Yetsune smiles softly as they stand there, lost in their world. It feels like she has thousands of butterflies swarming in her stomach. She silently vows to recount every detail to Erya when—Erya! Her eyes widen as she realizes she left her behind.
"I must go back at once," Yetsune turns to leave, but he gently spins her back. "Erya is still there, she'll be worried," she insists, attempting to leave again, but he holds her fast.
"I've sent someone to look after her," he assures her quickly. She raises a confused brow, unable to recall him contacting anyone during their flight.
"Don't worry, my guard is with her," he adds reassuringly. She glances back, confirming Erya isn't behind them. Knowing Erya, she would've given chase immediately.
Yetsune bites her inner cheek, weighing whether to trust his word. "Alright…" she responds hesitantly.
"Let's go," he takes her hand, leading her forward.
"Where are we going?" she asks as they delve deeper into the market.
"You'll see when we arrive," he replies.
As they progress, the crowds thicken, converging towards a certain area. They soon reach the heart of the market, filled with the sounds of drums, flutes, and strings. Yetsune's eyes dart around, marveling at the festivities.
Onlookers form a wide circle around musicians, with some common folks dancing in the center. He guides her towards the circus show nearby, where a magician suddenly takes her hand, revealing a rose with a flourish.
"Wow…" Yetsune gasps, her eyes lighting up. The magician smiles, gesturing towards a tightrope walker about to attempt a dangerous feat. Yetsune watches in awe as the performer crosses the rope, balancing on one foot before executing a mid-air backflip.
"Woah!" she exclaims, clapping excitedly.
A round of applause erupts from the spectators, who rush to drop coins into the performers' basket. The Young Lord removes an entire money pouch from his belt, depositing it generously.
Yetsune's lips widen at his generosity. "All of it?"
He gives her a small smile and takes her hand again and they move towards the dance. Yetsune watches as people dance, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music. A woman with an ordinary appearance dances in the circle, her foot tapping gently. The crowd, including Yetsune, cheers her on with applause. Her dance is not as graceful as the dancers at the House of Fragrance but it is cheerful and vibrant.
The woman then taps out of the center, returning to the crowd to give another a chance to take the limelight.
"Why don't you go in?" The Young Lord suggests.
Yetsune glances at the dance floor, then at him. "I can't," she shakes her head, reluctant to embarrass herself.
He smiles mischievously. "You'll do just fine," gently pushing her into the middle.
The crowd applauds, chanting, "Dance, dance, dance!" Yetsune stands frozen, eyes darting nervously, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
As she begins to sway awkwardly, an arm wraps around her waist, spinning her around. She looks up to find the Young Lord pulling her close.
"I'll teach you," he whispers, making her heart race.
He shifts her to his side, dipping her backwards, her hair cascading. She gasps, gripping his arm tightly. They move in a graceful circle, eyes meeting briefly before turning away.
He leads her effortlessly, maneuvering her like a puppet. They dance back-to-back, then face each other as the tempo slows. He lifts her by the waist, spinning her, her purple dress billowing. She grips his shoulders tight, scared but reassured by his smile.
At the music's climax, he dips her back again with his arms around her waist, their gazes locked, chests heaving.
This moment, this dance, this feeling and the sound of her heart ramming against her chest, she never wants to forget it. Even…even after she returns to Aisin, she will keep the memory safe in her heart and replay it over and over again. The crowd erupts in applause, moved by their passionate performance.
He pulls her up, puzzled by her teary eyes. "Did I upset you?"
She responds with a tight embrace around his waist. "I'm truly grateful for this wonderful experience."
"Oooh!" The spectators cheer, interpreting it as a romantic moment between lovers, or a successful pursuit by the young man of a woman moved by his gesture.
His eyes light up with joy and relief as he returns her embrace. If only she knows how much he wished to meet her once more. He walked or rode on horseback instead of carriages to increase his chances of spotting her on the streets. Achi'sinvestigation of nobles who have entered Barsil also proved futile. He had almost given up until he sighted her from the top floor of the House of Fragrance while painting the scenery.
"Since you've enjoyed this experience, would you care to accompany me somewhere else?" He gently withdraws from her arms and holds his hand out to her.
Yetsune's gaze drops to his hand. She has indeed enjoyed the dance but she has spent a long time here with him and she is worried about Erya. Yet she is curious to see what else he has to show her. She places her hand in his, and he leads her away, the crowd's cheers following them.
Later, Yetsune finds herself on horseback with him, riding into the mountains. "Cha!" he urges the horse, gripping the reins as it gallops through the woods. Her arms encircle his waist tightly, her head resting against his back.
She hadn't anticipated that "somewhere" meant the mountains. Still, she enjoys the rush of wind and the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the earth. A smile plays on her lips as she imagines Erya's inevitable scolding upon learning of this.