Chapter 127: Night of the Festival-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127: Night of the Festival-1
Perhaps because it was a world with so few forms of entertainment, the festival began earlier than In-ho had expected.
The sun had only just risen, yet people were already out on the streets in small groups, wandering about with drinks in hand.
Or perhaps they had been drinking since yesterday.
The festival was said to last for three days.
With visitors coming from outside and it being one of the few holidays of the year, the residents were expected to finally open their tightly shut wallets.
Perhaps that was why the merchants had prepared as thoroughly as soldiers going into battle, ready to make the most of this peak season.
The boisterous noise drifted over the firmly closed iron gates.
In-ho pulled himself up and rubbed his bleary eyes.
"......"
He clenched and unclenched his hands a few times.
Unlike the day before yesterday and yesterday, his strength was gradually fading.
Staring blankly at his hands, In-ho raised his arms and stretched.
Knock, knock.
"Master, it’s Emma. Are you awake?"
"Yeah. Come in."
The door opened as soon as he spoke.
Emma entered carrying a small silver basin.
In-ho washed his face and brushed his teeth using the water she had brought.
After he rinsed and spat out the water, Emma picked up the basin containing the used water.
"Since you have no plans to go out today, I’ve prepared some comfortable clothes for you."
She set out the clothes they had bought at the clothing store previously and left the room.
Once the door closed, In-ho changed and headed out.
As he carefully made his way down the stairs, he saw Emma, who had already emptied the water, setting the table for breakfast.
Breakfast consisted of warm soup and bread.
In-ho would have preferred to eat meat from morning till night if he could, but he felt a lingering regret that his body simply couldn't keep up.
"It’s a cream soup topped with sliced mushrooms and white bread," Emma explained briefly as he sat at the table.
"There are also jams for you to dip the bread in."
She placed two small dishes on the table, one with apple jam and the other with strawberry jam.
With practiced movements, In-ho used a knife to scoop some jam and spread it onto his bread.
"You sit down too, Emma."
At his words, Emma cautiously sat across from him.
He had started eating with Emma because dining alone felt awkward, but she still seemed unaccustomed to it, her movements appearing stiff during every meal.
Still, she’s much better than she was on the first day.
The first time they had eaten together, Emma had been as rigid as a robot.
"The bread is good. It’s soft."
"Yes. It seems to have been baked quite well."
The bread was baked in the oven the night before.
"The soup is perfect too. The seasoning is light, which I like."
In-ho praised the meal as he chewed his bread and took a spoonful of soup.
"Thank you."
Emma beamed, looking genuinely happy to be complimented.
—Waaaaaaaah!!
A roar of cheers from outside reached the dining room.
"Is there some kind of competition for the festival?"
"There are events for the village men, like football or tug-of-war."
"This early in the morning?"
"The schedule is packed, so it seems they’re getting the preliminary rounds out of the way early."
"I see."
As In-ho replied indifferently while continuing to eat his soup, Emma watched his expression closely.
"Um... Master. If it’s too noisy, should I take some measures?"
"Measures? Like what?"
"I was thinking of boarding up the windows with wooden planks to dampen the sound."
"It won't help. And don't waste your energy. It’s not even that loud anyway."
In-ho spoke as he tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into his soup.
"If you say so, Master."
Realizing her suggestion was a bit of a stretch, Emma immediately tore off a small piece of bread and began to chew.
Aside from the commotion outside, it was a breakfast scene like any other.
*
After breakfast, In-ho went into the study.
Emma began her morning chores. Today was the day for laundry and organizing the groceries.
—Waaaah!!
—Stop right there!
—Catch me if you can!
Because it was noisier than usual, In-ho frequently turned his head to look out the window while he was writing.
The streets were certainly crowded, and stalls could be seen here and there.
"I wonder if festival food is any different?"
He became curious about the food being sold at the stalls.
—Cough! Cough!
Muttering to himself, In-ho took a sip of the tea Emma had brought him and began to cough.
His coughing fit didn't subside easily.
—Ahem, ahem.
"Phew, I thought I was a goner."
Massaging his still-uncomfortable throat, he tried to return to his writing.
"Oh?"
As he turned his gaze, a familiar young man standing in front of the main gate caught his eye.
It was Hans.
In-ho recalled something the nurse had told him the day he stayed at the hospital.
[Miss Emma gave Mr. Hans a bit of a beating.]
Emma’s sudden outburst was somewhat expected.
He didn't need to see it to know how Emma’s rage at failing to protect her master would have manifested.
To think he would come back after being scolded like that.
He thought the power of love was truly remarkable.
Hans stood before the manor’s bell, hesitating for a long time.
The confident demeanor he had shown before was nowhere to be found.
"...He’s gone."
After agonizing in front of the manor, Hans turned away with slumped shoulders and disappeared into the street.
In-ho didn't know if he was stepping back for now or for good, but he hoped the young man would find someone good eventually.
Though he seemed a bit slow on the uptake, he didn't seem like a bad person at heart.
Knock, knock.
While In-ho was thinking about Hans's future, Emma knocked on the study door.
"Master, may I come in?"
Emma, having finished her morning chores, asked In-ho.
Is it just my imagination, or is she finishing her morning chores faster and faster these days? In-ho wondered.
"Yeah. Come in."
The moment In-ho spoke, Emma opened the door and entered.
"How is the... writing going?"
Emma sat in a chair, keeping a respectful distance.
"Good. It’s going to be a masterpiece. I’m sure of it. It’s the story that will mark the perfect return of the writer Kang In-ho."
"If you value it that highly, Master, then it will surely be a work passed down to future generations."
"Yeah. I think I’m almost finished... I’ll start revising tomorrow... Cough!"
—Cough, cough!
In-ho, who had been talking excitedly, broke into a cough.
He covered his mouth with his hand.
"Are you alright?"
Emma sprang to her feet to approach him, but In-ho held up his other hand.
"I just swallowed wrong. Don't worry."
In-ho spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, and though Emma sat back down, the worry didn't leave her face.
"Emma. I’m curious. What kind of food do they sell at the stalls?"
At her master's question, Emma placed a finger to her chin, deep in thought.
"There are stick-like breads coated in sugar and cinnamon, rice dishes steamed with seafood... and salted pork leg, things like that."
"If you haven't prepared dinner yet, shall we try those?"
"Yes. Then I will go out and buy some after lunch."
*
Since they had decided to eat festival food for dinner, lunch was similar to breakfast.
This was because Emma insisted that if they ate a greasy lunch, they might not be able to properly enjoy the food in the evening.
After lunch, Emma quickly finished her afternoon chores, threw the fur coat In-ho had bought her over her maid uniform, and headed out.
In-ho waited for her, watching the street through the study window.
Emma’s shopping trip took about an hour.
She returned with her hands full, carrying bags of various shapes.
It seemed she had bought many different kinds of food for her master, who was curious about the festival fare.
Thinking that street food should still be presented properly for her master, Emma carefully arranged the treats on the dining table.
"Oh, this is quite an interesting taste."
As In-ho spoke while putting a snack stick in his mouth, Emma ate one as well.
"Still, the things you make are tastier, Emma."
"O-Of course. Even with the same dish, I am confident I can make it more delicious."
Emma, who had been eating the snack, was startled by In-ho’s sudden compliment.
"What’s that?"
"This is the salted pork leg I mentioned earlier."
"Is it like jamon? Can you pass me some?"
"It is very salty, so please don't eat too much at once."
"Got it."
In-ho and Emma shared the festival food while chatting idly.
The sound of children singing drifted in from outside.
"It seems the first day of the festival is drawing to a close," Emma said, listening to the singing.
"On the first night, the local children gather to sing."
When In-ho looked at her, wondering what she meant, Emma offered further explanation.
"What about the second and third days?"
"The second day is when the Village Queen is chosen. The women of the village gather to dance, and those watching throw artificial flowers to the one who dances most beautifully."
"So it’s a popularity contest."
"Yes, that’s right," Emma replied.
"On the third day, as you know, Master, they light the bonfire piled in the center of the village and dance in pairs. At that time, the Village Queen gets to dance in the best spot."
"Oh... I see."
"Yes, and there will be fireworks during the dancing. It will be quite a sight. You’ll be able to see the fireworks from your room as well, Master."
"Right, then I can just watch the fireworks on the last day. By the way... would it be okay if I had a drink that day?"
In-ho asked for Emma’s permission, watching her reaction.
"A drink... you mean alcohol?"
"Yeah, I want to get into the spirit of things."
"There is some alcohol in the cellar... I will check. If there is nothing suitable, I will go out and buy some tomorrow."
"Thanks."
"In exchange, please promise not to drink too much."
Emma said exactly what needed to be said.