60 The Carnival 3 (1/2)
”Wow!” I gasped.
The carnival was basically like an outdoor circus as a clown handed out balloons to the children that were commoners while another clown jugged empty bottles of wine.
A pretty girl walked on the tightrope while she held a big black parasol when I looked up. There were also leashed lions and dogs doing their tricks while the audience excitedly applauded in response.
”The imperial family pays for the carnival for the commoners every five years,” Mill started to explain.
”Everything here is free?” I asked him when I smelled an aroma of various meat being grilled.
”Pretty much.” Mill sheepishly grinned.
”Then let's go there first!” I excitedly pointed to the stalls that sold junk food.
”Hello, young lady!” A merchant gave out his business smile.
The merchant gestured to the pile of variations of grilled meat near the fire. There was pork, chicken and boar meat shining from its delicious greasiness.
”Two of each!” I shouted.
”Are you sure?” The merchant was dumbfounded when he looked at my luxurious clothes.
”Then make that three,” I sulked when the merchant reluctantly gave me the food.
”I didn't think you would eat the food that we eat,” Mill commented on my large appetite when I finished eating all the meat.
Mill looked surprised when I ate more than ten sticks of boar meat, five candy apples and tons of taffy.
”I don't get to eat these stuff where I live. I have to eat dull food like salmon, steak, fruits and salads,” I complained to Mill.
”Those are luxurious food,” Mill remained composed as if he expected my answer.
”But these are what really tastes good,” I replied after eating more taffy.
”Well, I wouldn't know since I'm not a noble like you,” Mill teasingly answered me.
”I'm not a noble!” I unintentionally shouted.
”Well, you live in a castle, have maids attend to you and dress in extravagant clothing. So you can't be a commoner,” Mill handed me another stick of meat.
”Well, you don't have to be a noble to have those things,” I refuted as I chewed on the juicy boar meat.
”Right...” Mill replied with clear disbelief.
Still holding three sticks of food in my hands, Mill and I went to see the magic show next. I desperately tried to hold my laughter when I spotted all the hidden mechanisms behind the magician's tricks.
However, the crowd cheered loudly each time they got surprised from the tricks. Even Mill had his eyes glued onto the stage as the white doves flew out the magician's hat.
'Wait when you see people that do real magic!' I thought as the people of the fifth district were unfortunate to not know the existence of mana.
”Where do you want to go next?” Mill asked me when we already went to most of the shows in the carnival.
”Maybe-”
Robert went up to the podium and stopped the show of the fake magician. ”I have an announcement to make,” Robert declared.
Robert was in his military uniform which clearly displayed his authority. It was known among the commoners that only nobles wore the elite uniform of the royal palace guards.
The commoners went silent as they bowed down to the noble. The children that once excitedly yelled as they played in the moonlight went silent as well. They fearfully clung onto their parents as if they have done something horribly wrong. The fun atmosphere had disappeared as the serious tone of the noble replaced it.
”There is a missing child that we are looking for from the Suilett family. She should be around eleven years old and possess long vermillion hair with pumpkin orange eyes. She should also be wearing a crimson red dress.” Robert ended his announcement.
”The poor archduke and his family!” a person whispered.
”Wasn't there a girl with that description that passed by us earlier?” another person whispered in the crowd.
”It can't be her! A noble doesn't eat our poor food,” another person responded back.
'Damn! I knew I should have ran as soon as I saw that noble. Now, Luke and Cillian have figured out I snuck out of the castle earlier than they originally would have,' I despised the noble patrolling the night market.