TNDOBM 20

Chapter 20

Cecilia stared blankly at the vivid scenery unfolding before her.

The relief festival hadn’t officially started yet, so not all the merchants had probably arrived.

Along the streets, various types of temporary stalls were set up, and between the trees planted at different intervals, unlit lanterns and flags hung dangling.

What particularly created the festival atmosphere were the people permeating the scene.

Children with sun-kissed skin flashing white smiles, lovers walking hand in hand side by side, elderly people sitting on faded, worn wooden benches enjoying the happy clamor—

Upon reflection, it was a peaceful sight she hadn’t witnessed in a very long time in her life.

Perhaps it was the first time since childhood, when she’d gone to amusement parks holding her parents’ hands.

Maybe that was why. Standing there like a third party, unable to easily blend in, she felt Lien approach from behind her.

“Is there anything you’d like to do?”

His question was as gentle and unconditional as always.

Only then feeling like she was no longer a stranger, Cecilia nodded vigorously.

“Of course.”

She’d had something in mind ever since she decided she wanted to go to the festival with him.

The day after tomorrow, she’d have to leave for the temple and wouldn’t be able to hover around him for a while. Wouldn’t she have to lay her groundwork in advance before she was completely forgotten?

*’To do that, I need to find it first!’*

A few days ago, she’d been lucky enough to learn of the existence of ‘it,’ which was perfect for her purpose.

The very thing the maids had talked about with their faces flushed red!

The item that guaranteed success when used for a confession, certified by grandmothers’ grandmothers!

And moreover, the item that, if given to a lover, would ensure they were reunited even in the next life!

That amazing identity was—white flowers.

She didn’t know the details, but apparently it was a variety resembling the legendary plant called ‘God’s Flower.’ It was so valuable that it was offered as the winning prize for a major competition hosted by the festival.

[A competition with God’s Flower as the prize? They’ll probably put up a sign with a white flower drawn on it at the competition grounds. I heard there are a lot of participants because it’s such a rare prize.]

[Hmm, I see.]

[…But how do you know about that, Lady Cecilia? No, why are you curious about it in the first place?]

Shaking off Melanie’s stern interrogation from her mind, Cecilia confidently took the lead.

“Shall we look around a bit first?”

First, she needed to find the sign with the white flower drawn on it.

And then, pretending to have discovered it by chance, she’d participate in the competition, and whether she won the prize or bought it from the winner, she’d give it to him!

*’Since Lien is new to the relief festival, he definitely won’t know the meaning of the flower either.’*

It wasn’t that she particularly believed in superstitions, but it was perfect for flirting, wasn’t it?

Satisfied with her plan, she searched diligently, but instead of white flowers, she spotted triangular white flags hanging here and there.

“I see a lot of white flags.”

“Ah, those are probably shops that provide free food and supplies to the hungry during the festival.”

“Pardon? Wouldn’t the festival be the prime time to make a profit? For free?”

“It is nominally a relief festival, after all. They’re probably following the temple’s will to give.”

“Oh…”

The soon-to-be Saintess, who had been full of thoughts only about fulfilling her own desires, felt a sudden solemn piety.

Feeling a bit sheepish, Cecilia turned her steps away from the flags, but Lien abruptly pointed in a different direction.

“It seems this area has a lot of restaurants, so it might be better to go the other way.”

“Oh, really?”

Wait a moment.

Cecilia, who had been following him without much thought, suddenly narrowed her brows.

Not only did he know the meaning of the white flags, but he also knew the location of the restaurants?

*’I’m pretty sure he said during the interview that this was his first time visiting Weberdin itself.’*

If so, wouldn’t this be his first time at the relief festival too?

“Um, Lien. Have you perhaps visited Weberdin around this time before? You seem familiar with the festival here.”

“Ah, no. Since you invited me, I looked into it a little beforehand.”

“Hmm, I see.”

*’Well, there’s no way Lien, who just came down from the capital, especially him being the Master of the Magic Tower, would have attended a festival hosted by the temple.’*

If he knew which shops were located on each street, he must have done quite a bit of research.

Despite the topic having turned dangerous earlier.

Maybe he too had been secretly looking forward to today.

Cecilia, looking up at him who was practically a human navigation system, subtly grabbed the hem of his sleeve.

“L-Lady Cecilia?”

“I might get lost, you know.”

“Ah!” Lien nodded shyly, as if convinced.

Thus finishing the morning’s flirting, Cecilia finally found a sign with a white flower drawn on it.

“Here, it’s here!”

“…A Serenade Competition?”

Lien stood still and read the banner hanging above the stage.

*’Yes, I must win and— wait, what? What competition?’*

They’d only said it was a competition prize; they never said the competition was a serenade contest…

Cecilia read the promotional text with a complicated feeling.

<Confess to your beloved with a unique, sweet serenade! The winner will receive God’s Flower and the right to an encore!>

*’…Isn’t that last one just a punishment?’*

Of all things, a serenade competition! She felt like tearing her hair out in dismay.

Just then, the next participant took the stage and began reciting a serenade amid fervent cheers.

*’Let’s listen for a bit. Who knows, it might be more tolerable than I think.’*

“Oh, my lovely fiancée. When I swim in your lake-like eyes, I feel a suffocating sense of fulfillment!”

…Let’s stop listening.

She might end up retching on the street at this rate.

But perhaps she was the only one getting goosebumps—the woman who was the subject of the serenade, and the people who appeared to be judges, were all red-eyed.

*’They’re not turning red because it’s horrifying that someone is actually spitting out those letters, are they? They’re actually moved?’*

Even a round of enthusiastic applause erupted when the participant’s serenade ended.

At this point, she began to doubt her own taste.

*’Am I the wrong one? Was that actually a really moving confession?’*

“My adorable lark…”

*Ptooey.*

Just stringing three words together made her entire body break out in goosebumps.

As expected, it was hopeless.

This was all because, while she’d been buried in theses and experiments and rotting away, her love cells, having deemed the situation hopeless, had ended up self-destructing.

In the end, having lost her love cells, the prize, and even her confidence, Cecilia turned away in futility.

And then she noticed Lien, who looked extremely, very, deeply flustered a beat too late.

*’…Surely he didn’t hear my muttering.’*

“Um, I, I’ll step away for a moment.”

After hastily offering his apologies, Lien ran off without looking back.

‘*Yep, I’m dead.*’

Her face twisted with shame.

Cecilia shuffled away until the serenade was out of earshot and roughly sat down on an old bench.

*’Now I have no choice but to be reborn.’*

Just as she was running through a series of gloomy and terrible plans too repulsive to even utter aloud—

Lien returned, carrying an armful of something.

It was a paper bag filled with colorful candies, fruit drinks, appetizing skewers, and round breads.

“I’m sorry. Were you hungry? We could have gone to a restaurant first, but…”

“I, I just thought that eating something delicious might make you feel better.”

Lien, who had knelt at her feet, spoke hesitantly.

The gloom evaporated in an instant.

“Did you buy all this for me?”

“Yes!”

Not only had he not run away, but he’d done something so thoughtful.

It was Cecilia who ended up getting her heart punched by his unexpected kindness.

“Thank you.”

As her hand instinctively reached toward his head, Lien obediently lowered his head, just like a puppy.

She wanted to ruffle his hair vigorously, but—

*’Damn robe.’*

Seeing the drab piece of cloth covering his head, her rising spirits sank back to their place as if by magic.

“I’ll enjoy this. Lien, you eat too, quickly.”

Feeling complicated, Cecilia greeted him and pulled Lien down to sit beside her.

Then they shared the food he’d bought together.

Cecilia first moistened her mouth with the sweet fruit juice. After eating the well-seasoned chicken and cherry candies, she did feel a bit better.

*’Okay. Let’s cheer up again!’*

Though her plan had failed, the day was long. She could make up for it.

Having resolved that, she stood up abruptly.

Lien, who had followed suit somewhat hesitantly, began to gather the wooden skewers she’d eaten from and the paper wrappings that had held the candies.

Then he slipped them into his bag… not a trash can.

“Lien? Why are you putting the trash in there…”

“Well, um, the trash can is far away.”

What are you talking about?

*’Then is the thing right next to us a sculpture, not a trash can?’*

As she continued her silent protest, Lien hesitantly confessed the truth.