Volume 7 Chapter 3 Sakura Festival, Stalls, And Shopping With His Majesty
On a hill at the border of the south district of Arsubania and the east area, there's a mysterious hill where cherry blossoms bloom.
It's called the mysterious cherry blossoms because the big tree has branches spreading out with lots of light pink flowers that soak up sunlight during the day, and at night, they glow magically.
The time when the mysterious cherry blossoms are in full bloom is short, lasting only about a week before they fall.
When the flowers are at their best, people gather at the mysterious cherry blossom hill.
Folks from the Holy Capital and other regions come to see the flowers, so it gets pretty crowded, but the hill is wide, and there are enough cherry blossom trees, not quite a forest but close, so it's not impossible to see the flowers despite the crowd.
Before you climb up to the mysterious cherry blossom hill, there's a square lined with stalls.
Since people gather for cherry blossom viewing, it feels a bit like a festival.
"Lydia!"
A well-dressed man shopping at a stall called out to me.
He stands out among the crowd. Well, of course, he doesn't look like just any town or street person.
Plus, he's with the head mage of Saintwise and the leader of the Holy Knights, Sir Leonsroar, making him even more noticeable.
"Sir Stefan!"
Sir Stefan is holding various foods in both hands, probably bought from the stalls──salmon sandwiches, pretzels, waffles, sausages, grilled octopus skewers, and roast beef sandwiches.
People are keeping their distance, watching the very noticeable Sir Stefan and his group from afar.
"Sir Ciel, Mr. Lucian, hello!"
"Hello, Lydia. Sir Rail, and dad."
"Hello, Ms. Lydia, Sir Rail. Dad and Ms. Eiris."
As I greeted them, Mr. Lucian smiled while holding a bottle of alcohol or drink in one hand.
Sir Ciel is holding a big box. It's from a famous cake shop in the Royal Capital. There's a picture of a chipmunk on the box.
"Hello, kids!"
"Pumpkin pudding!"
"Tarte Tatin!"
"...fried horse mackerel."
Eir-Eir is perched cutely on top of Sir Stefan's head, while Ms. Famine jumps onto Sir Ciel's shoulder.
"Have you already arrived? You're early. I was planning to be the first one here and vow my eternal love to the princess."
"Rail, thanks for calling me. You're talking about the legend of the mysterious cherry blossoms, right? There was a condition that it had to be just the two people, when no one else is around."
"If we're talking about being alone in front of the mysterious cherry blossoms at this time of year, the only time that works is around midnight."
"Ah, I see. With this many people around..."
Sir Rail shrugs his shoulders in disappointment, and Sir Stefan answers him seriously.
Mr. Lucian chuckles, and when Sir Ciel looks around, he nods slightly.
"I've heard about it, but I didn't realize this place would be so lively during cherry blossom season."
"Is this your first time here, Sir Ciel?"
"...Yes. It's my first time."
Sir Ciel looks away from me, seeming a bit flustered, so I tilt my head in confusion.
I thought Sir Ciel and I had made up and weren't fighting anymore.
But really, I was just the one who was angry at him.
I can't even explain why I was mad anymore.
During the commotion in Edelstein, I was just desperate, sad, in pain, and scared.
I was filled with so many emotions. So, it's hard to put it into words.
"I'm here for the first time too. I thought you guys would be busy, but you came after all."
I wonder if he still thinks I'm angry. Maybe that's why he's worried.
I smile up at Sir Ciel, hoping to convey that I'm okay now, and he looks down, takes a small breath, and then opens his mouth as if to gather himself.
"I got a letter from Sir Rail... I was just talking with Your Majesty and Lucian, and we decided to head out right away. We got a notice from Your Majesty that today is a day off at the palace."
"Well, even so, I can't let all the knights take a break. I left Noctis in charge. My subordinates were looking enviously at me, wanting to see you, Lydia. I think they just want to drink while enjoying the cherry blossoms."
"Leavis and my subordinates were like, 'Please go ahead!' They really sent us off with enthusiasm."
I could easily imagine Mr. Noctis looking envious and Mr. Leavis sending off Sir Ciel with a big smile, which made me chuckle softly.
"I thought you'd come right away when called. We walked this far, but Ciel is with Stefan, and Ciel has teleportation magic. I figured the palace crew would be quick. Have you finished shopping already?"
"Yeah. But Roxas was quick too, you know? He went ahead to secure a spot at the mysterious cherry blossoms. Margaret and Tsukuyomi are with Roxas. They told me to get something since they started drinking early. I was just out shopping," Sir Stefan said.
"Roxas complains that there are too many people at the cherry blossom festival, but he surprisingly likes these kinds of festivals."
Sir Rail mimicked Sir Roxas.
Since they're twins, his tone was spot on.
Still, it's impressive how Mx. Margaret and Mr. Tsukuyomi ordered the king to go shopping.
Sir Stefan looked really happy to be given that task, so I guess it's all good.
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