16 Festival

"Either you spill or call off the marriage, your choice."

Zeke turned and left, not forgetting to slam the door, which caused the wood to crack.

"Haaa…" 

Derek sighed. He had waited until Zeke got out before relaxing his tense muscle. He sat down on his swivel chair with a loud huff, massaging his forehead as the headache started forming itself. 

"You did good."

"You think so, Lynn?" He asked. "He seems to hate me for it though." 

"You are his father, he couldn't despise you completely."

"Are you actually comforting me, my friend?" Derek barked out a laugh and Lynn chuckled. 

"Stop blaming yourself, this is the Queen's order. Everything is classified and you did the right thing," Lynn reassured Derek. 

"Sooner or later, this case will also be passed down onto Zeke and I need him to prepare for that. Yet He is still too young, too impulsive," Derek murmured and heaved a long sigh. "It may be his strength, but also his downfall."

"He is just like how you used to be," Lynn joked. 

"I am too tired to distinguish whether that's sarcasm or a compliment anymore, so I will just round it about as a compliment then," Derek smiled. "So, how's the preparation going on?" 

"I had done what you asked for. So far, everything is going according to plan." 

"Excellent," Derek nodded. "Haaa… This used to be my darling Ica's job. I missed him so much." 

He pushed himself off the chair and walked to the huge painting on his left. "Don't you think he left us too soon, my friend?" 

"My Lord…" Lynn said worriedly. Sadness and sympathy filled his brown eyes. He watched as Derek traced his fingers on the man in the painting's face and eyes, following the outlines of the drawing. "Yes, he did." 

"However he is in a better place right now, leaving us to suffer here," Derek snickered. "Sly little fox." 

"Let's have tea before continuing this harsh life, Lynn." 

"Yes, My Lord." 

Smiling, Lynn walked over to the door and held it open for Derek and both of them left the office. 

On the left corner of the painting of a young man with long white-blond hair that was tied in a low ponytail, holding a banquet of red roses was a name.

Icarus Roderick, my beloved. 

XXX

The annual was held once a year, to celebrate the birth of the town of Zariya. It was usually held for three whole days. 

On the first and second day, it would be celebrated on the streets of Zariya. The usual smelly markets and streets had turned into the land of fantasy. It was filled with lights and sparkles. The usually dimly lit street lamps shone brightly, illuminating the whole town with their flickering candles. 

Music filled the air, lively and festive beats lifted the spirits and made the people want to move, jump, and sing. It was a time to celebrate being alive, celebrate the wonders of creation, and be one with the community. 

The air tasted so heavenly with the chefs alongside the parade, food sellers weaved through the mass. The aromas of these foods became perfume in the air. Every delicious thing was ready to be shared between friends and families. 

There were also jugglers and magicians, mime artists, and dancers performing in the streets, attracting crowds and shouts. 

The last day of this festival would be held in Roderick's mansion. It was the grand party of the year, the one everyone was invited to.

Families like The Zeros and The Rodericks took turns in hosting this annual celebration. Those families would take this opportunity to flaunt their wealth, demonstrating what they were capable of. 

And now, under the bright afternoon, Jian Yu was accompanying Lady Clement during the parade, always a step behind her. 

He stood rigid, clad in his butler attire, he observed Lady Clement talking animatedly with her group of friends. 

'She really stood out among them, huh?' Jian Yu thought. 

Just throwing on such a simple black gown that reached her ankle with beautiful jewelry adorning her neck, she managed to catch everyone's attention. 

Jian Yu watched as she walked over to him from her friends and mentally prepared himself. 

"Let's go," She ordered. 

"Yes, My Lady." 

She led him through the crowd and stopped in front of a tailor shop. The doorbell rang when she let herself in and she was immediately greeted by the shop owner. 

"Oh my lovely Clement, are you here for your magnificent dress?" The shop owner said cheerfully. "I planned to have it sent over tomorrow morning. You will definitely look stunning in it."  

The shop owner was an old lady with gray hair tied in a loose bun. A pair of small circular glasses sat on the bridge of her nose. 

When she saw Lady Clement entering her shop, she had immediately climbed up the ladder and took out a pink box festooned with yellow daffodils before greeting her. 

Jian Yu stood in front of the door and waited. 

Aside from various types of clothes being hung around, this place was full of small figurines, carved out of wood. Jian Yu assumed the old lady was fond of collecting antiques. 

"Help me on with it," Lady Clement ordered, handing him the pink box. 

"W--What?" Jian Yu stuttered. 

Lady Clement merely stared at him and Jian Yu hastily kneeled down to untied the straps and swung the lid of the pink box open. 

He unwrapped the dress and offered it to Lady Clement. The old lady readily assisted, discarding her black gown and helping her on with a simple underdress. 

Jian Yu was internally relieved when he saw Lady Clement wore an underdress. His heart almost dropped when he thought she wanted to flash him. 

Lady Clement bent half at the waist, arms stretched in front of her, Jian Yu gathered up the dress and helped her wriggle into it. She straightened up, smoothed the frock neatly into place, and twirled in place. "How do I look?"