The carriage rolled through the streets of Odelle with Mikael, Aurel, Secretary Cade, and Beth aboard. It was evening now, but the city was still buzzing with life.
Mikael tried to keep a cool exterior, but inside, he was bubbling with excitement. Right beside him, Beth was in the same boat, her eyes practically shining with anticipation.
The suspense was killing them, and those curtains drawn tight over the windows were just adding to it. Mikael couldn't resist the urge to peek outside, so he reached out and yanked those curtains aside.
He leaned over and peered out the window. The streets of Odelle greeted him at night, where lanterns lining the streets gave an inviting glow. Festive banners adorned the buildings, giving the impression that it was no ordinary night; there was something special in the air, something worth celebrating.
Unlike his initial arrival in the city, when the streets were relatively deserted, now they were teeming with people.
As Mikael gazed out, he locked onto a person in the bustling crowd who seemed to recognize him. They cheered enthusiastically, and this initial burst of support set off a chain reaction. Soon, everyone on the street seemed to cheer for the Marchioness.
'What's going on?' His curiosity was piqued, and he turned to Aurel.
"Nope, can't spoil the surprise, sis-in-law!" Sitting next to Mikael, Aurel pulled the curtains back in place and said with a mischievous smile, "You will see soon enough. We are almost there."
Mikael obliged, returning to his seat. But in his head, he was spinning with curiosity, itching to know what was coming.
The carriage rumbled on, the wheels clattering against the cobbled road and the horses' hooves creating a rhythmic beat. It felt like they were on this never-ending journey until, at last, it came to a stop.
The carriage halts in the city center. As the carriage door creaked open, a gentle breeze swept in, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of the sea. It was like the ocean was saying hello, teasing Mikael's senses as it brushed past him.
And there, right outside, stood Nicolaus. He was neatly pressed in a tailored doublet that matched Mikael's dress.
Mikael met Nicolaus' eyes. Perhaps it had been a while since Mikael saw him and the sight of Nicolaus almost took his breath away. He noticed all the little things on Nicolaus's face – the way his eyes glinted gold, and the curve of his mischievous smile.
"Been quite a while, wife," Nicolaus purred with a smirk, his eyes locked onto Mikael's.
Mikael didn't look too thrilled, though. He shot Nicolaus a bit of a scowl and then took his extended hand to step out of the carriage.
"Should do something about that collection of long neck dresses you got," Nicolaus could not resist a comment.
But before Mikael could even think of a comeback, someone jumped into the conversation, cutting them off.
"Hey, brother," Aurel shouted as she hopped out of the carriage, with Secretary Cade giving her a hand.
Mikael saw this as his golden opportunity to escape from Nicolaus' hold. He deftly slipped away, and it almost seemed like Nicolaus allowed it to happen.
Aurel chatted with Nicolaus, saying, "Mom's been asking about you. When are you planning to head back home?"
As Mikael strolled towards the center of the plaza, their conversation faded slowly into the background. His attention was captivated by the unfolding scene in the city center.
The place was brightly colored with banners, similar to the festive ones he had seen in the streets, swaying in the breeze. In the middle of the plaza, where he expected to see a rostrum, there was instead a low foundation.
People had gathered, their faces lit up as they caught sight of the Marchioness, and a wave of greets rippled through the crowd.
As Mikael looked around, he couldn't help but notice the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling skewers wafting through the air. Food vendors lined the streets, grilling an array of seafood in various sizes.
Amidst the lively crowd, street performers added to the festive atmosphere. Musicians played catchy tunes on their instruments, filling the air with melodies that had people tapping their feet and swaying to the rhythm.
Out of nowhere, amidst all the noise, a kid's voice pierced through it, calling, "Marchioness!" Mikael's attention snapped to the young boy standing right before him, barely older than eight.
"M, Mashonesh," repeated an even smaller child trailing closely behind the boy. This little one was a toddler, and her tiny tongue was struggling to get the words out right. Clutched in her tiny hands was a necklace made from an assortment of seashells.
Mikael peered down at her, her big eyes fixed on him. The necklace in her trembling little hands looked like it might be too heavy for her.
Without wasting a moment, he plopped down on the floor, and his dress' hem touched the ground. Mikael bent his head down, and with patience, he let the little one put the necklace around his neck.
As the child finished fastening the necklace, Mikael stood up and glanced down at the handmade craft now adorning his neck.
It might not have been perfectly even, but that thing looked special because someone really poured their heart into making it. The shells themselves ranged in color from blues to soft pinks and creamy whites.
Thankfully, Beth had caught up and was standing beside him, so he leaned over and whispered to her.
"Did you guys make this necklace?" Beth asked the kids, passing along Mikael's message.
The children beamed and nodded heartily. "Yes!" they eagerly responded in unison, their faces lighting up with pride.
Mikael couldn't help but smile warmly at the kids as he crouched down to their level, gently holding their little heads in his hands. He didn't speak aloud but mouthed his gratitude silently, saying, "Thank you."
As he observed them closely, these children didn't appear malnourished, and they looked surprisingly clean, unlike the kids on the outskirts of the Capital City.
The little ones beamed even brighter at Mikael and Beth before suddenly darting off, their giggles echoing through the air as they raced away.
But the surprises just kept coming. Out of nowhere, more and more kids started popping up from the nearby stalls, like they had been waiting their turn to meet Mikael and Beth, eager to join in on the whole necklace-giving thing.
These little ones, one after the other, approached Mikael and Beth. Their little arms were stretched out high, each of them clutching a necklace they had put together with all the love and care they could muster.
They didn't rush or fuss; they just waited, looking up with hopeful eyes, ready to place their handmade treasures around their guests' necks.
Mikael was taken aback, but in a good way. He panicked a little as he hadn't seen this coming at all, being suddenly surrounded by all these kids.