Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 40 – Walpurgis Night (3)

Unlike his heart about to burst, his actions were smooth.

Sienna hesitated for a moment, but she soon smiled lovingly and rested against Dan’s chest. She skillfully wrapped her arms around his waist, and she called out his name.

“Dan.”

“….”

“It’s embarrassing.”

The moment she gazed up shyly and their eyes met, he stopped breathing for a moment.

His black hair, resembling the night sky, fluttered in the wind.

Field full of roses…

Did the wind come from there?

It was unknown to him.

Though he knew one thing, the hand that straightened his hair was very kind. Sienna, whose hands were not enough because of Shushu, was facing him.

His eyes twinkled every time a small hand brushed his forehead and cheek. Like feathers landing over a lake, they made a gentle ripple and dug deeper and deeper. What brought him to his senses as he was getting farther away was the loud laughter of the knight.

“That’s good news. Congratulations in advance.”

“…Thank you.”

“Come in. The night is ripe.”

“Good work.”

The two stuck to each other and did not fall apart until they passed the entrance and reached a secluded place.

It looked like a lover who fell in love.

Dandelion was the first to step down.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. There’s nothing to apologize for.”

“No. I was looking for an excuse, and I was in a hurry…”

“Thanks to you, I came in safely, and to be honest, it was fun.”

In fact, Sienna was more selfish than acting, but she didn’t say it.

“Princess!”

Arthur and Anna were running from afar.

“Arthur! Anna!”

As Sienna ran to the two and hugged them, her white hat fell on the grass.

Dandelion picked up the hat and followed her slowly.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“How worried. I can’t live because of the princess!”

The three of them held hands and turned. They closed their eyes and hugged each other, saying they were happy.

Anna and Arthur greeted Dandelion, who found late, as if embarrassed.

Sienna looked at the two people who started nagging and Dandelion, who was firmly behind her.

The people she could trust, her person… Surrounded by them, the tip of her nose became sour. She was holding up well, but she felt she was getting emotional. However, understanding the situation was more important than the joy of reunion.

“Arthur, how are things going?”

“His Majesty has commanded to pursue the princess in secret. I’ve heard they haven’t found it yet, but…”

“As expected.”

It didn’t go beyond expectations.

“Is Walpurgis Night going as planned?”

Arthur nodded his head with a somber expression on his face.

He thought that Sienna had been hurt by the King’s treatment. She was hurt as he feared. It was predictable, and she knew it was a wise decision, but she couldn’t help but be bitter.

Sienna asked, swallowing her bitter laugh.

“Anna. What I asked for?”

“As the princess instructed, we thoroughly enforced entry and exit within the princess Palace. But how far did the rumors spread…”

“Well, it’ll be fine. I’ll show up just fine.”

It was when she patted Anna’s worried shoulder.

The flutter, pale azure dress was beautiful, though the sleeves that flared from her elbows were a problem.

Every time she raised her arm, a scratch on her wrist was revealed.

It was night, and it was barely visible from a distance, though it seemed to be visible to Arthur, who had bright night eyes.

“Princess, that is…”

“Ah.”

“What happened? What kind of bastards dare!”

“You need to change clothes…”

Anna and Arthur again made a fuss and pulled her, but Sienna shook her head, “I think this one will be good.”

“Yes? What is that…”

“I’ll explain more later.”

“Princess!”

“I don’t have time. Let’s go to my brother first.”

Before the night was over…

***

Opinions differ as to when and why Walpurgis Night began.

Some argue that it was simply a festival where winter has passed and spring has come, although it was an origin not suited to Stern, where the climate was mild.

Another theory claims that it was a ritual to drive out demons and witches from Mount Hermit. According to a story from a long time ago, from the evening of the last day of April to the first day of May, demons, and witches gathered to make fires, eat, drink, and play promiscuously.

It was said that it originated from a bigger fire, singing and dancing louder to drive them out.

Neither was a sure story.

The meaning faded, and only the form remained, and it was deeply entrenched.

In fact, origins didn’t matter to people. Just one day a year, all night long, just make a big fire and enjoy the festival. Nevertheless, it was also true that it withered as it was repeated every year. There was nothing special about it.

Just as they were thinking about it, a change occurred.

“Wow! What is this?”

“It’s cute.”

The castle, decorated exclusively with Siena’s taste, was reminiscent of a theme park.

According to her taste, it was drawn to the things that she had envisioned for her self-satisfaction, but their attention was drawn to the completely changed appearance.

Cotton candy made by a cotton candy craftsman in Stern, modeled after Shushu, became popular with the girls, and boating at night with the handsome minstrel, the line was long and numbered tickets had to be distributed.

She also tried to collect all the alcohol from all over the country after fighting over the type of alcohol, and they showed interest in the first alcohol they ever tasted.

On the other side, there was a huge cookie house made with Sienna’s favorite gingerbread cookies and a cookie-making experience zone. The experience of dipping the sugar cookie into a mold and removing it according to the shape was also a success.

Teenage boys and girls, who had never seen a drop of water on their hands, looked at each other and gathered around. There was going to be a dance party all night around a huge bonfire, and fantastic fireworks display at midnight.

Everyone was having a good night, drinking and chatting.

Except for three people.

Pierre and Eleanor, who were walking together on a forest path by the lake, were particularly silent.

It was Pierre who broke the long silence.

“You don’t look good. Is the festival not fun? Or, is it some other problem?”

He gazed into Eleanor’s eyes and asked as indifferently as possible.

“No.”

Eleanor answered briefly without looking at him.

But she soon asked again.

“By the way.”

“What?”

“I can’t see the princess.”

“…Well. As you know, we’re not very close.”

“I see.”

The conversation between the two stopped like that.

As they left the forest, people quickly gathered around them.

Most of them were young girls who admired Pierre. The beautiful Crown Prince, who was not yet married, was the best groom in the kingdom.

Eleanor, whom the prince was chasing with death, was a thorn in everyone’s eyes. Even today, when they saw the two of them sticking together, they pouted their lips, though when Pierre pretended to see, they quickly changed their expressions as if they had never done so.

“Your Majesty, you are beautiful today.”

“Even if you put all the stars in the sky, it’s nothing compared to Lord Pierre’s beauty.”

“Is it just the stars? Even the moon is not enough.”

The conversation went on for a long time, with embarrassing words being casually said and listening to them as if they were taken for granted. As always, Pierre smiled gracefully and graciously offered a toast.

As the situation was ripening, a young girl suddenly mentioned Sienna.

It was then that his calm face began to harden.

“Rumor has it that Princess Sienna is the one who prepared this Walpurgis Night, is that true?”

“Princess Sienna? No way.”

“But, she was very impressive in the debutante.”

“That’s right. She was very good at dancing.”

“I heard she was extremely afraid to go out in front of people.”

“She’s so sickly. Will she be able to enjoy the festival all night long?”

“Maybe she couldn’t overcome the pressure and hid somewhere? Hoho.”

“Ah, so that’s why there was red in the dress code. The princess is really…”

All of a sudden, the center of the conversation had turned to Sienna. Some ridiculed her for running away, while others expressed their desire to meet her. However, the conclusion was the same either way…

So, where was the princess?

Jad, who sat on the pier and listened to their conversation, got up.

“You heard it.”

It was expressed in circles, but the story was clear. He picked up a glass of almost unsweetened wine and joined the crowd naturally.

“Why are you staying still, Your Highness?”

“Jad Valencia.”

Jad went straight to Pierre’s face without being harsh, according to his personality.

“They’re daring to insult your sister right now.”

“So, are you not Sienna’s fiancée. Where do you leave your fiance alone?”

“I really want to know. Where the hell is Sienna?”

“…Why are you asking me that?”

“I thought Your Highness would know.”

The two men engaged in a tense battle of nerves, and Eleanor turned her head in exhaustion and shouted involuntarily.

“Princess?”

At the sound of the voice, everyone’s eyes turned to one place. From afar, Sienna was walking this way with the rumored one in the debutante.

“How are you…”

“Why are you two…?”

Pierre’s and Jad’s eyebrows hardened at the same time.

Both of them had complex faces.

Sienna enjoyed the gaze on her and moved her steps slowly. Originally, the main character appeared late.

…At least, the main character of this episode had to be her.

‘Thank God. It’s not late.’

Sienna did not miss Eleanor’s expression of relief.

Of course, Pierre couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

A strong wave was crashing.

She glanced at his pale blue eyes, which were dizzying, and she just stared at him. She didn’t know if he had joined Emmett’s plans, but she was sure it wasn’t a face of relief that his sister had returned safely.

“Is that Princess Sienna?”

The gossiping group, belatedly, with their heads bowed, opened the way.

Sienna was just walking the path for her.

“Eleanor!”

Then, she grabbed the hand that Pierre couldn’t reach first, and hugged her as if to show off their intimacy. As she expected, Eleanor did not push her away.

Rather than that, she hugged her and whispered in her ear.

“Princess, are you okay?”

“Were you worried?”

“I did. Quite a lot, too.”

“Thank God.”

“What happened?”

“There was something.”

Sienna, who had said that far, looked away from Eleanor and smiled before opening her mouth, “Eleanor. Are you enjoying the festival?”

“Yes. It’s really cool. I’m looking forward to the fireworks display later.”

“It would be even better to see the fireworks in the middle of the lake.”

Eleanor’s head tilted subtly. She didn’t understand what she was saying.

Seeing her reaction, Sienna nailed it kindly and clearly.

“I’m asking you out on a date now.”

“….”

“Would you like to see it together?”

“I…”

Before Eleanor could answer, Pierre interrupted.

“You are rude, Sienna. What is this? Miss Watson is my party.”

But Sienna treats Pierre like no one. She didn’t even give him a glance as she playfully waved Eleanor’s arm.

“Yes?”

“….”

“Play with me.”

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