I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 117
59. — Return Ceremony (1)
Throughout the capital, banners of the Lian Empire celebrating the return of Saintess Irene were hung.
From the early hours of the morning, merchants had set up shop on every street where it was announced that the saint would pass. On the stalls they pulled along, there were sizzling chicken skewers, cookies wafting the scent of butter, as well as refreshing drinks.
Smiles bloomed on people’s faces in the festive atmosphere filled with delicious smells and the lively sound of trumpets.
The people who had gathered to witness the return ceremony couldn’t pass by the stalls of delicious food and rare items displayed like sparrows unable to pass a barn. In their hands, along with food, people held small palm-sized flags to welcome Irene’s return. Children with bright faces darted around the streets, waving colorful paper attached to sticks, leaving trails of soap bubbles with each step.
Amidst the laughter of giggling children and the peaceful smiles of adults, there was only one face lost in contemplation, running towards the square.
“Oh, really. Why is it so far away!”
Today, with the return ceremony happening, all carriages were restricted from the alley near the square. And of all days, I was wearing high heels today as I found myself briskly walking towards the square without even being able to run.
Lily, who was following me without knowing anything, couldn’t hold back her question any longer.
“Young Lady, even if you go like this, can you really meet His Highness the Grand Duke?”
I stopped in my tracks at the sound of her voice coming from behind me. Because of that, Lily, who had bumped into me due to my sudden halt, looked at me with a surprised expression and asked.
“Ack! Young Lady? Why did you suddenly stop like that?”
“…It would be impossible to force our way in, wouldn’t it?”
I asked, stealing a glance at her.
As Lily looked at me as if asking what I meant, I subtly gestured with my eyes towards the platform. Turning her head following my gaze, her eyes widened as she observed the armored knights guarding beneath the platform where the return ceremony would be held.
“You’re not saying you’re going to break through there right now, are you?”
“If it seems difficult, do you think they’ll let us in if I tell them I’ll meet him briefly and then leave?”
“Are you going to leave soon?”
“Well, it’s not exactly like that.”
Her face stiffened at my mumbled response. When I awkwardly avoided eye contact, feeling her gaze on me, Lily sighed heavily and asked me.
“Did the Count tell you, by any chance, that he would give his seat to you today?”
“…No.”
“Then, have you become a master of a magic tower without my knowledge?”
Lily looked at me and asked if there was something about my identity that she didn’t know about. Seeing that, I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders as she looked at me, telling me to be honest.
“No way.”
“So, you have a general idea of what I’m going to say from here on out, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“….?”
“Even if I’m not a magic tower master, I’m at least the creator, aren’t I?”
“Yes?”
I chuckled playfully at Lily’s voice, which raised the end of her sentence as if it were incredulous.
“Kidding, I’m just kidding.”
“It’s really not funny at all.”
“Oh, wasn’t that funny?”
“Yes. So, don’t get any weird ideas and just watch the festival with me, okay?”
“No. It’s true that I have to meet Cain, and it’s true that I need to see him before he meets Irene.”
“But if you act strangely on a day like this and end up getting caught by the guards, wouldn’t that be embarrassing??”
There was nothing to say to her sensible words.
Lily pursed her lips and turned her head away, frowning as if she was feeling uneasy. As I avoided her gaze and wondered if there was a better way, a familiar face appeared through the bustling crowd of people.
“Noya!”
「 Lia! 」
Noya, in his human form, already seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the festival, with chicken skewer sauce smeared all over his mouth.
I asked, wiping his face with the handkerchief Lily handed me.
“Were you enjoying the festival?”
「 Ung. There are so many delicious things to eat and things to see today… 」
His chattering voice trailed off gradually as he spoke. As I followed Noya’s gaze, I saw a lark perched on the terrace, looking in this direction.
…Facing our direction?
I locked eyes with the lark for a moment. As soon as our gazes met, the lark turned its head away, its movement feeling somewhat awkward.
As I narrowed my eyebrows at the unnatural gesture, the lark flew off into the sky. While I watched the flying bird suspiciously, I heard a small voice from Noya, who was hugging my waist.
「 Like me. 」
“Huh?”
「 That bird is also a shapeshifter, Lia. 」
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