Chapter Text
The two men arrived at the village, the festival in full swing. Colorful, vibrant banners hung from the trees and the awnings, and there were people everywhere. The enticing aroma of food wafted through the air, accompanied with the earthy smell of simpler life. Lanterns and lights strung together brightened the village into a warm hue, and Tsukasa wanted to soak it all up and never let it go.
“This is…wow. I…wow.” He was truly at a loss for words. He’d never been this close to the celebrations—only from the window of his bedroom could he imagine what it was like. But this? This was something outside of his wildest fantasies. So many things he’d never seen, all piled together into one festivity. It was truly amazing.
Rui gave him a sidelong glance. “One would think this was beneath you, considering the elaborate balls and parties at the castle, and amidst the first few provinces. I imagined anything past the fifth province was something of a slum to you.”
Tsukasa shook his head immediately. “No. I thought that…” He was about to say something, but cut himself off. “It’s much more beautiful than the soulless things we have. I don’t know what to do first. It’s all so…overwhelming.”
Rui gave him a warm smile in reply, one pf understanding and care. “Is this your way of asking me to show you around?”
“If it does not bother you.”
“Of course it doesn’t. Come on!”
The taller one of the two took the prince by the hand, tugging him into the village square, the heart of the excitement. The beat of the drums resounded through Tsukasa’s mind, the rhythm fast and unlike anything he’d heard before.
Rui led him to a stall, the enticing aroma of food cooking on grills and in pots making his mouth water. He handed the man—
“It’s meat on a stick. Why is it on a stick?”
“It’s spit-roasted beef and vegetables.”
“I see, but the stick is still on it. Am I expected to eat that as well? I don’t want to be impolite.”
“You eat it off the stick. Like this.” Rui made a motion of demonstrating, pulling the food off with his teeth and eating it. Tsukasa raised his eyebrows.
“Just like that?”
“Just try it.” He smirked, that feline look a staple of his personality.
Tsukasa hesitated, glancing between the man and the…stick, then mimicked what Rui did. The meat had a complex, savory flavor, with notes of smokiness from the open grill. It was flavorful, and unlike anything he’d had before.
“This is…”
“Do you not like it?”
“It’s extraordinary! I love this. It’s—“ He took another bite, having to restrain himself from just eating everything for the sake of not embarrassing himself, “This is amazing. I don’t know how to describe it. Is there anything else I could try?”
Rui beamed, nodding his head as he chuckled at the man’s reaction, taking him to the next stall.
•
As the night went on, the sound of lively festival music filled the air. The fiddle and accordion played a fast-paced tune that had people tapping their feet and clapping their hands. The drum added a strong beat that echoed through the square, and soon people were dancing in circles, their skirts and ribbons swirling as they moved to the music.
Tsukasa seemed to be watching on eagerly, his eyes following the flow of the dancing. Rui nudged him, silently encouraging him on to join. The prince shook his head in reply.
“No, no, I—I hate dancing.”
“The Prince? Detest the art of dance?”
“Sssh shh shh! Not so loud! Correction, I hate waltzing. Not…whatever this is. This, is intimidating. I think I shall be better off watching.”
The song changed, the tempo quickening. Young and old alike joined in, their feet stomping and their voices raised in song. Rui knew every step and word to these tunes, but Tsukasa looked like if he had to go on his own, he’d throw up—no matter how badly he’d wanted to.
“I can show you. It’ll be fine, I promise.”
A few moments, then the other nodded, his face brightening as he pulled the other along. Rui secretly hoped he’d always get to see that smile; although, deep down, he knew it was just folly.
Deep down, he knew the two of them could never be anything more than this moment.
Women in the crowds wore flowing dresses with full skirts that swished and swayed in the air as they danced, and the men wore trousers and simple shirts—all reflecting the practicality of their daily lives. Tsukasa, in Rui’s opinion, despite the light cloak and the outfit he’d chosen, stuck out like a sore thumb. However, no one seemed to notice as everyone was moving, skipping and twirling and having a good time.
After a few moments, Tsukasa caught on, his claps and shouts on beat with the music. Well, “caught on” being used lightly—he still managed to step on a few feet and stumble out of the contra at some points. After a few turns, the two ended up back together, moving to the rhythm.
“I’m having so much fun!” Tsukasa said, looking up at Rui with such a glimmer in his eye that the man was surprised it came from him. “This is much easier than the ballroom dances.”
Rui cocked his head as the two stepped to the left together, a questioning smile on his own face. “What makes this any different from those?”
Tsukasa spun away from the man, then spun back into his arms. “Ah, for one, men don’t dance with other men at the palace. Here, I feel so…free. Unrestricted. Like…this is where I’m meant to be. Here, you can make as many mistakes as you want and be who you are and…love who you want.” The last words were muttered a bit softer.
The dance slowed, now, people around them returning to their original partners. It was intimate, despite being surrounded by so many other people.
Love. Rui smiled at Tsukasa, but was unsure of how to proceed. Obviously, he was referring to something else, but the topic was so precarious.
Rui didn’t want to breach those grounds; not yet.
So instead, he just chose not to respond and continue dancing with the man he so wanted to love, and the man he could never have.
“So…”
The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a gentle silver glow over the palace gardens. Shizuku, adorned in a flowing gown adorned with delicate silver embroidery, stepped lightly on the cobblestone path.
The knight Tsukasa appointed to her, did in fact, promptly show. She had short, cropped silver hair and green eyes that shimmered in the moonlight. She was…amenable, but not talkative. That was fine. Shizuku was a talker.
The princess and the knight walked together, and it was painfully awkward. Shizuku half-wished she’d gone with Tsukasa; she didn’t mind being a third wheel if it meant she wouldn’t be bored to tears.
“Are you enjoying the festivities, my Lady? I apologize on the Prince’s behalf that he had to depart a bit early.”
“Yes, it’s fine,” Shizuku replied, spinning a rose she’d plucked between her fingers. Maybe she should change the topic of conversation. She could talk about herself all day. “Shiho, was it?”
“Yes.”
Shizuku looked down at her hands, tugging at her lace gloves a bit uncomfortably.
Why was this so…awkward? Shizuku could typically find something to discuss in a moment such as this, however, she seemed to be drawing a blank. She took it upon herself to gaze at the stars.
“What would you usually be doing at this hour? If you weren’t with me, of course.”
Shiho pursed her lips. “Ah…perhaps practicing my calligraphy. Or still on duty. It depends as I am needed.”
Shizuku smiled, a fond memory bubbling to the surface. “My mother always forced me to do calligraphy. I hated it so incredibly much, but my sister, as young as she was, took a keen fascination to it. She was always one for the arts, I recall.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“If I may ask…where is she now, my Lady? Here at the palace?” Shiho angled her head. Shizuku’s eyes fell as she paused on a bridge leading across a small creek that cut through the gardens.
“She was kidnapped, long ago. We searched everywhere for her, however, even with no stone unturned, she was gone.” Shizuku’s voice caught in her throat. “It was very traumatic. My parents…they told me to forget about her. ‘Dwelling in the past will only keep you from your future,’ they’d always say.”
Shiho swallowed, perhaps out of pity. “That is quite unfortunate, my Lady.”
“It is.” Shizuku rolled her shoulders. “But I feel a tug out there, something beckoning me to continue looking. I feel compelled to. Not knowing her true fate is like a part of me is missing, a puzzle piece waiting to be found.”
“I understand, your Grace.” Shiho replied, her voice filled with compassion. “Sometimes, the answers we seek are hidden within the shadows of our past. But rest assured, you are never alone. We are all connected in ways we may not comprehend.”
Shizuku’s eyebrows furrowed as she glanced over at the knight. “How insightful. I have taken a liking to you.”
“A…liking?”
“Yes.” Despite their short interaction, there was something about the knight that stirred a sense of familiarity in the woman. Someone she could confide in within this new environment, these unsteady moments. Shizuku grinned at Shiho.
“From this moment on, you will now be my accompaniment. I will speak to the commander about making you my very own escort.”
Blood rushed to Shiho’s pale cheeks. Her face was one of bewilderment as the princess gathered and continued down the path without missing a beat.
“But…Princess, wait!”
Haruka and Ichika stand at the edge of a forest clearing, their eyes fixed on the distant glow of the harvest festival. The distant sounds of laughter, music, and fireworks fill the air.
Haruka adjusts the strap of her bow across her shoulder, her gaze focused on the flickering lights. She brings her steed to a halt, absentmindedly running her hand through its soft mane. “Can you hear that, Ichika? The excitement in their voices, the joy of celebration. It's as if the entire kingdom has come alive tonight.”
Ichika nods, her own expression drawn into a smile. She gazes at the distant festival, her eyes reflecting the colorful bursts of fireworks. “It’s beautiful, isn't it? So much happiness and warmth. I think I can smell the food now.”
Haruka chuckles, shaking her head. “Don’t make me think of it. My stomach is lamenting at the idea.”
The two women softly chuckled together, Ichika taking a whetstone to sharpen the head of her arrow. “The pulsating energy in the air, the mystical aura of celebration. The very essence of everything we are fighting for surges all in one season.”
Haruka nods in reply. She gazes at the distant festival, her sky blue eyes reflecting the kaleidoscope of colors from the fireworks.
“Our sacrifices ensure that others may revel in the festivities without fear. Our duty is our honor—and we must remain steadfast.”
Haruka dismounts her horse, perching on the ledge of the rolling hill. Ichika sat near her, crossing her legs.
“However, I’ve had to learn myself that there are times where a break would not hurt.” She took out their canteens of water, handing the other to Ichika. The quiet moment shared between the two held a shared understanding, unspoken memories and words drifting in the air among the scents and laughter.
“Happy Harvest, Ichika. May we be blessed and thankful once more under the guiding hands of the Mother.” The woman clinked her canteen against the latter’s.
Ichika nodded to her superior, smiling. “May we be blessed once more.”