Chapter 263

Chapter 263Previous

So, do people paint their faces throughout the whole festival?

No, only on the festivals eve. According to the superstition, painting ones face on the eve of the festival warns the storm to not approach during the rest of the festival.

Interesting superstition. As expected, everywhere you go, sailors have thin ears*.

The South also has many superstitions related to the sea and sailing. I, too, entrusted my life to Mother Ocean again and again. My ears were normally thick when I was on land but naturally became thinner whenever I got on a ship

Lost in thoughts, Lils hand was gently nudged by Eds, which had grabbed hold of hers.

Why? Dont you like it? Its nice that you dont have to worry about covering your face, dont you think?

Is this why you were quite confident in asking me to go out?

Ed laughed without answering, causing the red wings on his face to move along with his squinting eyes. Meanwhile, Lil looked over her shoulder. The rest of the festival-goers, standing in queues to receive their snacks from the street vendors, similarly had their faces painted with various colours and patterns, ranging from a few crude straight lines to pictures as colourful and detailed as Lils.

Sir? You ordered two, right?

The owner of the stall gave Ed two pan bagnats*. Lil just learned that this was a more modern meal, with fish and vegetables sandwiched between two slices of bread.

Apparently, its currently a trend in Roahn to eat light meals as everyone is living such a busy life.

Ed looked disapprovingly at Lil who took a big bite of the bread.

Are you sure thats all you want? Its not nutritious enough.

Theres fish stuffed in the bread.

So?

If it had been plain ham or vegetables, I wouldve passed over it even if it was my first time seeing it, but this is grilled fish. Cant I be curious about what it tastes like?

Only then did Ed raise his eyebrows and take a bite of his own.

So, you were curious about this.

It may not seem like it, but I like to eat and Im curious by nature. Of course, till now I didnt exactly live a life where I could leisurely explore such things, so I cant even remember when or what I was last curious about. But since youre setting the table for me like this, I now can think about it again. Didnt you bring me here to simply look around and talk about trivial matters?

Exactly.

Seeing Ed smiling happily, left Lil a little regretful.

If I had known he would like it this much, I wouldve agreed for us to wander around sooner.

Lil finally understood that when someone adores someone, they would want to share even the most insignificant elements of their daily lives with them. And as if to prove it, on their way to the dock, Ed and Lil kept themselves busy by eating coloured sugar skewers that turned their tongues blue, popping the bubbles floating above their heads periodically, and picking five random numbers in the lottery. As well as other insignificant things, such as hitting a target with a hammer.

Lil laughed at Eds honest assessment of his own situation.

Ive never heard before that a relative of a lord is serving as the governor of their territory. Isnt a governor appointed by His Majestys edict? Because a governor is an official of the capital.

Ed shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his wine.

The governor is supposed to be His Majestys appointee, but Linhardt doesnt seem to have any attachment to the Empire, let alone to His Majesty. Just by looking at this, anyone can tell that Roahn is a land run by Eichendorff.

Ive never been interested in running it. Its the same with being an admiral. My only interest was finding relics, but now that Ive collected all the clues scattered across the seas, its time to turn my attention inland. Its difficult to do that as an admiral.

His Majesty would issue an edict before that happens, right?

I signed a deal which makes it able to retire soon.

And His Majesty agreed to such a contract?

To be honest, he doesnt like me very much. Hes probably hoping to kick me out of Sesbron as soon as possible.

That couldnt be the only thing, you mustve offered him something in return.

I told him I would return the fleets strength to what it was before the conquest of the Monferrand Strait. You remember that one, right? The 3rd Prince led the expedition as the Captain and the fleet was almost completely destroyed.

Lil nodded her head.

The Monferrand Strait only opens to Admiral Retiro.

Although it was a tragedy that occurred only a few years ago, that phrase spread like a legend. When Lil first heard it, she thought it was a ridiculous exaggeration, but now, the legend himself was filling her glass with juice right under her nose.

Lil changed her opinion.

Eds a very capable navigator and captain, knowing that, it doesnt sound like an entirely absurd story that the safe passage to the Monferrand Strait is secretly passed down from generation to generation.

By the way, why are you fighting His Majesty?

Ive never done that.

Footnote:

To have a thin ear: Korean proverb; to be easily influenced by other peoples opinions, to easily believe what others say.

Pan bagnat: This is a sandwich that is a speciality of Nice, France. The sandwich is composed of pain de campagne, a whole wheat bread, enclosing the classic salade nioise, a salad composed mainly of raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies and/or tuna, and olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sometimes vinegar might be added, but never mayonnaise. It has historically been prepared as a use for day-old bread. [WIKI]

TN: Happy new year everyone!