Unlike the somewhat deserted outdoor banquet area, the vicinity of the Martial Arts Arena was as lively as ever.
The Martial Arts Arena was a massive, six-sided stage constructed entirely of brick and stone.
Each side of the hexagon featured a three-tier spectator section made of carved pine wood, providing those seated there with an unobstructed view of the matches.
As Milin approached the arena, she saw that the stands were already packed with people.
By her estimation, each tier could hold roughly sixty to seventy people… which meant over 1,000 spectators had already taken their seats, eagerly awaiting the start of the Grand Festival.
The seating alone was clearly not enough to contain the enthusiasm of the masses; the open ground surrounding the Martial Arts Arena was also crowded with people who had failed to secure a seat.
Since the stage was only about 5 feet tall, these spectators gathered at the edge of the field.
By standing on their tiptoes or craning their necks, they could easily see everything happening on the stage.
As Milin passed through the crowd, they greeted her with enthusiastic cheers and applause.
She responded with a graceful smile. Touched by her warm reaction, the people spontaneously parted to create a path for her to reach the stage.
“Greetings to you, our Princess, the Crowned Maiden.”
“Princess… we adore you! Please allow me to offer these flowers in place of a crown!”
The scent of fresh blooms permeated the air.
This was because many elegant young noble lords and ladies, clutching hand-woven crowns and wreaths, had chosen to mingle with the crowd rather than sit in the stands just to catch a glimpse of her beauty.
Meanwhile, the simple and honest village youths scattered dew-kissed petals from their baskets toward her, hoping to convey their admiration and longing.
Her admirers knew the Princess could not wear so many crowns on her head, so they simply plucked a single flower from their wreaths and offered it to her with respectful gestures and elegant etiquette as she passed.
Milin had no reason to refuse this long-standing tradition.
She continuously accepted flowers from the people until, by the time she reached the stage, her arms could no longer hold any more.
She wobbled forward, but because of the slight difference in height between the rest area and the contest area at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, she stumbled and nearly fell —
“My Lady, please be careful.”
She stumbled into someone’s arms while clutching her bundle of flowers.
The person caught and steadied her. Milin looked up and found a pair of familiar, deep blue eyes staring back at her.
“Feiyin… where have you been?”
Milin let out a huff and turned her face away, but she made no move to pull out of Feiyin’s embrace.
The arrival of this girl, who was like a sister to her, always brought her a sense of peace.
It caused the smile she wore to mask her worries to falter.
‘So many people are watching my every move… how can I show a face that would worry them?’
“I had some work to do,” Feiyin said with a smile, stroking her master’s hair. “Following the Duchess’s orders, I went to the XÄ«long Pavilion to fetch the Prince of Nolan. Look, he is right over there.”
‘That annoying guy?’ Milin followed her gaze toward the VIP seating area. The Prince was indeed sitting right next to her Mother’s primary seat.
‘Mother allowed him to attend the festival and even let him sit so close… does that mean he is no longer under suspicion? Then why don’t I see his Demon Race sister and those two followers?’
“The guards seem to still be searching for them. However, news has arrived from Nolan’s side. Your Uncle has confirmed the identities of the group — his official dispatch was delivered to the Duchess early this morning.”
‘Is that so? Is it possible those members of the Demon Race really just harbor hatred toward Mother and me, and that is why they planned the attack?’
“Perhaps that is the case. But I truly do not think you need to worry so much. Do you see the soldiers around the field? I heard from them that even more units from the guard will be joining the venue soon. They are all here to ensure your safety.”
‘I don’t need protection. I just hope… no one else dies or gets hurt.’
Feiyin’s words offered Milin some comfort.
However, as she recalled the faces of the people blown away by the blast at the mansion that day, her expression grew somber again.
Seeing her master like this, Feiyin plucked a few flowers from Milin’s overflowing bundle and pulled a length of green vine from her skirt pocket.
Her fingers danced as she quickly wove them into a crown.
‘Is this… for me?’
Watching her movements, Milin suddenly remembered the day on the Festival Float when a maid had also woven a crown for her and placed it on her head.
“Of course. Every year, my crown is dedicated to you. Everything I do is for you, My Lady… at least for now.”
Feiyin laughed as she placed the freshly woven red, white, and blue crown onto Milin’s head.
She smiled with such joy and satisfaction that Milin rarely saw the corners of her mouth lift so high.
‘What do you mean, “at least for now”… do you not want to give me your crowns anymore in the future?’
Milin pouted at the comment. Still, she carefully adjusted the crown on her head, terrified it might fall off.
“How could that be? If time could continue like this forever… I would be willing to crown you a thousand times over. But you will grow up eventually, My Lady. I cannot stay by your side forever.”
Feiyin’s smile suddenly became very lonely. Hearing this sentimental reflection that sounded almost like a final goodbye, Milin felt a sudden wave of helplessness.
For as long as she could remember, Feiyin had always been by her side.
She had never imagined a life without Feiyin’s presence… ‘I wouldn’t even dream of something so cruel during a nightmare.’
“H-How could you say that? Even if we grow up, the two of us can stay together forever. Don’t go anywhere… all right?”
“My Lady…”
In Feiyin’s eyes, the girl clutching her arm suddenly overlapped with someone else.
She remembered that in the distant past, there had also been someone who held her hand, begging her not to leave.
She had promised, but she had failed to keep it. Because that person was a human… and in the end, he could not cross the vast expanse of time with her.
“I will not leave, My Lady.”
Feiyin suddenly cupped Milin’s cheeks, her eyes fixed intensely on her.
“You are my wish, the most beautiful flower I have ever nurtured… how could I bear to leave you before seeing you in full bloom?”
Her voice sounded intoxicated, almost frantic. Milin was slightly startled by this sudden change.
‘Feiyin… what happened to your eyes? I feel like the color is off… did you not sleep well last night?’
For a fleeting second, Milin thought she saw Feiyin’s eyes turn blood-red.
But when she blinked to confirm what she was seeing, everything appeared normal again.
“I rested very well. That was merely your imagination. Your contest will begin soon… please give it your all.”
Leaving her with those words, Feiyin retreated toward the attendants’ area adjacent to the VIP stands.
To ensure the guests’ needs were met promptly, the servants of the Duke’s Household were gathered there, waiting for orders.
‘Give it my all? …That person isn’t even showing their face. Who is worth my best efforts?’
After the meeting ended yesterday, she had run to that person’s room at night, wanting to see them.
But the curtains had been drawn and the windows shut; no matter how much she knocked, no one answered.
She had been so angry she wanted to smash the glass… but in the end, she restrained herself and returned silently to her own quarters.
‘I don’t know if you’re avoiding me on purpose… but if you don’t show up in a bit, then don’t ever show up again.’
Watching Feiyin’s silhouette disappear into the crowd of servants, Milin brushed the sorrow of not seeing that person from her heart.
She put on her usual bright and friendly smile once more and walked toward the VIP seats amid the cheers of the crowd.
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