ICTV - Chapter 50

ICTV - Chapter 50

I Changed The Villain

"..."

“How many times have I told you that no one blames you? Who would have guessed that there would be problems with transportation?”

Not being some sort of prophet, I returned the cloak I had been sitting on to Beryl.

“Now that we’re almost there, please, stop it.”

“...Is that so?”

“When we arrive, let’s unpack at the inn and have breakfast first. Snacks like cookies don’t serve as food.”

A growing child needs to eat. At some point, I stroked the round head of Taksha, who had moved next to me. Then Mera shouted.

"Miss! I can see Tara!”

It was exactly as Mera said. A beautiful purple village was coming into view little by little. Seven mornings thanks to the wagon. We were able to arrive safely in Tara. Beryl gave more money to the farmers.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Hehe, yes. Enjoy the festival. This festival will be great too.”

The farmer smiled warmly as he put the money into his pocket. As soon as Taksha got off the wagon, he shouted ‘Wow’. Even before the festival started, it was difficult to move around because there were already merchants touting customers and tourists with lots of luggage.

“There are so many people!”

With Mera's support, I got off the wagon and gave a warning.

“Taksha. You can never turn a blind eye to a place like this. You might end up lost.”

“I’ll be careful.”

But Taksha's eyes were sparkling with curiosity as he said that. It's his first time coming to a place like this, so it's natural to do that. And no matter how careful Taksha is, there is a high chance that he will be lost while being buried by tourists. Oh, because it's small. I took out a silver ribbon.

“When you walk around later, use this to connect your hand and Taksha’s hand.”

“That’s a good idea, Miss.”

Taksha waved his arms excitedly.

“Surely, then I won’t be in danger of becoming a lost child. Sister Mera, when you tie the ribbon later, please tie it a little tighter. You can tie it so that it doesn’t bleed.”

“...I don’t have to tie it that tightly. If you become a lost child, I will find you no matter what.”

“I don’t want to live on the streets again.”

"..."

Mera took the ribbon. The four of them headed to the inn that Beryl had reserved. It was an old-fashioned and quiet place, befitting an inn whose main customer base was nobles. It was an extreme contrast to the noisy outside, like the Dotegi market. I nodded as I watched the inn staff take my luggage and outerwear in a restrained manner.

“You reserved a very nice place.”

“Comfortable accommodation is one of the basics of travel. Wouldn’t it be better to save time and eat breakfast in your room?”

"I do not care."

Beryl scrawled his name on the counter. Under the guidance of the staff, the two went up to the room. Beryl's room was number 313, and my room was number 314. As soon as Mera entered the room, she burst out in exclamation.

“Wow, the room is nicer, Miss."

"I know."

“Oh my, it’s a Lovenika flower.”

Since it was the festival season, it seemed to have been placed in a vase. Mera immediately bent down and smelled the scent of the flowers. It didn't have a particularly special scent, but the purple color of the Lovenica flowers was very beautiful. Mera stroked the Lovenica flower.

“They say that a trip is only half a success if you reserve the right accommodations. Where did Master know about such a beautiful inn?”

"I know."

I sat down on the comfortable chair near the window. It was soft. It would be perfect to take a nap here. I yawned. I was a little tired because I had to wake up early in the morning and ride the wagon. 

It was the moment when My eyes were about to close.

“Morning has come! Let’s eat quickly!”

Beryl knocked on the door several times. Mera, who was organizing her luggage, was startled.

“Is breakfast ready already?”

“There are a lot of tourists during this time, so we always have food prepared so we don’t run out.”

The employee we saw earlier passed by Beryl and put the tray down on the table. Smooth soup, fried egg, and freshly baked toast. There was even plump sausage on display. Taksha was already chewing toast next to Beryl, his cheeks bursting like a hamster.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes! It’s so delicious!”

Taksha raised the toast high.

“After roasting it in butter until golden brown and spreading it generously with honey, it is made with finely chopped nuts. It's even sprinkled! A truly fantastic combination!”

“The nuts are falling.”

“Oh, no! It would be a shame if the nuts ran out!”

Taksha quickly lowered his arms and focused on his toast. Seeing as he didn't even pay attention to the sausage and soup, it seems that toast is the best. I placed my share of toast in front of Taksha and took a spoonful of soup.

“How do you feel, Lady? Does it suit your taste?

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

The food at this inn was also very good. The problem was that I had no appetite right now.

I covered my mouth and yawned softly. I'm sleepy after all. My body aches here and there.

I was about to say something but stopped. This is because Beryl was looking at the paper intently and reviewing today's schedule. I lifted the bowl of soup. Mera, who was serving next to me, looked at me with suspicious eyes.

"Miss?"

I'm glad this isn't a mansion. I gulped down the soup like I would drink water. Mera was shocked.

"Miss!!"

I put down my bowl.

“And what if my tongue gets burned...?!”

“It was cool enough. It's okay."

I dabbed my lips with a napkin and put on my straw hat.

"Ate it all. Let’s go out.”

“Uh, okay. Ate it all?"

Beryl stood up, folding the schedule in half as if he had been waiting. Mera looked at me with worried eyes, but I followed Beryl calmly.

“Just tie it up and this street will be over!”

“Yes, uncle! Let’s just do this and go eat something!”

A boy wearing a Lovenika flower in his hat, a white shirt, and purple shorts was also decorating the street in front of the inn with purple ribbons. The ladder the boy was standing on swayed precariously. Beryl and I were rushing, but I caught it with my eagle eye. It's urgent, but let's help those in danger. 

They both grabbed the ladder at the same time. The boy who escaped the crisis smiled brightly.

“Thank you, beautiful green-eyed Lady and Master!”

The boy came down the ladder as easily as a rabbit.

“In return, I’ll give you this!”

The boy held out one of the ribbons piled up on a nearby cart.

“It will look really pretty if you decorate your straw hat with this!”

"Thanks."

Beryl received the ribbon and said thank you. As the boy tried to push the cart again, he found Taksha standing with his eyes wide open.

“Wow, there was someone my age in the group?”

The boy waved his hand at Taksha energetically.

“Enjoy the festival!”

Taksha nodded awkwardly. Beryl lightly pressed Taksha's head.

“What, are you acting so shy that you don’t fit in?”

“I didn’t act shy...!”

Taksha pursed his lips and pulled his head back.

“It’s just that it’s a little awkward because it’s been a while since I’ve met kids my age.”

"But. Because there are no kids as young as you in our mansion. That's good, isn't it? You can make some friends here and hang out on your own.”

“Don’t say such sad things! Even if I die, I will follow Master and Lady!”

“...There’s no need for you to get lost?! You know the location of the accommodation anyway! You know the location of the accommodation, so how can you get lost? I just thought it would be nice to meet friends your age and hang out after a long time.”

Before Beryl could finish speaking, several firecrackers exploded nearby. A puff of light purple smoke billowed out. The four eyes turned forward. performance

A lively girl walked out onto the stage.

“Hello! My name is Tina and I have the honor of hosting the festival’s opening ceremony again this year!”

It was a girl with gray hair tied up high and wearing a lively purple dress that exposed her shoulders. The moment she saw the purple eyes of a girl similar to the heroine, my heart almost sank, but I soon calmed down after hearing the shouts of others.

“Wait, Miss Lovenica!”

“I can’t tell which one is the Lovenica flower."

Miss Lovenica? When a question mark appeared above my head, Beryl explained it to me.

“In the middle of the festival, a contest is held to select the woman who most resembles the Lovenica flower, and the woman who wins the contest is called Miss Lovenica.”

“Can outsiders participate?”

“No, only Tara Village natives can participate. And it is said that the person selected at the competition will receive a large prize money and be in charge of hosting the opening and closing ceremonies at the next year’s festival.”

“Ah, I think I understand why only natives can participate.”

“Yes, honestly, it’s a bit weird to leave the process to an outsider. No one knows this festival as well as the locals.”

The two looked at the stage again. Tina did not feel intimidated and conducted the opening ceremony in a witty manner even in front of a crowd of people with no room to move. Throughout the opening ceremony, the villagers kept nodding their heads as if they were proud of Tina.

“As expected, it’s Tina. Miss for three years in a row. She is worthy of being selected as Lovenica.”

“Thanks to Tina, this year’s festival will be very lively.”

“Tina will be in charge of emceeing the opening ceremony next year, right?”

Outsiders were also looking at Tina with fascinated eyes. Someone was already asking the villagers what Tina's schedule was after the opening ceremony. I squinted at Beryl. Beryl was looking at Tina with eyes as passionate as the other men.

"What's the matter?"

Beryl answered my question succinctly.

“That choker.”

“Choker?”

I, who thought for a moment that Beryl was interested in Tina, was shocked. Beryl pointed to the choker Tina wore around her neck. The choker decorated with white gemstones was clearly enchanted with voice amplification. It was an item that showed how much support Miss Lovenica received from the village.

“That thing doesn’t look very convenient.”

"Her performance is no joke either. Her voice resonates so loudly.”

This time too, my parents had vain expectations. I thought of my parents. The day before leaving for the trip, the couple prayed earnestly for Beryl to have a fateful encounter like something out of a romantic novel. Even with Judith, who is so proactive, there is no progress at all, and there is no way such a meeting would happen on a trip. 

The moment I thought that, Beryl continued.

“I need to find out where she got it before I leave.”

"Why? Brother, your voice is loud even if you don’t wear that.”

“I’m not going to use it, right? I think Kedis’s younger sister, Judith, will need it.”

"Huh?"

My eyes widened.

"When we first met, her voice wasn't loud, but it got quieter as time went on. These days, her voice has become almost husky. If I get closer to hear it properly, it gets quieter, and wow, I didn't know that her voice could get even quieter."

It's natural to feel embarrassed when the person you like is nearby. I was speechless at Beryl's oblivious appearance, and Tina raised the colorful staff she was holding in her right hand.

“This concludes the opening ceremony! I hope everyone has fun!”

Pop. 

As the fireworks exploded again, a plume of purple smoke billowed out. Silver sparkles flew everywhere. People also cheered, raising their fists high in the sky.

Beryl immediately grabbed my arm tightly.

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