An invitation arrived to Monstera Castle.
The news was that the emperor was having a banquet to celebrate his birthday.
In addition, it was an invitation sent by Duchess Urquio herself by writing a letter of recommendation.
I and Cassis were left in Monstera Castle because it was a banquet that could not be accompanied by children.
Count and Countess Monstera seem a little excited to go to the capital after a long time.
They said they would stay for about a month in the capital.
"You have to get along with Cassis while Mom and Dad are gone, all right?"
"Yes! Don't worry, we won't fight and we'll get along!"
When I answered energetically, they still nagged me with concern.
"For the time being, Baroness Forem has decided to stop by often to take care of you two. If anything happens, send an emergency report, listen to Thomas, and don't dismiss your escorts if they bother..."
Aish. How many times have I heard this?
I replied to the nagging that felt like a scab in my ear.
"Yes, yes. I get it."
My parents worry a lot.
Maybe it's because they haven't been away from me for a long time.
The birthday banquet was a big festival that lasted for a week.
They were happy to be invited to such a festival, but they felt sorry for leaving me behind.
If I were an immature Evelyn, I would have troubled my parents by complaining that I wanted to go with them.
I thought of my image in the original novel and shook my head as my parents spoke.
Then Cassis held my hand tightly and reassured Countess Monstera.
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."
"I'm a little relieved to have Cassis here. Do you need anything from the capital city? I'll buy it on the way."
"I'll think about it."
Cassis smiled softly and declined. It was an euphemism of him saying he did not want anything.
"Mom, please buy Cassis and I a lot of presents!"
I shouted quickly. Then the Countess nodded with a warm smile.
Soon after, the carriage carrying the Monstera couple left the castle and disappeared farther away.
I waved my hand for a long time and then turned back. Then I smiled.
Hehehe. It's my world.
I was happy to be completely out of my parents' shadow for the first time.
I asked Cassis cheerfully, feeling all better.
"Cassis, would you like to go get some ice cream?"
"Didn't you eat earlier?"
That was before, this is now!
"You can eat again! There's no Mom or Dad."
I shouted with great dignity.
"No. Your teeth will rot. Besides, what if you catch a cold again?"
"If you brush your teeth well, it won't rot, and I'll catch a cold only if I want to!"
"You've already had two today."
Cassis said firmly and dragged me.
Why is he so persistent today?
I looked at Cassis, who had no intention of listening.
He was more unusual than normal because he made a promise with my parents.
You're just too mature.
I grumbled as I was dragged away by him.
"That's mean."
"You can't say that."
"Really, why not?"
"Yes, I'm really not... Evelyn! Where are you going!"
I took advantage of Cassis's carelessness and let my hand loose and ran away. Cassis followed with a jolt.
What do you mean no? Hmph.
"Stay still! Evelyn!"
"No. If you want to catch me, you're going to have to try. Of course, I would have already eaten ice cream!"
I stuck out my tongue and quickly ran. The kitchen was in sight.
I had to get to where the freezer was before I was caught.
But there was something I overlooked.
That Cassis is taller than me and had longer legs.
Even if I run, Cassis is faster.
"Got you!"
"Uwah!"
Cassis hugged me from behind and shouted. I was suddenly caught and my feet twisted.
The carpet on the floor curled up and we both almost fell, and Cassis was surprised and tried to balance us.
We performed stunts as if we were dancing, but managed to support each other without falling over.
"Whew. Safe."
Cassis burst into laughter as I muttered with a look of admiration.
"You almost made it to the freezer to eat ice cream."
"So, why won't you let me eat ice cream?"
"Because you shouldn't get sick when your parents aren't here."
Cassis answered me quite nicely, fixing my messy hair.
As I kept staring at him with doubt, he made another suggestion.
"Let's have warm cocoa instead."
"That's what you want, Cassis."
"So you're not going to drink it?"
Cassis smiled gently and coaxed.
Somehow it was very similar to a method I used before, but I decided to move on.
"No way. Of course I have to drink it."
And I will eat ice cream without you knowing.
I headed to the tea room with Cassis with a determined heart.
***
As I got used to living without my parents, a letter arrived from a person I had forgotten.
I checked the letter envelope with neat handwriting that said the sender was Ephelius, and mumbled.
"Oh, that's right. I was going to show Bean to Ephel, but..."
Perhaps he sent the letter first because he was curious as there was no news even after I returned to Montez.
I said I'd invite him and give him a call.
I also said I'd go see Ephel...
Anyway, when should I invite you?
I wondered if it would be okay to invite Ephelius because my parents were at the capital.
As I hesitated and fiddled with the letter, May looked at the name on the envelope.
"Oh, he's the handsome boy you saw in the temple, isn't he?"
"Yes. I gave him my address before."
I answered with a nod.
"But why don't you open it?"
"I'll open it."
May opened the letter with a happy smile when I responded awkwardly to the question.
The content of the letter was in a completely different direction from I expected.
[Miss Evelyn, this is Ephel.
Did you arrive in Montez safely?
I'm writing this letter because I haven't heard from you since.
It's my first time writing a letter to someone, so I don't know what to say.
But I'll try doing it first.
These days, Hisaya is busy preparing for the year-end event. The Snow Festival is scheduled to be held soon.
It will be even prettier this winter because it snowed a lot.
So, speaking of which...
If you don't mind, why don't you go to the Snow Festival in Hisaya at the end of the year?
Miss Evelyn likes snow, so it'll be fun.
If you're busy, you can refuse! ...But I'll be very happy to be with you.
Then, I will wait for your reply.
Ephelius.]
Of course, I thought he'd ask me when I'd invite him, but I can't believe he'd ask me to go to the Snow Festival together.
The Snow Festival was an event where people could see statues made of ice during the day, and dance together at night in the square.
Two years ago, Elisha and I danced excitedly, and my dress caught on fire, so it was memorable.
It was really funny then.
I grinned as I recalled the Snow Festival two years ago.
The ribbon on me was loosened and the fire caught on.
I didn't know that and I was dancing happily with Elisha.
It was a miracle that I managed not to burn myself.
Elisha, who belatedly noticed, quickly took off the snowman's head and put out the fire.
When I was in a panic, Elisha picked up the big snowball and put out the fire at once.
It was a tragedy that Daniel made that snowman.
In addition, it was all the more unfortunate that Daniel went to find his parents, saying he would leave the snowman in the audience.
Of course, Daniel cried his eyes out when he saw the snowman's head cut off.
Elisha had a hard time appeasing the crying Daniel. That was already two years ago.
"What does it say for you to smile like that?"
May peeped at my face and asked me a question as I kept smiling.
"Ephel wants to go to the Snow Festival with me."
"Ohh, is this a date?"
"What date. He's just asking me to hang out as friends."
I clarified sharply at May's words.
Then May smiled gracefully and asked.
"So, are you going?"
"Can I go? It's hard to get to Hisaya without my parents."
"Do you want me to be ask the Forem family? You went with them two years ago, so they'll be happy to listen. Allen's friends can help too, so it's good to stop by for sightseeing."
Ooh, there was a way.
If Allen was there, my parents would send me to Hisaya without worrying.
"Yes! Ask them."
I gave a nonchalant answer and smiled.
***
The Forem Castle readily agreed to go to Hisaya.
At the same time, Selena and Dennis were also scheduled to go to the Snow Festival, so they decided to join the gathering.
"What's up with the Snow Festival all of a sudden?"
When I suggested Cassis to go to see the Snow Festival, he asked.
In the meantime, I added.
"There's a lot of snow here anyway, so do you have to go there?"
Truly unromantic words.
Snow is snow, and festivals are festivals.
I listed the benefits of the festival step by step to persuade Cassis.
"You can go to enjoy the festive mood. There's beautiful sculptures, and you can go on rides, and you can set off fireworks at night, and you can sit around the campire together."
Cassis seemed to be worried, but he didn't say he wouldn't go.
I wasn't going to do this, but...
After a moment of hesitation, I grabbed his hand and began to whine.
It was a method that I used to use often with my dad.
"It'll be fun if you go. Okay? You won't regret it. Let's go together, pleasee~"
I drew my face closer to him and gave him a desperate look.
Cassis coughed.
"Do you want to go to the festival with me?"
It's because I can't go to Hisaya without you.
I replied frankly, hiding my thoughts.
"Mhm!"
"Okay. Let's go, why not."
Then Cassis smiled and said yes.
I waved around Cassis's hand a couple of times, shouting 'Yahoo!'
Then Cassis asked abrubtly.
afterword
ah yes the snow festival arc... and the last time we'll see ephel for a while lol! jealous cassis + team protect evelyn (guess who is in the team lmaoo) is coming ur way!!