Chapter 219

 

* * *

 

As Loretta had said, a new messenger from the capital came to Kristonson again after a little over a week had passed.

Melody checked the packages placed in front of her one by one with a slightly trembling heart.

There were replies to the letters she had sent last time and a few more new invitations.

But…

‘There’s no letter from the Young Master…’

Melody went to Loretta and subtly asked if she had received a letter from Claude.

Trying her best not to reveal her emotions.

“There’s no letter from brother Claude. There are two pages of nagging, but that’s still less than half the usual.”

Melody laughed along with Loretta’s cheerful answer, but actually felt like a corner of her heart was being weighed down by something.

“…Melody, are you… okay?”

Noticing something different, Loretta began to look at her worriedly, but Melody quickly nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Um… I’ll go out to the city alone for a bit. I need to write replies and I’m out of ink.”

“If you ask Wendel Benton, he’ll stock up on interesting ink right away. The kind that only good people can see.”

“Uh, I’m a little tired of interesting things now. I think I prefer regular ink.”

Fortunately, Loretta didn’t hold Melody back any further.

It seemed she was considerate of the fact that Melody wanted to be alone.

 

* * *

 

Melody put on a wide-brimmed hat to prepare for the strong sunlight and headed to the city.

The festival was starting tomorrow, but eager tourists were already picking out matching masks at the stalls lined up in front of the riverbank. There were also several children running across the bridge holding pinwheels.

After getting out of the carriage and walking a little, she soon arrived at the tall arch-shaped bridge that was said to grant wishes.

She didn’t particularly have a wish, but recalling August who had crossed this place several times before, she held her breath and slowly moved forward.

Reaching the highest point, a gust of wind blew for a moment, and as Melody quickly grabbed the brim of her hat.

Someone approached Melody from behind.

“May I ask what wish you made?”

Surprised, she turned around and saw a welcome person she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Miss Hatfield!”

Hatfield, who greeted her with a refreshing smile, looked completely different from when they met in the capital.

It was probably because she was wearing a comfortable shirt and pants instead of a stuffy dress. Her silver hair tied high above her head swayed lightly in the wind.

“It’s been a while, Miss Higgins. We haven’t seen each other all this time, but to meet in a place like this!”

“I received your letter saying you were planning a summer vacation. I’m sorry for… sending a late reply.”

“No, we ended up meeting like this anyway, right? That’s all that matters. Did you come for the festival?”

“Yes, that’s right. I came with the young lady of Baldwin. She’s currently at the Briggs mansion.”

“Oh my, I should go pay my respects later. It would be alright, wouldn’t it?”

“Of course. She’ll be happy.”

Just then, a man approached behind Hatfield.

Melody thought the man’s face looked somewhat familiar.

Although she couldn’t quite remember where she had met him.

“It’s been a while.”

Soon the man slightly bowed his head towards Melody.

The moment she heard his pleasant baritone voice, Melody was able to recall who he was.

How could she have forgotten? She had even admired him a long time ago!

Although they hadn’t had much of a connection since Claude had come between them.

“Sir Christian Carver! Is that right?”

As Melody called out to him with great joy, he seemed a little embarrassed.

“Yes, I’m glad you remember me.”

“But did you two come together?”

Melody looked back and forth between Hatfield and Carver, and they immediately waved their hands wildly to correct Melody’s misunderstanding.

“I know what you’re misunderstanding. But it’s absolutely not like that!”

“Hatfield is right, it’s definitely not!”

“We didn’t come alone. Since they said the summer festival will be even grander this year, several young nobles from the capital came together. The reason we came out to the city as a pair is because we were the only ones who hadn’t picked out masks to wear tomorrow.”

They didn’t need to deny it so fervently. Somehow Hatfield seemed very careful, as if Melody might have some other misunderstanding.

“Hehe, I got it. I won’t misunderstand. So did you buy masks?”

“I did.”

Hatfield lightly placed the mask she was holding on her face. It had blue fake jewels attached, beautifully reflecting light whenever the sun hit it.

“It suits you well.”

“Doesn’t it?”

She lowered the mask and smiled slightly, then clapped her hands as if a good idea had come to her.

“Ah, then would you like to pick out Sir Carver’s mask, Miss Higgins? I’m already tired and want to go back to the villa.”

“Me?”

“Yes, if Miss Higgins doesn’t feel uncomfortable around Sir Carver.”

He wasn’t… uncomfortable. Just a little unfamiliar.

“Hatfield. Miss Higgins must have come to assist the young lady of Baldwin, so it’s troublesome to suggest that on your own.”

As Carver lightly scolded her, Melody quickly shook her head.

“It’s alright, I don’t have anything particularly urgent to do. If Sir Carver doesn’t mind, I can help pick out a mask with you.”

“Of course Sir Carver doesn’t mind!”

“I haven’t said anything yet…”

“You don’t mind, right? I know, you definitely won’t! Because Sir Carver is!”

As Hatfield excitedly tried to say something on her own, he hurriedly reached out and covered her mouth.

“…You really seem tired, so it would be best for you to go back to the mansion now. Hatfield.”

He put strength in his eyes, and Hatfield stepped back with a slight smile.

“Then I’ll leave Sir Carver in your care, Miss Higgins.”

“Don’t worry. See you again then.”

Hatfield walked away with quite light and lively steps for someone who said they were “too tired and had to go.”

“…I apologize. Hatfield and her group are overly interested in other people’s affairs.”

“Of course I know. And that it’s their lovely side.”

“I absolutely can’t agree with that.”

The two slowly descended from the high bridge, having a light argument about Hatfield’s meddling.

Right below the bridge, there were fortunately several stalls lined up displaying various masks.

Melody entered the nearest store and tried a few masks on his face.

Carver didn’t seem to be the type to put effort into shopping like Claude, so he quickly chose a suitable mask and paid for it.

Now that the promised mask selection was over, Melody thought they would part ways like this. But he accompanied her even to the place where she was choosing ink.

“I think it’s about time to go back.”

“I see, the young lady of Baldwin might be worried. I’ll go with you to where the carriage is waiting.”

“Thank you, but it’s alright.”

His kindness was nice, but it wasn’t entirely comfortable to keep receiving his consideration like this.

“I have something I want to think about alone.”

“I see, I understand.”

As he withdrew without saying much, Melody secretly let out a small sigh of relief.

“Instead… This might sound a bit strange to ask.”

“Yes?”

He fidgeted with the mask Melody had picked out for him and hesitated for a moment.

“The young lady of Baldwin… goes to bed early, right?”

“What?!”

That was a very strange question, so Melody stared at him intently with narrowed eyes.

Isn’t that so! To be curious about Loretta’s bedtime!

“I don’t know why you’re asking about a lady’s bedtime, but the young lady of Baldwin falls asleep at a childlike hour.”

“I apologize. The question was strange. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

His cheeks turned red for a moment, perhaps from deep embarrassment.

“Actually, on the last night, the young nobles from the capital all agreed to gather at the bridge.”

“The last… night.”

Melody recalled what Claude had told her last year.

“The last night has quite a lot to see. Especially when they shoot off fireworks, everyone takes off their masks and blesses each other.”

“Ah, you’re talking about the fireworks, right?”

“You know about it.”

“Of course, although last year it rained so we couldn’t…”

“You came last year too?”

Melody quickly waved her hands. It would be better to keep it a secret that she had been in Kristonson alone with Claude.

It would be very troublesome if strange rumors started.

“No! I just heard someone say that.”

“I see, you don’t need to worry. The same thing as last year won’t happen this year.”

“That’s a relief.”

“So about that, if Miss Higgins could join us at the gathering.”

He paused for a moment and smiled a little awkwardly.

“I think… everyone, including myself, would be happy.”

Melody thought his suggestion wasn’t bad.

In fact, she had given up thinking she wouldn’t be able to attend the fireworks event on the last day.

Because it was time for both Loretta and August to go to bed.

She didn’t want to be reckless enough to go out alone late at night either.

If she accepted Carver’s invitation, Melody would be able to spend time not only with Hatfield but also with several young nobles she had met at her mansion.

“That sounds fun, thank you for the invitation. Could you let your group know that I’ll be joining?”

At Melody’s answer, Carver’s face immediately brightened.

“Of course. Miss Hatfield will think highly of my efforts.”

“I’m glad if I helped Sir Carver’s reputation.”

Melody said goodbye to him and returned to the carriage waiting for her.

On the way back to the Briggs mansion, she leaned her head against the window and muttered to herself for no reason.

“Even if the Young Master doesn’t send a reply or anything, I can have a tremendously good time!”

Melody vowed to never write a personal letter to him again.

Never!

 

* * *

 

As the main summer festival began, Loretta and August led Prince Samuel and Melody to the city almost every day.

August even ran into childhood friends from the village, but unfortunately, the village boys didn’t recognize him at all.

Melody was worried that August might be upset, but the boy just shrugged and smiled.

On the other hand, Loretta achieved success on the wish bridge in one go. However, she made a gloomy face, saying she forgot to make a wish because she was focusing on holding her breath.

Fortunately, a passing clown handed her a balloon, and she soon forgot about the wish and smiled brightly.

The festival period passed smoothly like this, and before they knew it, the last day that Melody had promised to Carver arrived.