White Night Festival (2)
As befitting the empire's grandest festival, the streets buzzed with crowds. Amid fluttering banners of vivid primary colors, the sweet aroma of melting sugar mingled with the savory scent of roasting meat. Parents strode along laughing heartily, children perched on their shoulders; lovers walked arm-in-arm, basking in each other's warmth. Cutting through the throng, Sera gripped Elijah's hand and forged ahead.
"Oppa, look at that!"
Like a child, Sera bounced excitedly and pointed. There was a street stall selling honey-dipped fruit candies—chunks of various fruits skewered, soaked in honey, and hardened into treats.
"Two, please."
Elijah fished three coins from his pocket and handed them to the vendor. Sera examined the candies she'd received, popped one into her mouth with a quick lick, and beamed with delight.
"Wow... it's so sweet. Here, oppa, try a bite."
She held the candy—still slick from her own mouth—up to Elijah's lips. With sparkling eyes and an innocent grin, she gazed up at him. Elijah took a reluctant nibble. Rolling the piece on his tongue, a fresh apple tang blended smoothly with sweet honey.
"What do you think? Delicious, right?"
"...Yeah. Sweet enough to give me a headache."
"Heehee, that's exactly why we come to festivals."
Humming a little tune, Sera started walking again. Elijah followed, clutching his candy in one hand.
After passing a couple of alleys, a large tent came into view. Sera tugged him inside by the hand.
"Neria said this one's pretty good."
As Sera pulled him along, Elijah glanced at the sign by the entrance.
"Puppet show...?"
"Yeah! Doesn't it sound fun?"
Sera grinned ear to ear. The tent was already packed with children and parents. She darted forward, squeezing into an empty spot near the front. Elijah trailed behind and bumped his forehead on a wooden support beam, wincing slightly.
...Being tall had its downsides sometimes.
"Here, oppa!"
Sera had already claimed seats and yanked his sleeve. He sat beside her, and soon the show began.
It wasn't anything spectacular—just crudely carved wooden puppets painted in bright colors, your standard street performance. The puppeteer was skilled enough that the movements looked natural, but that was about it.
"...".
Yet Sera watched the stage, utterly entranced the whole time. She burst into giggles at the puppets' comical gestures and clutched her skirt tensely when the hero faced peril. At the climax, as the protagonist dramatically vanquished the villain, Sera leaped up, clapping wildly.
"Yay! He won!"
The kids around her shot side-eyes at her greater enthusiasm, but Sera paid them no mind. Elijah chuckled softly and turned his gaze forward.
Lately, being with Sera had this way of drawing out smiles for no reason at all.
The moment they stepped out of the tent, Sera shook Elijah's arm.
"Phew... that was fun, right?"
"Eh, it was okay."
"Liar. I saw your mouth twitch up at the end."
Grinning mischievously, she peered up at his face. Instead of responding, Elijah deftly changed the subject.
"Anywhere else you wanna go?"
"Yep. We've still got tons to see today."
The spot Sera led him to next was a small circus stage. Daring acrobatics unfolded on the makeshift platform. When a man stood on his hands atop a stack of chairs taller than himself, Sera gripped Elijah's arm, holding her breath.
"Ah...!"
As the man's body teetered for a split second, she let out a heartbroken gasp. Only after he flashed a grin and regained his balance did she exhale in relief. For his finale—one-handed handstand at the top—Sera applauded fervently.
"Amazing. How does anyone even do that?"
She muttered in genuine wonder. The show continued with fire-eating and breathing flames. With each act, Sera leaned further forward. By the time the juggling went from three balls to seven, she was mimicking the motions with her fingers, completely immersed.
Elijah smiled faintly and ruffled her hair.
Afterward, they strolled along the riverbank. Sera, still fixated on the juggler, absentmindedly waved her hands as if practicing.
"Huh?"
She halted abruptly, staring intently at something. Following her gaze led to a modest flower stall displaying a bouquet of white blooms.
"...Like it?"
"...".
Sera nodded faintly, eyes glued to the flowers. Elijah gave a wry smile and approached the stall. She brought the received bouquet to her nose and inhaled deeply. A fresh, sweet fragrance enveloped her softly.
"Didn't know you liked flowers."
"Oppa, all girls like flowers. If you're that clueless, you'll never get married."
Elijah's steps faltered at her casual remark.
"...".
"Oppa?"
Sera turned, bouquet hugged to her chest.
"Ah, yeah. ...Let's go."
He schooled his expression to neutrality. Sera tilted her head curiously for a moment before skipping ahead again, her steps bouncy with good cheer. Elijah watched her back in silence as he followed.
...
Sera dragged Elijah all over the festival that day. By dusk, he slumped onto a riverside bench, half-exhausted. Maybe I should start training my stamina again. Gazing at Sera beside him, he thought as much.
She was licking an ice cream cone.
"Not full yet?"
She'd eaten more than seven things today already. How did that tiny body hold it all?
"Desserts go in a separate stomach."
She took a big bite—and winced, brows furrowing.
"Urgh...".
"Eat slower. I'm not gonna steal it."
Sera clutched her head, bent over. Elijah gently rubbed her back.
"Better now?"
"...Yeah."
Pressing her temples, she shuffled to the railing. Elijah rose and leaned beside her.
Stall lanterns flickered to life one by one along the river. Sera gazed blankly at the jewel-like scene, a smudge of white cream on her nose.
Without thinking, Elijah reached out and wiped it away with his finger.
"Thanks, oppa."
She popped the last of the ice cream in her mouth, propped her elbows on the rail, and stared across the water. Faint music drifted over the waves, perhaps from a distant band.
"...Pretty."
Sera murmured softly. Elijah said nothing, just looked in the same direction.
"Oppa."
She spoke quietly.
"...Have you ever come here before? With family, or friends."
Elijah regarded her steadily. Sera still faced the far shore.
"...No."
It wasn't a lie. He'd come out with Lien every year, sneaked from the palace with Artisia to sightsee—but never here.
"I see."
After contemplating the water a moment, Sera turned to him with a bright smile.
"Then I'm your first?"
A gentle river breeze stirred. Her hair fluttered softly.
"...".
He felt the small box in his pocket. Steeling himself, Elijah drew it out.
"Sera."
"Yeah?"
Lantern light danced in her eyes. He opened the box, revealing a silver hairpin.
"Bought it with money from the workshop. Thought it'd suit you. And... you've done so much for me...".
But Sera just stared into the box, frozen in a daze. Growing a touch anxious, Elijah asked,
"...Don't like it?"
"No."
She shook her head vigorously.
"I love it. Yeah, I really love it."
Her voice trembled. Elijah smoothed her disheveled hair and carefully pinned it in place.
Bang! Boom!
Fireworks erupted overhead. The show had begun.
"Thanks, oppa. Best gift ever."
Sera wiped her eyes and grinned. Elijah turned away, a bit embarrassed.
Whoosh—Boom!
A massive bloom lit the night sky. Multicolored streaks painted the heavens amid cheers from the crowds. Sera toyed with the hairpin, gazing upward. Elijah watched her profile, a soft smile on his lips.
May these days go on forever.
Boom—Bang...
Listening to the distant fireworks, Elijah thought so.
Which was why, perhaps,
Rumble...
He missed the sound of the city's barrier crumbling.