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Chapter 128: Nia’s Expectations

No country or race values the change of seasons more than the elven descendants of the Verdant Council, who even set up festivals and celebrations at the end of each season.

Despite different customs across various locations, only in the Academy City do people from all countries gather to celebrate festivals that don’t even belong to them.

Thus, the summer night festival, which originally belonged only to the elven descendants, has now become widely known and is a rather lively event.

Since the Trial of Blue has just concluded, many dignitaries from different factions have yet to leave Academy City.

As the Lionheart Princess of the Kingdom of Lionheart, Charlotte even had to personally visit other factions to show her respect.

But rather than feeling displeased about her private time being occupied, Charlotte couldn’t help but smile with excitement as soon as she got into the carriage.

It had been an entire week without seeing Roy, and no matter how composed she tried to be, she couldn’t help but feel a little restless.

Alice said Roy was fine, but why was the Verdant Council still keeping him away?

However, the summer night festival provided Charlotte with an opportunity.

Isn’t it perfectly reasonable for a princess to visit your embassy?

Since she was already there, why not check on her sworn knight too? That seemed perfectly reasonable as well!

Usually, she wouldn’t have any excuse, but this time she was determined that the Verdant Council wouldn’t dare prevent her from meeting him!

Being a friend who was equally concerned about Roy, Charlotte even thoughtfully brought along her little maid, worried the little one would feel lonely.

Little did she know that the girl had been delivering breakfast to Roy every day.

The carriage stalled due to the crowd.

Even the royal carriage couldn’t move quickly on such a busy street.

“Wow, there are so many people today,” Charlotte murmured, glancing out at the bustling crowd outside and catching sight of couples holding hands, feeling a twinge of envy.

But what was there to envy?

She would be seeing Roy tonight, after all.

With that thought, Charlotte looked away, her mood lifting again.

“There’s some congestion up ahead. Let’s take a detour.”

“Sure thing.”

In Academy City, the summer night festival organized by the Verdant Council has long evolved into a widely recognized lively event, drawing many people to the streets to enjoy the festive atmosphere, even if they weren’t elven descendants.

It was like Christmas in Roy’s past life, where the original cultural vibe was somewhat diminished, yet people came out just for the fun and celebration.

Due to the large crowd on the main road, Roy and Nia ducked into a side alley.

Most other girls would likely disdain the dark, narrow alley, fearing their new clothes would get scuffed and dirty.

But Nia was like a child on a spring outing, bouncing around excitedly in the alley.

In the secluded path, the street’s noise was erased.

The girl turned her head in the shadow, her bright green eyes sparkling: “Doesn’t this little road have a hint of adventure?”

“Like, encountering a serial killer, or a cult’s secret ritual, or saving a fleeing damsel in distress, or something?”

“What are you talking about? There are so many guards outside, if anything really happens, it won’t have anything to do with us,” Roy commented sharply.

The northern district of Academy City, where they currently were, was quite prosperous with good security, and various factions set up their embassies here.

In a way, this place was even safer than the magic academy; even reckless cults wouldn’t dare cause trouble here.

However, just as Roy finished speaking, a faint, suspicious noise came from the corner.

Did this girl’s mouth get cursed or something?!

Roy was greatly alarmed and cautiously peeked further into the alley from where the sound was coming.

His pupils shrank, and he quickly ducked his head back.

“Huh? What’s in there? I want to take a look too.”

Seeing this, Nia curiously leaned over.

What are you looking at? Let the couple over there enjoy their thrill, okay?!

“Nothing, let’s hurry back to the street.”

Roy hurriedly pulled the girl back and dashed off, taking three steps in two to escape the scene.

Nia pouted, having her curiosity interrupted, but noticing how tightly Roy held her hand, her lips soon curled back into a smile.

Naturally, she took his hand in return, not letting go until they were back on the street.

As they stepped into the bustling commercial street, they were enveloped by a wave of delightful fragrances.

Vendors lining the street had set up charming tree houses using Extraordinary Power. The exterior of the trees was adorned with the distinctive patterns of the Verdant Council, and beautiful, colorful flowers decorated every shop, which was the source of the enchanting aroma.

Depending on the festival, the decorations on the streets of Academy City changed accordingly. The flower-scented street before them may not be as enchanting as the legendary Elven Forest, but it was enough to make a boy who had lived in concrete and steel marvel.

“Your homeland’s style is really beautiful.”

People usually lack interest in familiar scenery, but just hearing Roy say that, Nia’s eyebrows raised: “If you get the chance, I’ll take you back to the Verdant Council; it’s even more beautiful there.”

“By the way, how did they celebrate the summer night festival at the Verdant Council?” Roy was aware that in Academy City, any holiday meant vendors to boost sales; their traditional festivals must be different.

“Um… it’s not as lively. I can’t really remember it well since I didn’t participate much when I was a child,” Nia shrugged.

Roy felt a bit heavy-hearted thinking that maybe she had been cooped up all this time.

However, Nia suddenly said seriously, “When I was little, I always wanted to sneak away to the Adventurers’ Guild or steal some Extraordinary weapons to play with, so I always got scolded by my mom.”

Roy couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth, finding it both ridiculous and funny.

Sneaking off to the guild was one thing, but stealing Extraordinary weapons? This girl was no ordinary troublemaker!

Thinking like that, it was understandable why she was confined.

“Oh, but the highlight of the summer night festival is the bonfire party! Here, it’s usually held in the square, and we can go have fun!”

“Sounds interesting.”

Seeing the boy’s increased interest, Nia smiled even more sweetly.

What Nia didn’t mention was, according to the elven descendants, the dance partners at the bonfire party were destined to be lovers for life.

Young people in the Verdant Council often chose to invite someone to dance at the bonfire as a subtle confession. Bonfire parties were also a common backdrop for romantic tales. Most importantly, her parents had fallen in love at a bonfire party.

Subtle yet passionate, romantic yet touching, holding onto the beautiful past while looking forward to a hopeful future—this was Nia’s idea of the perfect confession spot.

“But we still have some time before the bonfire party officially begins. Do you want to go look around first?”

In response to Nia’s question, Roy readily agreed.

“Where do you want to go?”

Nia almost blurted out her choice but forced herself to hold back.

“Cough, cough, this time I’m here to accompany you and help you relax, so wherever you want to go is entirely up to you!”

 

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