Chapter 60: The Parade of Moonlit Secrets
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
The excitement of the upcoming Moonlight Festival was palpable. The night promised to be filled with joy, beauty, and celebration. The grand event would honor the Moon Goddess, and everyone, from the royals to the common folk, was ready to join in the revelry. But for me, the night held a deeper, more personal significance. There was something about this festival that seemed to carry more weight than just the festivities.
As I prepared for the night ahead, I couldn’t help but feel the flutter of anticipation. I had planned to attend with Aldrich, hoping to walk hand in hand, but circumstances wouldn’t allow that. The festival was a time for families and lovers to come together, and because of our positions, we had to part ways for the sake of discretion. We had to maintain the secrecy of our relationship, at least for now.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Aldrich whispered to me, his voice a soothing promise as he embraced me one last time before we parted ways. He stepped back, disappearing behind the thick curtains of an empty room. “I promise, this will not be a lonely Moonlight Festival. The footsteps of the shepherd will always follow the Holy Moonlight,” he said, his words filled with emotion and hope. His affection for me, always so evident, stirred something deep inside
- me.
After our brief moment, I turned to face the reality of the evening. My parents were busy preparing for their roles in the festival, needing to leave early to give speeches to the crowd. That meant I would have to attend alone, or so it seemed.
“Keep in touch with the guards at all times,” my mother warned as she adjusted her gown. Her voice was tinged with concern. “Every year, there are small accidents during the carnival. parade. If you run into any troublemakers, like drunkards or hooligans, don’t hesitate to order the guards to handle them.” Her words were clear, and her protective nature shone through.
It was then that I saw an opportunity. “I’ll be with my friends. Maybe Sir Aldrich can accompany us? He’s a brave soldier, and with him around, we’ll be perfectly safe.”
My suggestion seemed to meet with my parents approval. Duke Frank, who was always by my
father’s side, would be busy with the royal duties. The idea of Aldrich joining us was perfectly acceptable. It didn’t hurt to have an extra layer of protection, and besides, it would be comforting to have him nearby. I was relieved when my parents agreed to the plan.
With their approval in hand, I quickly contacted Aldrich and shared the news that we could attend the festival together, openly and without hiding our bond. He couldn’t refuse the surprise, and soon he and Duke Frank arrived at the palace to accompany me for the evening’s
events.
The palace, usually a place of order and formality, was transformed for the festival. The atmosphere was jubilant, the air thick with the sweet scent of celebration. Servants who
usually worked tirelessly throughout the day now had the evening off, and even they wore their finest clothes. The streets were filled with the sounds of music, the clinking of glasses, and the laughter of children and adults alike.
As we made our way through the palace, I couldn’t help but notice the admiring glances Aldrich was receiving. He was, of course, strikingly handsome, and tonight, he was the embodiment of the festival’s spirit. He wore his outfit with confidence, and the crowd, caught up in the magic of the evening, couldn’t help but marvel at him. I was a little jealous, though I knew deep down it wasn’t an issue. It was hard not to feel a sense of pride, seeing how Aldrich was the center of attention.
“You’re quite the attraction tonight, Aldrich,” I teased, leaning closer to him as we sat
together on a couch in one of the palace’s many rooms. We shared a glass of wheat juice, and I smiled as I watched him playfully wink at me.
Η
“I don’t care about the attention, Thelma,” he said softly, his eyes locking with mine. Thousands of people could be watching, but only the moonlight matters to me. You are my moonlight.”
His words made my heart skip a beat. There was something about the way he spoke, with such sincerity and passion, that left me speechless. Before I could even think, I found myself kissing him, swept up in the magic of the moment.
When we broke apart, I realized I had forgotten about my makeup. I’d applied a bright silver and transparent lip gloss, which now smudged on Aldrich’s lips. “Oh no! My makeup!” I exclaimed, grabbing a mirror to assess the damage.
Aldrich smiled and wiped the corner of his lips gently. “It’s my honor,” he said, brushing away the residue. “To taste the moonlight.” His words were both charming and playful, and couldn’t help but feel flattered.
I had no choice but to touch up my makeup, which caused us to run a bit late. When we arrived. at the school where the festival was being held, the girls had already been waiting for a while. They greeted me warmly, and Avril, always the dramatic one, bowed before me, referring to me as t
the goddess of the night. Mara and Dorothy followed suit, and we all shared a moment of laughter.
“Thank you, my dear daughters,” I responded playfully, my heart lightened by their warmth. We exchanged jokes, and the tension of the night seemed to lift for a brief moment.
“I’d like to introduce you all,” I said, turning toward Aldrich. “This is Sir Aldrich. He’ll be accompanying us today as our guard.”
The girls greeted him with a mix of excitement and admiration. Aldrich was well–known among the young people of the kingdom, especially for his bravery and charm, so it was not surprise that Mara and Avril were both eager to meet him. The evening felt like it was truly beginning.
Chapter 60: The Parade of Mocnit Secret
We made our way to the central square to hear the speech from my parents, the King and Queen. Though the traditional prayers were not particularly exciting, the crowd was electric. There was something about the King and Queen addressing the people that filled everyone. with enthusiasm.
As my father finished the speech, he winked at me from the stage, and I smiled back. The parade had officially begun, and the revelers, including Aldrich and I, joined in. The energy of the crowd was contagious, and we sang along with the band, following the float procession. The streets were lined with colorful decorations, and the air was thick with the scent of
flowers and sweet treats.
The parade was a sight to behold, and we were swept along by the current of revelers. Aldrich stayed close to me, ever watchful, guiding us through the crowd. His presence was both reassuring and exhilarating. As we moved, we danced in circles, laughing and twirling, our joy amplified by the music and the vibrant energy of the festival.
We eventually found ourselves near a snack street, where we stopped to catch our breath and enjoy some refreshments. It was there that Avril, ever the observant one, pointed out a familiar figure in the crowd.
“Isn’t that the Southern Duke with Carolyn?” she asked, her voice full of disbelief.
We all turned in the direction she was pointing, and sure enough, we saw the Southern Duke, dressed in a Roman robe, helping Carolyn onto a float. The sight of her, dressed in elaborate finery, standing next to the Duke, wasn’t surprising–Carolyn had a knack for always being at the center of attention.
“I knew it,” Avril muttered. “No one loves the spotlight more than Carolyn.”
“The drama club’s performance at the Midnight Opera House was canceled due to that fight,” Mara added. “So maybe she’s found herself a new stage to shine on.”
As we watched, Avril’s tone turned bitter. “And the cost of her spotlight? Pushing aside someone else, just like she did to Chloe.”
We turned our attention to the float beside Carolyn’s. There, a girl in a grass–green tutu dress stood, looking lost and unsure. It seemed like Carolyn had taken her place, pushing her aside for the chance to be the center of attention once more.
The scene before us was a reflection of the competition and rivalry that simmered beneath the surface of the festival. As much as it was a time of celebration, it also revealed the darker side of human nature–the desire to be seen, to be adored, and to take what one could, regardless
of the cost.
As the parade continued and the night unfolded, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. Something was amiss, and I had a feeling that the truth would reveal itself in time. But for now, the Moonlight Festival continued, its beauty and mystery ever–present in the night.
