Chapter 63: Celebration

Up.

“I got it.

Darlian opened the newly bought umbrella and held it out for Finihiya, who was sheltering from the rain in front of the bulletin board.

Under the umbrella, Finihiya raised her head slightly, glancing up at the deep crimson canopy above.

“Does Darlian like red?”

“Red?” Darlian followed Finihiya’s gaze in confusion and glanced at the umbrella in her hand, “I don’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t say I particularly like it either.”

The two of them slowly walked forward along the rain-soaked street.

“I thought Darlian would like pretty colors.”

“I do like pretty and beautiful things.” Darlian nodded lightly, “But if you’re curious why I picked this red umbrella, it’s simply because the color is single and plain. The others were all too gaudy.”

The rain was growing heavier.

Gusts of wind whipped the raindrops against their skirts, gradually soaking the fluffy fabric.

As Finihiya shifted her gaze around, she suddenly noticed Darlian’s right shoulder had been dampened by the rain.

Only then did Finihiya realize that the umbrella was tilted more toward her side.

Feeling both helpless and grateful for Darlian’s thoughtfulness and gentleness, Finihiya moved closer to her.

Their shoulders brushed gently as they walked side by side beneath the curtain of rain.

Bouquets of flowers decorating the shop entrances swayed lightly in the rain.

As if something occurred to her, Finihiya fixed her gaze on those bouquets and asked, “Darlian, what was that festival you mentioned before?”

“It’s the once-a-year Summer Festival here.”

“Mmm…” Upon hearing this, Finihiya’s eyes showed a hint of speechlessness. “That’s a pretty rough answer. At least tell me why it’s held.”

“It’s because Miss Saintess asked too vaguely.” Darlian smiled softly, “At first, it was mainly to celebrate the birthday of Sonia Strelena. Now it also holds the meaning of welcoming the autumn harvest.”

“Oh.”

After hearing Darlian’s explanation, Finihiya nodded her little head.

Sonia Strelena was the Supreme God in the Myth of the Demons—this kind of basic knowledge was naturally known to her.

“It gets especially lively here on that day.” Darlian’s face showed a hint of reminiscence, then she smiled and invited her, “Why don’t we watch it together when the time comes?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

“But what?”

“Will you be free that day, Darlian?”

“Hm?” Darlian let out a puzzled sound.

“Aren’t you the Demon King? On such a grand festival, can you leave?”

“I only have some things to handle in the morning; the rest of the time is free.”

“Is that so.” Finihiya nodded, her silky golden hair shimmering as it swayed, “In the Holy Nation, during festivals like this, it’s always extremely busy.”

At those words, a faint smile appeared on Darlian’s lips.

“The Saintess of the Holy Nation really has it tough.”

“Hehe~”

“It must feel a lot more relaxed here, doesn’t it?”

Darlian’s words made Finihiya raise her brows slightly. She gazed at Darlian with a faint expression, then curved her lips in a smile that carried a touch of helplessness.

“I can’t deny that.”

The rainy season gradually drew to a close.

During this time, the seasons shifted, and August reached its midpoint.

Morning sunlight spilled from the sky, mottled shadows filtering through layers of palm leaves, landing sparsely in front of the garden pavilion.

The gentle breeze brought a moist scent as it wandered among the treetops.

As usual, Finihiya sat in the pavilion, reading the book before her. Apart from the occasional page turned by her fingers, her whole being seemed almost motionless.

Beside the rustic book lay a small glass bottle filled with thick liquid.

This murky liquid was, of course, a product mixed from the previously obtained solution and raw liquid.

The new, thick liquid had cleansing power similar to modern shampoo.

All in all, Finihiya was quite satisfied with this new raw liquid.

It had basic effects like cleaning and moisturizing.

However…

The new raw liquid didn’t foam very well, which made her want to improve it a bit more, so she began flipping through the so-called “Encyclopedia of Botany” again.

A cool, moist breeze swept by once more, lifting Finihiya’s golden hair. A pinkish-purple petal floated down onto her neck, gently brushed past, then landed on the surface of the parchment.

Wood.

Picking up the petal with her fingertips, Finihiya blankly lifted her head, following the direction of the wind.

She quietly watched for a while, and just as she drew her scattered thoughts back to her book, she inadvertently caught sight of a tall, sturdy tree.

Under the summer morning sun, the deep green palm leaves shimmered with a moist gloss.

“…Hmm?”

Finihiya stared blankly for a moment, then tilted her little head, and a dry, somewhat helpless smile appeared on her face.

Palm oil was a natural foaming agent.

She had been so focused on searching in her books that she’d overlooked her surroundings.

Feeling stiff from sitting too long, Finihiya stretched lazily, then slowly made her way toward the distant palm trees.

Standing before the palm tree, Finihiya looked up at its thick trunk.

“Lady Finihiya, why are you standing here?”

A somewhat familiar voice came from beside her.

Turning her head, she saw Garde Winters, the head chef from the kitchen, standing there.

At this, a gentle smile appeared on Finihiya’s cherry lips.

“Mr. Gade, you came at just the right time.”

“Is there something you need, Lady Finihiya?”

“I’d like a bit of palm oil. Do you have any in the kitchen?”

“Of course, we have plenty. I’ll fetch some for you right away.”

“Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Gade.”

Finihiya politely bowed.

As she watched Mr. Gade’s figure hurriedly recede into the distance, she suddenly remembered some other ingredients she needed, and hastily called out again.

“Mr. Gade!”

Gade, who had just walked a short distance, quickly turned back.

“Is there anything else, Lady Finihiya?”

“I’d also like a bit of honey.”

“Understood. I’ll bring both right away. Please wait a moment.”

“I’m really troubling you, Mr. Gade.”

She stood and waited in place for a while.

After only four or five minutes, she saw Gade’s figure hurrying toward her from the far end of the path.

The kitchen was quite far from here.

To prepare so quickly, he must have run the whole way.

“Lady Finihiya, here’s the palm oil and honey you requested.” Gade, panting, held two small clay jars. “I’ll put them in the pavilion for you.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Gade.”

“No, it’s what I should do.”