Chapter 21

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The festival was different from what I had imagined, more like an outdoor market.

"There are so many stalls."

Despite the crowd, I was tense but fascinated by the various items displayed at the stalls.

Gurrrr...

A growling sound from behind me, as if to dampen my sparkling eyes gazing at the stalls.

"Zahha... How can you..."

"Sorry, sorry. I just couldn't help it when I smelled something delicious..."

While listening to Zahha and Magilka's conversation, I sniffed the air, a bit unbecoming for a lady, but indeed, there was a delicious smell.

(...The smell of grilling meat. Oh no, I'm getting hungry too.)

"Indeed... Is it meat?"

I started looking around for the source of the smell.

"It seems to be over there."

The prince pointed to a stall where thick pieces of meat were being grilled on skewers. Drawn by the mouthwatering aroma, I found myself swaying towards it.

"Welcome, would you like to eat something?"

The stall owner, drenched in sweat from tending the fire, greeted us with a grin.

"Considering what happened the other day, I'll pay for everyone, so please eat as much as you like."

"Really! Then, sir! Give me three!"

Zahha, getting carried away, tried to place a large order next to me, but I stepped on his foot with a composed face.

"Five skewers, please."

"Sure thing."

The stall owner, who had been watching, chuckled and prepared five skewers. I distributed them to everyone.

"Is it alright for you, Lord Reiforce, to eat such common food?"

When I handed the skewer to the prince, I asked, suddenly realizing.

"Yes, it's fine. In fact, I was really looking forward to trying it because it smells so good."

He took the skewer with a carefree smile, and I felt relieved as I paid and handed a skewer to Tütte, who looked at me and the skewer in surprise.

"Is this for me?"

"Of course, it is."

I tilted my head, wondering why she was so surprised, and held out the skewer.

"But I'm just a servant..."

Tütte's hesitant words made me remember her position, but I didn't stop offering the skewer.

"You're not just a servant; you're my dear friend, too."

"Miss..."

Attracted by my brightest smile, Tütte looked up and took the skewer. Seeing this, no one here would scold her. After all, we had been acting as a group of five for the past few years.

"By the way, how do we eat this?"

"We don't have knives and forks, so we should go back to the villa."

The prince and Magilka looked at the skewers in their hands, puzzled.

"You eat it like this."

I bit into a corner of the meat on the skewer without hesitation, just like the yakitori I remembered from my past life.

"Me, Miss Mary!"

Magilka exclaimed in surprise at my actions.

(Indeed, it's not proper for a young lady...)

"It's delicious..."

The meat was surprisingly tender, and I chewed and swallowed it with small bites. Seeing my actions, Zahha bit into the meat enthusiastically.

"Wow, it's really good."

"Even Zahha..."

Magilka looked at Zahha in disbelief, and the prince, with a troubled smile, decided to try it too.

"Prince!"

"...Yeah... The way of eating might be a bit unrefined, but it's quite delicious."

Seeing the prince eat with satisfaction, Magilka, after a moment's hesitation, covered her mouth with her free hand and took a bite.

"Oh, it's really good... What kind of meat is this?"

I looked at Tütte, thinking she might know, as she came from a common background. However, she had been staring at the skewer without eating it.

"Tütte, do you know what kind of meat this is?"

She smiled slightly, looking a bit pale.

"This is... Giant Snake meat."

At that moment, time seemed to freeze for the four of us.

---

We changed our mood and continued to explore the remaining stalls. We did some shopping, and before we knew it, the sun had set, and the surroundings were growing dim.

"I didn't realize there were so many people... When did they all gather?"

I moved to a spot where I could overlook the village square and was amazed by the number of people. There were more than twice as many as when we visited during the day, and many couples were visible. They seemed to be eagerly waiting for something.

"Your Highness, there you are."

As we were gazing around, Sir Claus approached from behind. He acted as if he had just found us, but since knights had been stationed everywhere since we arrived in the village, our movements had been monitored the whole time. Incidentally, no one found it strange to see knights around because of the recent monster incident, and only we and the village chief couple knew the prince was here.

"Sir Claus, is something wrong?"

"No, there's no problem. The village chief wants you to be the first to see the moonflower bloom. What do you think?"

"Me alone?"

Sir Claus, understanding the question, grinned.

"Of course, everyone is included."

"Alright... Let's go then."

The prince extended his hand to me naturally, as if inviting me to dance at a ball...

"Um... Well..."

I was so taken aback by his natural gesture that I kept extending and retracting my hand. Tentatively placing my hand in the prince's, he gently enveloped it.

I was then escorted by the prince to the moonflower field.

---

The sun had completely set, and the forest was illuminated only by the moonlight. My heart was pounding, and my face was flushed as I walked with my head down.

We passed by villagers, knights, and servants, all of whom seemed to be looking at something wonderful, but I had no time to notice.

(Calm down, heart... Calm down...)

A few minutes later, even I, who had been looking down, noticed the light ahead and raised my head.

I was breathless.

The clearing was completely white. Not only were the flowers white, but the open petals were glowing.

"...Beautiful..."

We all spoke in unison, captivated by the sight. The prince released my hand, and I approached the flower field, where the flowers seemed to welcome me, blooming one by one.

"The glowing white flower field and the pure white you... You look like a fairy..."

Hearing the prince's words, I turned around. I thought it might be the usual flattery, but it felt genuine, perhaps because the atmosphere was different from when we first met.

"Magilka, Zahha."

"Yes."

Turning my head to look at the two standing behind me, they approached and responded.

"Miss Mary."

"Yes..."

Turning back, the prince looked at me with a different aura, not his usual gentle self but with a sense of authority.

"I promise you all. I will become a king who makes everyone in this Ardia Kingdom smile."

I was stunned by his sudden declaration. No, I was captivated by how handsome he looked.

"So, I want you all to lend me your strength and support me from now on."

Zahha knelt on one knee, and Magilka, gripping the hem of her skirt, bowed deeply.

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Absolutely."

While the three of them looked the part, I was left standing there, dumbfounded.

(I need to say something and bow too.)

Making eye contact with the prince, who was watching me with a smile, my thoughts were about to short-circuit.

"But, Prince. I'm going to be a court knight, and Magilka is going to be a court magician, so it's fine, but how will Miss Mary stay by your side? Oh, I see, as the queen! That makes sense."

Zahha's tactless question shattered our sweet moment, and the atmosphere froze.

Magilka, reacting first, blushed and stepped back, and the others started moving.

"Um, no... I mean..."

The prince, who hadn't thought it through, blushed, and my face turned even redder.

"No, no! That's not what I meant!"

"Meow!"

"Hey! Miss, wait!"

Seeing the prince approach, I covered my blushing face with my hands, let out a strange cry, and fled like a rabbit. Tütte, surprised by my sudden escape, chased after me, leaving an awkward silence behind.

Sir Claus, who had witnessed the entire scene, sighed and ruffled the head of the K.Y. (Know Your Place) culprit.

And so, the tumultuous moonflower festival finally came to an end.

Thank you for reading. This concludes the young Mary chapter, and the next will be the academy chapter... hopefully.