Usually, festivals start during the day and end in the evening when the sun goes down, but on special occasions, they can continue until dawn. Festivals that have special meaning, such as the founding festival, tend to be much larger in scale than other festivals.
One of the main differences between festivals that continue until night and other festivals is that the festivities become more lively as the night grows deeper. During the day, it is difficult to focus on one place because the surroundings are bright, but at night, it is the opposite. As the surroundings become darker, it is easier to focus on where the lights are shining.
The reason why the festivities become more lively is somewhat of a misconception. Many people sleep at night to finish a hard day’s work. To do so, a comfortable resting place and tranquility are necessary. Therefore, the idea that “night is quiet” is deeply ingrained in people’s minds.
But what if the festival continues even in the middle of the night? What if it’s not quiet but noisy? And what if there are even more intense and fun performances than during the day?
People are so busy enjoying the festival that they don’t even sleep, making it feel even more lively and bustling. Darkness is easily illuminated by lights, so there’s no problem focusing on the festival.
The true essence of a large-scale festival is revealed at night, and the highlight performances also start from the evening.
“It feels like there’s even more hustle and bustle than during the day. We could easily get lost if we’re not careful.”
“Exactly. We were surprised during the day, but we’ve never seen our territory so lively like this before.”
“… …”
At the entrance of the village where the festival has officially started, Bryce and Nicole talk to each other as they weave through the crowded village.
“Dad, how do you feel?”
“Hmm… it just feels like the workload has increased.”
“I see. Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Even our parents, who had been working all this time and had just come out, had different reactions to the liveliness of the territory. Our father had a slightly stunned expression, while our mother had a truly happy smile.
I was also surprised to see the village filled with tourists, but I had no time to linger on it now. This was because of Cecily’s shocking statement when she briefly entered my bedroom before dinner.
Cecily asked if love between a human and an elf can truly be realized, and I replied that it could lead to both regret and longing depending on one’s choice. But until then, I didn’t notice. She was actually asking about the love between the long-lived and the short-lived, not between the elf and the human.
After that, she left me confused with her profound words in various ways. Even a person who is unaware could guess that her comments about the bed being spacious and such are far from innocent.
‘… Is it really true?’
I organized my tangled thoughts one by one. Cecily, who is usually good at playing pranks, gave me a strong feeling that this time it wasn’t a joke. As the evil cycle approaches, the frequency of expressing one’s own desires directly increases. So, what she said to me is close to the truth, but for me, it’s an extremely embarrassing situation.
Even though she must have seen with her own eyes what kind of relationship Marie and I have, I can’t understand why she made such a comment. I’m a little afraid that she might ignore it and do something reckless.
Even if that happens, I will firmly refuse. It is unthinkable to be with Cecily when I haven’t even made that kind of progress with Marie. Unless Cecily attacks me or I cannot suppress my own lust and lust after Cecily, I can confidently say that such a thing will never happen.
“Isaac.”
“…”
“Isaac?”
“…Yes?”
“What are you thinking about that your expression is frozen?”
While I was lost in thought, my mother called out to me. I listened to her words and snapped out of my reverie, turning my head towards her. She was looking at me with a worried expression, and concern for her child was evident in her purple eyes.
I looked at her eyes for a moment before letting out a bitter smile. How pathetic I am to be lost in my own thoughts when I have a whole family around me.
“I’m sorry. I was a little surprised because it seems like there’s more than I saw this morning.”
“Oh really? Well, even I was surprised. How couldn’t you be you? So, how do you feel?”
“How do I feel?”
“Yeah. After all, all of this is thanks to you.”
I turned my head to look at the scenery of the village, which my mother’s kind words had prompted me to do. I felt like I had heard a similar question during the day, but it felt different now that it was evening.
“It’s just… weird. I guess I’ll have to work hard on my writing from now on.”
“Hehe. So, do you have any plans to change your mind?”
“Umm…”
As I thought about it while looking through the busy village, I realized that since I had been recommended as a student by Professor Elena, I would only have to focus on history from my second year on.
So, it means that since the end of the second semester, I would have plenty of free time, so it wouldn’t be a big problem to resume serialization from that point on. The reason I stopped serialization was not only to focus on my studies, but also because I didn’t have enough time. Above all, seeing the festival for my Xenon’s Biography looming before my very eyes, I couldn’t help but feel greedy. Especially since a great character is scheduled to appear on the elf side, my desire to write was soaring.
‘If I resume serialization after saying that I was moved by the festival, what kind of reaction will I get?’
Everyone here would cheer, wouldn’t they? Just imagining it makes me thrilled and excited.
Since I was experiencing the popularity that I had never enjoyed in my previous life, my heart was slightly swaying.
“…I’ll think about it.”
“Really?”
“For real?”
“Really?”
When I answered like that, not only my mother but also my other family members were surprised and asked me. I was slightly taken aback and looked through their expressions one by one.
They were all staring straight at me with their eyes wide open. Expectation and desire were reflected in their different pupils.
Even my father didn’t express himself, but he had a slightly expectant expression.
“Well, it’s just that I’m thinking about it. I haven’t made a decision yet.”
“So, you might be able to make up your mind after seeing the performance?”
Why are you thinking like that, Mother? Mother eagerly clasped her hands and brightened her eyes. She seemed to really want to see Xenon’s Biography. I just rolled my eyes without giving a clear answer. I don’t know how great the performance is right now, but I wonder if it can live up to my expectations of experiencing the magnificent culture of my past life.
‘But they’re the best troupe and theater group, so we can expect something great.’
I heard that both groups have a bit of a twisted side, especially the Matrics troupe, which is rumored to be unrivaled in directing. I looked at my family, who were all filled with anticipation, and then shrugged my shoulders and opened my mouth calmly.
“Let’s watch it once and think about it. How much time is left until the performance?”
“There’s about an hour left. We can view the exhibits until then.”
In the morning, Cecily, Marie, and I went to see the exhibition, but we planned to enjoy the exhibition with our family in the evening. Marie also stepped aside briefly for the sake of family harmony, and I thought Cecily might enjoy the exhibition with Gartz.
Finally, Adelia… Nicolle tried to bring her along, saying she was okay, but Adelia refused, feeling burdened. She might be wandering around here and there enjoying the exhibition, but I still worried about her. She might have approached the Ters royal family because of that useless infatuation. As someone who had watched her tears by her side, I couldn’t help but worry.
“Okay, enough talking. Let’s enjoy the festival. Father, did you make a reservation for the performance?”
“What do you think of me as a father? Despite my appearance, I am the lord who manages this territory directly. You don’t have to worry about that since you can see it for yourself at the forefront.”
“Nicole, let’s go over there. It looks like they are selling cosmetics?”
“Mom, I’m not interested in makeup…”
“Girls will eventually learn to dress up. Do you remember how pretty you looked the last time you wore a dress?”
After that, our family started to travel around the village and enjoy the festival. Sometimes we got scattered due to the large crowds, but my father always found us immediately somehow.
Thanks to that, we could admire the artworks we couldn’t see in the morning without any worries. Moreover, the artworks we missed in the morning were also exhibited, making our family’s eyes happy.
‘Our mansion is being guarded by the knights who were dispatched from the palace…’
Currently, the mansion is being carefully guarded by the knights dispatched from the palace. Of course, no one will sneak into my room and steal something, but I’m relieved that they are protecting us.
My father said that the knights dispatched from the palace are highly skilled, so there is no need to worry too much.
“Isaac, do you want to try throwing water balloons over there? Let’s play rock-paper-scissors to decide who goes first.”
“No, thanks. I always lose anyway. How can I catch up to my brother’s reflexes?”
“Instead, I’ll do it with my eyes closed. Nicole, do you want to try it too?”
“I’m good. And don’t say things that are so shameless, brother. You can even predict what the other person will do with your eyes closed now.”
“Why are you talking about that? It’s not funny.”
“Am I not funny at all?”
With only a few days left of vacation, Bryce wandered around as if he was trying to fulfill all his suppressed desires. He wasn’t particularly interested in the works of art, but rather focused on the festival itself.
Fortunately, he didn’t act like a rascal and restrained himself. Despite having suffered greatly in the military, he strangely didn’t pay any attention to women, even though he could have shown interest.
‘Did he take care of that separately in the capital?’
Since the road wasn’t yet developed, it was necessary to pass through the capital to get to our territory. Therefore, he might have taken care of his sexual desires with someone in the capital.
I silently watched Bryce, who had started to enjoy himself with the salary he received from the military, before shifting my gaze to another direction.
“Oh?”
Suddenly, a few people caught my eye. Despite being far away, their golden hair and flashy appearance were particularly eye-catching in the dark of the night. Finally, their clean attire, tailored to suit their individuality.
They were Leort and Rina, the royal siblings. They didn’t show up in the morning, but it seems they participated in the festival in the evening.
Their noble atmosphere, along with their appearance, exuded an elegant and distinct feeling, as if their space was set apart. In fact, they were accompanied by bodyguards, so it was not just a figurative expression.
‘But they look quite tired.’
Last time I met Rina, she looked tired, but today she looks even worse. Even from a distance, her tired face is visible, despite trying to hide it with makeup. Her expression feels sad and unable to conceal it completely.
‘We’ll meet at the performance.’
Since they seem to be busy looking around the artwork, it’s best not to interrupt them. I might be crazy to think of intervening first, but anyways, we’ve been having fun, and the real highlight of the festival, the performance, is right around the corner.
I was caught by our father, who was wandering around like a rogue. Eventually, many people, including our family, arrived at the performance venue, which was not a small performance venue located in the central square of the village. It was an environmentally friendly stage made by temporarily using the entire open field as a stage.
Building a building was too urgent, but those who performed on stage seemed to like it. Rather, I think I liked it because the stage was so wide.
I remembered that Lirus, the conductor of the Lirus band, hinted to me that they would collaborate with the Matrics troupe to present a fantastic stage.
Can their performance satisfy my high expectations from my previous life? I’m quietly excited.
“Isaac!”
“Marie?”
When I was waiting in the center of the VIP seats, Marie suddenly came to find me. Since she was alone without her family, she must have been sitting in another seat and noticed me.
As Marie approached, the family members sitting on either side of me also turned their attention towards her. Even though she was the center of their gaze, Marie did not seem flustered at all and greeted them politely with a beautiful smile.
“Hello, nice to see you again.”
“Yeah, did you enjoy the festival enough?”
“It was a really fun festival, just as much as the National Foundation Day Festival. There were plenty of things to see.”
“Good to hear. And what about your family?”
“They’re sitting over there.”
Marie pointed towards the area below us as she answered. I turned my head to look, and sure enough, her family was seated side by side.
The VIP seating, or the aristocratic viewing box, was designed to be two stories high so that the stage could be viewed more clearly. If they couldn’t build a building, they decided they might as well build a viewing box.
It was a rare stage surrounded by viewing boxes on a vast plain. I wasn’t sure how it would be handled after all the festivals were over, but it wasn’t something I could do anything about, so I turned off my mind.
“I’m really sorry, but can I take Isaac with me? I want to watch it with him…”
“Of course, Isaac?”
“Yes.”
At Marie’s earnest request, my mother agreed to let her take Isaac with her instead. Since I also wanted to sit with Marie, I got up from my seat with a word.
As I stood up, Marie’s expression brightened noticeably. I blinked and looked at Marie’s sparkling blue eyes.
Hmm… As expected, Marie looks cute even on a dark night. This is an undeniable fact. It’s not just because she’s my girlfriend, but Marie always looks pretty no matter when.
“I envy you. I want to sit with my girlfriend too.”
“What are you talking about when you don’t even have a girlfriend?”
“You don’t have a boyfriend either.”
“I’m not making one, not because I can’t.”
“I didn’t say anything?”
Let’s leave the bickering of the reality siblings behind. As Marie led me with her touch, I planted my butt in the seat she had reserved in advance.
The seat was much higher than where I had sat before, so I could see the stage much better. I can’t believe I found a seat like this.
“Heheh.”
“… …”
As soon as Marie sat down, she wrapped her arms around my arm and started rubbing her face. I gently stroked her head, as if grooming a cat, and she responded with a soft smile.
As I continued to stroke her hair, she snuggled up closer, making a purring sound. I feel guilty for thinking about another woman when I have such an adorable and loving girlfriend.
“You two look good together.”
“?!”
As we were displaying our affection towards each other, a familiar voice penetrated our ears from behind. It was a gentle voice, but it seemed to carry a hint of discontent.
Surprised, we turned around and looked behind us, deliberately sitting in an empty seat in the audience. We couldn’t have imagined anyone being there.
Then, when we turned around, Cecily was there, grinning and watching us. It felt like a situation we had experienced before.
“Cough.”
While we were still confused, Cecily moved to the seat next to me. Her natural behavior left Marie and me speechless.
Nevertheless, Cecily discreetly wrapped her arm around mine and whispered in a seductive voice.
“You know, after the performance…?”
“…”
“You can look forward to it.”
I wonder if I can concentrate on the performance.
Translators note:
Chapter 100 WooHoo!
