The White Night Festival (1)
Sera wiped down the counter with a rag, humming a little tune under her breath.
The Black Tail Tavern was buzzing with customers more than usual today. It was because the empire's grandest festival, the White Night Festival, was less than a week away.
Put another way, for a quick-witted, sociable waitress like Sera, it was prime time for raking in fat tips.
But there was another reason the smile hadn't left Sera's lips since morning.
"Gonna step out for a bit. Might be late today, so I'll see you back home."
"Huh? Oppa, where're you going?"
The word "oppa" slipped naturally from Sera's mouth. Elijah paused for a moment, then looked away and muttered curtly.
"……Just scouting some work."
"……Gasp."
Sera swallowed hard. Elijah scratched the back of his head, her blank stare prickling at him, and added,
"……You said you'd hook me up with booze."
The tips of Elijah's ears flushed faintly red as he bundled into his threadbare coat. Sera snapped her mouth shut and nodded furiously, like she might shatter, patting his back.
"Yeah, yeah! Oppa, that's genius! Total genius!"
Sera had never once seen Elijah hold down a proper job. All he ever did was slump in the tavern's corner, chugging booze, then beat the crap out of guys who leered at her too hard and swipe their wallets.
Every time, it stung her heart. That's why she'd begged the owner to cut Elijah off from booze and always kept him in her sights, watching over him.
And now, this Elijah was stepping up to find work on his own.
He'd even left his ever-present silver flask on the table.
'Family…….'
Sera murmured the word circling in her mouth.
To her, who'd been sold to a brothel at seven and survived doing every filthy chore imaginable, Elijah was the first real family she'd ever had.
Sure, he had that scary brand on his face and a limp in his leg, but that didn't matter.
To Sera, Elijah was the sturdiest, greatest oppa in the world.
She scrubbed vigorously at an empty table, lost in thought.
'What kinda job's oppa gonna find?'
Guard duty? He'd be perfect—his tough look alone would scare off thieves. Or hauling cargo? His leg was iffy, but he was strong enough. Or maybe teaching swordsmanship. He'd been a knight once, after all.
Sera giggled to herself at the imaginings.
Oppa would probably demonstrate for the kids with that same stone-faced expression, all business.
She pictured him in a crisp uniform, hair neatly tied back.
'Hmm…… not bad at all.' Sera nodded in satisfaction.
Good. If oppa lands a job, I'll buy him a new shirt.
Something with a stiff, tall collar. It'd suit his sharp jawline.
"Sera, table seven."
"Coming right up!"
Even as she bustled out with her tray, Sera's mind raced on.
Wanna clock out early. Gotta get home and hear how it went.
A soft curve touched Sera's lips as Elijah's face floated in her mind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Around the same time, Elijah stood in a dingy alley on the city's edge.
"Sorry, but we can't afford extra hands right now."
Seventh rejection. Elijah nodded quietly and turned away.
A bold sign reading "Help Wanted" hung on the shop door.
'No luck, huh…….'
Elijah absently touched his right cheek.
The mark of the excommunicated. The red brand scarred into his face stood out from afar.
Thanks to it, despite starting at dawn, no one would hire him.
He'd tried every place advertising for workers, and not getting cursed out was a win.
Shopkeeps who'd grudgingly sold him goods as a customer now spat and sprinkled salt when he asked for work.
Courteous refusals like this were rare.
Elijah stretched his stiff back from all the bowing and looked up. The sky was a piercing blue.
'Can't keep burdening Sera forever…….'
He gave a wry smile.
Living off a little girl's earnings—what, was he some kept man?
"Oppa! Have a good one!"
He recalled Sera's bright smile and waving hand.
"……Can't go back empty-handed."
Thinking of her hustling away at the tavern even now made the hardship bearable. Limping on his bad knee, he headed to the next shop.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
But reality was cold.
After more rejections, Elijah's last stop was a small carpentry shop. The faint sound of sawing and fresh wood scent wafted through the cracked door.
He eyed the sign a moment, then cautiously pushed inside.
"Excuse me. Saw you're hiring."
A little silver bell by the door jingled sharply. The man who seemed to be the owner looked up—then froze at Elijah's face.
"……We—"
The man spat the predictable line with a stiff expression. Elijah could only nod wordlessly.
"……Understood."
He turned and left at once.
He slumped onto a chair at the alley's end, stretching out his legs. The sun was already dipping low. Elijah rubbed his dry face and swallowed hard.
'What do I tell Sera?'
He hadn't expected to snag something solid in a day.
Still, the gloom settled heavy. Especially thinking of Sera's sparkling eyes gazing at him.
Elijah pondered, then slapped his own cheeks with both hands.
Can't mope like this. Sera's sharp—she'll notice.
"……Gotta keep looking."
As he muttered and rose, a woman's voice came from behind.
"Hey there."
"……?"
Elijah turned.
A woman in her forties stood there. Her apron pocket bulged with wood shavings and a protruding plane.
She eyed his face, narrowing her gaze.
"Looking for work, right?"
"……Yes."
She scanned him head to toe, her eyes lingering on his uneven leg.
"Ever worked a carpentry shop?"
Of course not. Elijah shook his head awkwardly.
"Hmm……."
She scratched her chin. Silence stretched.
Uncomfortable, Elijah spoke first.
"……It's fine if you say no."
"Nah, that's not it."
She sighed softly.
"You know that girl working at the Black Tail Tavern?"
"……Yes."
"Hubby said no, but for her sake, you're in."
She nodded toward the shop.
"Swamped with White Night Festival prep—need help. Try till then; we'll talk after."
Elijah stared at her a beat, then bowed slowly.
"……Thank you."
"But."
She added,
"One customer complaint, you're out. Got it?"
Elijah nodded.
"Of course."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Days later.
"How do I look, oppa? Not weird, right?"
Sera spun lightly in place. She wore a pale apricot dress she'd prepped days ago.
White lace at the cuffs fluttered with her motion; the ribbon cinched at her slim waist highlighted the womanly curves she'd gained over months.
Her black hair swept back meticulously, cheeks flushed peach-like—it showed how much care she'd put into primping that morning.
"……."
Elijah couldn't find words for a while. Sera burst into a shy grin at his dazed stare.
"What, oppa? Am I that pretty?"
"……Uh, yeah. You look good."
He finally mumbled. Delighted, Sera sidled up, fussing with the collar of the shirt he'd put on as she whispered,
"Heehee…… Oppa looks seriously hot today. Like a knight from a fairy tale."
With his hair neatly tied back and her gifted shirt fitted proper, Elijah did look transformed.
"……Let's go."
He replied gruffly, offering his hand. Sera smiled softly and took it, like she'd been waiting.
At that moment, the bells signaling the festival's start rang out in the distance.