Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 13
“Is that you, Macy?”
“Anna?”
Anna stood there with a wooden basket in her hand, looking surprised.
“It is you, Macy! What brings you all the way here? Oh my! Is Yannick making you run errands like this now?”
Her voice sharpened as she noticed the art supplies Macy was carrying.
“No, I volunteered to come. I wanted some fresh air. What are you doing here?”
“Oh, I’m running an errand for the head maid. I came to pick up some fabric we ordered.”
“I see. What a coincidence to run into you here!”
“Right? I thought I was seeing a ghost!”
Anna looked delighted at the unexpected meeting. Macy also felt a sense of wonder and joy at seeing a familiar face in a strange place.
“Have you had a chance to look around the street?”
“No, I think I should head back home now.”
“Why?”
“It’s too heavy.”
Macy gestured to the items in her hands, and Anna nodded in understanding. After a moment’s thought, a mischievous smile spread across her face.
“Want to slack off with me for a bit?”
“Slack off?”
“There’s a spring festival happening on Seine Street. There are performances and even noblemen boating on the Seine River. There will be plenty to see.”
“Really…?”
Macy had heard about the spring festival from the maids’ conversations. They always brought back armfuls of bright flowers from the market. The last festival Macy had attended was the founding festival she went to with her father as a child.
‘Under the bright sunshine, the boats decorated with fresh flowers must look beautiful…’
She grew increasingly curious about the spring festival on Senew Street.
“I’d like to go, but… are you sure you can spare the time to wander around with me?”
“It’ll only be a short while, it’s no big deal.”
“Then let’s take a quick look. I’ve been wanting to draw something new, but nothing has come to mind. It sounds beautiful!”
“Great! Let’s leave your stuff at the art shop and go.”
“Alright!”
* * *
The busiest street in the capital of Obelite, Laden, was undoubtedly Senew Street.
In the square stood the tall clock tower, an iconic structure of Senew Street, and in the center, the famously clear and transparent Senew River flowed.
The area was lined with boutiques selling stylish clothes, shops offering high-end leather goods, jewelers, and stores selling various crafts.
“Get your wool blankets here! Feel it, and even the winter cold will kneel before it!”
“Fresh fruits picked just yesterday! Come over here! I’ll handpick the freshest ones for you!”
Merchants loudly promoted their goods, while buyers haggled over prices and searched for the items they wanted.
“Macy, look at this. A brooch made of real flowers! Let’s get one each.”
Anna held up a brooch made of purple lilac to see if it matched Macy’s outfit and hat. After scrutinizing for a moment, she pinned the lilac brooch to Macy’s hat and placed another on her own chest. Then she turned to the merchant to pay for both.
“Two of these, please. Here you go.”
“No, let me pay! I still have enough money for this.”
“No way, I’m paying. This is my gift to you. We have something to celebrate, remember?”
Anna winked playfully, referring to Macy finding her name’s master. Being congratulated on such a significant event in her life brought a surge of emotion to Macy.
“Thank you, Anna.”
Tearing up, Macy touched the brooch. Anna hugged her tightly, her laughter full of happiness.
“It feels like a dream being here with you!”
“I’m glad I decided to come out alone today.”
The lively sounds of chatter and laughter echoed all around. They moved through the festive crowd, enveloped by the bustling atmosphere.
Though crowded and a bit chaotic, Macy found the energy of the spring festival both unfamiliar and exciting. For her, it was a dazzling new world, like stars bursting in her eyes.
“Where are you lovely ladies headed in such a hurry?”
A red-haired man blocked their path with a sly grin, holding a bright red tulip in his hand.
“Blessings from Frileche, the goddess of spring. Would you accept my flower?”
Macy hesitated, giving him a wary look, but Anna laughed and spoke to him.
“Hils! You scared me. Are you selling flowers all the way out here?”
Anna took the flower and playfully tapped the man’s shoulder.
“Hello, Anna. Can’t miss the chance to make some good money. What brings you here at this hour? Are you allowed to enjoy the festival?”
“I came to run an errand and decided to stop by for a bit.”
“And who is this lovely lady?”
It seemed they knew each other quite well. The man glanced at Macy as he asked.
“Don’t you remember Macy? We used to play together on Montvalley Hill when we were kids.”
“Macy? You mean Macy Horton?”
Mentioning Montvalley Hill jogged Macy’s memory.
This man was one of the kids she used to play with there. Hills would often share flowers with her, saying his family owned a flower shop. The other kids would tease him about it, making him blush frequently.
“But Macy was…”
The neighbors knew that Macy had been born with her name already manifested, causing her to walk with a limp.
