Shirou sat on the edge of his bed, a grin tugging at his lips as he glanced at the clock on the wall. "Can't wait to see her face… huh," he muttered to himself, his tone filled with a mischievous glee.
It had been forty-five minutes since he'd returned back to the inn, into his room, but it was more than enough, and it was all worth it. He'd deliberately left Amelia with the ever-so-chatty Miss Flora, a woman infamous for her endless stories and emotional detours.
"This is perfect," Shirou whispered with a wicked smile, stretching his arms. "I wonder what kind of desperate expression she'll have. Bet she's pulling her hair out."
Satisfied, he rose to his feet, dusted off his shirt, and made his way downstairs. Each step was light, brimming with anticipation. "Oh, I just can't wait to see the look on Amelia's face. I really wonder what expre—"
His thoughts froze as soon as his foot hit the last stair.
He blinked. Then blinked again.
At the counter, Amelia sat with an energetic sparkle in her eyes, chatting animatedly with Miss Flora—Miss Flora, the legendary chatterbox who could talk even a sleeping man back to life. However, the woman in question now wore a blank expression, her shoulders stiff, her head tilting mechanically every few moments like a broken puppet trying to act alive.
"What... the hell happened here?" Shirou muttered under his breath.
Amelia looked up at the sound of his footsteps and beamed. "Oh, Shirou! You're back already? I almost forgot about you!" She glanced at the clock behind the counter. "Forty-five minutes already? Time just flew by!"
Shirou looked from her to Miss Flora, who met his gaze with a silent plea in her eyes—a mix of fatigue and regret. It was as if she were whispering, "Please, never leave me alone with this monster again."
"No. No, this can't be real," Shirou whispered, his face frozen. "The unbeatable Miss Flora… the greatest enemy I've ever faced in this world… was defeated."
Miss Flora spoke next, but her voice was devoid of its usual cheer. "You two should leave. The centre of the city will be too crowded if you arrive late. It's always better to be early. Wouldn't want to miss the beginning, would you?"
Amelia stood up and nodded. "She's right. We should get going."
Shirou still hadn't moved. He just stared at the scene, the gears in his brain grinding to process the betrayal of reality.
"Hey! Are you even listening?" Amelia waved her hand in front of his face.
"Yeah... we should," he replied slowly.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow before grabbing his wrist. "Come on!"
Shirou allowed himself to be pulled, still haunted by the sight of Miss Flora—the vanquished warrior—sitting with the thousand-yard stare.
As they reached the door, Miss Flora's face lit up with false cheer. "Goodbye, you two! Enjoy the festival!"
Amelia turned back, her voice warm and cheerful. "Goodbye to you too, Miss Flora! I still have so much more to talk to you about. I might drop by again sometime!"
Miss Flora flinched. "O-Of course, dear. Anytime," she said with a shaky smile. Shirou could almost hear the internal scream echoing from her soul.
Once they stepped out of the inn, the fresh breeze hit both of them like a slap. Amelia exhaled and muttered, "You were right."
Shirou looked at him. "Right about what?"
"Miss Flora... What a nice lady she is. So nice. Too nice." Her tone was cheerful.
Amelia clasped her hands behind her back and smiled innocently. "I really wanted to talk more. She's such a good listener."
Shirou looked at her, part stunned, part impressed. So Miss Flora was defeated… and by Amelia no less. My entire plan to use her as a counterattack against Amelia's has failed. Completely and utterly.
"Hey. You still here?" Amelia nudged his side.
"Huh? Yeah, of course. Just… admiring the view," Shirou said, shaking his head to clear the mental fog.
"Oh, this is nothing. Just wait till you see the main event."
They walked along the cobblestone streets, past flickering lanterns and street vendors setting up colourful stalls. The mood of the city was festive but slightly subdued—like it was holding its breath before the real celebration.
Amelia turned toward him with curiosity. "So… does Miss Flora always stay at the inn?"
"Yeah, why?" he asked.
"Just wondering," she said. "So I can visit her sometimes."
Shirou stopped in his tracks, internally relieved but also slightly fearful for the poor woman. At least now Miss Flora understands. She was part of his enemy but now a survivor.
He looked at Amelia with a strange sort of pride, placing his hands on her shoulder. "Enemy of your enemy… is still a friend," he muttered to himself.
Amelia caught the expression and rolled her eyes. "Hey. I know I'm gorgeous and all, but try to control yourself."
"This woman…" Shirou grumbled under his breath. He wanted to say something snarky in return, but after seeing what Amelia did to Miss Flora, he wisely chose silence.
"You look happier," he said instead.
"Of course I am!" she said, mockingly dramatic. "Miss Flora was so much more enjoyable to talk to than some guy I met on the road a while back… what was his name again? Something starting with 'S.'"
"Who knows? Maybe one day that 'S' will be the symbol of Lucarius," Shirou shot back with a smirk.
"Oh, I really hope that day never comes," she said sweetly. "Lucarius has already suffered enough. I don't think it could survive another tragedy."
Ignoring the jab, Shirou asked, "So… do all three kingdoms celebrate this festival?"
"Of course they do. It's the day we honour the people who…" She paused, her tone shifting slightly, "…who ended the war."
Shirou raised an eyebrow. "The king himself was part of those people, wasn't he?"
Amelia's smile faded slightly. "Maybe you haven't noticed, but don't you think the streets should be more crowded by now?"
"Isn't everyone at the centre of the city, where the real event's about to start?" he asked, confused.
"No, idiot," she said, flicking his forehead. "The king is only one person. He can't show up everywhere. So guess where he is?"
Shirou rubbed his forehead. "Let me guess… in Ravaryn?"
"Correct."
"Okay, understood. But was it necessary to add the word 'idiot'?"
"No," she said, grinning. "But I like it that way."
"So then, why are you still in Velgrath? And the others too?"
She shrugged. "Each kingdom is surrounded by enchanted walls. You can't just walk in or out freely. You have to pass through gates and pay an entrance fee."
"But the fee isn't that high," Shirou said. "People could still afford it."
"Usually, yes. But during the festival, it skyrockets. Plus, there's extra security—body checks, documents, magical confirmations. All of it."
"To prevent what? Assassinations?"
"Exactly," Amelia replied. "Not just anyone. There's an entire organisation out there—"
She stopped mid-sentence as a loud boom echoed through the air, followed by dazzling bursts of light in the sky.
Both of them looked up in awe. Fireworks exploded in shimmering blues and golds above, dancing through the sky like falling stars.
They had reached the centre of the city.
And the main event of the festival had begun.