The moon village

"Oh! Little Clause is coming too", Oswald teased Clause as the three approached them. He liked how Clause would always frown and pout whenever he get teased. He would also occasionally retaliate with sharp words but right now Clause was being quiet and behave. 'Rem must have warned Clause about his behavior. He does sometimes go overboard but that is what makes him more adorable though.' He thought.

Oswald then turned his attention to the two young ladies. "So, who knows how to ride a horse?" the two looked at each other in confusion. The two thought that they would be riding a carriage. To answer Oswald's question Lila and Nanna shook their heads. "We don't know how to."

Oswald chuckled a little seeing the two young ladies' confused faces, "I'm just kidding, you should learn though. For now, we will be riding the carriage. I already called Curtis to bring the carriage here." The two nodded their heads.

As if on cue, Curtis appeared along with the carriage. The carriage was grand just like before but a bit bigger. When the carriage stopped, Curtis climb down and with a smile greeted them. Lila and Nanna looked at each other. Before they can even move and make their way to the front of the carriage, Curtis opened the door for them, "This way please."

The two was hesitant but Oswald spoke ,"After you." He ushered them to climb up and enter the carriage. Lila and Nanna were both speechless but nonetheless they obeyed and entered. After the two were seated, Oswald gently pulled Clause who was quietly making his to the front of the carriage, "Not there here." He said pushing Clause inside before climbing himself.

Clive quietly followed. Curtis then closed the door and assume his position as the driver.

The carriage interior was spacious, accommodating the five of them with a seat to spare for one more. Lila, Nanna and Clause sat on one side while Oswald and Clive sat on the opposite side.

"This carriage is big enough for all of us with more space for one or two more." He said as the carriage made its way to the village. Oswald turned to Nanna, "You'll like the village. Its livelier at night than in the morning because of the night market."

"Night market?" Nanna asked, her curiosity shown all over her face.

"Yes, night market. The night market at the village is well-known across the whole kingdom and beyond. The market is composed of stalls lined up at the length of the street. These stalls are leased to those who want to sell at the market. The market is very popular with vendors since the fee for renting a stall is cheap and there are a lot of people who comes here every night so they will be able to sell a lot." He explained.

Nanna nodded her head in understanding. She was getting even more excited than before.

After the whole conversation, their journey to the village became silent. Everyone conserved their energy for later use as they will stroll in the village but even so their eyes showed excitement as they look forward on their village trip.

To reach the village from the mansion, One must pass through the forest. The forest was like a maze. If one wasn't familiar with the forest, they would be lost there for days and even longer. Curtis, as a stable clerk and coachman, was already familiar with the forest, thus he was able to maneuver the carriage skillfully through it.

Curtis stopped at the entrance of the village near a big tree. "Young masters we have arrived." He informed the passengers as he opened the door for them. One by one, they got down from the carriage. "I'll be waiting here." He added before everyone entered the village.

Lila pulled Nanna excitedly. She can not wait to walk around the village showing Nanna the rare things that can only be found in the village. "Do you know the village was called the Moon Village because whenever the moon was full it bathes the whole village and the forest of its light."

Nanna smiled and shook her head as she listened to what Lila was saying. Even before they enter the village, Nanna can already hear the joyful voices of the people as well as their laughter. "It sure is very lively in there." She commented.

"Yes, isn't it. The village is not only known for the night market. It is also known for their fruit wine, the Moon wine." Lila informed her.

"Moon wine? Is it because they can only be made when the moon is full?" Nanna tried to guess why was it called the Moon wine.

"No. It's because of the fruit used to make the wine. Have you heard about the Argor tree?" '

Nanna nodded her head, "Yeah, I've heard of it. My grandmother told me about it before. It's an expensive fruit that is sweet and very fragrant much like an apple but in appearance but it's color is a pale blue."

Lila smiled hearing Nanna, "Wow, you are good. Yes you are right and the moon wine comes from the fruit of the Argor tree. The wine makers would pick the fruits when the moon is at its fullest and brightest and use the fruits to make the wine. It is said that this wine just like the fruits are very sweet and very fragrant with a little hint of tangy taste since it's aged. The more the wine aged the more it is sweet and fragrant.

"Oh, is that so? I want to taste it." Nanna said her thinking of the taste of the wine.

"Well... we can't really taste it since it is very expensive and the stores would always be out of it." Lila sadly said.

"Oh…then maybe we will be able to in the future."

Oswald heard their conversation, "Then why don't we find some moon wine and taste it. I will pay for it." He said happily he just really want to drink some good wine tonight. He then enthusiastically moved in front of them, "Shall we go? I will be your guide for the night."

Lila and Nanna nodded their heads giggling seeing Oswald excitedly lead them. They followed him in the village as he walked in front of them. Nanna thought of Clive suddenly making her looked back but to her dismay she wasn't able to find him there.

Clause noticed it as he was walking behind them. "If you are looking for young master Clive, he already went ahead muttering about checking the whole village while he's already here."

Nanna blushed as Clause guessed who she was looking for. 'Was it obvious?' she thought. As of Clause was able to read her mind he spoke again, "He's the only one who isn't here."

Nanna sighed in relief and nodded her head before turning her attention back to Lila who was happily telling things about the village.

Oswald already knew that Clive has gone ahead so he didn't looked for him anymore. After entering the village, He stopped and looked around. It was sure lively and a lot of people are roaming round and buying things so he turned to them. "I don't think anyone of you will get lost but by chance one of you got separated from the group you can always ask for the assistance of one of the knights who are stationed here or just go to Curtis who is waiting outside the village. But the village is small so I don't think anyone will get lost even with this sea of people." He said pointing at the spot where they left Curtis.

The three of them nodded their head. After he saw that the three understood, He lead them to a stall which was selling the famous candied carrots. He bought of for each of them, "Other than the moon wine, Moon village is also famous from its candied carrots. These carrots are grown here without using nag growth potion so this is very good for your body."

Having not able to leave the place she grew up, it was Nanna's first time eating candied carrots. When she tasted it she expected it to taste weird but surprisingly not. Even though it was candied it was not that sweet and the texture is firm and easy to bite into. "These are delicious. I like them."

"That's good. Candied carrots were made for children who does not eat them. Even Clause loved them." He said teasing the other. Clause didn't paid any mind to him as he ate his candied carrots but his cheeks failed him as they slowly turned a pale red after he heard what Oswald said.

Nanna learned a lot of interesting things about the village and at the night market through Oswald's guidance. He made them taste, feel, hear and see a lot of interesting things at the market.

One stall caught Nanna's attention. It was when they were about to come back to where they left Curtis. The stall was surrounded by many people especially children. The stall has a light crystal shining on it. There was also a small table draped with a cloth that served as a small stage. There were also dolls placed on it.

Nanna asked Lila what was the stall selling. "They are selling stories." Lila said answering Nanna's question.

"Stories?" Nanna asked again making here curious about it.

"Yes, stories. Stories that happened a long, long, time ago. Most of the stories were all true and some were legends. The stories can also be read on books but the storyteller's stall made everything interesting and much more enjoyable."

"I want to see it." Nanna said before pulling Lila towards the stall.