Chapter 33
The vibrant energy of the Willowess City night market washed over them the moment they stepped out of the carriage. Lanterns of deep amber and brilliant azure hung from the eaves of bustling stalls, casting a warm, magical glow over the cobblestone streets.
Elyra tilted her head, her sharp eyes scanning the lively crowd. Adventurers in light armor shared laughs outside taverns, while street vendors skillfully flipped skewers of seasoned meat over open flames, sending a mouth-watering aroma into the cool night air.
Why are we here so late? Elyra wondered, her internal two-year-old defense mechanisms subtly kicking in. If we were just checking our Fue dominance, shouldn't we be heading back to the manor?
She glanced up at Damnern and Eldern, noticing a brief, suspicious exchange of glances between the father and son. Eldern gave a tiny, solemn nod, looking incredibly serious for a five-year-old, while Damnern cleared his throat with a sudden, booming cheerfulness.
"Well, then!" Damnern clapped his large hands together, drawing the attention of his family. "The market is exceptionally crowded tonight. Elina, why don't you take Elyra to see the central plaza? Eldern and I have a few... uh, warrior errands to run nearby."
"Warrior errands?" Elyra blinked. At five years old, what kind of warrior errand could Eldern possibly assist with?
"That's right!" Eldern crossed his arms, puffing out his chest. "Men's business, Elyra. Very important."
Damnern chuckled, suppressing a grin as he patted his son's head. "We won't be long. Meet us by the grand clock tower in an hour."
Elina merely smiled, a knowing, gentle spark in her eyes. "Alright, don't keep us waiting too long. Let's go, Elyra. Let the boys do their 'important work.'"
Driven by a deep curiosity regarding the massive, roaring crowd of thousands of people, Elyra didn't protest. She allowed herself to be guided along by Elina. As Damnern and Eldern quickly disappeared into the sea of people, Elyra watched their retreating backs with a lingering trace of suspicion.
Ignoring whatever secret mission her father and brother were plotting, Elyra walked alongside Elina, her small hand tightly held as they navigated through the dazzling streets. The further they walked, the grander the decorations became. Streamers of silver and gold fluttered overhead, and large banners bearing the crest of Neltan hung proudly from the buildings.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Elina murmured softly, noticing her daughter's wide eyes. "Tonight is a very special night for Willowess City, Elyra. It is the Remembrance Festival."
The Remembrance Festival An annual celebration marking the historic day the Kingdom of Neltan signed the peace treaty with the Northern forces, officially ending the devastating Neltan-Norten War. It serves as a day of joy, freedom, and honoring the survivors.
So that's what this is... Elyra thought.
A sudden, sharp memory flashed in her mind from her previous life—a memory of sitting alone on a cold, dark rooftop, staring at a distant festival from afar, secretly wishing she could be a part of it. Without realizing it, a faint, melancholic smile appeared on her small face.
"Elyra really loves this, doesn't she?" Elina asked, catching a glimpse of that rare smile. She must really enjoy these kinds of things, Elina thought happily to herself.
In truth, Elyra's inner thoughts were starkly different. To be honest, I don't really care for it... I'm just curious why normal people love things like this so much.
They soon reached the central plaza, which had been transformed into a massive open-air theater. A large wooden stage stood under the starlight, surrounded by hundreds of captivated citizens.
"Look, the grand play is about to start!" Elina found a comfortable spot near the front, setting Elyra down on a raised stone bench so she could see clearly.
The theater performance was a breathtaking reenactment of the final battle and the subsequent peace treaty. Actors in gleaming armor brandished wooden swords enhanced with faint, colorful Fue to simulate magic, while a live orchestra played a stirring, triumphant symphony. When the actor playing the hero raised his sword to declare peace, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
Elyra watched, transfixed. Not gonna lie, this is actually wonderful, she thought, her chest tightening with an unfamiliar, heavy warmth. Is this what it feels like to live a normal life?
By the time the play concluded, the sky was completely dark, illuminated only by the brilliant festival lights and a sudden burst of magical fireworks that bloomed into shapes of roaring lions and soaring birds.
"Are you hungry, sweetie?" Elina asked, carrying Elyra over to a brightly lit food stall.
Before Elyra could answer, her nose caught a sweet, caramelized scent. The vendor handed Elina a stick of golden, spun-sugar fruit—a local festival delicacy called Honey-Glass Berries. Elina held it out to her daughter.
Elyra took a small bite. The outer layer cracked open to reveal a burst of sweet, tart juice. Her eyes widened, and a rare, genuine smile broke across her small face. Delicious.
A few minutes later, they were walking back through the dense, surging crowd. Every now and then, local citizens recognized Elina, bowing slightly. "Enjoy the festival, Countess," a passing merchant greeted warmly.
Elyra carefully observed her surroundings. The sea of people was suffocatingly thick, and Damnern was nowhere in sight. Her tactical mind, heavily under the influence of her past life's survival instincts, suddenly sparked.
Isn't now the perfect time? Elyra thought.
She needed information about this world, its factions, and her current situation—things her family would never tell a two-year-old. With her small frame and precise movements, she took advantage of a momentary distraction when a group of performers pushed past. In the blink of an eye, she slipped out of Elina's grip and vanished into the dense crowd.
"Ely—" Elina began, turning around to adjust her hold, only to find her hands catching empty air. Her heart dropped.
"Elyra!" Elina shouted, her voice laced with sudden panic as she began scanning the overwhelming ocean of people.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the plaza, Elyra ducked beneath the elbows of towering adults.
Even though I managed to slip away, I'm still completely lost on how to actually gather information, Elyra thought, frustrated. Especially with this tiny, useless body.
As she kept walking through the crowd, trying to look inconspicuous, she didn't realize that her striking appearance made her stand out like a beacon.
"Young Lady Elyra?!" a shocked voice cried out.
Elyra froze. A young woman was staring down at her with wide eyes. "You are Young Lady Elyra, aren't you? The Count's daughter!"
"Is it really her?" A nearby man overheard and crowded in, his eyes lighting up.
"Kyaaa! Look at her!" "She's so cute!" "She literally looks like a living doll!" "Oh dear, are you lost, little lady?"
Within seconds, a small crowd of adoring citizens began to encircle her, cooing and gushing over her appearance. Elyra's internal alarms went off at maximum volume.
This is bad. If this keeps up, I'll be caught and dragged right back to Mama instantly.
Acting entirely on instinct, Elyra gathered Fue into her tiny legs and burst into a sprint, moving with a terrifying, unnatural speed for a toddler.
"Little Lady?!" the crowd gasped as the tiny girl turned into a literal blur, darting past their legs.
Weaving through ankles, dresses, and market stalls, Elyra finally managed to break away from the main thoroughfare. Panting slightly, she dove sideways, successfully slipping into the shadows of a quiet, pitch-black alleyway, leaving the bright lights and shouting voices of the festival behind.
"Wah, jackpot!" a rough, gravelly voice echoed through the narrow alley.
"Thank you for the blessing, Lord!" another voice sneered, dripping with twisted amusement.
Elyra's instincts immediately flared. She spun around toward the alley entrance, only for her heart to sink.
Three men had stepped out of the shadows, blocking the moonlit path that led back to the bustling festival. Their silhouettes filled the narrow opening, cutting off her only escape route.
Elyra instinctively took a step back, her eyes narrowing as her mind raced.
Three of them... she thought.
End of Chapter 33