After the costume fitting was done, I changed into simple clothes any town girl would wear and went with Lord Theodore to tour the festival. There was still time before my ceremony, and since nobody knew what the saint looked like, the Grand Basilica had given me permission to go out.
Lord Jackson and his wife, who had come to the capital to take part in the festivities, immediately sequestered Kira away. People from nearby towns and villages, Semme included, were coming to the capital in droves after hearing that a festival was taking place.
“Take my hand, Lady Evelyn,” Lord Theodore said, casually extending his palm.
Perhaps I was intimidated by the busy streets, because I immediately obeyed. I’d gotten quite used to this sensation, I felt.
My heart still flutters every time, though...
Which I didn’t say out loud, of course. It would’ve been too embarrassing.
“There are various events being held throughout the capital today,” he said. “Is there anywhere in particular you’d like to go?”
“Let’s see...”
Beneath the rooftops decorated with gigantic banners that said, “Summer of Evelyn Festival!” the city streets were lined with countless stalls, all seemingly doing quite well. But...on closer inspection, the signs and banners only displayed strange items for sale.
“Evelyn marshmallows, Evelyn margherita pizzas, Evelyn macarons, Evelyn marmalade buns...”
Do they get penalized for selling foods that don’t start with “ma”?
“Look! The Evelyn marmalade buns have little smiley stamps of your face, Lady Evelyn!”
“Oh. You’re...right...”
Since my face wasn’t known to the public, the image on the stamp didn’t particularly resemble me. Still, I was happy to know people liked me so much.
“Now then, I’ll take about fifty to start,” Lord Theodore declared.
“Wait, Lord Theodore! Just two will do!”
He tilted his head. “Truly?”
We got in line at the stall and bought two Evelyn marmalade buns. They were freshly steamed and delicious, and we quickly polished them off.
“Now, how about an Evelyn margherita pizza? Apparently they’re enchanted with ‘tasty healing magic.’”
“We can split one,” I suggested. “They’re quite large.”
“Perfect! Let’s get a side of Evelyn mashed potatoes to go with it.”
Th-This is fun!
I’d eaten at inns with Kira before, but this was my first time eating while walking around. Blending into the crowd, walking like an ordinary girl, eating and laughing with Lord Theodore... What a wonderful time. I was having a blast.
Not that I’m a girl anymore!
“Mama! Look! That handsome guy and that pretty girl are all lovey-dovey!”
“Shh! Be quiet so we can eavesdrop!”
“Oh, what a lovely married couple! Wait, no, they’re far too bashful. They must not be dating just yet!”
I felt like we were getting a lot of attention, but today, that didn’t seem to matter much.
My heart dancing with joy, I said, “Lord Theodore?”
“Yes?”
“I’m loving today’s date!”
Lord Theodore dropped his Evelyn maraschino cherries.
“Oh! You dropped them!” I said, catching the expensive Evelyn maraschino cherries before they hit the ground. I casually held them to his mouth. “Here you go.”
“...”
“Lord Theodore?”
After being silent for a while, staring at the cherries before him blankly, Lord Theodore finally looked at me. “You think we’re on a date.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
Frankly, I hadn’t thought about what I’d said. What was a date, again?
Um, I think Lord Theodore explained it as “An outing between a man and a woman who are growing close”—
Realizing my poor choice of wording, I hurriedly shoved the Evelyn maraschino cherries into my mouth. A brilliant strategy to cover up my blunder and bewilder my opponent, if I did say so myself.
“Wow, these are delici— Mmph! Ack!”
“Lady Evelyn?!” Lord Theodore yelled as I broke into a coughing fit. “Are you all right?!”
I was so flustered that I’d choked! Lord Theodore rubbed my back worriedly. His touch was so gentle that it made me cough even harder.
Lord Theodore’s gaze softened. “Ah, you truly are adorable, my lady.”
Stooop!
I tried to plead with my eyes, but he just repeated, “Truly adorable,” with a perfectly straight face. What was a girl (of twenty-eight) to do with this man?
Struggles aside, we continued through the capital’s main street until one particular booth caught our attention and brought us to a halt. The whole city was lively today, but this place alone was strangely deserted. It really stood out.
“What’s that stall?” I asked.
“Oh, that?” Lord Theodore asked with a solemn nod. “That’s a booth for taking commemorative photos with Prince Alex.”
Next to a magical camera stood the forlorn prince, wearing a wooden board around his neck that said, “I’m thinking about what I’ve done.” He was no longer in his tattered, half-naked state but properly dressed in princely formal wear—which contrasted with his hunched shoulders and melancholy, lonely figure.
Priests—photographers, apparently—stood on either side of the prince, their long staves crossed in front of him. Their expressions were stern, making them look more like soldiers escorting a criminal than attendants assisting a royal.
“Someone! Anyone! Take a commemorative photo with me?!” Prince Alex called out desperately. “I’m a prince! I know I don’t look like it, but I am! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Stone-faced festival goers passed by quickly, not even sparing him a glance, until a wide-eyed child, no more than three years old, ran up to him.
“Mommy! Who’s this man?”
“He’s a criminal who hurt Saint Evelyn,” his mother said sternly. “Stay away from him!”
“He hurt the saint! Death to this man!” the three-year-old clamored before spitting on the prince.
Tears welled up in Prince Alex’s eyes. “Please! If Oz finds out nobody wanted to take a photo with me, he’s gonna yell at me! You’ve got to help me out!”
Just as I was thinking it would be best for me to stay out of this, our eyes met. Urk!
“E-Evelyn!” Prince Alex called out, bursting into tears. “I-I’m so sorry about, um, all the things!”
I sighed, frowning at his characteristically shallow apology. “All the things” didn’t even begin to cover the fact he’d exiled me, but...at the same time, the old Prince Alex would’ve never admitted any amount of fault, no matter what. He’d probably been reprimanded very thoroughly from the day I left the basilica until now. That thought made me feel like I didn’t need to be angry anymore.
“So... Want to take a commemorative photo?” he asked.
“No, thank you,” I said.
His shoulders drooped dejectedly. “Oh...”
Despite everything, he was so handsome that when he made a face like a kicked puppy, I felt like I’d done something wrong.
Come to think of it, I’ve never taken any photos with him. Not even when we were engaged...
Well, this was a festival, to be fair. And I probably would never have to deal with him again, so...
I could take one last photo, then burn it for closure. Yes, that could work.
“All right,” I said. “Just one—”
“I’ll take a photo with you, Your Highness,” Lord Theodore interjected, stepping forward before I could.
In any other country, citizens would be rushing in droves to take a photo with a prince. Perhaps Lord Theodore was the only normal person here.