Ren stood near the corridor window, arms crossed, listening to the faint echo of voices drifting up from the courtyard below.
"…three signs… moon granting a person…"
Ren exhaled slowly.
"Nonsense," he muttered.
Alaric, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "You heard them too?"
"Festival rumors," Ren said flatly. "Stories made to comfort people who can't accept loss."
"And yet," Alaric replied carefully, "those stories exist for a reason."
Ren turned his gaze away, eyes cold.
"Stories don't control fate. I do."
Alaric wisely chose silence.
---
The castle, however, had already lost the battle.
Because Yumi had heard exactly one thing — and that was enough.
Food.
Later that evening, Yumi burst into her room, eyes shining like she had just discovered treasure.
"ELIOTT."
Eliott, who was polishing his sword, flinched.
"Yes, My Lord?"
"You said Moon Festival, right?"
"Yes…"
"And you said there's food."
"…Yes?"
"LIKE… GOOD food?"
Eliott hesitated.
"There are stalls from every region. Sweets, roasted meats, moon cakes—"
Yumi grabbed his arm dramatically.
"I'M GOING."
Eliott panicked. "You can't just—!"
"And," she added seriously, "you mentioned foreign dishes."
"…Some merchants travel far, yes."
Yumi gasped.
"EARTH FOOD."
Eliott blinked. "Earth… food?"
"You wouldn't understand," she whispered, clutching her heart.
"If there's even a chance of noodles, fried snacks, or something spicy—"
She slammed her fist into her palm.
"I MUST ATTEND THIS FESTIVAL."
Eliott tried to reason with her.
"My Lord, the Moon Festival is crowded. And… the prince hasn't approved—"
Yumi leaned in, eyes sparkling dangerously.
"I will behave."
Eliott looked unconvinced.
"I will NOT touch mysterious things," she added.
"…That does not reassure me."
"I will NOT accept any blessings from glowing objects," she continued.
Eliott sighed. "That's worse."
Yumi crossed her arms.
"I just want snacks. I don't care about that prince."
The universe laughed.
---
Meanwhile, Ren stood before a mirror, adjusting his gloves, expression unreadable.
"The Moon Festival," he said quietly. "She wants to go."
Alaric nodded. "She already told the knight."
Ren closed his eyes for a moment.
"She's drawn to it," Alaric added. "Like before."
Ren opened his eyes — calm, sharp, resolved.
"Let her go."
Alaric stiffened.
"…Are you sure?"
Ren's reflection stared back at him, unflinching.
"If fate wants to play games," he said softly,
"then this time… I'll be standing right in front of her."
Outside, the moon rose higher.
And somewhere in the city below, lanterns were already being lit.
Not for wishes.
Not for blessings.
But for the boy(yumi) who thought that hewas chasing snacks —
while fate prepared to knock again.