章節 17: Mid Autumn Festival - Part 2
Irene licked the candy, her eyes widening in delight. She had never tasted anything like that before. Though they tasted similar to some of the mocktails she had drunk in her modern life, the candies were sweeter and mood-lifting. She momentarily forgot everything about her new surroundings as she enjoyed the delicacy in her hand.
Even Reyna too was enjoying her sugar candy, and the guards smiled at the two girls who resembled small children, with their faces beaming in joy. They had never seen such a carefree expression on their mistress's face, and just one glance was enough to widen their smiles.
"Where shall we go next, Milady?" Reyna sucked on her candy as she walked a step behind her mistress. Though her mistress had asked her to walk beside her, her respect and admiration towards her stopped Reyna from walking beside her. She was happy to follow and be with her this way.
"What do you suggest, Reyna? Has the King arrived already?" Irene queried. She was down to her last sugar candy. Though she wanted another one, she stopped herself in time, worrying about her teeth.
"No, Milady. King Kieran arrives exactly when the clock strikes seven." Reyna shook her head and pulled out a handkerchief after eating. "But we can take our seats in the meantime. It would already be crowded at the center by now.
Reyna stuck out her tongue as soon as she uttered the words and glanced at the lady in front of her. To her relief, her Lady was too involved in finishing the last bite of candy to notice her abnormal behavior. Reyna turned back in the guilt, and the two guards stared at her with a frown.
"What do you mean? Do we already have our seats reserved?" Irene licked her apple-flavored candy, not noticing Reyna and the guards' silent conversation.
"Yes, Milady. We have seats reserved for the people of the Duke's mansion.," Reyna replied, hoping her mistress would forget what she had said earlier. Although nothing was wrong with what she said, she feared the consequences if the Duke or her mistress saw the guards and the servants of their mansion who had come to view the ceremony.
Reyna had heard the servants and guards speak among themselves, planning to attend the ceremony briefly, taking shifts in their work. Neither Duke Seymour nor their Lady Sylvanie knew about it, and they had intended to keep it that way. Though the guards did not leave the mansion unattended, they still considered themselves guilty for keeping the matter from their master.
Reyna glanced at her mistress in guilt before she looked at the guards again. They had utterly given her a blind eye, forcing her to take care of the trouble she had created herself.
Although they were uncertain how their mistress would react, especially now that she had turned into a completely different person, they were still apprehensive and wary of her. The girl in the past was quite obnoxious and strict. Since the day she had found out about the festival, she had prohibited everyone from attending for reasons they could not fathom.
The guards recalled the year when two new maids in the mansion had sought Lady Sylvaine's permission to attend the Mid Autumn Festival opening ceremony, only to be made to overwork that day until their backs and legs were crying in pain. Since then, neither the guards nor the servants ever asked her permission and sneaked out of the mansion just to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.
Irene had no idea what dilemma was running through the three people's minds. She did not see their scared faces as they waited for her to react to what Reyna had said. All she could remember and rejoice about was that she could use her father's name to get a good seat to watch the ceremony.
'When I have the privilege, why shouldn't I use it? What is the use of having a Duke as my father if I cannot enjoy benefits?' She thought to herself before she pulled out her kerchief from her dress pocket and wiped her lips.
"How long is it before the ceremony starts?" Irene turned to Reyna while she pinned the strands of hair that had escaped her bun. The three people had masked their expressions when she turned to them. So, she did not find anything suspicious.
"Milady...." Reyna had barely begun speaking when a bell rang, startling Irene downright. She had never heard such a loud sound before and looked around in wonder.
Reyna stifled a laugh on seeing her jump. "Milady, it is the bell of indication for the ceremony to begin. The ceremony will begin in a few minutes once the clock strikes seven."
"Looks like it's time. Will Father be there?" Irene patted her heart and avoided Reyna's gaze.
"Yes, Milady, He will. His Grace works for King Kieran. So he has to attend the ceremony." Reyna replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The one ceremony she looked forward to every year was the Mid Autumn Festival opening festival.
"I see." Irene nodded, and the group walked to the kingdom center, where a large crowd had already accumulated. While the people at the front were sitting, the ones at the back were standing in order and this orderly behavior surprised Irene. She remembered when she had attended a concert in the modern world and how unruly and improper the crowd was.
'Maybe that is the power of authority.' She thought to herself. 'Or the people themselves are well-behaved.' Though uncertain what the reason was, she was still ecstatic to see that there was no pushing and pulling in the crowd.
"Kind Sir," Reyna took the lead and spoke to the guards at the entrance. "Our Lady is here to watch the ceremony. Her father, His Grace Duke Seymour, is already waiting for Milady at the seating area." As soon as the guard heard the Duke's name, he let the group inside, and Reyna escorted her to where the old Duke was waiting for them.
"Father," Irene chirped, happy to see the old man even though it had only been a few hours since they had last seen him.
"Sylvaine, dear. Come here." He patted the chair beside him and flashed her a contented smile, the meaning of which Irene could not understand. There was a weird sense of joy on his face. It was as though the man had finally achieved something. "Father, is everything alright?"
"Yes, dear. Why do you ask?" He asked, his smile not leaving his face.
"I am not sure. You seem happy and..." creepy. She kept the last part to herself.
"I am just happy to see you here, dear. This is your first time attending the festival after your mother passed away."
Irene now understood his sentiments and let out a bleak smile, not knowing what to say. Fortunately for her, the guards announced the arrival of the King and everyone stood up to greet him in respect.
Irene finally stared at the gazebo in front of her in awe. She had no idea what it was, for it did not resemble a gazebo she was pretty familiar with. While there was just one throne at the center, which she understood was for the King, there was nothing else other than lanterns hanging from the gazebo roof.
However, the simplicity of the place was enough to take her breath away. There was something oddly enchanting about the pavilion that drew Irene towards it. There was a gigantic cauldron a few steps to the right in front of the pavilion, far away from the crowd's reach. Irene had no idea why the cauldron was placed in front of them, and she voiced her question for her father to answer.
"This is how the ceremony starts, dear. His Majesty, Kieran Allendale, will light a fire in the cauldron, marking the beginning of the ceremony. The fire from the cauldron reaches so high that everyone in Rothnia will be able to see it from where they are." Seymour explained, even though he had already told it to his daughter before. His tone had a cheerful glint as though he was describing the festival to his daughter for the first time, sharing the excitement with her.
Irene now understood why the crowd was made to sit far away. It was to save them from the heat and the fire.
Irene stared at the man who was slowly making his way towards the throne, trying to catch a glimpse of his face. But the King had his back towards her. So, she could not see him until he stood before the throne, facing the large crowd before him.
However, what Irene saw made her gasp instantly, her eyes dilating in alarm. Contrary to her expectations, the King had his face half-covered with a silver-colored mask. Though she could not make out anything else, she could vividly see the man's eyes, even from where she was. He had blood-red eyes, just like the man in her dreams, and the moment the thought entered her mind, the man turned towards her immediately, sending tremors in her heart and soul.
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