Chapter Text
A silver haired little girl pulled her blanket over her chin as her mother leaned beside her in the little girl’s bed. In her mother’s hand was a book with red cover. The mother began to read while the little girl listened attentively. After the story finished, the mother saw that her daughter was asleep. She kissed her forehead before went out.
Not long after the mother had gone, the little girl woke up. She fell asleep while her mother read her the bedtime story. She turned her head to see her mother who usually slept beside her, but she found no one.
“Mom.” She called. “Mom. Mom.”
Her mother didn’t answer her calling.
The little girl hopped down from her bed and walked to her parent’s bedroom. Maybe she slept there, she thought. The little girl went to her parent’s bedroom and found no one. For a four-year-old little girl, she was calm.
“Maybe she’s working.” She mumbled. Without her mother told her in the face, she already knew what her mother’s job was.
Bruk!
The little girl saw her house’s front door was opened. The one who opened it was her father. He was swaying and his face was red. He must be drunk, she thought.
“You!” The man saw her daughter and pointed his bottle to the little girl. The little girl squeaked and ran when the man threw the bottle towards her. She ran to her bedroom and locked it. She also pushed a chair to prevent her father to enter.
Everytime she met him, it was always night and he was always drunk.
Her father banged her door several times before smashing his bottle to the door. The little girl ran to her bed and covered herself with blanket until she dozed off.
***
Shinya opened her eyes. Sweats lingered in her face and neck while her breathing was eractic. Sun had not risen, yet there she was, fully awoke and couldn’t go back to sleep. After several minutes passed, she stood up in the cramped place.
The place was a huge room for slaves to sleep. There was no other thing than slaves with their thin blanket. She took her blanket and folded it neatly, then she went to the multiple drawers that was located in the corner of the room to take her towel and clothes. Each drawer had their own name. Each slaves only had two pieces of clothes so it was not really that big. Then she took a shower. When she was out, there were many other slaves who lined up to take their turn to shower.
“Yo! Morning as always, huh?” One slave greeted her. He was a middle-aged man with blonder hair.
“Yeah, morning bath is really refreshing.” Shinya replied with a smile in her face.
“Are you fucking kidding me? I think I am frozen everytime I shower at this hour.” The other one added. Shinya just laughed at the reply.
The real reason she took shower first because she was a woman and the best way to keep her facade was waking up early and showered first.
She still remembered when her mother told her to dress up as a boy before selling her to a merchant because male slaves were more valuable due to their strength. It was twleve years ago, she was five at that time. She was sold because her father had many debts and they’re not rich to begin with. Her mother had worked hard but it’s not enough.
It was already in the past though. She even couldn’t remember how her mother looked like anymore. The only thing that she remembered was her smile and wavy silver hair similar to her. But hers was cut off since she disguised as a boy.
Shinya walked to the kitchen and saw Sayuri and the other servants were there although the sun barely rose. The wheat haired girl was in charge of making breakfast with other women. Unlike her, Sayuri was servant. She got paid for what she had done and could go back to her house after her shift ended at six in the afternoon. After all, Aphaea was a prosperous land where slavery was forbidden, instead the previous king made new rule that changed slaves into servants who had rights unlike slaves who had not. But old habit died hard, many nobles and merchants were reluctant to let their slaves go thus keeping them as secret and claimed them as servant while in truth they were slaves.
Shinya took Sayuri’s fresh from the oven bread to eat and earned herself a deathglare while the other servants just laughed at their antic.
“Don’t take the bread, Shinya!” Sayuri scolded her.
“Aw, don’t be such a sourpuss or you’ll get wrinkle hahaha!” Shinya laughed.
“Ah, being lovey-dovey in the morning. Hope I have a girlfriend too but in this place it’s impossible.” A slave came and teased both Shinya and Sayuri. It was not serious but it could enlighten the mood in that gloomy house where Hiragi family lived.
“Ew, I don’t want to be his girlfriend. I want someone handsome and rich.” Sayuri clasped her hands together, “Not such a scrawny man like him.”
Laughter emerged from the kitchen but stopped when a servant came and informed that Kureto was going to check the kitchen.
True to the servant’s words, Kureto came in and everyone was doing their works without saying anything.
“Shinya, prepare the carriage. Father is going to the palace for a meeting.” Then the black haired man was gone.
Everyone was sighing in relief. Kureto was the eldest son of Hiragi family. Hiragi family had served the king for generation to generation as a member of the royal court, but they had an ambition to influence the king so they aimed to be the prime minister, or if it’s possible became the king himself.
“Well, I think I’m needed in somewhere. Bye~” Shinya waved her hand and went out to the stable.
***
In different place, in the palace to be exact, a man in his early twenty sneaked around the royal garden. He looked around warily. When a soldier approached his hiding place, he ducked his head. He took several step to reach his next hiding place. He looked suspicious enough to be called a thief.
“The Crown Prince is missing!” A maid shouted from upstairs and all soldiers marched to the source of the sound.
The man used this oppurtunity to ran to the palace’s gate but failed because a man with black hair and gold eyes appeared before him. He wore white silk tunic and white robe with golden trim. He was the current Kind of Aphaea, Ichinose Sakae. Soldiers and maids followed him in his tail. He looked majestic with his followers behind him.
“Where do you want to go, Young Man?” The King asked the man.
“I want to go outside.” The man answered deadpanned.
“You’re prohibited to go outside.” The King’s words were firm and it was not a plea, but an order.
The man mumbled under his breath, “Yes, Father.”
The man was the missing Crown Prince, Ichinose Guren. A black haired man with purple eyes and tan skin although he never stepped outside the palace. He spent his time inside the palace. Library, garden, stable, kitchen, dungeon, and the other rooms that the palace had.
When he stepped in to the throne room, all of the members of royal court kneeled down to show their respect towards the future king of Aphaea. He was dressed like a Crown Prince now, not like a normal man just now. He took his place beside his father and the meeting began.
***
Guren was walking in the garden when a man that he knew since he was a child appeared. He bowed a little and joined the Prince to stroll in the palace’s garden. They were talking about politic and economic. They couldn’t be called friend since both of them hated each other, but they also couldn’t be called enemy either. They just hated each other’s gut but were forced to make a good term because Guren knew the other man’s father wanted to be a prime minister and by doing this, he hoped when Guren took the throne he could be the prime minister. Like he would let that ever happen.
A maid came and announced that lunch had been prepared. Guren invited Kureto to have lunch with him for the sake of formality and much to his dismay, he agreed. He knew he would answer that though. They ate lunch with the King, the Prime Minister, and the other man’s father. They chatted about politic, economic, agriculture and many other things that was boring for Guren. He had his share of education on those topics for years and he was fed up with it. Sometimes he just wanted to talk about something useless like how the stars looked beautiful or how annoying people could be but he needed to maintain his image. Not that his image was good from the start though. He was feared because his face always looked grumpy and he rarely smiled.
“How about marriage?” Guren knitted his eyebrow at the mention of marriage, “Crown Prince Guren is in the right age to get married. Twenty if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes, he is!” His father perked up at the mention of marriage. “But he always declined all the princesses from foreign country for unknown reasons.”
It’s because they’re pampered as hell and they didn’t even know how to put their own shoes, Guren thought angrily. Like hell he wanted to marry that kind of woman!
His ideal woman was his mother. She was smart, talented, wise, independent, and beautiful. She was also kindhearted because she thought that everyone was equal. That’s why his father fell for her in the first place. Then why couldn’t he choose his own wife?
“Maybe we need to hold a ball to find Crown Prince Guren a wife.” Kureto suggested and the elders were lighten up, but Guren just stared the man like it was the dumbest suggestion ever.
“No need of that. It’s just wasting money.” Guren put down his eating utensils, “More importantly Otera kingdom has agreed to our international trading.” The talk reversed back to economy.
To be honest, if he needed to have a wife, he would like to choose for himself, not by the court or his father. Said that he was a romantist because he believed marriage without love was pointless, and his mother always told him to marry someone that he loved and he believed in it.
***
Shinya was tending to a white horse. She was good with animals thus making her as stable boy. The horse neighed and Shinya could hear squeaky sound outside the stable. She turned her attention and saw a little girl with shoulder length ashen hair hid behind the stable’s door. The little girl stared at Shinya with her caramel eyes as if she wanted something.
Shinya smiled and extended her hand, “You can touch her.”
“Really?” The little girl, Hiragi Shinoa, asked timidly. She was the youngest child in the family. She inherited her father’s ashen hair, but not his personality. The two eldest sons inhereted their father’s personality. She was sweet, kind, and everyone in the household loved her. They practically pampered her.
“Of course. Eques won’t mind.” Shinoa took Shinya’s hand and Shinya lifted the ten-year-old girl and guided her to pat the horse’s head. The horse neighed softly. “She likes it.”
“Can I ride it?” Shinoa plead Shinya but the later made troubled face.
“You need your father’s permission first.” Shinya put the little girl down. She kneeled and saw Shinoa pouted.
“Ask Lord Seishirou.” Shinya pat her shoulder to give her encouragement.
“No! He’s busy with his hair!” Shinoa said a-matter-of-factly with her hands crossed in front of her chest.
“Um..”
“Just once.” Shinoa gave her her puppy eyes and Shinya gave up.
“Next time ask your father about this.”
“Okay!”
Then Shinya prepared Eques and put Shinoa in the horse’s back. She asked Shinoa to grip the rope tightly so she wouldn’t fall. She guided the horse gently and Shinoa laughed happily and commented how high she was. Hiragi family had a large backyard so they could take a round or two with the horse.
“Run! I want the horse to run, Shinya!” Shinoa asked and Shinya felt challenged. She climbed the horse and sat behind Shinoa who was only up until her chest. She wraped her callous hands to the little girl’s hand and they began to run.
Shinoa laughed loudly when the horse run. She was excited like any other kid who rode their horse for the first time.
“Okay, I think it’s enough. I could see your father is home.” Shinya maneuvered the horse to the stable. When they arrived, Shinya got off first then she helped Shinoa down. Shinoa thanked her and run to her house with big smile in her face.
“If Lord Tenri know, you’ll be punished.” Sayuri appeared and shook her head.
“Then don’t tell him.” Shinya winked at the other woman.
“This is your lunch.” Sayuri gave her bread and jam. Both of them sat at the stable while gazing at the large field that house had.
“Tonight is Cerelia when everyone in the city celebrated good crops. You should go this year. They have food stalls, dancer, and many other things.” Sayuri explained while Shinya ate.
“Sayuri, you know I couldn’t go. Lord Tenri will kill me if that ever happens.” Said Shinya after swallowing her bread.
“But every slaves in here had gone into one but you! Although it was secretly.” Sayuri frowned at the silver haired woman who was much more like a man now with white shirt, black pants, and short hair. Sayuri always thought that Shinya would be a beautiful woman if she let her hair grew.
“Let’s just say that I’m not interested.” Shinya lick the spoon that she used to eat her jam. “It’s not like there is something to see.”
“Oh, silly girl.” Sayuri was the only one who knew she was woman, “Of course there is. Haven’t you heard about what I said?” Sayuri shook her head. “You should go outside this gloomy house once in awhile. Enjoy your life when you can.”
“But what if someone noticed it was the ‘servant’ from Hiragi family?” Shinya made a quotation gesture at the word.
“No way. No one remember Hiragi’s servants. They have many after all.”
“But not many people has this kind of sercant servant.” Shinya pointed her hair. “I bet I’m the only one who had this kind of white hair in this continent.”
“Don’t be ridiculous and try it once. Aphaea is the strongest continent in the world. Many people from other continent come to this place to live or start a new life.” Sayuri hit Shinya’s shoulder.
“Why are you so persistent about this?” Shinya asked the wheat coloured haired woman.
“Because you deserve happiness even though it’s only awhile.” Sayuri smiled softly at the crossdressing woman, “If I’m you, maybe I’m already gone from this world long time ago.”
Shinya scratched her head awkwardly, “Okay, I’ll go.”
Sayuri’s face ligthen up and she stood up, “Come to my house at nine. I’ll dress you nicely.”
“What? Dress me? Do I need that?”
“To make sure no one notice you, yes.” Sayuri was a kind woman. Since she knew her secret five years ago, she always helped Shinya. She didn’t know what kind good deeds she had done in her past life to have someone like Sayuri in her pathetic life, but she was grateful.
***
Guren stared at the city from his place in his bedroom’s balcony. The city was filled with orange light under the dark sky. Cheers and laughter could be heard from his place vaguely. Fireworks were fired and exploded in the sky, making the night sky was even more beautiful. Music was resounded from the city and he bet everyone in the castle, except some soldiers and maids, were out there to celebrate Cerelia.
Guren sighed and closed his balcony. He laid in his bed while staring at the white ceiling.
He couldn’t remember the last time he was out to the city because he never went to the city at the first place. He was locked up in the palace since he was a child. When he asked his father’s permission to go out with the maids and soldiers, his father always refused and said that the city was dangerous. How come it was dangerous when he was the king?
When he was twelve he heard a gossip that his mother was killed by rebels when she visited the city. He was just six at that time. People assumed that that was the reason why his father didn’t allow him to go outside, the King didn’t want to lose another person that he loved.
Guren was touched, but he was twenty now−soon twenty one. He was capable to protect himself. He mastered archery, horse riding, swordmanship, and a litle bit martial arts that came from the west continent. It was ridiculous, he thought.
“How come I can be a good king when I don’t even know what my country looks like?” He mumbled to no one in his bedroom.
“Well, that can be easily solved.” A woman’s voice alerted Guren. He rose up and saw in his balcony was a woman with bluish-gray hair sitting in the banister. She smiled sickly sweet.
“Who are you? How can you come to this place?” Guren took his sword that laid beside him. It was the eight floor after all.
“Calm down, Young Man. Let me introduce myself.” The elegant woman hopped down and walked towards Guren. She lifted her dress a little bit and bowed, “My name is Mahiru. I’m your fairy godmother.”
Guren was a rational man. He never believed in magic but here, in front of him, a woman claimed she was his fairy godmother.
“You look unconvinced.” Mahiru smiled and snapped her fingers, then the teapot and a cup were flying towards her and poured her a cup of tea. She drank the content and those utensils flew back to their original place. “What do you think?”
“What do you want in exchange?” Guren sent the woman sharp look.
The woman faked her gasp, “How cruel of you. I’m not a witch. I’m a fairy. I don’t need anything.”
Guren still looked uncertain about her.
“Okay, then.” Mahiru snapped her fingers again and a magic wand appear. She took it and began to chant. A set of clothes appeared in Guren’s bed. “That clothes will help you sneak out from the palace.”
Guren poked the clothes with his sword. After confirming the clothes were safe, he took the clothes. “It’s just normal clothes.”
“Who said about magical clothes?” Mahiru widen her eyes and laughed. “Wear it.”
Guren looked skeptical but the look in the woman’s face said that if he didn’t wear it, she would wear it to him with her magic. Guren took his clothes off and wore the black clothes. He inspected himself in the mirror. It was indeed normal clothes.
“Now use the rope to sneak out. Don’t forget to put your pillow under your blanket first.” Guren followed Mahiru’s instruction. He tied a rope in his balcony and jumped down with it. The night breeze touched his face. After he landed safely, Mahiru untied the rope and they hid it behind bushes. Guren ran to the palace’s gate warily. He ducked when soldiers passed by. He ran to the gate but hid behind a large tree when a soldier came. Guren could see Mahiru in the other side. She tranformed into a cat and surprised the soldier. When the soldiers took their eyes off the gate, Guren ran passed the gate. He felt andrenaline rushed in his vein when he finally out of the palace. He ran as fast as he could to distance himself with the palace’s gate. He succeed. Then Mahiru magically appeared beside him.
Guren stopped when he thought the soldiers couldn’t see him.
“This.” Mahiru gave him a black mask, “Cerelia is a masquerade after all.”
Guren took the black mask and wore it. He was unrecognizable now.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Just remember to come back before sun rise.” Mahiru saw Guren ran towards the city.
***
“What’s this for?” Shinya asked when Sayuri handed her a mask. The mask was half blue with white pattern and half white with blue pattern.
“Cerelia is a masquerade. Everyone wear masks here.” Sayuri put on her own green mask, “Meet me here at three.”
With that they seperated because Sayuri said she had something to do.
Shinya walked around the street. Not quite sure what to do. The light from the colourful laterns that were hung in a string then stretched across the street were truly beautiful. It was the first time Shinya saw something like that. The street was filled with people who wore masks and fancy clothes. Everyone seemed to enjoy the festival.
Food and game stalls were scattered along the street. Not only Aphaea’s foods and games, but also other continent’s as well. Aphaea was a great continent where everyone wanted to visit once, or that was what Sayuri told her.
“Wanna try this, Miss?” A vendor offered her a meat filled with sauce.
Shinya stared at the said food then the smiling vendor. She took some coins that Sayuri gave her just now and paid the man. She took a bite of the meat and the sauce popped up in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed it. Not really bad.
“It’s the traditional food from Lorraine.” The vendor explained, “The sauce is the one that makes the food truly amazing.”
Shinya thanked the vendor then procceded with her adventure in Cerelia. She saw children begged their parents to let them play the games. She visited a stall to buy some drinks. It was a tea with weird flavour that she never tasted before.
When she tried to store everything that she saw in her memory, she bumped into someone and spilled her drink. She was too absorbed with her surrounding. The joy and laughter made her excited but the bump brought her into reality.
“I’m sorry!” Shinya took her handkerchief and tried to clean the man’s shirt.
“Ah, no problem, Miss.” The man stopped her by gripping her wrist. Shinya looked up and saw a man with black mask and black hair. He was dressed in black with white pants and somehow it fitted him.
“No, Sir. It’s my fault not to notice my surrounding.” Said Shinya with firmness in her voice.
“Then it’s also my fault not to pay attention where I am going.” The man retorted back with the same firmness, “It’s my first time in here so I’m kinda excited with everything that happened.” The man scratched his head.
Shinya smiled, “It’s my first time too. I don’t know this festival is this amazing. I think it’s foolish at first, but I take that back.”
“Cerelia is the celebration of good crops that has been passed down since ancient time after all.” The man explained, “It is said that the goddess herself came down to the Earth when our ancestors held the festival, but it’s just a story. At least people are happy with this festival.”
“For someone who is new in this celebration, you do know a lot.” Shinya raised her eyebrow while smiling a bit.
The music buzzed from the other part of the street and everyone began to rush to the source of the music. Both Shinya and the man were pushed to follow the flow of the people until they stopped at the heart of the city. If Shinya thought that the street just now was amazing, the heart of the city was more amazing.
The string of colourful lanterns were placed across each other to make cross shape. The water in the fountain that lied in the middle of the area reflected the lights and made the fountain looked beautiful and elegant. Music played and everyone began to dance. Men danced by tapping their shoes to the concrete land while the women danced by swaying their dress. The upbeat music made Shinya’s heart buzzed.
After several minutes, the music changed into a slow one and everyone were dancing in partner.
***
Guren inspected the girl that he just met. She had long chestnut hair that reached her waist and blue eyes, which reminded him of lapis lazuli. She wore a dress with white long sleeves top, black corset, and blue gown that matched her eyes. For her mask, he found it quite unique. It’s half blue with white pattern and half white with blue pattern. He couldn’t really figure out her face, but he thought she must be beautiful.
When the music changed into the slow one, everyone were dancing in partner.
Guren was not a man that was moved by emotion. In truth everyone called him quite heartless due to his foul mouthed. But he didn’t know what kind of deity affected him to ask the woman, who he didn’t even know her name yet, to dance. The woman looked shock but masked it perfectly well.
“Are you sure?” She asked with the hint of mischivieous, but Guren could also heard uncertainty in her voice, “You should find a suitable partner. You’re quite handsome after all.”
Guren chuckled, “If I want to find another partner, I would go since earlier.”
“You’re right but you’re too absorbed with everything in here to notice.” The woman pointed it out and Guren raised his hands in surrender. Like what the woman had said, he was too absorbed in the festival. He predicted that the woman was from a high class noble. She had the air of intelligence surrounding her.
“But if you don’t mind, then I shall be your partner tonight, Sir.” The woman continued with a small smile adorned her pale face. “But I need to warn you that I can’t dance.” She added with deadpanned expression.
“Not a problem, Miss.” Guren bowed a little and took the woman’s hand. He led her to the dance floor. It was a waltz so he could pull it off. Hell, he was trained since five, of course he could.
When they were in the dance floor, Guren placed his hand in the woman’s waist and she flinched. It seemed she was not used to someone touched her. “Don’t worry, Miss. I won’t do anything to you.”
The woman snorted and Guren led the woman’s hand to rest in his shoulder. Guren realized that the woman had slender but callous hands. Maybe she was not a noble. No noble woman had callous hand after all.
“Trust me.” Guren assured the woman who looked panic but tried to mask it.
“Forgive me if I ever step your feet.” The woman warned him with serious tone.
Guren just smirked and led the woman to sway in harmony with the music. He could see that the woman was scared she would bumped into someone, but they could evade other couple just fine.
“I believed I didn’t catch your name, Miss.” Guren asked in the middle of the dance.
The woman cleared her throat and said, “Aoi. My name is Aoi.”
Guren didn’t miss the lack of last name from the woman but he just kept quiet. It’s none of his bussiness anyway.
“How about you, Sir?” She asked in return.
Guren was caught off guard and he knew the woman noticed it, “Noya. My name is Noya.”
The woman knew Guren was not telling the truth, he could see it from her eyes but she brushed it off.
Guren spinned Aoi and her blue dress spread out. The other women also did the same thing and it made a beautiful scenery where many colourful dresses were spread in the dance floor if someone looked from above. Then Guren took her again and they began follow the music into the upbeat tune. She looked confused but Guren assured her it’s okay. He was trained to many kind of dances after all.
***
For a slave like her, she never attended something like this. Back in her own country, which she already forgot how it looked like, she never visited a festival so basically it was the very first time.
The man−Noya, he claimed−caught her hand and the music changed. It became the upbeat one. Noya released her hand and Shinya began to panic. What should she do?
“Don’t worry. Just play with your dress and tap your shoes.” Shinya heard the man said and looked to her surrouding. They did what Noya just said so she imitated them.
After several minutes, she felt exhausted and it seemed Noya noticed it because he led her to step aside elegantly and they were out from the dance floor. Shinya crouched down because she felt dizzy and exhausted from all the dances.
“How about a drink, Aoi?” Noya asked her with her fake name.
“It sounds good.” They were walking in the street once again until they found a place to rest. They went inside a place that looked like cafe but was modified a bit. They ordered their drinks and small snacks. The street was still lively although it was already midnight.
Midnight, huh? So fast.
The kind waitress served their order and they paid her. They enjoyed their little snacks and drinks while gazing outside. Everyone still had their energy to enjoy the festival. Laughter echoed around the corner accompanied by music.
It was so unexpecting. The festival was not that bad. She averted her gaze towards the man in front of her. He was smiling while looking at the outside crowd fondly. He looked older and taller than her. His hair was black like night sky, but the thing that captivated her was the other man’s eyes. They were purple. She didn’t know black and purple could mix very well. Not that she knew something like that though.
“So what’s your job, Noya?” She asked when she thought it was too silent in their table.
Noya averted his gaze to Shinya, “I’m a knight.”
“A knight but never go to a festival?” Shinya sounded unconvinced while smiling mocking the other man. She didn’t know why she did it. He was stranger after all. Or maybe that’s the case. Because after this night, they would never meet again.
“Hey, being a knight was tough, you know. We don’t really have that many holidays.” Noya replied in offended gesture which made Shinya laughed, “How about you?”
“Me?” Shinya stopped laughing, “I’m just a mere servant.” She cringed at her heart. Wished that was the truth.
They fell into silence again until Noya proposed to go outside and found somewhere less noisy. Shinya agreed because she began to get a headache with all the noises. They found a quiet place far from the street. It was in the river bank. They sat there. Shinya lied into the grass while gazing at the night sky. It was filled with stars. Noya looked at her and imitated her. She abandoned her manners that Sayuri had taught her before she came here.
“The sky is beautiful.” Noya commented while gazing at the sky too.
“I know.” Shinya could feel the night breeze caressed her face. She felt free for the first time. But she knew it was just a moment. When the sun rose from the east, she was a stable boy at Hiragi family. So, just for a moment, let her enjoy the world.
“I see cancer in there.” Noya’s voice brought her back into reality. The man pointed somewhere in the sky.
“What’s that?” Shinya sat up and looked at the sky where Noya pointed. She saw nothing but stars.
“You mean you don’t know?” Noya asked with incredulous tone.
“If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m a servant since I was a child. Servant do not need other knowledge than serving their master.” Shinya said in deadpanned tone and Noya hissed.
“Well, cancer is a constellation. Constellation is a set of stars that formed a picture if you connect the stars together. Sometimes it’s used as travellers’ guide.” Noya was clearly struggled to make his explanation as simple as possible and it amused Shinya to no end.
“But I don’t see any picture in the sky.” Shinya pointed out.
“Use your imagination.” Noya shrugged.
“So you just said that travellers use their imagination to determine their way? That’s...weird.”
“No. Not like that.” Shinya looked unimpressed. “You see there.” Noya pointed where he had pointed all this time, “If you use your imagination, you can see a crab there.” Shinya looked and indeed it looked a bit like a crab.
“Okay, I can see it now.” Said Shinya, “But that’s not really a crab.”
“It looks like a crab.” Shinya was amused by Noya’s frustation.
“How about that? I can see a bull.” Shinya pointed the other one.
From his position in lying in the grass, Noya answered, “It’s taurus. A bull.”
“How do they get their names?” Shinya looked at the man and the man just shrugged.
“I see andromeda there.” Shinya looked at where Noya had pointed.
“What is andromeda? I can’t picture anything.”
“A woman who was chained.”
“What the hell? You can picture a woman in the stars? It’s just plainly weird.”
Noya was surprised by Shinya’s word before laughed loudly.
“What’s wrong with you?” Shinya was confused by the outburst.
“Not everyday you see a woman swore.” Noya wiped his tears that formed in the corner of his eyes.
“Excuse me but I’m not your regular woman you met.” Shinya smiled triumphantly.
“Indeed.” Noya calmed down.
A loud voice echoed. Both of them turned their heads and saw fireworks in the night sky. It came from the town. People’s cheers could be heard from their place. Now not only the streets were filled with light, but also the sky. They were mesmerized by it. It happened several times before it subsided.
“I think it’s enough for today.” Shinya annouced.
***
Guren saw Aoi who was seated next to him stood up. She dusted her dress. She walked back to where the street was. Guren followed the woman and walked beside her. They didn’t put away their mask for the entire night.
They walked back to the main street of the city. Everyone was still enjoying the festival. Even children, who were supposed to sleep at this hour, were still awoke. They walked in silence. Enjoying each other presence while they could because after this, they would never meet again.
“I shall take my leave now.” Aoi stopped and turned to him. She smiled and her blue eyes met his. Lapis lazuli met amethyst. “Thank you for accompanying me tonight when you don’t have too. I appreciated it, Noya.”
“It goes for you too.” Guren gave her a smile that rarely came into his face. For unknown reason, the servant girl made him felt relax.
Aoi bowed a little and took her leave. She walked against the flow of the people who walked to the heart of the city. Her shadow becoming less visible until she disappeared at the end of the street. Guren realized that he also needed to go back to the palace. He went to the city’s heart and walked through it. He walked to the palace’s direction. When he was already away from the city, Mahiru appeared magically. She was floating in the air. Guren didn’t seem to be shock anymore.
“I see that you enjoy your night today, Prince.” She smirked like a chesire cat. She followed the man’s every movement after all.
“Well thanks to you.” Guren thanked the fairy and the fairy was taken aback by the statement. He was not someone who easily thanked other people after all.
Guren smiled while he was walking back to the palace. Tonight was so much fun. He could visit the city and enjoyed the festival, he also met new person. He smiled a bit when he thought of the girl. Her eyes were the most mesmerizing thing that Guren had ever seen. It was clear yet not. He doubted that he could forget about the girl he met in the festival.
***
“Oh, you’re in time!” Sayuri waved her hand at Shinya’s direction. Shinya approached the wheat coloured haired woman. “How’s your night?”
“Amazing.” Shinya was excited, “It was so colourful and lively here. Now I know why everyone are hyped about this every year.”
“Right~” Sayuri nudged Shinya happily. “And how about the man that accompanied you during the dance?”
“Yoo saw it?” Shinya was surprised. She thought Sayuri wouldn’t recognize her at all. But then again it was foolish because every clothes that clunged to her now was hers.
“I spilled tea on him and we were pushed to the city’s heart. There he asked me to dance with him and I saw no harm of it.” Shinya shrugged in whatever gesture. She also gave the leftover money back to her.
“It’s your first festival and you already have a boyfriend.” Sayuri teased her about it. Teasing was her job, not Sayuri’s.
“He’s not my boyfriend. Just some random stranger.” Shinya huffed and crossed her hands in front of her chest.
“Right~” Shinya was certain that Sayuri wouldn’t stop teasing her until she felt satisfied.
Thinking back again, it was kinda weird how she spent her night with some random stranger. Maybe it was the thought of never meeting him again that made her okay with it−or in this matter, maybe she would never go to another festival again. She didn’t have the time and opputunity for that. It was only one time chance after all. Although she would never meet him again, she surely would never forget about it. Not everyday you met someone with purple eyes after all.
That night, Shinya walked to the Hiragi family’s mansion with a smile on her face.