in that moment, his heart was overflowing with happiness.
In front of a stall brimming with sparkling glass bottles, Luke picked up a tiny jar with a lid and listened with intention to the vendor’s clarifications.
“Luke, what’s that?” Alexia asked, her curiosity piqued.
“It’s an ointment made with medicinal herbs,” he replied.
Inside the vial was a deep green salve, containing ten different herbs, claimed to alleviate pain when applied to skin or joints.
“How about this as a souvenir for Brigitte?” Luke suggested.
“For Brigitte?”
Lately, Brigitte had been grousing more than usual about her knee and back woes, especially as the cold season approached, bringing with it extra agony.
“Ah! Is it going to irritate her skin?” he asked worriedly.
“No, I think it should be alright… but Luke, don’t you feel like you dislike her?”
“Brigitte? Not at all!” he quickly denied. Though Luke had adapted well to life in the castle, a few residents made their displeasure toward outsiders clear—most notably, Brigitte.
Brigitte had once been Alexia’s wet nurse during her childhood, filling in for her ill mother while molding Alexia into a proper noble lady.
Possessing both affection and responsibility towards Alexia, Brigitte was quick to nag, but her gaze turned to external acquaintances like Luke with genuine skepticism.
“Everyone in the castle is incredibly kind, including Brigitte. No one harasses or spreads nasty rumors, and certainly, no unreasonable violence occurs,” Luke claimed, matter-of-factly.
“—see?” Luke raised a casual point.
“Even living in the same house can lead to yelling over trivial things, unnecessary slaps, or being falsely accused…”
“Not in my experience,” Alexia interjected immediately.
What a troublesome household that must be.
For Luke, having someone as tough as Brigitte around seemed not to convey bad intentions whatsoever!
As long as nobody was harassing him, behaving violently, or framing him for what he didn’t do, they were good people. Clearly, Luke’s standards for “goodness” were exceedingly relaxed.
Alexia hesitated, torn on whether to probe further, but when she saw Luke smiling after buying the ointment while cheerfully stating, “I hope Brigitte loves this,” her irritation lessened somewhat.
As they continued north along the main street dotted with vibrant stalls, they approached an intersection where a plaza emerged.
In the center, traveling performers had gathered.
Clowns, their faces painted ghostly white, bounced, danced, tossed rings, juggled balls, and perform daring somersaults, charming the crowd and stirring an atmosphere of joviality.
One clown donned in red had a yellow-clad clown balancing precariously on each shoulder. Above them, a blue clown showed off some upside-down antics, prompting a tidal wave of applause from the seated audience.
Watching the skilled performance, Luke couldn’t help but applaud in amazement.
A glance revealed that Alexia appeared more focused on the audience than the performance, gazing at them with tenderness as they enjoyed the spectacle.
“…Lady Alexia, it seems you’re not especially fond of festivals?” Luke ventured.
“Pardon?”
“It makes you happy to see the townsfolk… the people of Rietberg enjoying themselves,” he remarked.
Alexia’s affinity wasn’t for the festival itself; rather, it was the joy radiating from her subjects that brought her satisfaction.
Nothing was more comforting than seeing the residents of the Margraviate excitedly savoring their festive days.
That was why she had come to this festival, not in an official capacity, but having gone through the trouble of disguising herself as a commoner to attend and witness the festivities firsthand.
When Luke expressed this notion, a slight blush crept onto Alexia’s cheeks, indicating just how flattered she felt.
“That’s right. It truly makes me happy,” she noted.
The land of Rietberg, bordering neighboring nations, had been ravaged by various wars over the years.
The age-old fertility and harvest festivals originating from this region had often been interrupted by repeated conflicts.
“Being able to hold a festival is proof of peace. That fact brings me immense joy,” Alexia said thoughtfully, her narrowed blue eyes lovingly scanning the bustling crowd.
(Ahh! I’m just so in love!)
Just then, Luke felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, his heart fluttering wildly.
“Huh…?”
Luke blinked wide-eyed as he recognized a group approaching. Yes, those were the very girls who had been gossiping about how cool Alexia was just moments ago.
The girls, having spotted Alexia and Luke, froze with excitement.
Squeals of delight erupted as an average-looking man staggered by one of the girls, bending low as if to make a dramatic escape. He purposefully brushed against her, sending unnerving tension through the air.
“…?”
“Luke? What’s the matter?” Alexia asked, noticing the change in him.
“No… that man felt odd, somehow…”
In that brief moment, that man’s behavior had struck Luke as very strange.
“But it might just be my imagination… I’m sorry,” he murmured.
“Hmm…”
Alexia shook her head, her concern beginning to show. She scrutinized the man who hurriedly slipped away, frowning at his retreating figure.
“Ahh!”
Suddenly, one of the girls let out a shriek, reminiscent of tearing silk, and sank down to the ground.
“My skirt!”
The girls were dressed in handmade plaid skirts.
The traditional skirts made from woven wool featured a belt that held small pouches for coins and bills.
Such arrangements weren’t uncommon across the villages—but alas, the string affixed to the girl’s waist had been severed with a sharp blade, and the pouch had vanished.
The cuts marred both the string and the skirt’s checkered design, leaving a jagged edge all the way down to the hem.
“…How awful,” Alexia exclaimed, racing toward the girl. She knelt beside the now-sobbing girl.
“Clothes can be replaced, but what about you? Are you hurt?”
“Ah… yes, I’m alright…”
When Alexia, whom the girl admired secretly, bent down to address her, the girl’s tears seemed to vanish. With a blush creeping onto her cheeks, she stammered a response.
“Lady Alexia, I don’t have much, but please take this…”
Luke promptly offered all his money. He deliberately refrained from giving it directly, trying not to frighten the distraught girl, but Alexia intuitively picked up the cue and accepted it, helping the girl grasp it in her hands.
“Lady Alexia…? You’re not… my lady!”
As the daughter and heiress of a margrave, her name was renowned within the territory.
Though it wasn’t unusual for a girl to be named after her, it’s rare for someone of high standing to be called with the honorific “sama.”
“I don’t think this will completely make up for your loss, but I hope to use this to help with some new clothes. Will you help me with that?”
“Y-yes! Certainly!”
The girl’s two friends stood at attention, responding enthusiastically.
Once again, Alexia offered a heartfelt apology.
“I’m sorry for scaring you at the festival. Please forgive me.”
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