Some people grouped together and discussed something seriously among themselves.Then they all nodded in agreement with a smile, it looked as if they had decided something.
"My lord ,My lady; would you both please honour us with your presence in the agricultural festival which we are going to hold tomorrow night?" , one of the general audiance asked Max and Merry.
Merry looked Max with unsure facial expression.
"We appreciate that you asked ,but we have to leave to North east towards Montane Church for war festival too.", Max told directly.
"Just one more day my lord ,we request you."
"Yes Lord ,we want to celebrate the arrival of our lord and ladyship and make some memories."
Max looked at Merry, who looked very curious. As Merry never got a chance to attend cultural festivals much, she could just imagine.
"What do you think? Would you like to stay here?" Max asked Merry which made Merry startle by sudden question.
"What? M-Me?" Merry asked with low voice hesitantly.Max nodded softly with a light smile.
Merry glanced towards the people who showed their puppy eyes to Merry, so that she could accept the proposal.
"I-If it is fine with you..I w-would love to spend time here.", Merry said with hesitation.
"Then! We are going to stay here ." Max announced.
"Yeah! Hooray! " the crowd exclaimed cheerfully and rejoiced .
"We will do the preparation more efficiently now!"
"You all don't have to bother yourselves too much; just prepare within the requirements." Max told.
" Yes my lord!" Everyone was really glad to have their presence.
"Finally,we are going to have a delightful rest ha ha ." Knights were too happy to stay in this vivid place of the continent.
********
Next morning, Max and Merry with some knights and four local people went on a walk in the main market.
Hazel mainly consists of thorpes , but there was a establishment of many rich and variety of markets which made the trading here famous everywhere.
"You know what my lady, we make all the materials from our own hands."One of the local person told.
"W-What ? Wow! Th-These handmade items are so beautiful." Merry was really surprised to know that every good was handmade.
"Madam! See here, it is similar to your eyes colour." Robert told excitedly like a kid when he saw a flower shaped pandent hanging in one of the shop.
"Oh yes! It is really same as ladyship's eyes." Other Knights surprisingly agreed .
"Oh! Is it? " Merry held the pandent in her hand.
"Yes my lady and..."
"Hey! I saw it first " Robert pouted when he saw these guys avoiding his presence.
"Ha.ha.ha.ha." They laughed at him sulking over little things.Merry too giggled.
" These guys are really..huh." Max sighed when watched them being too much childish around Merry.But to see Merry enjoying herself here ,formed a warm smile around Max's lips.
While everyone was browsing around, Max's eyes fell on a dress folded and kept under some other dresses on one of the stalls.Max stared at it for a moment and went to ask the price without them noticing.
" How much is it? " Max asked the shop keeper.
"How can we take money from our lord? It is." the shop keeper hesitantly declined to say the price.
"Here, it's for your hardwork." Max handed some gold coins to the shopkeeper.The shopkeeper packed the dress perfectly in a paper and gave it to Max.
'I don't know if she would like it or not.' Max thought while moving towards Merry.
"Max!" Merry called out Max happily when she saw him coming towards her.Merry ran towards Max.
"Huh?! What happened dear? Are you alright?" Max asked as he got surprised.
"I just.. Wh-What is it? Merry was about to say but then she saw Max was holding something in his hand.
"Actually, I bought a dress for you..if you don't like then we can return." Max said it sceptically and handed the gift to her gently.
"Wh-What?!" Merry was surprised by his effort to buy her a dress.Merry felt really touched.
"I w-would d-definitely cherish it.Thank you a lot Max." Merry said it while holding the gift closer to her heart. Max couldn't believe how delighted he felt when he heard Merry's words and her eyes filled with affection.
"If...If it makes you happy, then I will bring anything you desire Merry. It would be a pleasure to make you smile." Max told with affectionate voice.Merry felt her heartbeats getting faster at his words. Max too started blushing at the fact that how much he feels for Merry.
"I ha-have so-something too for you, if you d-don't mind...." Merry told hesitatingly.
"What do you have dear?" Max asked with confused look.
Merry hesitatingly take out cufflinks from her bag and extended it towards Max.
"I th-thought the crystal's colour m-matches your eyes..." Merry said while trying to keep eye contact with Max.
" You have no idea what you just did Merry. I...I will treasure it till my last breath.." Max's emotions were really getting uncontrollable for him at this point.It was the first time, Max had received a gift from someone.And more, it is from the person who is really precious to him.Merry widened eyes in disbelief.
"Th-Thank you for accepting it!" Merry almost felt like crying by his heart touching words.
Then suddenly, Max lowered and kissed Merry softly on her lips.Merry tried to remind him that they were in middle of busy place, she tapped his broad chest nervously.Max giggled and broke the kiss.
"Wh-What w-were you doing Max?! We a-are in public, w-what if someone sees us.." Merry asked Max embarrassedly.
" So what? We are husband and wife, it's legal my dear wife." Max said with a teasing smile and winked which made Merry more flustered.Merry pouted and tried to hide her embarrassed face. Max petted her head and kissed her forehead lovingly.
"Thank you for the present my dear." Max said it softly.
"Thank you too." Merry thanked too and shyly smiled.
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