I Possessed The Villain’s Childhood Friend

69 – Arcadia – 1

If you don’t try, you won’t be rewarded.

Conversely, it means that if you work hard, you will usually be rewarded.

What a simple yet profound truth.

And I think I’ve worked hard enough for over three years since I came to this world.

In order to become even a little stronger, he repeated training without a day off.

I didn’t seem to be able to use Ike’s body 100% perfectly yet, but at least now I was in the state of being a knight.

And how much effort you put into making Raina happy.

Thanks to this, Reina became close with Sophia, and soon the confrontation with Sophia, which was the starting point of Reina’s downfall in the original work, disappeared.

In addition, efforts have been made to eliminate the contact between Reina and Avatar, and thanks to that, I was hurt.

So to put it simply.

“Oh, Ike. I want to try that too.”

“Shooting?”

“Yeah. Looks interesting.”

Even if it’s a love that won’t come true, wouldn’t it be okay to receive compensation for all the hard work so far?

Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the festival together like this?

I thought so as I watched Reina dragging me by the sleeves to her shooting range.

★

Two weeks have passed since Raina ran away.

Fortunately, there were no other problems or troubles.

It seemed that the Duchess of Rogelia handled things well for me and Reina.

In other words, it meant that there would be no other storms.

In that case, you can spend time until the vacation is over, digesting schedules such as training and official duties.

“Thanks, Noel.”

I was doing my official business while drinking the iced chocolate Noel brought me.

I liked the iced chocolate that Noel made because it had a strong milk flavor.

Drinking iced chocolate reminds me of Arcana’s regular cafe again.

It’s good to eat there because the balance of sweetness unique to chocolate is exquisite.

If you ask me to choose between Noel and the cafe’s iced chocolate, it might be difficult.

If you only want to drink iced chocolate, Noel would rather eat something delicious at a cafe.

No, this also depends on what kind of bread or sweets you eat together.

That’s a very difficult problem.

While I was handing over the papers with such useless thoughts, the name caught my eye.

‘Safety management during Arcadia period’

“It must have been four days later, right?”

Arcadia was the name of a two-day festival held in Akkad every year on August 12th.

I’ve heard that the origin was from asking the god Eos for peace in Akkad long ago.

“Hmm.”

To be honest, Arcadia is a pretty impressive day for me.

It’s not exactly Arcadia itself, but August 12th is impressive.

In the year 824 of the Imperial calendar when I first entered this world, I couldn’t enjoy this festival.

It was a simple reason.

At that time, I competed in the finals of the dance competition with the crown prince in Heros, and after that, I participated in the after-party.

In other words, the opening date of Arcadia is Reina’s birthday.

“Shall we send a gift this time?”

Until now, all I had to do was send congratulatory letters.

Of course, Reina couldn’t get it because the contact was completely cut off.

But wouldn’t it be okay now?

I think Duke Rickard will understand if he asks how he is doing from time to time or tells him about necessary matters.

Instead, I should send a formal letter from the family rather than from the magic mailbox.

“Brother. It will be dinner time soon.”

While thinking about that, I heard Noel’s voice.

Looking at the clock, it was already 5:30.

“Okay. I’ll finish this and leave.”

Anyway, the official duties are almost over.

It took longer than usual, probably because I had a lot of other thoughts.

Still, I’m glad I finished it before dinner.

Thought so, I stamped the document.

“I’m full.”

Today, the food for dinner was better than usual, so I ended up eating a little more.

I know that sudden overeating is not good, but sometimes it happens like this.

After returning to my room, I first sat down on a chair and leaned back.

I wanted to lie down right away on my mind, but I had to put up with it because it wasn’t good for my body.

“Hmm.”

When I turned my gaze, I saw a magical mailbox nestled in the corner of the desk.

I never received a reply, but I kept sending letters for the six months that I promised.

“Should I put this away soon?”

Anyway, it’s an object that has no use anymore.

It’s not like throwing it away, but there’s no need to put it on the desk.

Thought so, I reached out my hand.

“… Uh?”

Then I could feel a weak but sure vibration.

This meant that a letter had arrived.

“No way.”

With half-doubt, I quietly opened the drawer of the receiving part of the magical mailbox.

Inside it was a letter.

A pillar supporting the sun was drawn on the seal of the letter.

It was the pattern of the Duke of Roselia.

With a quiet breath, I removed the seal and opened the letter.

In the letter, neither the sender nor the recipient was written.

Only one line was written.

‘I’ll visit you on August 11th.’

… Reina’s handwriting was clear.

On August 11th, three days after the letter came.

Reina really came to Akkad.

“Could it be that you ran away because you had another problem this time?”

“Excuse me, Ike. This time, I definitely got permission and came here.”

Fortunately, there was no problem.

“I came because I was curious about how the Arcadia festival, which starts tomorrow, is going on.”

“Wait a minute. Does that mean you’ll stay until tomorrow?”

“Yes. I plan to go back the day after tomorrow morning.”

“But Reina. Tomorrow yes….”

“It’s okay. Because I got permission.”

Reina answered before I could finish my words.

“You can’t even ask that Arcadia be postponed because of me. One has to give up.”

If you are in the position of the eldest daughter of a duke, numerous things happen just because of her birthday.

Even the dance competition held in Heros right now was a festival to celebrate Reina’s birthday.

Is Arcadia worth giving up all those things?

“No, if you just want to enjoy Arcadia in the first place, on the 13th….”

“Be quiet, Ike.”

Yes.

Seeing Reina’s cold expression as she frowned, I quietly shut her mouth.

After dinner, I went to the office at my father’s call.

“You will guide Miss Reina to Arcadia tomorrow, Ike.”

“Yes?”

My father said it as if it were very natural.

… I think I had a similar conversation recently.

“There is no need to explain, right?”

“… All right.”

And in the end, I saw a future that I had to accept, so I just quietly nodded.

This time, Reina definitely made her appointment and came to the Duke of Axus.

That means that Reina’s exclusive maid, Anna, came with her.

“I intend to stay at the mansion tomorrow.”

“What do you mean by that?”

But Anna suddenly said this.

No. Isn’t it strange that her exclusive lady-in-waiting isn’t around when she goes out?

This isn’t even Heros.

Even if it’s Heros, that shouldn’t be the case.

“The young lady also gave permission.”

I tried to convince Anna, but she used the word that Reina approved as a shield.

No matter how much I thought about it, I felt that there was something strange about the flow.

“I look forward to tomorrow.”

“… Okay.”

But when I saw Rayna say that with a smile on her face, I couldn’t say anything.

★

“Wow.”

Reina let out a short exclamation.

In her eyes, there was a band crossing her street.

Starting with the accompaniment of a roaring trumpet, exciting music fills the streets.

The residents around them were also clapping their hands in response, and Reina looked blankly at them.

“How far does that orchestra go?”

“It goes all over Akkad. Because it marks the beginning of Arcadia.”

“It must be difficult.”

“Still, everyone said it was fun. It’s a rewarding job.”

What does it feel like to announce a festival that everyone enjoys with their own hands?

Surely, as they say, it will be very rewarding.

“So, does that mean the festival is about to start in this town?”

“What. The festival itself has already begun, but symbolically speaking, that is.”

“Hmm.”

Hearing my words, Reina smiled softly and held out her hand to me.

“Then is it okay if I ask for an escort from now on?”

“It’s a festival everyone enjoys, why not?”

“….”

Reina looked at me without saying anything at my question.

The hand was still outstretched.

In the mood of refusal, I sighed and held her hand.

“I’ll try my best.”

“Okay. So, what do we say before we leave now?”

At those words, I quietly glanced at Reina.

It was a light blue dress that clung to her body for ease of movement.

There were no flashy decorations at all, and it felt very plain.

However, it emphasized her cold atmosphere unique to Reina, and I thought she was rather like her doll.

“That suits you well.”

“Thank you.”

She answered as if nothing was wrong, and Reina led me by the hand and walked forward.

Didn’t I tell you to escort me?

Well, it doesn’t matter.

If Reina can enjoy it, that will be enough.

★

Her heart is pounding.

Do you really know why she grabbed her by the sleeve and ran first?

Because I’m too embarrassed to show you her face red with fever.

Her chest is tight.

I’m so shy, but when I sneak a peek at you, it seems like nothing’s wrong.

I want to ask why am I the only one who is so conscious of you?

No matter how childhood friends we’ve known each other, I’d like you to be a little more conscious since we’re going to be walking around alone at a festival.

I get grumpy for no reason.

But every time I feel the warmth of her clasped hands.

Every time you clear the way to avoid bumping into people around you.

Every time you slightly raise the corner of your mouth while looking at me who is happy.

I feel your kindness and my heart is relieved.

I feel like getting to know a new you, so I fall for you again.

It would be better if I could tell you everything right now.

But I couldn’t.

Now is not the time.

With the thought that I still have to endure more, I calm my trembling heart as I recall that promise.

So let’s be satisfied with this today.

I am so happy just being able to be with you today.

“But wouldn’t it be hard to walk around all the time?”

That can’t be.

On the contrary, I want to keep walking together.

But I know I can’t say that now, so I twist my answer.

“It’s okay. It’s a fun festival.”

I hope you understand my heart.