28th December, XXXX
I grilled Sally about her whereabouts when I finally met her at the ball a few hours later. She said she was detained in the ‘queue’ waiting to greet the prince. She was accompanying her diplomat father, but the prince was nowhere to be found. When her father finally gave her permission to leave, she could not find me next to the statue.
She did not seem to be lying to me and I believed her. If even my best friend lies to me, I don’t know who to trust. Then my life would truly be pathetic.
When I told Aunt about the piece of jewel from the mysterious guy. She seemed extremely excited and happy that I had a ‘mysterious suitor’. In the next few days, she tried to subtly brainwash me into believing ‘there are many gentlemen that suit you in Zehan’, ‘living in Zehan is much more fun than in Arerin’, ‘Zehan boys are so well-mannered, look at your uncle and cousins’…
From her words, she did not think that’s Sebastian, but a Zehan noble. So I believed she was not part of Sebastian’s mysterious plan. She was so excited and kept talking about Zehan and the gentlemen in Zehan.
Was that really Sebastian? I decided to not give any further thought. I just hope Sebastian would stop engaging me in his plans. I put that piece of jewel under lock and key.
That was an extremely curious piece. It looks like a pendant but that is not a pendant as there are hooks on both sides. It looks like a piece in a puzzle.
The renowned Mask Festival is coming up in a few days. I am still considering if I should go or not.
I am really looking forward to this festival when I first planned my trip. The most famous event for this festival is the Night Market. The things being sold in the night market are said to be ‘magical’. There are paper dolls that dance on their own, candle drawings that emit light, paper butterflies fluttering around… They are all artworks by the famous artists of Zehan. They make use of their powers to create pretty things.
Plus people wander around the magical Night Market in masks.
Now that I think of it, is it worth it to give up something just because of Sebastian? Someone who might not even be Sebastian? Not at all.
With this thought in mind, I happily went to find Sally to plan our trip to the night market.
After the night market, it’s time I leave Zehan and visit other kingdoms and places.
Where should I go next?
“You are leaving?” Sally gasped. “Don’t leave me here! I am so lonely.”
“Well you don’t strike me as lonely. You are friend with the princess and daughter of the grand duke.”
“Are you jealous, Liana? Don’t be. You are my best friend, no doubt about it.”
I rolled my eyes. “I just think you are surviving well in Zehan. Do you plan to stay here for the rest of your life? As aunt said Zehan was a great place with lots of well-mannered boys.”
I smiled demurely and innocently at Sally.
Sally blushed. “What are you talking about?”
“Just teasing you.” I shrug. “Anyway, I can’t wait to visit the Night Market!”
“Same! Do you know there is a myth saying that if a couple is able to buy the Mirror of Hearts, they will end up together forever! Happily married!”
I pat Sally lightly on the head. “How old are you? Who would believe in this silly rumor aside from 5 years old kid? And it’s very evidently just a way to boost sales.”
“Of course, but many people still believe that! They said the artist that made those mirrors had the power to bless people! That’s why only a few Mirrors of Hearts are made each year. The artist only sells them to couples she deems she is destined to bless.”
“Wow. Then the mirror must be very expensive. What a way to sell her product. Really clever.”
“Liana, don’t be so practical! It’s romantic!”
“Uh-huh. But why are we talking about mirrors? It has nothing to do with us!”
“Oh right. Let’s talk about the food! And must buy items!”
By just discussing the Night Market, I felt excited already. Sally and I had already prepared masks for that day. I absolutely cannot wait for Night Market to come.
