Eternity With You

17. Mid Autumn Festival - Part 2

Irene licked the candy, her eyes widening in delight. She had never tasted anything like that before. Though they tasted similar to some of the cocktails she had drunk in her modern life, the candies were sweeter and mood-lifting. She forgot everything about her new surroundings for a moment as she enjoyed the delicacy in her hand.

Even Reyna too was enjoying her sugar candy, and the guards smiled at the two girls who resembled small children, with their faces beaming in joy. They had never seen such a carefree expression on their mistress's face, and just one glance was enough to widen their smiles.

"Where shall we go next, Milady?" Reyna sucked on her candy as she walked a step behind her mistress. Though her mistress had asked her to walk beside her, her respect and admiration towards her stopped Reyna from walking beside her. She was happy to follow her and be with her this way.

"What do you suggest, Reyna? Has the King arrived already?" Irene queried. She was down to her last sugar candy. Though she wanted to have another one, she stopped herself in time, worrying about her teeth.

"No, Milady. King Kieran arrives exactly the clock strikes seven." Reyna shook her head and pulled out a handkerchief once she was done eating. "But we can take our seats in the meantime. It would already be crowded at the center by now, and if we make it in time, we might get a seat to sit. Or else, we will have to stand during the ceremony."

Reyna stuck out her tongue as soon as she uttered the words, and she took a glance at the lady in front of her. To her relief, her lady was too involved in finishing the last bite of candy to notice her abnormal behavior. Reyna turned back in the guilt, and the two guards stared at her with a frown.

"But to you, Milady," Reyna continued, garnering Irene's attention on her. "It is an easy feat to find a seat. If we speak to the guards at the center and disclose who you are, you will easily get a seat. Also, His Grace would be there too." Reyna added, hoping for her mistress to forget what she had said earlier. Although there was nothing wrong with what she had said, she was fearful of what would transpire if either the Duke or her mistress saw the guards and the servants of their mansion who had come to view the ceremony.

Reyna had heard the servants and guards speak among themselves, planning to attend the ceremony for a short time, taking shifts in their work. Neither Duke Seymour nor their Lady Sylvanie had any idea about it, and they had intended to keep it that way. Though the guards were not leaving the mansion unattended, they still considered themselves guilty for having kept the matter from their master.

Reyna glanced at her mistress in guilt before she looked at the guards again. They had completely given her a blind eye, forcing her to take care of the trouble she had created herself.

Although they were uncertain as to how their mistress would react, especially now that she had turned into a completely different person, they were still apprehensive and wary of her. The girl in the past was quite obnoxious and strict. Since the time she had found about about the festival, she had prohibited everyone from attending for reasons they still did not know.

The guards recalled the year when two new maids in the mansion had sought Lady Sylvaine's permission to attend the Mid Autumn Festival opening ceremony, only to be made to overwork that day until their backs and legs were crying in pain. Since then, neither the guards nor the servants ever asked her permission and sneaked out of the mansion, just to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.

Irene had no idea what dilemma was running through the three people's minds. She did not see their scared faces as they waited for her to react to what Reyna had said. All she could remember and rejoice about was that she could use her said father's name to get a good seat to watch the ceremony.

'When I have the privilege, why shouldn't I use it? What is the use of having a Duke as my father if I cannot enjoy benefits?' She thought to herself before she pulled out her kerchief from her dress pocket and wiped her lips.

"How long is it before the ceremony starts?" Irene turned to Reyna while she pinned the strands of hair that had escaped her bun. The three people had masked their expressions the moment she had turned to them. So, she did not find anything suspicious.

"Milady...." Reyna had barely begun speaking when a bell rang, startling Irene completely. She had never heard such a loud sound before, and she looked around herself in wonder. Reyna stifled a laugh on seeing her jump. "Milady, it is the bell of indication for the ceremony to begin. The ceremony will begin in a few minutes once the clock strikes seven."

"Looks like it's time. Will Father be there?"

"Yes, Milady, He will. His Grace works for King Kieran. He has to attend the ceremony." Reyna replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The one ceremony she looked forward to every year was the Mid Autumn Festival opening festival.

"I see." Irene nodded, and the group walked to the kingdom center where a large crowd had already accumulated. While the people at the front were sitting, the ones at the back were standing in order and this orderly behavior surprised Irene. She remembered the time she had attended a concert in the modern world and how unruly and improper the crowd was.

'Maybe that is the power of authority.' She thought to herself. 'Or the people themselves are well behaved.' Though she was uncertain what the reason was, she was still ecstatic to see that there was no pushing and pulling in the crowd.

"Kind Sir," Reyna took the lead and spoke to the guards at the entrance. "Our Lady is here to watch the ceremony. Her father, His Grace Duke Seymour is already at the seating area and he is waiting for us." As soon as the guard heard the Duke's name, he let the group inside, and Reyna escorted her to where the old Duke was waiting for them.

"Father," Irene chirped, happy to see the old man even though it had only been a few hours since they had last seen him.

"Sylvaine, dear. Come here." He patted the chair beside him and flashed her a contented smile, the meaning to which Irene could not understand. There was a weird sense of joy on his face. It was as though the man had finally achieved something. "Father, is everything alright?"

"Yes, dear. Why do you ask?" He asked, his smile not leaving his face.

"I am not sure. You seem happy and..." creepy. She kept the last part to herself.

"I am just happy to see you here, dear. This is the first time you are attending the festival after your mother passed away."

Irene now understood his sentiments, and she let out a bleak smile, not knowing what to speak. Fortunately for her, the guards announced the arrival of the King and everyone stood up to greet him in respect.

Irene finally stared at the gazebo in front of her in awe. She had no idea what it was, for it did not resemble a gazebo she was quite familiar with. While there was just one throne at the center, which she understood was for the King, there was nothing else other than lanterns hanging from the gazebo roof.

However, the simplicity of the place was enough to take her breath away. There was something oddly enchanting about the gazebo that drew Irene towards it. There was a gigantic cauldron a few steps to the right in front of the gazebo, far away from the crowd's reach. Irene had no idea why the cauldron was placed in front of them, and she voiced her question for her father to answer.

"This is how the ceremony starts, dear. His Highness, Kieran Charmichael will light a fire in the cauldron, marking the beginning of the ceremony. The fire from the cauldron reaches so high that everyone in Vlei will be able to see it from where they are." Seymour explained, even though he had already told it to his daughter before. There was a cheerful glint in his tone as though he was explaining the festival to his daughter for the first time, sharing the excitement with her.

Irene now understood why the crowd was made to sit far away. It was to save them from the heat and the fire.

Irene stared at the man who was slowly making his way towards the throne, trying to catch a glimpse of his face. But the King had his back towards her. So, she could not see him until he stood before the throne, facing the large crowd before him.

What Irene saw made her gasp. Contrary to her expectations, the King had his face half-covered with a silver-colored mask. Though she could not make out anything else, she could vividly see the man's eyes even from where she was. He had blood-red eyes, just like the man in her dreams, and the moment the thought entered her mind, the man turned towards her immediately, sending chills down her spine.