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~Chapter 24~
I smiled brightly at Eric.
“Eric, I was wondering why I hadn’t met the male leads on this trip.”
“Indeed. You’re alone today. Have you decided to travel alone, princess?”
“Well, I’ve actually been alone all along… What’s up with you?”
Eric, who usually stuck close to Albert, was alone today.
Just as I started to feel uneasy and guess why, Eric asked,
“Did you say something strange to Albert, princess?”
“Huh?”
I tilted my head and laughed.
“I don’t know what it is, but he’s really mad at me. He wants his own room and even left right after arriving at Sinks to travel alone.”
“Oh…”
“It seems to have started after you talked with him. Do you have any idea why?”
Eric asked with pure eyes, and I had no answer.
Albert wouldn’t hide how he feels from Eric. Even if he didn’t say it, he’d be sensitive about it.
I hadn’t thought that far.
“Sorry, Eric. Maybe there was some misunderstanding during my talk with Albert.”
“He said I’m annoying because of my big chest. Well, having a big chest isn’t a crime, right? It’s unfair.”
I glanced at Eric’s large chest and immediately felt guilty.
“Yeah, I’m trash…”
How did my relationships with the male leads get so messed up?
I hadn’t expected this from the start.
“So, how’s the trip? Have you seen much of Sinks?”
“Oh, no.”
I hesitated but continued,
“This trip is kind of disappointing. The situation seems complicated.”
“I’ve heard about the immigrants coming in. Sinks doesn’t seem like a great place to travel right now.”
I nodded weakly.
Eric added,
“But there’s a bear mask festival in the square tonight.”
“Oh.”
I looked toward the place I saw earlier.
“I plan to get tickets to go. Want to come? I got two tickets because I thought Albert wouldn’t want to go with me.”
“Sorry, Eric. I want to rest early on the train tonight.”
Though resting early might be boring.
Traveling with a favorite character like Eric would be great.
But I didn’t want that.
I didn’t want to clash more with the male leads, especially Albert.
And I didn’t want Eric to get caught up in misunderstandings.
“Hmm… I see.”
Eric shrugged.
“I heard there’s an amazing restaurant. You’ll have to go alone.”
“…”
“They say the lamb there is delicious.”
“Where?”
I couldn’t resist asking.
Eric smiled, finding me cute.
“There’s a food stall at the festival selling lamb. Everyone says it’s so good.”
“Really?”
“So, will you come with me?”
“…”
I didn’t answer, but nodded quietly.
Eric knows so many good places for no reason…
“Then, let’s meet at the square entrance when the festival starts.”
6 PM.
I stood at the festival entrance, waiting for Eric.
I wore a bear-shaped mask.
Sophie and Deon had masks too.
We bought the masks from street vendors earlier.
They had many types, very detailed and handmade.
Wearing a mask wasn’t required, but I wanted to enjoy the mood.
After a while, a large figure appeared.
“Princess.”
“Eric?”
I saw Eric wearing a black bear mask looking at me.
Wow.
I worried he wouldn’t recognize me, but his face was unmistakable.
Even with the mask covering half his face, his handsome look and big muscles showed.
“Nice mask. It suits you.”
“Thanks. I liked this one best—it’s cute.”
I wore a white mask with black patches around the eyes, like a panda.
“You have the tickets, right? Don’t tell me you didn’t prepare them.”
“Of course.”
Eric pulled tickets from his pocket and waved them.
“Shall we go? It’s an honor to attend the festival with you.”
He offered his hand playfully.
“I’m honored too.”
Feeling like I was on a date with my favorite character, my cheeks flushed as I followed him.
“Wow.”
And now… I’m on a date.
“This is really good.”
Not Eric, but the food he recommended.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes!”
I looked at Eric with bright eyes and nodded.
I held a long skewer of ‘shashlik’ — grilled lamb and vegetables on a stick.
It smelled special, probably from spices, and I loved it.
“Wow, this is really really good!”
Grilled meat usually tastes good, but the long line here showed it was the festival’s top dish.
Eric smiled watching me eat like a messy princess.
“I’m glad you like it. Want another?”
“Hmm, I’m a bit full…”
“It goes well with red wine. If you drink it with red wine…”
“Let’s get back in line quickly.”
I answered eagerly, looking at Sophie for permission to drink wine.
“Only one glass, young lady.”
“Of course!”
I smiled at Sophie and lined up with Eric.
People in bear masks were walking or waiting for food too.
The square was empty during the day, but at night it felt lively.
Finally, it felt like a real trip.
I was glad I accepted Eric’s invitation after a dull day.
