The Feast of the First Voyage. It celebrated a nearly-ancient story about the founding of Corvailles.
Personally, I wasn't all that interested in the story. The festival, however... who doesn't enjoy a big party?
"What're we gonna do first?" Liora asked.
The four of us: Liora, Marielle, the prince, and I, were walking around. Not to mention the handful of guards who followed us around...
"Well, it's best to get food now while it's still bright, since after dark the taverns are full of drunkards. Night is when all the best activities happen anyway."
"We're eating at a tavern?" I asked.
"Yes, is that a problem?"
"What? Of course not. I didn't realize you'd be comfortable with it, though..."
"It'd be best if you didn't make assumptions about me."
I think I upset her...
The prince was relatively silent the entire time, save for a few callouts or observations.
He was clearly uncomfortable. No doubt due to Marielle. I felt responsible...
"So, you're the prince. Isn't that awesome?" I nudged him.
I let Liora entertain Marielle. It felt rude to focus on the noble lady only while a prince was beside me.
"Ah, no, not at all. It's quite dreadful, actually..." he sighed.
"Really? But I heard that the princes live in luxury, especially the younger princes who don't have to worry about inheriting the throne."
"I suppose my two brothers live in luxury. I'm not quite as... it's hard to explain. But I've come here to get away from all that!"
I'm surprised he's opening up to me that easily. I've only just met him, after all.
"Do you train in the sword?"
"Is that also something you've 'heard'?"
"...Yes. Isn't it tradition for the princes to be knighted on their eighteenth?"
"Haaah, that's right. But I absolutely can't stand the sword. I have other passions, though."
"Like what?"
"Well, for one—"
"We're here, boys," Marielle said.
We'd arrived at a large tavern. It was impressive, but certainly below noble standards.
Inside was a loud and energetic crowd, partying and enjoying the festivities together.
"Oi! Orrick, you better not have given the upper table yet!" Marielle roared though the loudness of the tavern.
"Ah, my lady! Of course I didn't, it's free for you and your... friends! Use it as long as you'd like."
We followed Marielle up the stairs to a quieter area that looked down over the rest of the tables.
There was one large table, allowing us a small bit of peace compared to sitting below.
"Do you come here often?" I asked.
"Well, I suppose. It's sometimes nice to be around my people and away from the manor."
The man seemed surprised she brought friends with her. Is she a solitary person?
If she had a lot of friends, there's no way she'd be hanging out with us during the largest festival of the year.
"Linnie! I wanted that seat!"
"Ehh... take it then?"
I was now sat between Marielle and the prince. It was a little awkward, I'd hoped Liora would sit next to me...
"Orrick! Bring us a table platter! And two pitchers of glimmerale!"
"Yes, my lady," the man called back from below.
"Glimmerale? Sorry, but Liora and I can't drink."
Marielle started to laugh.
"You can't drink, you say? Don't worry, glimmerale isn't alcoholic... it's a staple for the festival. Even little kids have it."
"The glimmerale, my lady. The food will be out shortly."
I poured myself a glass of the beverage. It was a sparkling, honey-colored beverage.
"Me too! Pour me a glass!" Liora asked.
Pour yourself a glass...
I poured her a glass.
"Cheers..." I sighed, dinking tankards.
I brought it to my mouth, taking a sip of the drink. It was different than I'd expected, and had a fruity taste.
"It's good!" I said.
"Bleh..."
Liora spat it back out into her cup.
"What're you doing!?" I slapped the back of her head.
"Could I just have some water?" she frowned.
"You don't like it? Well, it's not for everyone, I suppose. Orrick! Water please!"
The prince had poured himself a glass and was enjoying it silently. I didn't know how to speak with him, so I didn't.
"Oi, what's going on up here? So she brought friends this time...!"
A group of three older boys had climbed the stairs and were now standing in front of us.
"...Orrick! Where's that water!?"
"Oh, the little girl wants to ignore us." The boy slammed his hand on the table.
"What do you want, Silac?" Marielle calmly asked, sipping her ale.
"Oh, well, I thought I made it pretty clear that I was going to be using this table tonight."
"No, you made it clear that you wanted to use this table tonight."
"You bitch, who do you think you are? It's not like you own this tavern!"
"How could you be so rude to the—" Liora started, but Marielle stopped her.
So, she hides her identity while she's here? Then is that dress one of her... cheap ones?
But letting them treat the prince like that is a completely different matter... is she really going to let this go on, or do I have to step in?
"Are you going to go away, or is Orrick going to have to kick you out?"
"Orrick, Orrick, Orrick. I'd love to see him try."
Orrick could definitely kick them out. He was a very large man.
So where is he?
"That's enough," I said.
I kept the brim of my hat low on my face. Alwyn told me concealing my eyes would invoke fear.
"HAHAHAHA!" the three laughed. "Who is this kid, Mirielle?"
'Mirielle'? That's your cover name?
"He's a... an acquaintance. I'm sure you could tell from his attire, but he's a wizard."
"...A wizard? Are you trying to make me laugh some more? A scrawny brat like this, a wizard? He totally stole those clothes off a corpse or something!"
Damned teacher! Why couldn't you teach me any spells already!? The only ones I know would leave these kids as charred corpses!
"What the fuck—!"
The lead boy was sent flying through the railing and into the tables below.
Clinging to him was Liora, also flying through the air. She'd tackled him without any warning.
You idiot...!
"Someone help me! Anyone!"
A crowd surrounded the two who were on the remains of a splintered table. Liora was ruthlessly clawing and beating him.
"Really?" I said as the two boys lunged at me.
"STOP!"
Marielle's scream cut through the chaos of the tavern.
"ORRICK! WHERE IS MY FOOD!?"
"Sorry, my lady. I'm coming up right now!"
The large man set down the platters of food, the clattering of the plates echoing through the silence.
The prince, who was wholly ignoring the ordeal, started to dig in.
"Thank you." Marielle sat back down, grabbing her silverware. "What're you looking at me for? Continue."
Chaos once again took over the tavern. It was no longer just us and the boys fighting, but an entire tavern-wide brawl had broken out.
The two boys grabbed me, swinging me back and forth over the drop as I kicked and punched at them.
"Better think twice on who you're sticking up for!" they laughed.
Right as they were about to send me off, the screeching of the chair on the wood filled the air.
Marielle had kicked my chair with surprising force into the back of one of the boys, sending him falling off the edge.
With the opening she'd provided me, I grabbed the remaining boy by the arm and twisted him around me, kicking him in the chest to send him flying.
"Haah... that was close," I huffed.
I peered over the edge and saw Liora now fighting with the three heavily injured boys.
Sorry...
I turned back to the table and sat in what was previously Liora's chair.
"Wow, this food looks great!"
"It's the best in the entire city."
I dug into the endless pile of food.
"You were a lot of help back there," I said sarcastically to the prince.
"Who, me?" he laughed. "Ehh... fighting's not really my thing."
You...!
"So you were scared," Marielle said.
"Yeah, yeah. I was scared," he shrugged, spooning more food onto his plate.
Finally, Liora came climbing up the stairs. She was struggling to pull the three boys by their hair behind her.
"Wow, three in a row. But what'd you bring them up here for?" I clapped.
"Oh. I don't know, it felt cool," she lifted her arms in victory.
Her dress was battle-damaged and torn... I hoped Marielle wouldn't ask us to reimburse her.
"Here, eat something." Out of the goodness of my heart, I plated her some food.
"But... where'd my chair go?" she frowned.
"Oh... you can take mine. I'm done eating anyway."
Out of the greatness of my heart, I gave her my chair.
"Wow, this food is incredible!" she said, mouth full.
We stayed for a while longer. Liora and Marielle only finished when the sun had started to set.
"Getting ready to hibernate or something?"
"What? I was hungry," Liora replied.
She rarely understands when I'm being mean... it's boring.
"Orrick! Where were you when those boys were bugging me!?"
Marielle stopped by the counter as we were leaving.
"Oh... I'm sorry, my lady. I was cooking your food."
"What!? Where's your chef...?"
"Illian stopped showing up to work a few days ago... that's why I've been kind of backed up today."
"He stopped showing? That's strange, he was so devoted."
"I know... I checked on him at his house, but he wouldn't answer the door. I'm worried he's ill, but there isn't much I can do."
"Well, I hope he comes back soon. Thanks for everything, Orrick."
"Enjoy the festival, my lady!"
Marielle left the counter and reunited with us, leading us back out into the street.
"How come he knows your secret?" I asked.
"He's an old friend of my father's. I'm worried about his chef, Illian. It's strange for him to be skipping work, especially during the festival."
"Maybe he's out celebrating," Liora said.
"No... I doubt it," Marielle sighed. "Anyways, thanks for sticking up for me, you two.
"Of course. But... where were your guards?"
"You didn't notice? On our way to the tavern, I completely ditched them. They're probably frantic right about now..." she laughed.
That's so dangerous!?
"They don't know you frequent that tavern?"
"Nope. No one does, not even my father."
Orrick, you're not a very responsible adult!!
"What's that? I want it!"
Liora suddenly ran off towards a stall.
"Oh god... I think I'm gonna be sick," I gagged.
The fuss was over sticks of octopus legs. I wouldn't have such a reaction if they weren't... twitching.
"Oh! I love these! They're raw octopus skewers, they're so delicious!" Marielle clapped.
"Aren't you two full...?"
I couldn't even look in the direction of the stand. The old vendor laughed at my reaction.
"Don't be rude!" Liora kicked my shin.
Ow! Am I wrong...!?
I looked at the prince. He was smiling to himself, looking off into the distance.
I followed his gaze. It was to the sunset on the horizon, making the ocean glimmer.
"It's pretty. The perks of being on the west, I guess."
Is he talking to himself?
"...I'm talking to you. Are you going to just keep staring!?"
He can read my mind?
"Hello!?"
"What? Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought. It really is pretty."
We stared at the sunset together. It was kind of gross.
But not grosser than watching Liora and Marielle eating food that clung to their faces...
"The lantern show is starting! Let's go!"
I was taken aback as Marielle grabbed Liora's and my hands, dragging us through the streets.
Of course, the prince followed behind us.