{language!}
Lately the Suthier estate has been the busiest it ever was during my stay as Lilius.
Rita told me that the Marquis donates to the commoners upcoming festival. Despite being suicidal, the marquis is actually a good lord to his people.
Because he donates a generous amount, the commoners naturally want him to choose some decorations for the festival and events. That's why it's so unusually busy.
It's quite strange of him actually, it was said in the novel he hated the female lead because of her origins however he helps the commoners now...I felt like there was more to it.
Is he being hypocritical? Whatever the case is, if he is doing no harm then we are A-okay!
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"Eloy..."I grimaced lowly
"Hello, Lilius!" While he laughed happily
According to Rita, she says that going to festival would be an amazing experience and because I like her so much I agreed on going, inwardly curious about it myself.
In my previous life no one wanted my presence so I avoided going to events regretfully however, I am now Lilius Suthier, an introverted noble whom prefers to be locked up in a room unlike me, who was always curious despite being disliked by others.
Eloy, the evil tailor, will be preparing a suitable middle-class commoner attire, neither rich, nor poor. I kind of wish Rita would know a better tailor—actually Eloy isn't bad at all...well except for his nasty personality. If only he could do something about that...
"It looks as one would expect it to. A common outfit." I did agree with him, a simple cedar coloured shirt and dark brown pants, not too fresh, but not in tatters. Very simple, very plain.
Perfect, Eloy at least can always provide.
"If only we did something to your face..."He mumbled, yes—you could say Lilius's face is eye-catching...Ahem! I mean I know I'm acting jealous by proclaiming that it 'could be eye-catching' rather than saying Lilius is an extreme beauty.
His silky short black hair, sharp chin, long eyelashes, upward lifted pale green eyes which add a kind of sultry to his innocence features, a seductive tear drop mole at the corner of his lip—thin red lips that bewitches indecent thoughts. A mixture between handsome and beautiful—a supposedly pretty boy.
Eloy eyes lit up with stars obviously thinking of something dreadful.
"Lilius I have the perfect solution!"
I don't want to know it...
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An unfamiliar boy stood in front of me. His common brown eyes shone dully, nothing out of the ordinary and his black hair was not dirty however it did not shine of an expensive obsidian rather a coal stone. His skin was abnormally pale, vampire-like even, the only unusual feature.
That is me.
I became younger.
Nope, this is just the work of the evil tailor. I hadn't said a word of protest before he began, completely changing my profile. Although I was not lying about becoming younger—before I assumed I was 17 however after the 'surgery' preformed by Eloy I looked to be the same age as Vincent, 15.
"What do you think? Impressive, aren't I?"
"...."
I really don't know what to say at this point. It's almost scary how impressive his ability is. The only thing that hadn't changed was my skin and figure. Given the time he took, it's even more impressive—no impressive is an understatement...I'll never tell him that though—who knows what will happen to his ego after that. He already has a narcissistic tendencies, that is only the beginning too...it can get worse....
Imagine him blowing kisses to himself in the mirror, I just had to keep silent for his sake! (つД')ノ you understand, right?
"Well whatever, I already know I'm amazing."
"Yes." Shit. I just unconsciously agreed...wait for his reaction...
"Okay, we'll I have to get going. Have fun!" Ah- I wasn't expecting that. I quickly saw him to the door before rushing back to my room
ε-('∀｀; )
-Bump!
Ugh..how many times has this happened to me...?(¬_¬)
"Mn? A commoner? What are you doing so deep into the estate?" A perfect voice, no doubt it's the 2nd prince, said...
I understand he comes to visit Vincent occasionally however hasn't he been visiting a lot more often???
I didn't realize until now, but despite being younger than me he is actually taller. Must be the male lead's halo, yep.
Hey, what are you doing on this side of the estate too? It's not just me here, you know!
"Hello there?" He waved his perfectly slender hand, trying to catch my attention...an act very unlike a prince. His delicate brows knitted in confusion, purposely displaying it for me or else he would never reveal an expression.
"Yes-?!" I completely forgot I was talking to a royal as a commoner, they definitely would be bowing right now, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. At least not to him.
He smiled forgivingly as if I made a mistake somehow, "Don't worry too much it's not good for your health." He began, I already did not want to hear the rest, "So what is a commoner doing in the west wing of the estate?" I sallowed, preparing my lies
"I am working for master Lilius." He narrowed his eyes, "Is that right? Can you perhaps show me to his room then?" Fuck no. "Of course."
Rita should be in my room.
I was pinning my hope on her being there, standing in front of the white wooden door with light designs. It was the entrance to my room.
-knock, knock
I knocked the door to my own room, kind of feeling like an idiot when I thought that way.
Luckily Rita opened the door. Her eyes widened when she saw us—the prince, I mean compared to me he was definitely more eye-catching.
"Your highness and.." Her questioning gaze made me cold sweat. I clenched my fist and my nails dug into my skin. "Eloy." I lowered my voice shamefully, only depending she understood
"Ah, you must be the one Eloy sent!"
"....yeah.."
The prince stayed silent during our interaction with an unreadable smile. The one I hated.
"Your highness did you need something from master Lilius?" Rita asked politely to which the prince declined, "No I did not, however I seem to be irrupting you." Chuckling.
He left soon after that, however it gave me an uneasy feeling...my stomach churned because of so.
Ugh...
"Young master Lilius, are you alright?" Her worried expression made me feel even worse so I quickly refused, "I'm fine, Rita." And even changed the subject "What is the festival about?"
Her brows shot up, "You don't know?"
I nodded: "En."
Rita: "To put it simply," as soon as she said that I knew it was going to be a long explanation and sat in a comfortable position on the couch,
Rita: "The winters last long and so every year before autumn there is a huge harvest that all the commoners participates in. Many hosts events and have food stalls, before it was simply harvesting however eventually over time did it become a festival for everyone to get together and converse.
Normally the snow gets too high and the temperature is too cold which causes the commoners to stay home, they'll rarely visit others in the winter."
"So it's just a big gathering?"
Rita laughed, "Not quite." I tilted my head, it sounded like a gathering rather than a festival.
With hand gestures, I signified Rita to sit across from me as she continued, "Do you know of the gods?" Like Jesus? Buddha? Hellenic religion with the olympians? I know of those, however there were barely any religious believers anymore.
After giving it a bit of thought I answered, "No." Rita smiled moderately as if she expected that response, but still let me think it through.
Rita: "There are 4 gods, each of them representing one of the seasons. Spring, summer, autumn and winter."
"So is it a festival to worship autumn?" My brows knitted in confusion.
"Yes and no. Believers in the gods are principally nobles, so why would commoners celebrate for something they are not even involved in, right?"
"I suppose. What does this festival mean to the nobles then, if the commoners think of it to be a gathering?"
"Nothing really." My eyes widened, "Only some commoners believe so the festival differs between their opinion. Wether you prefer it to be worship for the god autumn or a gathering of many friends. In the end it all depends on you." Rita explained.
I couldn't help but find something strange, "Rita, do they really call the god representing fall, Autumn?" And voiced my opinion of the particularity.
Rita: "They do have names, however unlike the usual nobles, they chose simplicity over complexity. It's been a long time since their 'true' names have been mentioned and eventually it was forgotten..." she hesitated momentarily and licked her lips, "Young master Lilius do you want to know their 'true' names?" I do. "No, this is more than enough." However I know my limit.
Plus it if was really forgotten how would Rita, a maid of an introverted noble, know? Unless there was more than what the novel was letting on about them, but I doubt it. Lilius Suthier was just an extra whom was destined to die and Rita was just his maid.
Just an extra in a cliché romance novel.
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Radiant colours furnished with ornamental lights lit by a brilliant flame was varnishing the busy streets of the festival. People hollered from stalls; "Come get your fresh takoyaki!" "Black Sapota, 20% discount limited edition!" "Candy apples!" "Baozi (包子) steamed meat buns!"
The scent caused by those dishes made me drool. I had already sent Rita to collect some treats however everywhere I looked there would always be more options. Shame Lilius can't eat a lot, if he could I would have tried everything.
To be honest the festival was beautiful. Chinese lanterns decorated some of the stalls and children held sparklers (A type of hand-held firework that burns slowly while producing light.) the night sky was clear, different from my own polluted sky, further proof of a novel world. Although unfamiliar; I couldn't help but marvel at the stars fluorescent bewitch.
Their pearly hue reminiscing the frosting of snow. It was so remarkable and unusual for me, whom had only seen the grey abyss. I finally understood why many searched for stars despite not being able to even glimpse at them. It was worthwhile—to die I guess...
I just realized how stupid that sounded—ಠ_ಠ
#reincarnationapproved
I did not particularly stand out within the crowd despite my natural elegance revealed in my every movement. Eloy's work truly is spectacular.
Children naïvely smiled brightly at me and commoners conversed with me on the simplest topics as if we were good-ol' friends, they did not know of my nobility in which I was glad for. The marquis title was not a measly.
The streets quickly became too busy for me to stand within. I still had to wait for Rita, therefore I went into an alleyway. I'd come out once I saw her passing by.
However,
"Ugh.." a suppressed groan caught my attention and I momentarily moved my line of sight from the streets to the alley behind me.
A figure was supported by a wall, leaning dependently on it.
My nose scrunched in disgust from the smell of blood the silhouette exposed. Oddly a scent of mold and rot as well.
Concerned, I went to check on their condition.
It was a handsome teenager with chocolate coloured skin and captivating, sharp amber eyes that shone with a hue of orange. He held a hand to his abdomen where blood leaked from the crevices that his fingers could not secure. A pained expression on his face as he vigilantly locked his gaze on me.
He would not let me approach him without a fight. I sighed at the sight of him obviously in pain, but refused to admit it "I'm not here to cause trouble." I started simple using a common line of a fraudster that I only realized after I had said it, and blushed shamefully at my awkward display, "..that didn't sound as good as I thought it would be..."
I cleared my throat, "I'm Lilius and I want to help you, however I cannot if you continue to be so on guard with me." He nodded surprisingly obedient it was then I realized he fainted and was now falling from his lean.
Despite the fact that Lilius doesn't have good physique and is weak, I laboriously put him on my back, using a clean piece of my dark brown pants to tightly tie up his wound temporarily.
Rita was luckily close by and we quickly arrived at the Suthier estate unnoticed.
——
Small theater
Lilius: I'm going to the festival
Vincent: then I'm coming too! *Clings onto waist*
Lilius: Vincent go back to the female lead! ಥ_ಥ and leave me alone!
Eloy: Rita want to come with me to the festival-
Rita: Young master look at this treat I got!
Eloy and the forgotten Salvia: ......
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Writing mistakes—I wrote more than I wanted to...（・◇・）/~~~