The sweet winter break is over, and we return to Esther.
The animal that eventually appeared before me was never found.
Maybe that's why Leon seemed to be in a bad mood when we left Palanubo.
We were greeted by Esther's bitter cold.
“Can I stay in Palanobo all winter?”
I asked Leon as soon as I got off the carriage.
Leon laughed, but he never said to go.
We ran into the castle.
Fortunately, the castle was warm thanks to the operation of magical tools that generated heat.
I resolved not to move outside the castle all winter as a resident ghost.
The first thing I did when I returned to Esther was to send a short message to Cassia.
I'm not sure if she'll agree, but I asked to see the holy relic I received as a gift from Estha.
The very next day, a reply came from Cassia:
[Her Highness Grand Duchess Esther,
I would like to invite you to the annual lantern festival at Llanos Temple.
If you are not busy, I hope you will attend and light up the event with your presence.
I pray that you will always be under the protection of Governor Llanos.
– From Cassia –]
“Amy, do you know about the annual lantern festival at Llanos Temple?”
“Of course.
The sight of lanterns rising into the sky together is always wonderful.”
“It looks like you saw him.”
“…No, but he always appears in the Empire newspaper.”
I nodded.
The festival appears in the novel as well.
It was not the Lantern Festival of the Lianus Temple, but the people of Aster, besieged by magical beasts, released lanterns carrying their hopes to the sky.
But those lanterns attracted more monsters to Aster.
But, what's the problem?
Leon and Cassia were there.
“This says nothing about showing impact, it is a completely disconnected response.”
I spoke, propping my chin and waving the letter from Cassia.
And I didn't really want to go to DC.
“Is D.C. warmer?”
“Better from here...”
Amy stopped responding, looking at me with eyes full of worry.
I nodded to her.
Yes, it's what you're thinking.
If I could escape Esther's cold, maybe going to the capital wouldn't be so bad.
No family affection, but if I have time, I can visit Walter.
I stopped writing a reply to Cassia.
I'd better ask Leon first.
I always reported to him one-sidedly.
I asked Leon to have a snack together, and he immediately went down to the reception room.
“Bill Bill, did you miss me that much?”
Leon entered, smiling.
Lately, either he's tired of teasing me, or because of the cold, he's been wearing a shirt closed to the neck.
Of course, I wasn't upset.
“The Lianus Temple invited us to the annual Lantern Festival.
Do you want to go with me?”
It wasn't exactly "we", it was just me.
Leon's smile froze slightly.
I raised my eyebrows, waiting for his response.
He looked at me with mysterious eyes.
'Of course, he won't go for this.'
The capital was a place Leon went to reluctantly, not for such occasions.
Therefore, I expected him to be rejected.
“Going with Belle Belle is fun, but… the annual lantern festival, I experienced it when I was young.”
His eyes became sad.
I regretted that I might have brought up a painful memory for him.
"...I'll go with Belle Belle.
They say that writing a wish on a lantern makes it come true.
I once wrote that I wanted to be alone because my mother scolded me, and it came true.
This time, I'll write a different wish."
I felt a heaviness in my chest from his calm words.
My lips moved, but I couldn't say anything.
It wasn't his fault, but everything remained his responsibility.
I closed my mouth, approached him, and hugged him softly.
Leon didn't push me this time, but stayed on my lap.
I suppressed my mixed emotions and said with difficulty, “Let’s go together.
I’ll let you use my wish lantern as well.”
"…truly?"
“Of course.
Have I ever lied to you?”
"…Yes."
She stared at him with a cold look.
He always, always ruins the moment.
We arrived in the capital to attend the Llanos Temple Festival.
We didn't need to arrive early and attract attention.
I expected to go to the previous hotel, but the carriage stopped in front of a strange palace.
“After my insistence, Calsen bought this house.
Haven’t I behaved well?”
I got out of the carriage in amazement, looking at the palace.
'Instead of giving me this wasted money, why would you buy a house in a doomed world?'
I shuddered to think of the money wasted, but I couldn't show it.
The corner of my mouth raised violently.
“Wow, great house.”
"…Yes."
"What?"
“Your eyes say the house is bad.”
“What?
As long as I have you, even the cave will be fine.”
Leon snorted and turned his head irritably.
“But the prices of palaces in the capital are expensive, right?
You didn’t buy it, did you?”
“I have a lot of money, Kalsen said it’s mine.”
I stumbled and grabbed my head.
I closed my eyes and tried to calm my chest, which was about to burst.
'Leon's money is not mine.
Leon's money is not mine...'
I used to repeat this slogan whenever I thought that his money was mine.
What is the benefit of consulting me if he buys what he wants without consulting me?
“But I'm very upset.”
I decided to finally say it.
"What?"
“Bill Bell is consulting you, even in attending this festival, I asked you first.
But why are you doing everything you want?
Maybe I will start wandering around on my own from now on.”
Leon stifled a laugh.
What makes you laugh?
"You are!
You stayed in the capital for months without me!
You went to the temple without me!"
Leon fired his words like bullets.
He didn't say anything wrong.
But it was not me who stayed in the capital for months.
But that won't convince him.
While I was thinking, Leon suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Sorry.
I made a mistake.
I will consult you from now on.”
I looked at him.
His eyes were full of sincerity.
I couldn't help but nod.
Who wouldn't be affected by this sincere face?
We walked around the small palace together and unloaded our belongings in the bedrooms.
“Before the evening event starts, I will visit Saint for a short while.”
In my RSVP, I asked if I could see the Holy Relic from Esta.
This was the reason I visited the temple before the event.
“Okay, come back quickly.”
Leon said goodbye to me.
I felt a hidden satisfaction, despite the heaviness in my heart due to its lack of interest in the saint.
I tried to alleviate the guilt by saying that the original story had not yet begun.
In front of the Lianus Temple was crowded with people.
The Templars, who recognized my carriage on Cassia's instructions, approached and led me inside.
I walked through the corridor of the Temple of Llanos, unable to close my mouth in front of its splendor and beauty.
It was completely different from Ruler Tia's temple.
I now understand why Tia Temple craves support.
In a small reception room decorated with gold, Cassia was waiting for me.
It looked absolutely divine in the brilliant light.
I raised my shoulders and chin unconsciously.
“Your Highness, the Duchess, we haven’t seen each other for a while.
Please come in.”
Cassia greeted me in an elegant but unfriendly voice.