Chapter 128: Night of the Festival-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: Night of the Festival-2
The second night of the festival passed without much incident.
As Emma had mentioned, it was the night to crown the Village Queen. The women of the village came forward to dance, each showing off her own particular charm.
In-ho was too far away to see anything more than moving silhouettes, but he could still feel the boisterous energy of the scene.
As each woman danced, men would pass by and toss artificial flowers toward them. The dancing grew more intense and flamboyant as the flowers piled up.
Once the Village Queen was finally chosen, a flower crown woven from white blossoms was placed upon her head. With the Queen at the center, the women formed a procession and paraded through the streets.
"Are those artificial flowers on her head?" In-ho asked Emma as the procession passed near the mansion.
"No, those are woven from flowers that bloom in winter."
The colorful crown swayed atop the Queen's head.
"This year's Queen is prettier than the last," Emma remarked tonelessly.
In-ho looked up at her with a look of mild confusion. "I think you're prettier, Emma."
At In-ho’s earnest, teasing-free comment, Emma’s face flushed a deeper red than the vibrant flower crown.
*
The second day passed, and then came the final day of the festival.
Perhaps because it was the grand finale, the noise had been non-stop since dawn. Even In-ho, who had managed to focus on his writing during the first two days, eventually gave up, stopped writing, and took a walk around the garden.
Emma suggested again that they block out the noise with wooden planks, but In-ho told her he could endure it for just one more day.
The festive atmosphere continued well into the evening. As In-ho sat down at the dining table, his eyes swept over the meal Emma had prepared with clearly visible effort.
Perhaps to commemorate the festival, there were more dishes than usual, and the menu was filled entirely with In-ho’s favorite foods.
Pop—
Emma uncorked a bottle of wine and poured a glass for In-ho with elegant movements. The slightly viscous, ruby-red liquid trickled into his glass.
"It isn't much, but... I hope you enjoy it."
Emma spoke formally and took her seat across from him.
"Not much? The table is practically groaning under all this food."
In-ho’s eyes widened at the feast, and his mouth began to water. It was the first time since arriving here that he felt a genuine surge of appetite.
He picked up his knife and began slicing into the steak on his plate. Cooked to perfection, the meat yielded easily without much effort. In-ho popped a piece into his mouth, savoring it with the brown sauce. With every chew, the juices danced on his tongue.
"It’s delicious."
It was a simple, unadorned compliment. He said it every time, yet Emma smiled with a look of deep pride.
"Seeing you enjoy it so much makes me feel full already, Master."
"You should eat, too. You don't get many chances to eat food this good."
Because if we kept eating like this, there wouldn't be any of my inheritance left, In-ho swallowed the rest of the thought.
"Um... Master."
Emma spoke up cautiously as In-ho continued with his steak.
"Yes?"
"If you would allow it... may I have a glass as well?"
Emma’s gaze drifted toward the wine bottle. In-ho nodded readily.
"Of course. I can't drink it all myself anyway. Have some, Emma."
"Thank you."
Emma took the bottle and poured a glass for herself.
"Shall we have a toast?" In-ho suggested, lifting his glass by the stem with his index and middle fingers.
"Yes, certainly. What should the toast be?"
"Uh... well, I'm not really sure. Do you want to do it, Emma?"
In-ho gave an awkward smile, briefly recalling a toast Namgung So-yu had once forced upon him. He couldn't exactly say "Bottoms up" in a place like this.
"Then, if I may be so bold, I will offer the toast."
Emma pondered for a moment before raising her glass slightly.
"To the Master’s happy times."
"To that."
Clink—
Their glasses met with a clear, ringing sound, and the meal proceeded pleasantly.
*
Having not had a drink in a long time, In-ho grew a bit greedy and asked for one more glass.
Emma initially refused, but she eventually surrendered to In-ho’s persistent requests. They decided to finish the remaining wine while watching the fireworks together.
By the time the drinks were set up in his room, the sun had already dipped below the horizon. Winter days were short.
Watching the still-rowdy outdoors, In-ho sat in his armchair while Emma poured him another glass.
Soon, the highlight of the festival—the dancing—began.
A massive pile of firewood was lit, turning into a towering campfire. People gathered around the flames, and the Village Queen chosen the previous day began to dance with her chosen partner.
Joyful music drifted through the air as people paired off and began to dance.
"Emma. Don't you feel like you're missing out?" In-ho asked after taking a sip of wine.
Emma, who had been drinking alongside him, saw her expression turn cold.
"Master, if you are going to bring up Hans again..."
"It’s not that." In-ho chuckled softly. "You're around the same age as the people dancing down there."
"I'm not sure what you mean." Emma tilted her head.
"I just thought that sometimes, you might want to play and have fun with friends your own age."
"I have no desire to play in such a crowded place. I prefer being here in this mansion."
"Still..."
As In-ho’s voice trailed off, Emma took a large gulp of the wine remaining in her glass.
Gulp, gulp.
After draining the glass without pause, Emma wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood up quietly.
"Um... Master."
"Yes?"
"I-if you are that concerned about me... would you dance with me?"
"Dance?"
In-ho looked at Emma, startled. Emma twirled a lock of her hair with her finger, slightly avoiding his gaze.
"I-it's just... if you feel... s-sorry for me... and think I'm not having enough fun..."
"......"
As In-ho sat there frozen with his mouth slightly agape, Emma’s face turned even redder.
"I-I... I spoke out of turn..."
"No."
"Pardon?"
"Let's dance."
In-ho gave her a gentle smile.
*
Whiz— Bang!
Flowers made of fire embroidered the sky. The artificial shapes created by red, blue, and yellow fireworks gifted beauty to all who watched.
Under the night sky filled with blooming light, pairs of people continued their dance, bodies pressed close together.
And on the second floor of the mansion, another pair was dancing.
"It’s a bit awkward. I don't really know how to dance."
Holding one of Emma’s hands while supporting her waist with the other, In-ho spoke with a sheepish smile. Emma shook her head vigorously.
"I-I don't know anything either. Isn't the desire to dance enough?"
Emma was desperate, fearing her awkward master might take back his word.
"Right. Let's give it our best, two amateurs together."
Smiling broadly, In-ho slowly moved his feet to the music drifting in from outside. Their movements were a bit stiff as they followed the rhythm, but they didn't look ridiculous.
In the middle of the dance, Emma leaned her head against In-ho’s chest and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Th-thank you."
"For what?"
"I-it was such a ridiculous request..."
"Not at all. If it's something you want to do, Emma."
The Master was kind.
They continued their dance.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The fireworks reached their finale, the explosions growing larger and more magnificent. Occasionally, the primary colors of light streaming through the window illuminated their profiles.
Perhaps having grown more accustomed to it, In-ho was less stiff than before and began to lead Emma. Emma surrendered her body to her master’s footsteps.
"M-Master."
As they spun toward the window, Emma called out to him.
"Yes?"
"D-do I seem strange today?"
"Hmm... not strange. I just didn't know you were the type to be this spoiled, but I think I've learned that today."
"Huu... I see. I-it's probably because of the alcohol."
"That could be it. Alcohol is a drink that makes people honest."
"S-so..."
"???"
"W-would it be alright if I was a-a little more spoiled?"
Emma continued haltingly.
"I-I'm drunk... and I w-want to act a little more spoiled with you, Master."
"Go ahead. Tell me."
In-ho, who couldn't possibly be unaware of Emma’s feelings, gave his consent. Emma took a deep breath.
Exhaling through her nose, Emma composed herself. Having regained her calm, she lifted her face from his chest and looked In-ho straight in the eye.
"Master. Could you... just once... hold me tight?"
Looking at that face—one that craved affection yet was tinged with a deep sorrow—In-ho couldn't even imagine the option of refusing.
He stopped dancing, and the two of them stood still, merged into one silhouette. In-ho let go of Emma’s hand and opened his arms wide.
"Ah..."
In-ho pulled Emma into a firm embrace. His arms were thin, but today, they felt strangely imbued with strength.
"Thank you for everything, Emma. I find peace of mind because you're here."
In-ho’s voice whispered into Emma’s ear.
"I... I am always grateful to you as well, Master."
Emma responded to his words.
"Because you are here, my life has meaning."
As if overwhelmed, Emma’s voice grew thick, and tears began to track down her cheeks.
And as if to spotlight the scene, the final firework exploded magnificently, raining down golden light.
Thus the festival ended, and four months passed.
The mansion where they lived began to drift past the very end of winter.