The next day, Elzan was sweeping the floor with his broom. He was then disturbed by his grandma's call for him.
Gloria: "Elzan! Please come here for a second…"
Elzan set his broom aside and hurried toward the back of the house, where his grandmother's voice had come from. He found her standing by the small wooden table, with a concerned look on her face. In front of her was a folded piece of parchment, sealed with a dark red wax emblem.
Elzan: "Grandma? What's wrong?"
His grandmother picked up the letter and handed it to him.
Gloria: "This was left at our doorstep early this morning. I don't know who brought it, but… I have a bad feeling about it.
He hesitated at first as he read the letter. It says
"To the thief who stole from Lord Sharith,
We know who you are. We know where you live. Return what you stole by sundown, or suffer the consequences."
Elzan: "These guys just don't know how to accept their loss…"
He says in frustration as he tightens the grip of the letter. His grandma stands beside him as she looks at him with worries.
Gloria: "Elzan… That's why I've always been telling you not to mess with the royal army… but you're so stubborn…"
Tears fell from her eyes. Elzan felt guilty, seeing his grandmother crying.
As the day passed, Elzan went to the village to buy groceries.
Suddenly, someone hugged him from behind.
???: "Elzan!"
Elzan: "Rein… can you not scare me like that?"
(This is Rein, Elzan's childhood and best friend.)
Rein: "Hahaha, I'm sorry… You thought I was Marina?"
Rein says it, joking to Elzan.
Elzan: "N-No…"
Elzan replies as his facial expression seems to be flustered. At that time…
???: "Hey, what's happening here?"
Elzan turned around to see who it was and it turned out to be Marina.
Rein: "Hey Marina… Elzan was expecting you."
Elzan: "No, I-"
Before Elzan could finish his sentence…
Marina: "Awwn really? That's so sweet…"
Elzan looks away, trying not to make eye contact with Marina.
Marina: "Right… here…"
Marina gives them two posters for each.
Elzan: "What's this, Marina?"
Marina: "It's for the festival! It's happening in three days, and I thought you two might want to come."
Elzan took the poster and glanced at it. It's the Moonlight Festival, an event that happens once a year in the village square. It was a time of music, dancing, and celebration, but due to this situation, he hesitated a bit.
Elzan: "Uh… Thanks, Marina, but…"
Rein: "That sounds awesome! We could really use a break, right, Elzan?"
Elzan shot Rein a look, but Marina was already grinning.
Marina: "Exactly! You both should come. And besides… there's going to be a surprise performance this year."
Elzan sighed, trying to find a way to change the subject.
Elzan: "Look, Marina, I don't think I can…"
Before he could finish, Marina's cheerful expression faded slightly. Elzan couldn't resist but decided to lie about it.
Elzan: "But I'll try to figure out some way to come, alright?"
Marina's face lights up after hearing that from Elzan.
Marina: "Alright then… I'll be expecting to see you guys. Bye!"
Marina says goodbye to both Elzan and Rein as she leaves after waving at them. Rein raised an eyebrow and looked at Elzan.
Elzan: "What?"
Rein: "Nothing… I'm not even surprised."
Elzan shakes his head, trying not to think about what happened.
He spent most of the time by just roaming around with his friend Rein. The day passed slowly as the two friends wandered through the village, trying to push aside the weight of the morning's events. They walked past bustling market stalls, children playing near the well, and villagers preparing decorations for the upcoming Moonlight Festival.
Despite the cheerful atmosphere, Elzan couldn't shake the thoughts of yesterday's incident.
Rein: "Is everything alright? You seem quieter than usual."
Elzan: "Y-Yeah… I'm fine…"
Rein knows something's not going well with his friend.
Rein: "It's ok buddy… just talk to me when you're feeling it, alright?"
Elzan nods in agreement.
Elzan: "Thanks Rein…"
After a while, it's getting late as the sunlight gets dimmer. Elzan says goodbye to his friend as he left the place. But he's not going home yet. He checked the time from his pocket watch. It's only 6 pm. Thinking that he can get back home in time, he decides to solve the mystery he has been asking himself.