Chapter 126 : Whispers Between Petals and Shadows
❖ Chapter 126 ❖ Whispers Between Petals and Shadows
“Leave beautiful moments with your lover on canvas! We will draw a portrait of the beautiful present!”
“Try special products from the southern region at special prices. During the festival, we offer Southern apples at half price!”
For the first time in a long while, the downtown streets of Mussen bustled with life. Vendors shouted merrily under blooming flower trees, their stalls lined like a parade of color and scents. The air buzzed with joyous chatter—one would hardly believe this place had been shrouded in darkness only days before.
Due to the festival, carriages were prohibited from entering the square. Crowds filled the streets, their faces lit with smiles. Some wandered dressed as whimsical fairies, others strolled about as iconic figures of history.
Johannes and I blended into the crowd, dressed modestly and inconspicuously. After disembarking at the square’s entrance, we moved with the tide of people.
“Uh…!”
Suddenly, a man dashed past and bumped into me. I staggered, but Johannes caught me, his grip tightening as he pulled me safely into his embrace.
“Sorry! I’ll pass by!” the man called hastily, vanishing into the crowd.
“Are you okay?”
“…I should be asking you that,” I muttered, my face heating. This wasn’t the first time I ended up in his arms like this.
With a teasing smile, Johannes whispered, “It seems like this keeps happening. Could it be that the Duke’s meals don’t suit your strength?”
“…It’s the shoes. If it bothers you, let go.”
But I tightened my grip on his hand, and he leaned in closer, voice tickling my ear.
“I think your words and actions don’t quite match.”
Turning crimson, I offered a hasty excuse. “There are a lot of people. You could get lost. That’s probably not what you want.”
“Of course not.”
Hand in hand, we wandered the crowded avenues. It wasn’t the dreamy, picturesque date one imagines, yet my heart danced at how ordinary and couple-like it all felt.
However, a slight unease lingered—the presence of unmasked police officers stationed throughout the area. Just as Edward Windsor had declared in his interviews, the festival grounds were heavily monitored. Their rigid stance clashed with the merriment around them, yet the crowd seemed to forget their presence quickly.
Surely, even Edward wouldn’t dare act violently on a day like this.
I pushed the thought away, determined to enjoy this fleeting moment. I tugged Johannes’ hand toward the game stands. My heart pounded not from anxiety, but from sheer, uncontainable excitement.
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to try.”
Anticipation laced my voice.
Johannes followed without question. When we reached the crowded game stands, I looked up at him, cheeks flushed.
“This is my first time enjoying a festival with someone.”
His blue eyes widened in mild surprise. “Never before? What about Sergeant Prim?”
I didn’t reply. Instead, I tightened my grip and pulled him along. We stopped before a dart game.
“Hmm… It’s strange to go to festivals with your father once you’re grown. And going alone always felt… lonely. Especially since most games require two people.”
I sighed, weaving through the crowd.
“I’ve never had friends my age. My father was very strict about socializing.”
Of course, Johannes already knew I lacked friends. But to say I’d never properly enjoyed a festival—it was rather embarrassing.
“So this is what you want to do?” he asked, looking at the game with mild disbelief.
I nodded. “If you’re willing.”
The darts game was designed for teams of two to compete. While individuals could technically participate, single women often weren’t welcomed.
More than once in my youth, I had been scolded for asking strangers to play darts with me. Back then, I had resented my father deeply.
But today, I stood here with someone willing.
Johannes likely found the game dull, but he played regardless—and with such skill that we ended up winning every round.
As the stall owner, exasperated, tried to end the game early, Johannes calmly chose a single prize: a delicate hairpin. Ignoring the glares from onlookers, we left the stall.
Once in a quieter place, I spoke awkwardly.
“I really didn’t think we’d win everything. Sometimes you have to lose on purpose.”
Johannes blinked. “Why?”
He genuinely didn’t understand. I decided not to bother explaining.
“…Too many people today, right?”
He remained silent.
“There’s a place I used to go alone during festivals… It’s quiet, with a beautiful view of the sunset.”
Guiding him, I led us through winding alleys to a rooftop that faced the sea.
“I never thought I’d be here with someone else.”
We stood watching the golden sun dip into the horizon. With Johannes beside me, the view felt more vivid than ever.
As dusk deepened, I turned to him with a soft smile.
“…Isn’t the sunset beautiful?”
But Johannes tilted his head.
“Well. I’m not particularly interested in natural phenomena.”
That meant… he had been looking at me all along.
My heart skipped.
As I tried to regain composure, he leaned on the railing and smirked.
“What’s your intention, bringing me to such a dark place?”
“W-what? I just—!”
I stammered, flustered by the intensity in his gaze.
“We… we should head back. It’s getting late.”
Just as I avoided his eyes, Johannes chuckled.
And with a mischievous glint in his voice, he said:
“When did I ever say we were returning to the Duke’s residence tonight?”
