33 – 33. Snow Festival (4)
After the audience, Arina and Isabella, like every year, first gauged the atmosphere in the chairman’s office.
There was a look in Carsein’s eyes that made them suspect she had done something wrong again.
There was no way to avoid suspicion.
After all, it had become routine for her to cause trouble at this time every year.
“The atmosphere seems a bit tense. Where did everyone go?”
“Oh, there you are, Mother.”
“Oh, it’s Carsein.”
Amidst the tense atmosphere, Carsein was quietly leaning against a window sill, writing something in her notebook.
“The attention is on Carsein, but… luckily, it seems like nothing happened today.”
“Phew, that’s a relief.”
Fortunately, it seemed like nothing had happened.
Isabella let out a sigh of relief.
“Mom.”
Just then, Flora approached the mother and daughter. Claire was walking behind her.
“Claire, where did you go… Oh, for goodness’ sake. Were you with Princess Arscien again? I told you to keep an eye on her.”
“…Nothing happened. So it’s fine.”
“Are you sure nothing happened? Your expression looks a bit strange.”
“Oh, sis! It’s not like I was the only one here. Right, Flora?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
With Flora’s positive response, Arina’s narrowed eyes finally returned to normal.
“Well, if there was a problem, this place would have already been turned upside down.”
Arina was satisfied just knowing that Claire’s handprint was still there, and she wasn’t being observed by Princess Arsen.
“That should be enough… I can go home and give them a real scare.”
“hehehe. That child has quite the spirit, doesn’t she?”
“Hey…!”
“Why are you acting like that, Claire?”
Claire stammered, as if she had been caught red-handed.
But she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“Just, just forget about all these strange things and let’s go have fun!”
At Claire’s urging, the Duke finally took Carsein and left the mansion.
Isabella. Arina. Claire. Flora.
And finally, Carsein followed behind them.
He was trailing behind the mother and daughters in the last seat.
‘For the Snow Festival episode… Yes, I should try to lower the intimacy level as much as possible.’
While enjoying the festival, he was thinking about a completely different situation.
It was a bit early, but since the festival preparations had already been finished, the market was already open.
“The market seems to have expanded its range, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, it looks like it has increased compared to last year.”
The snowflake festival that year was so big that it had to be expanded twice the size compared to the previous year.
Not only were the offerings of the nobles used to stand in line for the royal family, but the abundance of autumn brought about by new inventions also expanded the scope of the streets exponentially.
Hustling and bustling merchants and residents.
Bright lanterns that emitted a faint light, illuminating the approaching night.
The lively night market made it even more evident why this place was a festival street.
“Hmm… but it’s true that there is plenty of food and things to see.”
He couldn’t help but feel a slight curiosity about this peculiar festival, different from the modern ones.
“I guess there’s no need to enjoy the festival while progressing with the episodes.”
If that’s the case, he thought it would be better to use this time as a resting period to clear his mind, which had been somewhat complicated.
“Wahahahaha! It’s a festival, a festival!”
“Flora, what if you keep running around and trip?”
“I won’t trip! Let’s go around more quickly. There seems to be so many fun things!”
Flora, who had been chubby all this time, smiled brightly as she explored the festival street.
The two older sisters couldn’t stop her and chased after her.
Isabella smiled kindly as she watched her sisters go ahead, but when she looked at Carsein next to her, she quickly became silent.
To such a son, Isabella kept her innermost thoughts to herself, thoughts that she had never expressed before.
“Last year, I didn’t come to see the snowflake festival either, Karsein.”
It’s a joyful festival for everyone.
It’s an annual event created by the royal family, a day for people of all ages to enjoy without discrimination.
But Isabella, even last year. And the year before that.
Whenever there was a snowflake festival, she didn’t participate.
Karsein quickly understood Isabella’s intention and replied.
“Was it because I wasn’t there?”
“Yes. If you can’t enjoy it, how can I go to the festival?”
Isabella spoke, alternating her gaze between Karsein and her two sisters.
“Claire’s measures were somewhat excessive. It was too much to restrict you from participating in the festival just because you had an accident. But no matter how hard I tried to convince her, she wouldn’t budge.”
In fact, she wanted to come to the festival with her sisters and you.
She didn’t come to the festival because you weren’t there.
She tried to get you out of your seclusion.
Isabella expressed her own struggles.
With a slightly bitter expression.
Then Karsein spoke up abruptly.
“It’s my fault.”
“Huh?”
“I made a mistake, so it’s only right that I receive punishment. Did you think I would have any complaints?”
“…I thought you might have some complaints, but I didn’t think it was wrong.”
Rather, let’s all enjoy the festival together this time.
I wanted to say that I was truly happy.
“Well then, no problem. Let’s follow before we get further away.”
Those words seemed like something to bring up later.
“Mom! When are you coming!”
“At this rate, we’ll end up just watching by ourselves.”
“Karsein, you come quickly too!”
“Going. Going.”
She couldn’t bring herself to say anything in response to her daughters’ urging, but as she watched Karsein’s retreating figure, Isabella made a promise.
She wouldn’t leave Karsein lonely during this festival.
***
The description of “unprecedented” attached to this year’s Snowflake Festival was not without reason.
As they walked along the streets, various objects caught the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Wearing clown glasses and acting foolishly, making people burst into laughter.
The smell of dishes made from unique local produce naturally stimulated their noses.
Familiar activities like darts and archery with prizes started to appear.
Arina picked out one of them.
“Oh. This seems to be something new from last year.”
“You saw it well! We completely improved on what we had last year!”
“Can I hear the explanation?”
The employee began his explanation with an excited expression.
The game involved rolling a ball up using two connected pedals and continuously hitting the target object to achieve the highest score.
However, since there were traps hidden everywhere, the ball could easily fall off, and if it bounced back due to a lack of control, it would be considered a failure and the game would end.
“It feels strangely familiar.”
And to top it off, there was a prize at stake?
There was no need to think. The choices would appear here.
-Ding!
“Well, that’s how it is.”
As expected, a progress window appeared, and a disappointed smile naturally formed.
In the meantime, Arina, who became interested, asked her siblings,
“Should we give it a try?”
“I’m in!”
“Me too, me too!”
“Is it alright with Mother too?”
“hehehe. Of course.”
Next, the last person.
I nodded my head indifferently.
In the meantime, Flora, who had discovered the prize, looked at the large teddy bear and her eyes sparkled. The family members who didn’t miss this sight began to covet the prize.
“How much does it cost?”
“It’s 10 pessels for one chance.”
“Oh, it’s quite cheap, isn’t it? Then all I need to do is learn the technique, right?”
“Oh, that won’t do. Even if they’re nobles, they only get three chances.”
The employee explained hastily.
Although Claire pointed out that it seemed too trivial, she accepted it obediently, saying it was for the next person.
Arina was the first to play the game.
Since she was the one who had the most curiosity at first, she carefully moved the lever and tried bouncing the ball.
“Oh dear, it went into the hole!”
“Is it harder than you thought? Here, have another try.”
“Ah, the conditions are a bit different from the second chance onwards!”
“Huh?”
The employee smiled and took something out right next to her.
It was a skewered fish cake on a wooden stick.
But for some reason, its appearance seemed a bit strange, and it had a visual that made it seem like if you took a bite, your mouth would be filled with heat.
“Do I have to eat this to have another chance?”
“Yes. If you simply enjoy the game with money, wouldn’t it become a monopoly?”
“Oh, I see. It would also imply that you should use the ball more carefully.”
“You’ve understood well. It’s a penalty for being careless.”
“For a penalty, it’s quite trivial.”
Arina mindlessly took a bite of the fish cake, and only then did she realize how important this opportunity in the game was.
“I-I finished eating… It’s going to be okay, right?”
“Yes. The price is the same, 10 Pesels.”
After that, she lost another opportunity.
Ariana thought about challenging again but declared surrender. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead with a handkerchief, she realized she had bought sherbet on this cold day.
Then Claire tried to win by paying the cost. As expected, her damn hot-tempered nature got the best of her.
The ball that couldn’t withstand the fierce strike of the handle bounced out of the court.
“Well, just eat it! Flora, see this? Your sister will definitely get it for you.”
“Ugh, Claire. You can’t just eat that. It’s…!”
“It must be really spicy. Big sister.”
Ignoring her warning, Claire took a bite of the ignored fish cake, and her complexion became darker than her hair. It had a certain taste that made it savory.
Claire got the next chance and started the game, but of course, she reached a high score in a condition that was not suitable for her. Ariana quickly bought sherbet, and even while reluctantly challenging while eating the remaining fish cake, there was no way she could win.
Finally, Flora.
She also didn’t have any talent in handling the game.
“Flora. Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t eat this?”
Isabella asked with concern.
That would be the case, the two older sisters would just laugh it off and move on, but the youngest daughter couldn’t help but worry.
“But… I want to play this game more.”
“Sigh. What should we do with her? How about this, since we’ll give you double the price, can’t you understand and agree?”
“I’m sorry. If I ruin this game with money, the value of the prize will be lost.”
What would happen if they broke this rule with money?
From Noble mtl dot com
The nobles would break the policy and monopolize it. The game meant to be enjoyed by everyone would simply become a pastime for the rich.
From the perspective of that man, this policy must never be broken.
And so, it was an opportunity for someone.
[3. Does it matter if I eat the fish cake instead?]
“Does it matter if I eat the fish cake instead?”
“Carsein?”
The family members, who were standing quietly behind me, looked at me with surprised eyes.
“Each person is given three chances. There was no mention of having to eat the fish cake to get the next chance.”
“Oh. That makes sense. However, it’s difficult to transfer chances in that way.”
“You’re right. So, let’s deduct my chance instead. How about that?”
The man, who was hesitant, thought for a while and then reluctantly handed me the fish cake, saying it would be okay to allow this much.
▶ [Spicy fish cake]
[I wonder how spicy the yellow fish cake is! It’s so red!]
Is this also treated as an item?
But, it doesn’t seem particularly dangerous, does it?
Without much thought, I took a bite of the fish cake.
Chew, chew.
“Hey, hey! Carsein, it’s really spicy! If you can’t eat it, just…”
“I guess I should buy another sherbet. No, should I buy milk instead?”
What is this?
It’s not that spicy at all.
“Are you okay? There must be lava flowing in your mouth right now!”
“If you can’t handle it, spit it out. Here, I’ve prepared a place to spit it out.”
“It’s okay.”
-Gulp.
I swallowed what was in my mouth, proudly showing it to my sisters.
I had no problem eating spicy cup ramen in Korea.
I even ate spicy tteokbokki as a punishment when I worked part-time. Maybe that’s why I can handle this level of spiciness.
Anyway, since they said I had to eat it all to get a chance, I took the remaining bit into my mouth.
Arina and Claire looked at me as if I were crazy.
-Ding!
▶The family’s intimacy increases slightly as they are moved by eating spicy food instead of their younger sibling!◀
“Ugh. Why is the status window acting up again?”
My limbs are all trembling. Why did I say something so ridiculous and sit down?
I just wanted to increase the intimacy. Even if Carsein were here, would I think differently?
But I’m glad the intimacy increased.
If I could only raise it like this, there would be nothing else I could ask for.
A little later.
-Plop, plop.
“Ah…”
“Damn it, what a waste! If only it had been a little to the left!”
Flora had used up all three chances and still couldn’t get the teddy bear she wanted. All she received was a fox-shaped candle.
“…”
“Miss, it’s a shame, but please wait for the next opportunity. I’ll make sure to reward you with something more fun.”
The employee consoled Flora, who was disappointed.
However, despite her disappointment, Flora’s gaze kept drifting towards the teddy bear.
And then, at that moment.
-Ding!
▶Emergency mission appeared!◀
▶Only one chance! Clear the game and bring the teddy bear to Flora!◀
■Reward
[Flora and her family’s intimacy]
The status window presented an emergency mission.
“…I couldn’t even beat the game when I played it before.”
She had tried her best with each retry, but she couldn’t win any prizes.
So even if they added intimacy as a reward, she eventually gave up and moved on.
But.
“Since it’s three tries per person, don’t I still have one chance left?”
Wouldn’t it be okay to personally take on the challenge now?
Flora proposed to the employee who had been watching from behind the scenes.