33 – Harvest Festival

It’s been 15 days since the day I did something embarrassing, weighed down by nightmares.

In the meantime, a few changes have taken place. The former father-in-law, who was sober, handed out all the alcohol, formed a search team to search the witch’s residence, and left. In place of his vacancy, Iris took over the overall duties of the duchy and became busy.

I tried to help her, but she refused, saying it was her job, and gave me the key to the duke’s library. I didn’t say anything special, but I could understand her meaning, so I spent time in the library every day. However, it was a library that I had searched through in my last life, so there was not much harvest.

Just when I thought that situation was a bit frustrating, I heard Rachel’s voice.

“Brother. It’s the day the festival is held, don’t stay in places like this, let’s go and see it together!”

I close the book I was reading and look back. Her bronzed skin turned white, and Rachel stood there, her ears shortened like human ears.

She said that she received a new blessing a few days ago, and then transformed her appearance into this. He said that thanks to this, he was freed from the rules, and he left the stuffy robes and masks in his room and spent time freely wandering around the mansion and the city.

“Brother, aren’t you ignoring me?”

In the midst of useless flashbacks, Rachel began to put on a pouty expression.

“I am not ignoring it. I just thought about the schedule for a moment.”

“You don’t do anything other than read books.”

Rachel gives me a suspicious look.

“It’s usually like that, but today Iris asked for help, so I have a schedule.”

“really? I hadn’t heard of that.”

At my words, she puts on a surprised expression, then makes a pouty expression again.

“Aren’t you just trying to bully me and play with the two of you?”

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Laughter almost leaked out at the remark of a child-like idea.

“I am going to work.”

“really?”

“yes. If you don’t believe me, come along and help me out.”

“I will decline that.”

At the word work, Rachel refuses with a straight face. I’ve never asked her to work, but for some reason it was a little funny to see her reacting sensitively to the word work.

“Anyway, let’s go watch together for a while.”

“Sorry, but he has business with me, so it’s impossible.”

After Rachel’s words, Iris’ voice came. When I heard the voice, I turned to where I came from and saw Iris walking towards us.

“I came to see you in case this happens, but you did well to come.”

She glares at Rachel for a moment and then grabs my arm.

“It’s time to go to work.”

She says so and pulls me. Guided by her violent hand, I escape from the library. Rachel’s voice can be heard from behind, but her steps are so fast that they blur out.

Iris’ violent hand only let me go after I came out. I couldn’t understand why they dragged me outside, saying it was time to go to work.

“Princess…”

As soon as I open my mouth, she covers my mouth.

“From now on, don’t call me princess.”

Saying that, she took out a necklace with a blue jewel from her pocket and put it around her neck. Then her figure was blurred for a moment. Looking at it, it looks like a necklace enchanted to impede cognition.

“From now on, I will hide my identity and go on inspections, so call me Aris, not Princess.”

I wondered if it was necessary to hide my identity and go on an inspection, but I agree with her words because there is no need to ask.

“All right. Aris.”

“It looks weird when you sing it high, so speak comfortably.”

“If it’s between the lady and the attendant, there’s nothing strange about it, right?”

At my words, her face wrinkled slightly.

“You really don’t notice.”

“What are you talking about?”

“No.”

As if he didn’t like something, he walked away with a wrinkled face. Thinking about why she is doing that, I follow her.

While thinking about the reason, I can’t find the answer, and I get out of the introspection. When you come out of the castle, the scenery of the city unfolds. Unlike its usual appearance, the city was full of life.

Buildings and streets decorated with ornaments in celebration of the Harvest Festival, merchants making noise to get their share, drunkards getting drunk in broad daylight, men and women walking around holding hands, holding their parents’ hands with one hand, with the other hand Children holding snacks and smiling happily, parents smiling at such children.

All those sights were full of life, and they were so beautiful that I didn’t have them.

As I am distracted by that beautiful figure, I feel a slight pain in my side. Looking to the side in pain, she reached out her hand.

“As you said, since I am a young lady and an attendant, shouldn’t you escort me?”

I almost laughed at her hand and her words. It is the story of the novel that the attendant escorts the lady by the hand, but she seems not to know it. I take her hand without saying it because I don’t want to go through the hassle of clearing up her misinformation, and because I want to hold her hand.

“I will treat you well today. Lady Aris.”

“Yes please. Alik.”

Her frown disappears and a subtle smile takes its place. Seeing that, I smile and walk holding her warm hand.

In the warmth that came into my hand, my envy for the stunningly beautiful world dissipates. The fatigue that had built up unknowingly melted away. Complex worries are forgotten.

Only this moment remains.

Feeling that way, I step into the gap of the crowded crowd. The warmth of her hand becomes a little stronger, and the distance with her gets a little closer.

It bothers me and other things don’t come in. I look at her who made me this way. Her face is a bit reddened, her eyes meet mine and we stare straight ahead.

It was cute and lovely to see him hiding his identity and coming to inspect, but not concentrating on work at all. Thinking of that, I smiled and opened my mouth.

“My lady, is there any place you want to go?”

She pauses for a moment with a reddened face and opens her mouth.

“It doesn’t matter where.”

It was good to see her new side, close to perfectionist, at the words of her who couldn’t decide where to go even after coming to inspect.

“Then I will guide you in moderation.”

“Let it be.”

I don’t know what’s in the Harvest Festival at this time of year, but I just walk and browse the shops wherever I feel like.

We bought simple food to share at a store that we could see, watched the tricks of those who performed tricks, and spent time choosing accessories for each other at a store that sold cheap accessories.

Although it was not a big deal, the time that filled the village unfortunately passed quickly, and the sky began to be colored.

“It’s time to go back soon.”

The words that marked the end of happy times came out of her mouth. It was so pitiful that it was savage. I move a heavy step in that emotion.

Even though the steps are heavy, the time is fast, and we arrived at the inner sanctuary before we knew it. Warmth slips from your hands. I’m sorry for that, and I hold my hand. As she broods over her regret, she opens her mouth.

“When I go back to my room, the clothes will be ready. Change and come out.”

I looked at her, not understanding the words. She smiles and opens her mouth.

“Last time I asked you to stay by my side as my fiancé. It is time to fulfill that request.”

At those words, the regret dissipates, and the heart beats wildly.

“So change and come back here.”

She says and goes inside. Seeing this, he hurriedly moved his steps.

Returning to the room, the first attendant handed me clothes. A black suit with the Brandt family’s crest, the wolf, engraved on it. It was similar to the clothes she wore when she lived as her husband. Looking at this outfit, I can feel her words asking me to stay by her side as her fiancé. that’s sweet

Feeling the strangely fitting touch of the clothes, he came out and waited for her.

As the reddened world slowly sinks into darkness, I see her. The silver necklace I picked out earlier on the blue dress that showed off the shoulders a little. And white heeled shoes. Everything is new and intense.

As I approached, the incense I felt and her reddish face made my head dizzy.

“It’s my first time wearing it, so I’m a little late. I’m sorry.”

“it’s okay.”

“Thank you for saying that. How about that?”

There are so many things I want to say in response to her question. However, since I don’t have the verbal skills to express it, I can only think of clichés.

“It suits you well.”

“It’s worth it to say so.”

It’s such a cliché, but she smiles. It’s so intense, it messes with your head and builds up your emotions to the point where you can’t handle it,

Carefully prepare your mind so that they do not appear. However, the feelings that had already grown could not be calmed down.

I have no choice but to rely on my poor acting skills. Thinking so, I reached out my hand to her.

“Let’s go, princess.”

“Okay, let’s go before it’s too late.”

Feeling the warmth returned to my hand, I climbed into the carriage. A strange silence surrounds the carriage, which runs a little and then stops.

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Leave the warmth for a while and get down first to greet the warmth. Grabbing the warmth that greeted me, I walked to the plaza.

There are many people in the square, and there are big trees cut down in the center. We move to the center of such a plaza.

Then, the ceremony of giving thanks for the harvest and honoring the coming of a good harvest in the following year begins. While everyone is silent, we grab the burning torches and head to where the trees are.

We extend the torch we are holding. Torches light the trees, and light burns in a dark world. As the light burns, horns resound from all directions. And the crowd’s wishes ring.

The trivial ceremony of just lighting a fire in silence and making a wish makes my heart sing strangely. That’s why I hope with the crowd.

‘May the witch’s curse disappear from this world.’

I repeated the wish I had always had. The sound of the horn that resounded to the point of breathlessness comes to an end. The end of the ritual approaches. The song that decorates the end resounds. People grab one by one and start dancing.

The warmth that I let go for a while comes back to me.

“Would you like to sing a song?”

“Yes, thank you.”

He surrenders himself to a ritual created by a hero who just wanted to surrender to his emotions. In the dance where a little aristocratic dance style remains, I fully feel her. I feel her warmth, her breath, and the emotions that come through.

The dance, which is handed down a lot, continues until the light burns out.