The time just flew like whoosh and now it is almost midnight. The festival has been going on since the morning but the people are like 'Oh! It just started'. Both of us became tired and decided to take a short break. Most of the people around are using their flyers but since I cannot use one, she is not using either.
"That man was deliberately doing that, I tell you. Otherwise my force could have just knocked it out!" she huffs and I laugh. I guess fraudulent even exists here. But wasn't she cheating too?
Rosemary is definitely not how I portraited her to be. She is so fun to be with. Even though her hair and makeup makes her look like a total badass. I don't think I ever laughed this much in my entire life.
I think she will be my new bff here.
"Why is everything named Azalea?" I ask my burning question.
We are currently at the heart of the Falska. This is like a junction with the cross of four big roads. but vehicles are prohibited. The vast area is called Azalea square, or the business center of Falska.
In the middle, there is a long pole that looks like a few thin branches twisted and swirled together. On top, it curls into 8 large circles, 4 a little higher and 4 a little lower. Each curls are displaying various informations, such as weathers, news, announcements and more. This pole has another incredible ability. It can transport people to other levels within a certain area. Levels other than the main one are just replicas of this place and they are created in a way that even if you are lost, you will somehow end up near the pole if you keep in walking. I think it is more like a maze but one that is simple and not just a jumble of confusions. Because of the enormous amount of markets, this trick is used to help the area to be less crowded.
We came back to the main level or the original level. The others were too crowded to keep standing in one place. Here, it is less crowded because there are no stalls. We just had to break the card and we were back to the top. A few couples, here and there, some children playing in the open street and the guards standing and guarding the place. It is so peaceful.
"Not everything is named Azalea. Only the Government ones." She stretches her arms and yawns.
"Why?"
"It is Falska's emblem. The pink Azalea. Every country and registered provinces have one unique flower to resemble their state. They are also used for creating the accurate connection between two distant places. You probably used pink Azaleas when coming here, didn't you?"
"Yeah," so that was why, "what are the others?" if I picked others then I probably would have hit into a different place.
She thinks for a moment, "I forgot." she gives me a sneaky smile, "But the capital of Croran is probably red rose."
"Not probably, it IS red rose."
We look up. Lord Luveille is now standing, his hands crossed before his chest, "I can't believe you don't remember the symbols of your own kingdom."
"I don't need to be a master to teach a kid that 1 plus 2 is 3, brain boy. As long as I remember 'pink Azalea', I am home."
I snicker at his frown. Out if the four, Rosemary surely knows how to make her brother irritated. He throws me a sharp glare.
"It's not funny. Anyways, let's move on. They are waiting." he turns and starts to walk away.
"Where are we going?" I ask. I don't remember Rosemary saying that we were supposed to be somewhere.
I can see the carriage we used. He opens the door. What a gentleman!
"Oh? It probably slipped." Rosemary gives me a sheepish look, "We are having a family dinner tonight."
A family dinner? Sure that I met their other siblings but I didn't meet their parents. Barging in just feels very very wrong. I don't get on the carriage.
"I think I better head home. It is very late already."
"Of course. You will leave after dinner." Rosemary says from inside. The Lord is still standing with his hand for me to hold.
"No, I mean..." what should I say? "I feel bad fo-"
I am yanked up from the ground and the wind shoves me inside the carriage. As soon as it puts me on the seat, it disappears. Like the wind was never there. I watch with shock, he quickly gets inside and shuts the door.
"What was that for?" I finally found my voice.
He ignores me and touches in a certain place of the carriage wall. "You were too slow. We are already late thanks to Rose's cover up magic." I can feel her shaking, not that her laughter could be muted by hands. I tsk.
The box like vehicle starts to move. It doesn't have any horses. Rather it is operated by a driver who sits in the outside front part of the transport. Rosemary told me that the driver uses his mana to lift up the carriage from the ground and move. The mechanism is the same for the flyers which can hold two people at most, that too with special ones designed for two people. One thing for sure, this place are very strict with traffic rules.
"Seriously. I don't want to disturb your family time."
"You won't. It's not like we talk about our dark family secrets anyways. And mother is expecting you." he cuts me off with a blank tone. I don't know if he is considerate or rude to me.
"Then, let me at least buy something." I desperately look outside the window. Sweets, flowers, Clothes. Any shop would suffice. I didn't buy anything from there because I don't have the right currency. Yet Rosemary paid for many foods and rides despite my refusal.
Rosemary shakes her hand, "Don't worry. Your presence is the gift."
"Cheesy."
Going to visit someone without any gift. It really is unsettling. I fidget with the long hem of my top. I don't like the feeling.
"Who am I going as?" I ask them.
Rosemary bear hugs me from the side and giggles, "As my best friend, of course."
Sometimes I really forget that Rosemary is actually 31 years old. She is so silly and childish with everything. I smile, thinking how coincidentally I also wanted to be her best friend forever.
The ride doesn't take that long and we reach a house that is not as grand and magnificent as the Azalea mansion but definitely more homely and warmer than it.