At that moment, a girl with braided hair on both sides intervened.

“Inosep, be quiet. The White Tigers helped us with the night tree this time. They’re carnivores, but they’re on our side.”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

Fortunately, maybe because of the night tree, the children were friendly.

I gently tapped Lordrio’s back. Lordrio, who had been nervous the whole time, glanced at me once and then looked back at the children.

It’s okay. You can do it.

I conveyed silent encouragement.

“I, I am Lordrio Atigrado.”

Lordrio’s voice echoed inside.

“Lordrio, nice to meet you. How about playing tug of war later? It’s a lot of fun.”

Lordrio’s face brightened like a blooming flower.

“Uh, yeah…!”

“Yeaaaah!”

The kids who won let out a cheer. Amidst the jumping and hugging, our Lordrio was also there.

Lordrio, with a shy yet proud smile, looked towards me and Idrysh before running towards us.

“Lordrio! I saw it all. It was so cool! You looked like a hero.”

He scratched his neck awkwardly in response to the thumbs-up I gave.

“By the way, do you know where Lord Heron Skitas is?”

“Heron Skitas? Well, he was over there earlier.”

“Oh, really? I wonder if he saw me playing.”

I barely managed to close my lips and suppress my laughter.

“No, he probably saw. Everyone here saw because it was so cool. So, don’t worry, go back and see. Your friends are looking for you.”

“Friends?”

Lordrio’s pupils moved slowly. After silently repeating the word “friends” once again, he vigorously nodded his head and returned to the group of kids.

Brave and admirable.

The lonely little white tiger who used to grumble about side dishes alone at home was no more.

“I hope Lordrio can continue to play with his friends a lot.”

“You should keep helping him.”

“Why me? Idrysh can do it.”

“Me, with Lordrio?”

After a short silence, Idrysh and I looked again at where the children were playing.

Hmm… I don’t think Idrysh can handle it. Not only Lordrio’s friends, but he doesn’t even have friends.

“But still, since there’s no one for Lordrio except Idrysh, he has to do it.”

“You’re here.”

“What if I leave?”

“Are you leaving?”

“After the curse is lifted…”

The words didn’t come out easily, as if they were stuck in my throat. I cleared my throat for a moment.

“I have to leave.”

I said, determined.

“I see.”

Idrysh’s voice also sounded somewhat sinking.

Are he and I feeling the same thoughts, the same emotions? No, it’s unlikely. It can’t be the same bond of emotions that we two feel.

“But, for now, we have to solve ‘that problem.’ We still don’t know the solution. Let’s not talk about our future plans for now.”

Because just thinking about it already hurts.
Leaving the side of Lordrio, Tesmilion, and Idrysh.

“Yeah.”

Idrysh, who seemed unknowable to my feelings, replied calmly.

An awkward atmosphere surrounded us. Even though there were so many people around, it felt strangely silent.

I attempted to say something but soon gave up and kept my mouth shut.

At that moment, cheerful music could be heard from somewhere. People who were talking to each other around immediately opened their eyes wide and stood up. Some whistled, and others were already patting their shoulders.

Without anyone saying anything, people gathered in the middle.

Forming pairs, one man and one woman, they gathered in a circle and danced playfully, moving their feet to the simple and delightful rhythm.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

With light and pleasant steps, the skirts of ladies and the hair of gentlemen swayed. Holding hands with their partners, they swayed, distanced, and then came back together.

It was a completely different type of dance from what I had seen at noble parties.

“Both of you, join us.”

A woman I hadn’t seen before dragged me in.

“Oh, I don’t know this dance, so I’ll just watch.”

I clapped my hands. It wasn’t a big deal to see the dance for the first time, but now I didn’t feel like dancing.

“It’s very easy if you try.”

The lady looked disappointed.

“Maybe later.”

I smiled and declined. However, the next moment, it was Idrysh who took my hand, not the lady.

“Let’s go.”

It was a short sentence, but affectionate.

You wanted to dance, right? That’s what it seemed like.

His outstretched hand seemed to convey the meaning that he also wanted to dance with me.

But that couldn’t be.

“It’s a festival.”

Idrysh’s words, following behind, sounded like a magical incantation. The magical incantation revolved in my head and poked my heart.

Yes, today is a festival.

Everyone is excited and happy on a festival day.

Can’t I be a little excited today?

Can I delude myself for a day that Idrysh’s feelings are the same as mine?

Even though the emotions that both of us feel can’t be the same.

“But first, we have to solve ‘that problem.’ We still don’t know the solution. Let’s not talk about our future plans for now.”

Because just thinking about it already hurts.
Laughter and lively music continued throughout.

I danced with an elderly man with a beard by changing partners, and I danced with a thin young man.