Extra in a Romance Fantasy

23 – Festival (5)

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and the festival finally reached its last day.

I also felt a slight regret about this fact.

I had been exploring diligently for the past two days, but there were still many booths I hadn’t visited.

Of course, there was still today, but it was impossible to see everything in one day.

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

It’s regrettable, but there’s nothing to be done about it.

Since the festival isn’t ending this year, I can look forward to next year’s with even more anticipation.

With that thought in mind, I organized my thoughts and left the dormitory to enjoy the last day of the festival and keep my final promise.

Although my steps were light as I left the dormitory, as I got closer to the meeting place, my steps became heavier, and my mood, which had been subtly elevated, gradually declined.

Finally, when I arrived at the promised place, I found myself in a lower mood than usual.

“Tsk, your expression hasn’t been good since this morning.”

The sharp words directed at me came from none other than my promised companion.

A woman standing tall, her silver hair shining in the warm sunlight of the morning. Estelle von Reinberg.

“Making a lady wait, your manners are lacking.”

“…We still have five minutes until the appointed time.”

“Anyway, you did make me wait, didn’t you?”

Ignoring my counterargument with forced logic, she flashed a mischievous smile.

She probably came early on purpose.

Just to tease me.

As I gazed at her with a cold look, my gaze soon shifted behind her.

There stood another woman.

Estelle’s escort knight, Rene.

“I apologize for interrupting your private date. I have a body that needs attention from all directions.”

Estelle spoke as if she sensed my gaze.

“It’s fine. I anticipated this.”

I nodded casually.

In reality, I had expected this.

Considering her position and reputation, it was only natural.

Especially in a situation like today, with many people and outsiders around, extra caution was necessary.

Being the Imperial Princess and the potential Empress, she couldn’t stroll around comfortably with just any man.

Even within the academy, walking outside like this was a notable event.

Of course, from that perspective, I couldn’t help but think that Rene alone might not be enough for protection.

Although she possessed outstanding skills, even considering the entire combat department, she couldn’t handle those targeting Estelle’s life by herself.

But that, too, was an unnecessary concern.

Estelle’s protection wasn’t solely Rene.

Behind the flowerbed, a few steps behind a tree, within the crowd in front, hidden guards were scattered.

Not to mention those disguised as unrelated individuals or pedestrians.

Just by the vague sense of it, there were probably a considerable number of guards beyond what was visible.

Even each one of them could be called elite.

The fact that so many guards were attached wasn’t solely because today was a festival.

They had always been around Estelle from the beginning.

For those who weren’t students to reside within the academy was against the rules, but from their perspective, it was somewhat inevitable.

The life of the next emperor was too weighty to entrust to just one guard.

In truth, there were probably more of those so-called shadow guards than one might think.

The imperfection of the Academy’s defenses was as much a public fact as the visible guards.

Among the Academy’s members, there might be a few who had noticed the presence of these shadow guards but simply chose not to point it out.

Nevertheless, with those shadow guards and even René by her side, one could say Estelle’s protection was at a considerable level.

On top of that, Estelle herself, the one being guarded, was a highly skilled magician in the infamous Rainberg family’s dark magic, making it unlikely for anyone to lay a finger on her.

“You seem disappointed despite saying otherwise? Be honest.”

“No, not at all.”

Knowing it wouldn’t be wise to reveal having noticed the presence of the shadow guards, I brushed off Estelle’s jest as I had done so far.

“hahahahaha! Quite audacious.”

Despite my firm response, Estelle, the instigator, burst into laughter, yet René, standing behind her, eyed me with a gaze as cold as ice.

‘What’s the matter with you?’

I didn’t need to see it to know that my response would not sit well with her.

In the end, whatever choice I made, it wouldn’t align with René’s wishes.

Once again, feeling the mere troubles of a commoner, I quietly sighed inwardly.

“He’s quite immune to charms. Other men would be restless just to catch a glimpse of my eyes.”

Restless to avoid your gaze, not to seek it out, you mean?

Such words surged up to my throat, but I swallowed them down.

…Well, I guess it’s not entirely untrue.

If it weren’t for the rumors and reputation surrounding her, her words might have been the reality.

It’s hard to say her personality matches her looks, but based solely on appearances, she is beautiful.

Beautiful… a word that could be an insult to her.

Her eyes, nose, lips—everything that comprised her was flawlessly beautiful.

As if God deliberately crafted her with every ounce of divine power.

Add to that her pearl-white skin, shimmering silver hair, and deep, unfathomable violet eyes, creating an ethereal ambiance.

Yes, surreal beauty—that was Lady Estelle von Rainberg.

Slightly exaggerated, her mere existence could prompt some to proclaim it as evidence of a deity’s existence.

Her appearance is indeed beautiful.

… However, her personality matches it in negativity, but one could consider it as the fairness of the gods.

“Well, enough of the small talk. It’s better to start moving slowly. We can’t stay like this forever.”

Estelle began to stride purposefully.

I, too, stood beside her without delay.

“Alright. Have you prepared the plan? You didn’t come without any strategy, I hope.”

“I have prepared.”

“Ho.”

Her eyes sparkled as if finding it interesting.

Today, given the nature of our opponent, I had devised a meticulous plan of my own.

It was evident that if I hadn’t prepared a plan, she would unleash her complaints.

“Alright. Then guide me.”

“Yes.”

Honestly, I wasn’t very confident, but I walked with a bold demeanor at least outwardly.

Walking in sync, we soon arrived at our first destination.

A booth emanating exotic aromas of food.

“Welcome… Oh?!”

The student operating the booth naturally greeted us but froze upon seeing us.

More precisely, upon seeing Estelle beside me.

“Uh, wel-welcome…!”

Then, in a clearly stiffened manner, he greeted us again.

“Hmm. Food, huh. So, what do they sell here?”

Estelle asked nonchalantly, seemingly paying no attention to the student’s demeanor.

“It’s traditional cuisine of a minority tribe from the distant continent.”

Instead of the stammering student, I answered.

“Really? It just looks like ordinary grilled meat at first glance.”

Estelle commented as she observed the dishes lined up at the booth.

Indeed, she was right.

At a glance, they looked like nothing more than ordinary grilled meat.

“I haven’t tasted it myself, so I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard it has a quite exotic flavor. Despite that, the reviews say the taste is definite.”

“Ah, really?”

A faint glimmer of interest flickered in Estelle’s eyes as she listened to my explanation.

Judging that her response wasn’t as negative as I had anticipated, I confidently stepped forward and purchased two dishes.

“Th-thank you…!” I received her hesitant gratitude and extended one plate and utensils toward Estelle.

However, simultaneously, one thought crossed my mind.

“…But is it alright for you to eat something like this?”

It wasn’t about the quality of the food but rather a concern about a more fundamental aspect.

Estelle was of a tremendously noble status, and a person of considerable importance.

In that case, shouldn’t she be cautious about each and every dish, I wondered only now.

“That’s quite an unexpected worry.”

Estelle seemed to regard me with a hint of pity before accepting the plate as it was.

Then, without delay, she placed a piece of meat into her mouth.

“Hmm… Not bad.”

That was Estelle’s assessment of the dish.

“It’s certainly an exotic taste. The meat seems like ordinary lamb, but… I suppose this unique flavor comes from the cooking method or spices used.”

She then abruptly began analyzing the dish.

I gazed at Estelle nervously, feeling somewhat apprehensive.

Seeming to notice my concern, Estelle spoke.

“There’s no need to worry. I’ve taken precautions for such foreseeable occurrences. At least, I’m not susceptible to something as trivial as poison.”

“I see…”

It must be true that she’s fine with this behavior, seeing her act like this.

And with René, who’s particularly sensitive in these matters, quietly present, it only enhances the credibility.

Only then did I release my uneasiness.

“Hmm. The taste isn’t as bad as I thought, but why choose this place of all places?” Estelle suddenly inquired.

Why did I choose this place… There was, of course, my own reasoning behind it.

“I picked it because it offers the most exotic cuisine.”

“Oh?”

“If it’s something like this, I doubt you’ve ever experienced it before.”

The aspect I paid the most attention to in planning the course was precisely that.

I aimed to create a course focused on things Estelle wouldn’t know, experiences she probably hadn’t had.

Due to her position as the empire’s princess, and eventually the next empress, she must have lived a life far removed from any shortcomings.

She would have tasted various delicacies and encountered dishes from around the world.

That’s why I chose this booth.

I figured traditional cuisine of a minority residing in the farthest corner of the frontier would be something Estelle had never come across.

“Since we’re experiencing the festival, might as well enjoy it, don’t you think?”

It wasn’t entirely intentional for her to end up accompanying me like this, but since it happened, I hoped she would enjoy the festival.

For that, I believed she needed a freshness she hadn’t experienced before.

“…”

Estelle looked at me silently.

Perhaps it was the mood, but her eyes seemed to widen slightly.

However, the silence didn’t linger for long.

“…That’s also an unnecessary concern. If we were to be critical, this situation itself, experiencing a festival outside like this, and buying and eating food, is a fresh experience for me.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, that’s true.

She’s not in a position to easily enjoy things like this.

Estelle is a second-year student, so experiencing the academy’s festival might not be her first time, but the freshness of it wouldn’t have completely worn off after just one time.

“You have a habit of worrying about unnecessary things.”

Estelle lightly raised her head.

I had nothing to say, so I awkwardly scratched my head.

“Well, anyway…”

While that was happening, Estelle’s tone changed.

“That consideration, it doesn’t feel bad.”

Saying that, Estelle smiled.

It was the most natural-looking face I had seen from her since we met.