Chapter 68: Festival with Vivienne (IX).
Kein's POV
We set out to the direction of the city with Vanilla landing onto the outside part. Her wings flapped strongly making the leaves of the trees surrounding us dance strongly.
When she landed through the ground I made her land near the entrance where no one else was around so no people walking by would have to deal with a nasty strong wind when she landed.
"No more flying for a while, we'll just be shopping together with Vanilla in tow. She's a trained Pegasus so she can just wait outside." I told Vivienne while I got down my saddle and took Vivienne onto my arms taking off her goggles so she could see better now that the wind is not hurting her eye.
"Pah!" (Vivienne) exclaims after the goggles were taken off. She giggles, kicking her foot up and down looking at the city gates. "Whoah..."
I'm guessing she's never been inside a huge city before, well properly explored it because when we came to this place the first time we were escorting the princess into the palace so there was no time to walk around.
"As promised we'll go get you some ubie nuts." I told her and she nodded happily cuddling into my hold.
"Hehehe... Food."
"You and your obsession with food." I muttered but then thought for a bit, she was someone who was probably starving while living in that almost dead village that we found her in... so this behavior of her towards food would make sense.
I instantly felt bad remembering that this morning I scolded my father for spoiling her too much with pancakes. "In that case, we'll get you anything you want today."
Me and Vanilla walked side by side, and immediately I saw the same city I haven't visited for weeks turned into a festive look with all the white roses hanging around houses and shops being so busy with all their customers asking for the things they have on their list.
"These holy candles are perfect! They will be there to take out the bad spirits in your home for the upcoming year!"
"Fresh fish! These are so fresh the light goddess would buy them!"
"Jewelries! Gentlemen there! Wouldn't your lady be satisfied this year with you picking her something new to wear?"
Many people yelled more of their wares trying to attract customers. I... this feels so nostalgic.
"Whoah!!!" (Vivienne) looks like she's also loving the busy atmosphere we have here.
"The Lumenaria festival is right around the corner." I looked up and saw the royal banners being posted as well, there were even church sisters handing out flyers to ongoing passersby.
"Please come to the show! The offering dance will be performed as well!"
"The show is free! You're all welcome to be blessed by our light goddess may the light guide you!"
"The royal family will be watching so please watch with them!"
Ah! The offering dance! I remember when Cecilia was still able to dance she would do that- not until two years ago when she suddenly disappeared and a random church maiden just replaced her position.
They change the girl every other year. After Rose disappeared, I would also come to the church to watch the offering dance to see her- because I thought she would be there but she was absent.
This year though... will she be there?
"Please take a flier! Watch the offering dance! Feast your eyes onto the light!" The girls were trying their best, honestly after it was announced that the royal family will not be performing due to personal reasons many people lost their interest but still- there were a lot who showed up.
I walked towards the church girl who was handing the flier and smiled. "Can I have one please?"
"Oh! Certainly! Thank you so much! May the light be with you-" The girl was about to give me her flier when she gasped, staring at me agape. "Y-You're Lady Kein Hills-" she calls me by my name in a formal way and I tilt my head in confusion.
I wasn't aware that my name was well known amongst church ladies. Ah right- the orphanage works with the church so that's how…
"Yes, I am. I'm just here to get a flier." I told her and she looks at the flyer she was holding before giving it to me happily.
"Thank you for your service, the church has seen what you are trying to do and we like it!" She told me and I thought that it must've been because the word about free education for commoners and orphans has been announced to the public. "If you would like you can take all of my fliers!"
ALL OF THEM?!
NO THANKS I JUST NEED ONE LADY!
"No! No um! I'm good! Just one is good! I honestly don't know what I'll do with that many flyers." I told her and she gave me a little sad pout. She holds my arm and tugs it a bit, Vivienne was also surprised it felt like she was being treated like air at that moment.
"I-If you're free I can show you around the church-"
Show me around the church?! My atheist ass says no thank you-
I panicked and just took the one in her hand running away but of course not without saying my thanks. "No thank you erm! Thanks for the flier, though have a nice day, Miss!"
I ran away so quickly that I was short of breath. Yikes, for someone supposedly with a military background I get tired easily these days. "Hah... Hah... good we lost her."
Vanilla just followed behind us and just didn't care casually looking over some of the stalls that had fruits or hay or feeds.
Whew good, however Vivienne who was with me eyes me carefully before pouting. "Mama... player."
GUHK!
"Eh?! Vivienne, where did you even learn that word?!" I ask, eyeing her suspiciously. I swear! I'm not even cheating or anything!
"...Hmph." she looks away with a dead eye fish and I stare at her menacingly.
"Vivienne-"
"Mommy I tell."
"Please don't tell mommy, and I- am not being a player Vivienne just to make it clear I didn't do anything! I will always be reserved for your Mama, okay?" I tell her reassuringly that I will definitely only be made for Rose until the day my hair turns gray and to my relief Vivienne drops the topic down just agreeing with my words.
"Mm... Mama is better!"
Ah finally something we can agree on.
I take the flier in my hand seeing a written announcement in ink of how the offering dance show would be really late in the evening. Maybe Rose will be there, we ought to watch if that's the case.
"Would you like to watch the offering dance Vivienne? It usually happens on the day of the festival and it's really a sight to see. There will be lights and a spell that will grant many blessings for the crops this year." I turn to the little blonde girl who looks at the flier looking uninterested.
Ah right, these were all things that a little girl like her would definitely be not interested to be hearing or discussing about.
"I think Mommy will be there."
Vivienne takes a half turn before changing her mind. With the mention of Rose she immediately wanted to go. "Me want to go." she tugs on my sleeve and pouts her gray eyes looking teary eyed. "Mama go... go..."
"Alright we'll go for now let's get you some shoes." I raised her up a bit and went on to visit a leather shoes store that we found while walking around the town.
The store smelled good even from the outside, you can smell the leather and paint. We looked at the glass display seeing several shoes that seemed to shine behind it. Looking at Vivienne she was trying to lean in to get a closer look but I couldn't put her down because the ground is dirty.
"For now we can buy you some steady shoes to walk in then you can walk around all you want okay?"
"Mm! Okie Mama!"
I ordered Vanilla to wait outside the store and she followed, she parked herself beside the outdoor glass while people stared at her in awe.
I suppose anyone with a Pegasus was rare here. Lower ranked knights would mostly have horses after all, someone with Vanilla's breed is expensive and hard to tame.
I take Vivienne inside who looks around excitedly trying to spot her new shoe. "Oh my! There are so many! What do you think, Vivienne?!" We saw so many leather shoes on display that I even wanted to shop for myself.
There were also ones in the children's section so we went that way. There were cute little ones designed for girls and so many sizes.
"Hi! How can I help you today ma'am?" I saw one helper approaching us and I looked at Vivienne who was already pointing at several shoes that she wanted. Guess we're going to have a little fashion show before taking them!
"Hello there, all of the shoes that my daughter will pick today... we'll be taking them all."
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