“Ahem.” I coughed, trying to hide my nerves. I surveyed the area from a higher position than everyone else. The expressions of the villagers gathered here were as bright as the clear sky. Restless and eager—euphoria crackled through the air, itching to burst forth.
“Thank you all for gathering here,” I said, loud enough that I wouldn’t be drowned out by the chatter. I expressed my gratitude to everyone for supporting my idea and their dedication to assisting me despite the short preparation period. “We were able to make it today all thanks to everyone’s help.”
I was trying to keep my speech as succinct as possible, but the children were already bored. On the edge of my vision, I saw a child slip out of their mother’s hand and try to take off. It put a wry smile on my face, and I paused for a moment.
I was determined to make a grand speech worthy of a time-honored tradition, but that’s unnecessary. I never wanted to sit through long speeches before festivals in my past life either.
“I hereby declare the commencement of the harvest festival. Let’s enjoy today to the fullest!”
The crowd erupted with thunderous applause and loud whooping. And so, this village, which was usually so tranquil, launched into a day of merriment.
“I’m going to be away from you for the time being, so be careful. If you feel uneasy about anything, please call for me right away.” Sir Leonhart peered at me with a serious expression, his hands clasped around mine. His worried expression reminded me of an overprotective father sending his child on their first errand.
“I will,” I said.
“You’re not allowed to get separated from Klaus and the other guards. Don’t approach any suspicious-looking individuals.”
“I know.” I forced a smile. He’s treating me like a child. If I think of it as a show of how much he treasures me, I don’t feel bad. We don’t know what Duke Schletter is plotting exactly, but given that he’s a coward, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll try to hurt me directly.
Sir Leonhart was also of the same opinion. With that in mind, the safest place to be on the day of the festival was around me, so it would be a waste if Sir Leonhart—our strongest asset—spent the day guarding me. So, we had decided we would move separately for a few hours. He would patrol the town and give instructions to the knights, while I would walk around accompanied by guards to act as a crime deterrent.
I would be surrounded by excellent knights like Klaus, so I would be fairly safe. Between the two of us, Sir Leonhart was the one more likely to run into danger. Though he understood this logically, he was still opposed to leaving my side.
“Let’s eat together. Why don’t we meet up for lunch?” he suggested.
“Okay. Leon, you be careful too.”
“I will.” He gave me a quick peck on the forehead and squeezed my hands tightly to show his reluctance to leave. Finally, he released his grip.
As Sir Leonhart left, he glanced over his shoulders multiple times, like he was loath to depart. My husband is normally quite dignified, so the sight of him dejected is simply adorable. It pulls at my heartstrings, but that’s my little secret.
I was walking down a street lined with stalls when a cheerful voice called out to me. “Your Grace!”
Zaara—the energetic young woman with whom I’d made acquaintance when I’d come to observe the village—waved at me excitedly. In front of her was a table covered with flower baskets. They were small rattan baskets with handles that were cutely decorated with little bouquets. There was an ample variety of colors, some warm, some cool, and it tickled my maiden heart. I approached her like I was being drawn in by an unseen force.
Gerda sat quietly next to Zaara. “Your Grace, good morning.”
“Good morning, Gerda, Zaara. Were all these baskets, by chance...”
“Gerda made all of them!” Zaara exclaimed.
“I knew it. They’re well-made and practical but still extremely cute.”
“I know, right? I know, right!” Zaara’s chest puffed up with pride, as though she were the one being praised.
The corners of Gerda’s eyes softened at the sight of the young woman. “Zaara chose all the flowers. I don’t know what young’uns like these days, so she was a big help.”
Zaara smiled shyly at the praise, giggling bashfully. The two of them were close, like a grandchild and her grandma, and I couldn’t help but smile at their heartwarming relationship.
“They’re selling pretty good too! Especially these ones!” Zaara said, pointing at the bouquets consisting of white, light-blue, and yellow flowers. Evidently, that was their signature product. All the other baskets each had their own unique color scheme, but this was the only arrangement with multiple baskets, and they made up half the table.
It’s a lovely bouquet, but what’s the concept behind it? Do the flowers have meanings that pertain to the festival?
“I’ll have one too, then,” I said.
My maid moved to pay, but before she could take out any coin, Zaara stopped her. “Hold it right there. I won’t accept your money. Please, take it!”
“But...” I objected, my tone uncertain.
“Your Grace, please let us give you one,” Gerda chimed in.
“Gerda...”
“Zaara has worked very hard these past few weeks. She wanted to create a bouquet in your image no matter what,” Gerda explained.
“What...?”
“I wanted to depict your majestic beauty and girlish sweetness! This is the feudal lord special—I call it ‘Flowers of Prelier’! I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself, and I’m quite satisfied with my work.”
This had all come out of left field. I was dumbfounded.
“Magnificent,” Klaus whispered behind me. “She did a magnificent job expressing your immaculate beauty and loveliness, as well as your brightness that illuminates our world like the sun. She also used small flowers rather than large ones to portray Lady Rosemary’s modest character. Spectacular work.”