Chapter 14: Ephemeral

"Have you heard, Bryn?" The woman with hazelnut hair attentively whispered to another lady.

"Heard what, madam?" The lady with hair of a shade of carmine red asked curiously.

The lady with hazelnut hair, Countess Richee, spread her fan and hid her gesture whispering to the lady.

"Goodness, your grace! I'm talking about this year's awaited Festival of Agnes! I heard that His Majesty will personally supervise the festival preparations when the church usually has the responsibility of executing this task." The countess said cautiously.

"Your courtesy, don't you think that is outrageous? The church has only that authority and His Majesty has nothing to do with that. It is a law. Sure, His Majesty can hold events such as parties and festivals, however, the Festival of Agnes is not an ordinary festival." She paused, putting a sugar cube in her coffee.

"Festival of Agnes is a devout to celebrate the annual year of the rise of our Kingdom, that said to be blessed by the God of Dawn, Agnes. The prosperity and its rich lands are all thanks to the blessings of the God of Dawn."

The countess, added to the lady with red hair, "I believe so too, letting His Majesty take over the festival is as if like he's taking control of the church's powers and authority. The church knows how sacred this festival is. They knew they are the only ones who are capable to handle that authority."

"I know that the church opposed the king though never been vocal about it. What is seriously happening to this country?" The countess apologetically stared at the people passing by in the transparent glass window.

"The king's action is unquestionable. His intentions are insinuated. We know that nobles aren't in favor of His Majesty; so His Majesty. If this action will lead to dishevelment, then, I guess this peaceful country will fall to despair."

"Bryn, are you in favor of His Majesty?"

The countess asked that leaving her in complete silence. Her face benumb.

"Favoring that monster? Never."

The countess said no more. It was enough to answer her questions. The countess continued to stare at the window, looking at the people passing by.

"You're being too formal again, Bryn. I told you to call me, Richee. Our ages apart aren't that too huge, you know!" The countess said, crossing her arms to her chest changing the topic.

The woman, Bryn, chuckled. "My deepest apologies, Richee."

The countess smiled again and wander her eyes around.

Until her eyes darted at the window's reflection, portraying a beautiful young boy. An evergreen color for his hair that compliments his almost yet light color of emerald for his eyes.

The countess thought upon seeing the young boy was spring. The season of blooming, new life, birth, and beginning.

Then, remembered. She called out to Bryn for her attention and pointed her hands at the young boy across their table, enjoying his desserts.

"Richee, what's the matter?"

"Bryn, that's......"

Bryn gazed at the boy. Her eyes enlarged. She had never seen that boy for years.

"That...that boy......The Glastieve's youngest child, Evyterr!" Bryn said. The lady was taken by surprise by seeing the boy.

After hearing what Bryn said Richee was stunned, she forgot about it. No, she nearly forgot about it.

"That boy, "Bryn lowly muttered, her face turned sour.

"I haven't seen him after that incident," Bryn said in her mind.

"The grand duke's youngest son has grown up now." Bryn's face softened. They were hints of sparkles in her eyes with which Richee never failed to see.

That young boy's father was, after all, her brother-in-law, the husband of her late sister, Aurelia Mircalla.

"Should we go greet him, Bryn?" The countess with a cheerful smile suggests still looking at Evyterr.

Bryn smiled back at her and nodded.

***

Evyterr was pleased, very pleased. He enjoyed every taste of the desserts melting in his mouth.

In that state of happiness, all of his worries washed away though he's a bit apologetic.

He remembered his time in his first life. There was no opportunity for him to enjoy such pleasure as simply treating himself to buy something he likes.

He just never felt so free and out of disquietude. Evyterr drowned in thoughts never noticing that he stops eating.

His wandering thoughts appeared in a voice. 'Do I deserve this? Won't this will create a problem?'

Evyterr shakes his head. What nonsense. He must be happy! He must enjoy eating the food or it'll be a shame not to finish it.

With no awareness of Evyterr in his surroundings two silhouettes came closer to him.

"Good day, young lord. May we sit with you?" Evyterr took notice of the woman. The lady with hazelnut hair that pairs with her beautiful brown eyes. Her elegance outshines every part of her.

Beside her was also a lady smiling sweetly at me. The lady has red hair and eyes comparable to the rubies grace and luxury, such presence was setting off a feeling of familiarity.

"It is my pleasure, my lady. Please, have a seat."

They took a seat in front of me. The way they look I assume that their nobles; high-status noblewomen.

Yet, why would they be here?

"Forgive me for my rudeness, dear young lord. I seem to forget to introduce myself,"

What rudeness? Nonsense! I should be ashamed I wasted time staring at them earlier without answering back right away. I should be the rude one!

"O-oh, my lady, I beg your pardon, you don't have to apologize," I said.

The lady only smiled, "I'm Richee Viviñina Descartesa. If you might not know I'm the wife of Count Descartesa of the southern region, Yinka. The lady beside me is Lady Bryn Neveste, the wife of Duke Neveste, Risan Neveste."

Oh, they're already married?!

They look like youthful young ladies enjoying tea time except that they have already husbands. Aren't they two young looking for that?

"You're too adorable, young lord. It's easy to read you. We are already in our late twenties. My, we are getting older don't you think, Bryn?" The lady with hazelnut hair chuckled.

Late twenties?! With that face? It looks like time doesn't fly for them.

I was left speechless.

Oh no, I forgot to introduce myself!

"Worry not, young lord," The countess giggled. "You're Glastieve's youngest child, Evyterr. We came here already knowing who you are. No need to feel embarrassed." She said.

Glastieve, huh?

Agh! Stop thinking about it!

"Are you familiar with the Festival of Agnes, my lord?" The lady with red hair, Lady Bryn, asked.

I was stunned as she spoke. Why do I feel embarrassed? Is it because I'm not comfortable meeting new people yet?

Hmm, Festival of Agnes? That sounds familiar. The novel must have mentioned it but I can't recall.

Agnes. Festival of Agnes.

"My my, it seems like the young lord is not aware of it. I can't blame you though, Festival of Agnes is only celebrated every seven years." Bryn explained.

I'm trying to think about it. I knew that this was mentioned in the novel, I can't just seem to remember. Where is it? Where did I read it?

I have a bad feeling that if I can't recall what is it I'll miss a huge event in the story.

Festival of Agnes. Appears every seven years. Think. Think! Festival of Agnes.

After trying to recall it, I sudden rush erupted in my body.

Festival of Agnes! How could I forget?

The novel started the first chaos in the event of the Festival of Agnes. They are many people opposed to the ruling of the current king. Both commoners and nobles share the same hatred towards the king but they were never been vocal about it.

Some silently surrendered to the king's authority and others are quite eloquent about it to the extent of building their revolutionary army and cause havoc directly to the king.

People might think that this place is a peaceful country, with a good ruling king, and filled with loyal subjects.

That's how the painting is made to be done. That's what they implanted in the people's minds.

A fairy-like dream made by no other than a human itself.

Those who oppose still stand for what they believe. On the other hand, the king faces this ignorantly. He has power, overwhelming power, unlike them he holds authority higher amongst them.

The king was truly a believer of those in power can always tamper on whose weaker. What a hypocrite he truly is.

Many cogent claims entail that the Festival of Agnes will be in the care of the king. It's happening originally in the novel now.

The Festival of Agnes was sacred. It was said that Agnes, the God of Dawn, blessed the pioneer of this great kingdom which made the country rise in rich and bountiful years of peace.

Knowing how sacred and important the festival is, the church always held out the festival in the middle of spring to commemorate the founding of the kingdom and to honor the god as well as the pioneer also.

I just reincarnated for almost half a year, I better do something that will make ensure my life. I know I can't simply avoid the red flags of this world but at least I can have something that can support me.

Should I try investing money in business? Or save money first? How will I do that then? Evyterr seems not fond of having many pieces of jewelry in his pockets. Well, yeah, of course, he was neglected. No wonder why.

The ladies took notice of the changes in my face and flooded me with concerning questions.

"Oh dear, are you alright? Did the desserts upset your stomach? Maybe our sudden appearance took much stress for you. I heard you are still recovering, young dear." The countess anxiously held my hand, she looks worried.

Bryn, on the other hand, displayed concern and care despite the stiff look on her face. She retreated her cup and worriedly looked at me.

"We must have taken your time, young lord. For you to be forced to socialize with strangers like us surely has been difficult for you. We ought not to take your time any further." She said.

I seriously panicked. There is a misunderstanding!

"I beg your pardon, your grace. It is not what you think it is. I'm just lost in my thoughts. I exposed such a disrespectful manner in front of you. Therefore, I am at fault."

Both ladies looked at each other, meanwhile, I was nervous.

"We understand your shortcomings, young dear. Her grace and I don't want to interrupt your rest any longer. Thus, we will leave for now. I had a great time talking to you. I hope we can meet each other again." With a charming smile the countess gently squeezes my hand.

"I hope you don't mind me sending you letters to visit our home, dear. I'm sure you will like it. My sons enjoy visitors coming to our home. It will be great to have them acquainted with you." The countess added.

I look back at Lady Bryn, she was giving me a familiar smile. "I will send letters too. Today was a lucky day to have us meet you, young lord." She said, resting her hands on her chest.

With that, the two ladies bid their farewells and they were gone with their carriages.

This was an unexpected and bizarre encounter. They were talking to me as if we have known each other for a long time.

I was put at ease that they were good people. The novel barely introduces unnecessary characters like them. But I do hear the Descartesa and Neveste family in the novel.

They were mentioned a few times in the second volume. Something involved in the power struggle in the other noble society.

The ladies said they will send letters. I will be waiting, I don't mind killing time by exchanging letters with them since all I do in the dukedom was resting and other things my doctor permitted me to do.

Now, I'm left alone. I finished eating the desserts, I'll be a waste if I don't.

"Young master," Ceras said after I finished eating the desserts.

"His grace is waiting at the nearby teahouse. He instructed us to lead you the way after you eat. We can stay here for a while, young master. We can't have you walk around with a full stomach. Anyhow, his grace doesn't mind waiting for you." She said.

I nodded and she retreated to her post. I leaned back at the chair's backrest, laid my elbows on the armrest, and closed my eyes.

He doesn't mind waiting, huh? Then, let him wait.

***

Evyterr unintentionally fell into a nap right after he closed his eyes. The servants were surprised. Their young master was sleeping carefree and unbothered. He was like a child falling asleep after a long playing around.

Thus, they choose not to wake him and wait until he was awoken. They pardoned the shop owner to close the shop in the meantime because their young master was asleep and wouldn't want to disturb his rest.

The shop owner chuckled and accede to not letting customers in for a while. He was joyous that someone like Evyterr was able to enjoy their desserts and eat a lot.

It was a small shop but some nobles considered their selves lucky to find this place. He said that he gets a lot of good compliments and reviews about them. So, he was happy that his small business is slowly blooming.

Evyterr stayed deep in sleep for two whole hours; Ceras and others patiently and silently waited.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the central plaza, Raffael was seating at the open view of the central plaza in the teahouse.

Introverted sitting alone looking at his empty teacup. He asks for another refill from the server in his cup. The server smiled nervously with a cold sweat.

The young gentleman looks like waiting for someone, and the server refilling his cup for the nth time. He can't keep track anymore. The server was going back and forth to refill the teapot with another fill of warm earl gray black tea. It was been going on for nearly three hours. Though the server tried to ask the young gentleman for a light dessert to partner the tea, the young gentleman solemnly refused.

Raffael has been waiting for three hours in the teahouse. He was waiting before when Evyterr is still eating and talking to the two ladies. The sun will be setting down in just half an hour.

He intended to wait here and watched it together with Evyterr before going back to the dukedom. He doubted going back to the dessert shop because he knows Evyterr will not like it. He might not enjoy eating his sweets while he was there, so he goes to the teahouse instead.

Raffael visits the teahouse whenever he had a spare time. On the teahouse, in the same place. He admired the whole view of the central plaza from the teahouse. The view is something he wanted to share with Evyterr if possible. If Evyterr will not appear in half an hour, they will go home.

He wanted to go home early to let Evyterr rest from going around and exploring the plaza. Since he is still recovering, the tiredness will take a toll on his recovery. His father entrusted Evyterr to him on this day. Therefore, he will return Evyterr to the dukedom safely.

Thirty minutes passed like a century. Raffael felt like waiting for a very long time for Evyterr.

The sun has bid its farewell leaving a combustion of twinge in his chest.

The sky is now painted with darkness where the stars are in the best spotlight; the wavering moon was now set to shine in the skies.

Yet, Evyterr, didn't come.

***

Evyterr, darling! Hi!～⁠(⁠つ⁠ˆ⁠Д⁠ˆ⁠)⁠つ⁠｡⁠☆

I hope you like what Mommy gave you! I was hoping that you could watch the sunset, but it seems that you are tired of that. Don't push yourself, honey, ok?

Descendants, are you guys still fine? I hope you do no matter how hard things have been lately⊂⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠⊂⁠).

I have been thinking about what will happen to Raffael. Do you guys hate him or like him?

I'm announcing today that this arc is now finished! Oh, I decided to do story arcs(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠) I think it will help me organize the events in the story.

The first arc will be Spring Arc.

It marks new beginnings and our character getting reincarnated as the start of his new life!

Now that the first arc is finished we will move on to the second arc, Festival of Agnes.

The third arc will be the Scarlet Crescent Arc. This will be the deciding arc of whether Raffael will die or not.

I. Spring Arc

II. Festival of Agnes

II. Scarlet Crescent Arc

I hope you share your thoughts about it, Descendants! I will share the images of Lady Bryn and Lady Richee down there!

Author: *sending love* ♡⁠(⁠Ӧ⁠ｖ⁠Ӧ⁠｡⁠)

|Aubryn "Bryn" Neveste|

|Richelle "Richee" Descartesa|

Lovelots(⁠~⁠￣⁠³⁠￣⁠)⁠~