The day the Imperial Festival began, I yearned to immerse myself in the festive ambiance. In the carriage, I found myself alone with Shael, heading towards the festival’s starting point.
“What is it?” Shael asked while shooting me a questioning look.
“Nothing.”
I hesitated, my mind occupied with the plan that I had been brewing for a while. The Imperial Festival marked the initial stage of my strategy, making me nervous yet determined.
‘The Mage Tower Lord and Crown Prince won’t be there, right?’
I reassured myself, believing they had left in search of ingredients for the cure, and would be absent during the festival. If I could enjoy the festivities with Shael and achieve our common goal, everything would fall into place.
“What about our father?”
“Did you say father?”
‘Is she talking about Duke Ezran?’
Shael didn’t seem embarrassed by my question at all. Her nonchalant demeanor was quite impressive.
“Looks like he’ll be back soon. I think we can see him after the Imperial Festival is over.”
I was looking forward to that moment as well. If the memory I glimpsed after breaking Clie’s bracelet held true, Duke Ezran had paid a great price for our sake.
Simultaneously, a pang of sorrow struck me. If only saving lives came at a lesser cost– what could he have possibly offered to the Demon King?
‘You can tell just by looking at how gloomy the Baslett family’s mansion is, which is different from what had seen in my memory.’
The mother of Eran Baslett was present in my memories but she was now absent. The thought overwhelmed me, and I pushed aside those emotions to concentrate on Shael.
“Are you okay?”
“…?”
“Just thinking about my father.”
Every encounter with my father had been fraught with awkwardness, almost suffocating. Having lived with my aunt before being transported to this world, connecting with a parent was a challenge.
A challenge to be overcome in the future. The sudden thought triggered memories of events before possession.
‘I wonder if my aunt is doing well.’
Longing gripped my heart, injecting a sense of complexity and sadness. Again, I sought solace by diverting my attention to Shael.
After what felt like an eternity, the wagon’s vibrations ceased.
We had finally reached our destination.
* * *
Given the Imperial Festival’s significance, the area around the imperial palace buzzed with activity.
Wealthy merchants secured seats for business, and families set up stalls to showcase their unique products.
The Baslett and Azbel families were no exception.
Shael and I found ourselves amidst the Baslett family’s servants, preparing for the festival.
“You were famous for your swordsmanship.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“But why are you selling food and not swords?”
“I know a certain noble lady from a famous mage family who prefers dessert over magic.”
Shael fell silent.
Leading her inside, I directed the maids, then gathered ingredients to craft cotton candy for Shael.
“Would you like to try it?”
“I don’t think it will taste as fluffy…”
Despite her protest, the sweet scent proved irresistible to Shael. The inevitable outcome unfolded as she succumbed to the sugary delight.
“Oh, it’s delicious.”
“It will be so delicious that it will go viral.”
Shael agreed, but confusion lingered. Selling cotton candy for a day couldn’t cover the cost of renting such a colossal building.
“Food isn’t everything. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have rented a building this large.”
“What else do you have?”
“See for yourself.”
Adjacent to the simple food stall, stood a space resembling a gamb1ing hall.
Shael raised an eyebrow, understandable given the financial struggles of the recently impoverished Baslett family.
“There’s a betting arena. The Baslett family is wagering a significant amount.”
Midway through her third cotton candy, Shael grasped my hand.
Unfazed, I laughed heartily as we exited the building.
“Now, let’s go and get ready.”
Navigating through the bustling crowds proved challenging, but thanks to our building being in the center, we didn’t have to travel far.
Familiar faces from the Holy Church greeted me, including Denes of the Duke of Anyden, enjoying the festival with his apparent spouse.
Perhaps spotting me, he approached without hesitation.
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