Chapter 24
Time passed quickly like that, and finally, the last day of the festival arrived.
Mary fidgeted restlessly, unable to stay still, stamping her feet in anxiety.
“Ah, miss, I’m really going to get in trouble if we get caught.”
“Mary. Don’t worry. We won’t get caught.”
I replied calmly to her and finished packing my bag. Mary, squeezing her eyes shut with a wronged expression, shouted at me.
“Why on earth are you trying to sneak out, miss? The duke isn’t stopping you from going!”
I turned to Mary and shook my head as if she didn’t understand.
“No, Mary. If I do it that way, I’d have to wander around uncomfortably with knights accompanying me. I hate that. And sneaking out like this to enjoy the festival is way more fun, isn’t it?”
“Miiiss……”
Now with a tearful face, Mary grabbed hold of me. I pried her hands off before she could cling any tighter and smiled brightly.
“Okay, okay, I’ll definitely bring you a gift, Mary.”
“That’s not the issue right now! Miss, it’s dangerous outside. You never know what might happen!”
“That’s what makes it more exciting. Don’t worry, Mary. It’s just going to the festival and back. Nothing will happen. Ah, can you pass me that hood over there?”
Seeing my resolute demeanor, Mary seemed to have completely given up; she draped the hood over me and spoke.
“You really have to come back early……. Promise. Promise, miss! You promised!”
“Mary, I know. Alright, I’ll be off then.”
Having barely escaped from Mary, who kept repeating her warnings until the very end, I pulled the hood over my head and sneaked out of the duke’s residence.
Since it was the last day of the festival, many servants were slipping out through the back door, so I managed to leave without being noticed.
‘Perfect.’
With light steps, I headed toward Nelvia Square, where the festival was being held.
The romance fantasy festival, which I’d only read about in books, was far more splendid than I’d imagined. Under the warm lights embroidered throughout the streets, the lively figures of people came into view.
Just stepping onto the red bricks that filled the square’s ground brought an inexplicable thrill.
It felt just like visiting Northern Europe.
A cool breeze pleasantly brushed my cheeks. I gripped the hood tightly so it wouldn’t flutter in the wind. Before leaving, Mary had earnestly warned me about this.
<No matter how plainly you dress, your appearance stands out too much, miss! So make sure not to take off the hooded robe outside! Promise!>
Wearing the hood continuously felt a bit stuffy, but since I’d promised Mary, I didn’t remove it.
At that moment, I felt an unidentified gaze from somewhere. Wondering if someone had recognized me, I quickly turned my head, but no one was there.
“It must be my imagination. How could anyone recognize me when I’m hidden like this.”
From my outfit to everything, it was all different from my usual self.
If someone did recognize me, they’d have to be a die-hard fan.
Dismissing it casually, I began walking slowly down the street. Along the roadside, familiar knights from Axel’s direct order were stationed alongside the security guards.
‘Come to think of it, Axel must be somewhere around here too, right?’
Since he’d said he was in charge of traffic and security.
It would be nice to run into him by chance, but the square was too vast and crowded for that to happen. Shaking my head at the guards visible with every step, I thought.
‘Mary really worries too much; what could happen in a place with such tight security.’
Convinced it was just her excessive concern, I stepped forward to fully enjoy the festival.
The first place I headed to was the large theater set up in the center of the square.
Some might say, why watch a musical at a festival of all places, but this musical was different.
Before coming here, I’d already gathered some incredible information.
On this last day of the festival, a specially invited musical troupe from the Pakian Kingdom—famous for their stunning beauty and handsomeness—would be performing!
I couldn’t miss out on a place with beauties.
“Wow.”
Even though it was a temporary theater that would disappear after the festival, I gaped in awe at its impressive scale for a moment before quickly finding a seat in the middle and sitting down.
Before the musical started, I swiftly pulled out my photo card and camera from my bag, taking pictures with the stage as the background. Looking at the photos that came out with the best angles and compositions, I smiled contentedly.
“No matter where you go, a courtesy shot is essential.”
It was the basics of fangirling.
As I pulled out the photos I’d collected so far and admired them with a satisfied expression.
“Ah, ladies and gentlemen. You’ve waited a long time!”
Finally, the lights on the stage dimmed, and the musical began.
Along with the slowly closing stage curtain, the cheers and applause from the audience didn’t cease.
“The musical is the best!”
“So cool!”
“Don’t go! Do it one more time!”
Amid the praises pouring onto the stage, I quietly covered my mouth and gave a thumbs up.
“The best…… musical ever.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’d poured all my concentration for the day into this. Despite the not-so-short duration, I was completely immersed, as if sucked into their performance.
Enough to lightly ignore any language barriers.
The acting and stage design were also superb, but what impressed me the most was……
“Kyaaah! Sisters, you’re so pretty! Don’t go! Lead actress sister, marry me!”
Unable to break my old habits, I lost my senses and shouted loudly at the stage.
Especially the lead actress sister; she boasted an unparalleled aura and physique that couldn’t be seen anywhere else.
‘She looks just like a princess from a movie……!’
Under her healthy tanned skin—rare in this place—firm muscles were clearly visible.
Her deeply waved black hair and blue eyes like the middle of the ocean rekindled my long-forgotten fan heart.
It was a different emotion from what I felt for Axel.
Amid cheers like “Amazing,” “The best,” my loud shout of “Marry me” undoubtedly drew the attention of countless people.
Waving the rolled-up pamphlet like a light stick back and forth, shouting “Marry me,” I belatedly noticed the stares.
“Marry me……! Gasp!”
I covered my mouth too late, but it was already after everyone’s attention had focused on me.
“Ahaha, in all my years as an emcee, this is the first time I’ve seen an audience member propose marriage to a fellow lady. It must mean you were that immersed because the musical was so fun.”
At the emcee’s playful words, the people in the audience burst into laughter.
“With so many of you sending such hot cheers, wouldn’t it be too disappointing to end it like this?”
“Yeees-!!!!”
Satisfied with the enthusiastic response, the emcee continued.
“So we’ve prepared this. Please welcome back our actors, who delivered such passionate performances, with a big round of applause!”
The fully closed curtain opened again, and lights illuminated the darkened stage. It was the curtain call.
As the silhouettes of the sisters began to appear through the rising curtain, I once more waved my rolled-up pamphlet and cried out toward them.
The gazes of those around me meant nothing. Only the sisters existed.
“Kyaaa! Sister, you’re so cool! Don’t go anywhere, live here with me!”
It was while I was shouting like that at the actors on stage.
My eyes met directly with the sister playing the lead actress. Seeing me, she smiled with her eyes crinkling.
