I Avoid People During This Time of The Year

“It’s the Festival of Remembrance!”

“Festival of Remembrance?”

“Mm! It’s a celebration where we honor the souls of those who have left us!”

“I see… How did this tradition start?”

“Mmm… I’m not really sure… They say that long ago, someone had come into town and performed the ritual but there aren’t many facts to back that claim up. No one remembers who started it anymore. But the meaning was beautiful, so people kept it.”

“That’s… that’s good to know…”

As the breakfast came to a close, Kei once again found himself in his room looking out of the window. It looked as though he was deep in thought and had many things on his mind.

“A festival… to honor the dead… huh?” Kei was thinking out loud.

‘Do they even know what they’re celebrating anymore?’ This thought ran through Kei’s mind.

“Why don’t you try and visit the festival, master?” Charlotte, who was also in the room, spoke up.

“Hmm… I think I’ll pass… Besides, I try to avoid people during this time of the year…”

“I personally think it would be a good opportunity for you and the lady to bond.”

“I don’t think bonding is in the cards for me at the moment.”

“Hmm…” Charlotte now looked slightly sympathetic at her master’s disapproval.

“I will be heading out for a bit. Feel free to take a break and maybe visit the festival with the lady.”

“If that is your wish.”

A few moments after Kei had left, Charlotte knocked on Celena’s room’s door before entering after being given permission to do so. Inside, she watched as Celena was trying on several different outfits.

“Charlotte…!!!” Celena groaned, surrounded by discarded outfits.

“Is something the matter, milady?”

“I can’t decide what to wear!!!”

“But why are you trying on so many different outfits?”

“I… I was going to invite Kei-kun to the festival. But I didn’t know what to wear…”

“Umm… Milady… The young master won’t be participating in the festival…”

“Eh… Ehhh?!?! Why? Why not?!”

“I am not sure. He did not state the reason why. Just that he was going out.”

“Charloteee!!! You should’ve made him stay!!”

“Milady...”

“Ugh…”

Celena was practically holding Charlotte by the shoulders and shaking her while in tears now.

“Apologies, Milady. However, Kei-sama is my current master, I cannot disobey his orders.”

“Urk… what orders…”

“To have fun with you during the festival.”

“Muuu… Fine then…”

As Celena wallowed in her sadness, Eric was in his study going over the mountain of paperwork he still had to deal with. He had Lucia, ever the capable noblewoman, by his side helping him sort through some of his work. After all, the festival was on that night itself. Most of the technical paperwork was done. However, the permits that needed to be approved for operating stalls were still a big pile.

“Say, who’s performing the ritual this year?” Eric asked Lucia after he had finally sorted out the paperwork.

“Ah, it’s the same girl from last year.”

“The one with the violet hair? Well, I’m sure it’s going to be a joyful festival this year. I’ve never seen so many stalls before.”

“Well, Rovinj has grown significantly over the years. It’s only natural.”

“I hope that whoever the people pray for, may find peace in this festival.”

As Eric said that, he looked out the window of his study, peering out to the town below under the evening sun, as the lights were turning on and the festival that was about to begin. Eric noticed that the air felt colder compared to previous festivals.