Chapter 6 – What Happened at the Festival (Part 3)

“Then, let’s depart.”

Mollek said energetically, pulling the reins. Inside the moving carriage, Ellerdin sat up straight as always. Meanwhile, Fernan looked out more comfortably. Since the construction of the estate was still ongoing, the barrier was still undone. Nevertheless, not a single monster was in sight.

“Are there no more complaints about damages from the surrounding cities now?”

“Hmm… While there are no damage complaints, false reports are coming in.”

“False reports?”

Ellerdin’s expression hardened.

“Pretending to have suffered damage when they haven’t, blaming the flaws in their own territories on you.”

Fernan spoke with a voice tinged with anger, and Ellerdin bit the soft flesh inside her mouth. 

Instead of thanking him for protecting this place, they only thought of falsely accusing him. The ugliness of such people brought up disgust. 

Fernan, seeing her tightly clenched hand, cautiously held the back of her hand. The warm touch brought Ellerdin out of her thoughts.

“I really like that my wife worries about me.”

He smiled brightly.

‘What should I do with this person?’

She was a little worried about how generous he was with others.

Reading Ellerdin’s thoughts from her expression, Fernan laughed.

Though Ellerdin didn’t know, her meticulous nature would surely be concerned about his careless side, so he wanted to keep showing her that side.

And if he acted pitifully like this, Ellerdin might pay more attention to him.

He liked the moment when her clear eyes focused solely on him.

Even if that feeling was sympathy, he could do anything as long as he could be in her eyes.

Fernan sat down on the floor with his large body to gain sympathy.

Ellerdin, flustered, tried to pull him up, but Fernan stubbornly sat on the floor, resting his head on her lap.

“My wife, please worry about me. You saw, didn’t you? How poorly I handled things before you came.”

Ellerdin recalled the documents he handled when she first arrived. Remembering the absurd amounts paid in the past, she closed her mouth. Her eyes showed genuine concern about what to do with this person.

‘Keep looking at me. Only look at me and think of me.’

A sticky emotion rose from deep within his heart. Fernan’s eyes shone dangerously.

***

“Please hold my hand.”

Fernan extended his hand after getting off the carriage. Ellerdin cautiously placed her hand on his. As she got off the carriage, the splendid sight of the festival came into view.

“Oh my.”

Ellerdin looked at the street with her mouth agape. People filled the street, enjoying the festival. Fireworks exploded, and delicious smells wafted through the air.

‘So this is what a festival is like.’

She recalled the memories of being led to a few ladies’ parties by the Baron when she was sold off as a bride to the Baron’s house. 

The ladies, exuding a fierce atmosphere, had said that festivals held in other territories were vulgar. 

But the scenery she saw with her own eyes sparkled just as Fernan and Lucy had described. 

On a street filled only with happiness, she was at a loss for words. 

She began to realize how small the world she lived in during her past life was. 

What should I enjoy first at such a festival? 

As Ellerdin hesitated, unable to move her feet, Fernan took her hand and led her.

“Ellerdin, just trust me. There’s so much I want to show you.”

Ellerdin helplessly leaned into his embrace. Fernan wrapped his arm tightly around her shoulders and moved forward.

The initial awkwardness quickly passed, and Ellerdin began to enjoy the vibrant festival, moving around excitedly.

Fernan entered a small shop, bought a sugar confection shaped like coral, and handed it to her. Seeing a type of dessert she had never seen before, Ellerdin’s eyes sparkled.

“What is this?”

“It’s a candy eaten by the locals here. It’s small, so it should be easy for you to eat.”

Ellerdin took a candy from the glass jar and put it in her mouth. The mysterious sugar flavor she had never tasted before spread in her mouth.

“It’s delicious…”

Ellerdin mumbled as she chewed the candy, holding the glass jar preciously. Fernan always shows her new things. Ellerdin looked at him with eyes full of expectation. 

What would he show me this time? 

Her heart was already pounding.

‘Cute.’

Fernan turned his head and cleared his throat. Looking at him so brightly was unfair.

Excited, he began to take Ellerdin around here and there.

Then, after wandering around happily for a while, Fernan glanced at Ellerdin.

He was worried she might be in pain again, as she often had trouble with her legs.

Seeing the blush on her cheeks from excitement, she didn’t seem to be in pain yet, but Fernan, worried, stopped in his tracks.

“Fernan?”

Ellerdin opened her eyes wide.

“Ellerdin, excuse me for a moment.”

A large hand suddenly appeared in front of Ellerdin.

“Kyaa.”

Fernan suddenly lifted Ellerdin up. She looked down at him in surprise.

“Ellerdin, I’m still a little scared. If it’s okay with you, can I carry you like this? I assure you, you won’t regret it.”

Fernan asked with a confident smile. Ellerdin bit her lip, having a vague idea of why Fernan did this. 

This person is really… 

She smiled back at him with a face that looked like she might cry.

“It’s a good idea.”

With the increased height, the view became wider, making the sightseeing even more enjoyable.

Ellerdin became fully immersed in the festival. In the distance, a parade that was hard to see due to the crowd came into view.

People gathered to watch the parade. They all looked happy, and there was no one who looked sad.

In the landscape filled with endless laughter, she felt a gentle shock, followed by happiness and peace.

As she looked at them, a thought suddenly came to her.

‘Is this what life is? Was life always this brilliant?’

Ellerdin was at a loss for words at the sight of the vibrant city. 

A gentle pulsation spread from her heart. She would probably never forget this sight until the day she died. 

She felt that even when the day came to leave the Duke’s territory, she wouldn’t feel as melancholic as before. 

Having realized what happiness is, she wouldn’t return to the Earl’s house, nor would she belong to anyone. Having realized the freedom of life, she couldn’t go back to the past. She would move forward. 

It felt like she was taking her first steps into life now. Feeling the pleasant throb, Fernan smiled secretly. 

Even after the parade ended, they wandered around for a long time, looking at various things and eating food. Holding cotton candy in her hand, they rested for a moment in a place where shops were gathered, when the owner of the neighboring shop spoke to them.

“What a cute young lady! You don’t seem to be from here, are you visiting?”

“Yes, that’s right. We came for the festival.”

The merchant smiled warmly, saying they came to the right place. He flipped the skewers grilling on the counter.

“This festival is the pride of our city. Try this once.”  

He handed her the skewer that was fully cooked.  

“Oh, how much should I give you?”  

Ellerdin fumbled through her pockets in embarrassment, but the merchant waved his hand.  

“No need for money, just make some good memories here.”  

“Ah… thank you.”  

Ellerdin carefully accepted the skewer. As she took a bite, she tasted the salty grilled flavor. Being a city by the coast, it was more seasoned than other regions.  

The intense taste hit her mouth, and she widened her eyes. Ellerdin chewed the remaining meat while pondering for a moment.  

‘I want Fernan to try this too… but that means I have to get down from his arms…….’  

She never imagined she would enjoy being held like this.  

Feeling embarrassed at her childish reluctance to get down, she thought, 

‘I’m being too childish with Fernan.’  

He must be tired from holding her, yet she was too comfortable with the warmth to move.  

“Uh… Fernan, you can put me down now.”  

At her words, Fernan tightened his grip and said, 

“Are you uncomfortable? If it’s alright with you, please let me hold you a bit longer.”

Ellerdin looked back and forth between the skewer and Fernan in confusion.  

‘Then how do I give this to him?’  

At that moment, she noticed couples around them enjoying the festival. They were walking while feeding each other food as if it was natural.  

Watching them, she hesitated for a moment and then gently brought the skewer to his lips.  

“Um… Please have a bite.”

Fernan took a bite of the meat and smiled broadly, 

“It’s delicious.”  

Then he licked the salt off Ellerdin’s hand without hesitation.  

Startled by the soft sensation of his tongue, Ellerdin quickly pulled her hand away. Fernan laughed mischievously.  

Her ears turned red in an instant. The merchants around them, watching their interaction, burst into hearty laughter.  

“You young folks look so happy, are you newlyweds?”

At the merchant’s words, Ellerdin looked down at Fernan with a happy smile.  

They were right. Ellerdin was experiencing happiness she had never felt in her previous life.  

The great happiness she felt since arriving at the duchy led her step by step into the light.  

‘It’s all thanks to this person.’  

Ellerdin smiled as she looked at Fernan. Noticing her gaze, Fernan beamed and hugged her tightly.  

“Yes, I’m having a hard time because I love this person too much.”  

At Fernan’s bold words, the merchants burst into laughter. Ellerdin’s face turned red at his unexpected answer.