Treize blinked. Her heart was in her throat and she wanted nothing more than to retreat from the hall, far away from the infirmary. But Knight kept her in place with his stare.
"Hm, really? I can't say that we've met." She really should have used a spell to distort her voice from the start.
The Knight tilted his head, "Really?"
Couldn't he just let it go? "I don't know what else to tell you…" she responded innocently.
She didn't expect the Royal Gardener to be the one to save her. The blonde man smacked the Knight on the head. "Stop that," he chided gently and looked at her in an apologetic way. "I'm sorry for taking up your time."
She swallowed her anxiety and bowed once more, "It's no problem. I will be off now." And it took all of Treize's self-control not to just outright bolt out of there. Her heart hammered in her chest, ears still focusing on the conversation behind her.
The Knight was whining, "Why did you hit me? I'm an injured person, you know?"
"I barely hit with any strength."
"You're brute!"
"Not so loud in here please…"
And April's gentle giggle.
This might be a problem. They hadn't expected for there to be an extra person in the infirmary, and the Knight of all people. Treize cursed under her breath but she supposed there was no going back now.
…
Outside, the sun found a comfortable spot in the sky and the city began to warm from night's lingering chill. Festivities were already well and alive, the streets busy with song and laughter. The church bells sounded. It was time for the parade to begin.
First, there were the dancing women, in rows of four dressed in bright velvets and silks. They wore blue to represent the victorious dawn and smiles plastered across their faces. Trumpet players fenced them in, guarding them against onlookers as they bowed and twirled down the streets.
Next was the cavalry. Lords and Ladies dressed in sparkling armors and swords at their hips. Their expressions were grave and they sat atop tall steeds with shiny midnight coats. The horses did not stinker nor neigh and only marched in a completely synchronized way.
There were flag bearers and Arcadia's blooming lilies were bright under the glow of the sun. Maidens followed with baskets of petals and sweet songs upon their lips. Their voices were high and bright, matching the joyous crescent of their eyes. Flower petals of all colors were scattered upon the streets.
The citizens roared with cheer and festivity. Happiness was infectious and it was impossible to pick out a single face that wasn't smiling in the crowd.
Such was the Festival of Remembrance.
And soon the floats began to leave the castle walls.
There was the pink pony, flanked by acrobatic performers and a small band of three playing the lute.
Then there was the blue dog, trailed by songstresses in long flowing gowns that fluttered outwards like blooming flowers as they twirled.
And next, Princess Ceci watched the world shift beneath her as the shimmering golden horse moved out to the streets. A blinding sparkle was in her eyes as sunlight caught on the jewels in her hair but she maintained a tranquil visage. From up high she alone was the shining sun of Arcadia. She alone was their crowning jewel.
The Princess took in a breath and when her voice came out it was like the sweetest wind chime, spring turning into summer. And anyone that heard such a lovely tune felt their hearts quiver, their souls moved.
In the crowd, Huit watched the entire parade unfold. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't entranced, even with the Insomnium ore pressed against his teeth with his tongue.
The Princess's magic was too powerful and he only watched her with worship and awe. For she truly was like a sparkling golden sun! Who could be greater than Princess Ceci? More beautiful? More charming? She alone was so wondrous that no one was even looking at any of the other performers.
Children chased after the golden horse to be able to get a better look. And the elderly sank to their feet in worship.
Huit almost did the same--
But a sharp pain at his ankle brought him back to reality. When he looked down, he saw a little Nightmare in the shape of a mouse scurrying away.
He shook his head and reminded himself of the matters at hand. Right! He almost got carried away there. A cold shiver crept down his spine as he slunk away from the main crowds.
Ducking away in the dark alleys he called forth his Colored Dream.
And just was his own terrible luck that his dream was a damned rat with a violet pelt. He hated the thing and the way it always glared at him in a strange and judgemental way.
"Don't look at me like that," He hissed at it.
The rat rolled its beady little eyes.
This little…! But he had no time to argue with his stupid rat. "Go find June and November. Let them know that Ceci has passed the first avenue. They can safely proceed with the mission now without alerting the Princess of trouble too quickly.
The rat, terrible little thing, hopped off his palm. As it reached the ground, its bright violet melt shifted into a natural gray one, and then quickly, his stupid rat scurried off into the distance between the cracks in nearby walls.
Only a matter of time now.
Huit took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the wall.
His main objective, for now, was already done. And while a part of him wished he could be more of use to everyone else, he was also happy that he was left with an easier and less dangerous job.
That's what it should have been.
But he didn't notice how the shadows were creeping him around him, and how a low rumbling growl was inching closer and closer.
And it was only a deep female voice uttered when he knew it was too late.
"And who dares disturb this wondrous, beautiful day?"
The Maid had a nose like a hunting dog and always knew when something was awry nearby.
This was Huit's fatal mistake.
…
From the top of the castle wall, November could keep track of June flailing around like a headless chicken. He sighed, thinking the disguise might have been a little too ridiculous in the end.
But it seemed like a perfect chance to dress June up in one of those ridiculous performer outfits on this auspicious day.
Unlike the rest of them, June's face was quite infamous as a person that ranked among Kaleidoscope. He was brazen with his actions and antagonized more lords and ladies than anyone could keep track of. So sneaking him into the castle would have been difficult.
But today was different.
Today, June was able to sport a large blue feathered hate. Half his face was covered with an ornate mask and the other half was painted blue like the rest of his body. November didn't know what it was that coordinated these outfits but it sure made things easier for them.
He, on the other hand, was dressed a lot more plainly and had donned the appearance of a young lord. A white tunic sat loosely on his skin and his pants were of a finer craft. A large, heavy brooch even sat at his collar to finish off the look. Of course, he didn't look too gaudy. The point was to not stand out.
But still, he needed to fit in with the higher echelons of Arcadia's society. It was useful for granting him more freedom to travel around the castle as he pleased. Where June managed to procure such an outfit, November was unwilling to find out. So he silently took it without question and wove it into their plans.
He was the Leader of Kaleidoscope now, just as he was always meant to be.
November leaned against the wall and sighed. The wind that mused his hair was warm. Perhaps he should be wrought by anxiety over their schemes and plots but in all honesty, November was a little bored with waiting.
On the courtyard, June was laughing and shouting about and seemed to be having a lot more fun than he. November sighed again. He could really use some development or else he was going to fall asleep.
As if on cue, a large rat crawled out from the cracks between the stone. When it crept up to November and stood on its hind legs, its little hands made an okay-sign. November chuckled at the little rat and bet down to allow it to climb onto his shoulders.
"I guess it's time to get this show started, huh?"