I froze when the loud fireworks started going off outside the window view.
It was like a squirrel meeting a giant cobra in its burrow. I was stuck solid in place.
With such noise, even the deepest of sleepers would wake up.
At that moment, the smoke from the moxibustion started to sway strangely.
I didn't know what it was, but it didn't seem like a good omen, so I hurriedly pulled the blanket back up. Just then, the flame of the moxibustion went out.
At the same time, the air in the room became chilly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Are you awake?"
The fact that I didn't tremble or stutter was probably due to my Level 10《Actor》job, without which I would have floundered in panic.
Amidst the ongoing fireworks, Aira turned her frowning gaze towards the window and the untouched curtains were drawn on her own accord.
Then, the room was enveloped in silence, as if all outside noises and the flashes of explosions were cut off.
"In the future, make sure to close the curtains during the festival."
"… I will be more mindful."
This damned festival.
Before drifting back to sleep, Aira discovered the moxibustion I had placed by her bedside.
I messed up! At that moment, I was too flustered to put it away. Even if I did, I couldn't have hidden the smoke swirling in the room.
Still, I didn't let that deter me, and quickly racked my sensitive fairy brain and came up with a plausible excuse.
"It's moxibustion that helps beauty and sleep. I took the liberty of using it, but if you don't like it, I'll remove it right away…."
"Hmm, it has a nice fragrance. It does smell like it gives good dreams. And it also adds to my beauty? Alright, from now on, make sure to burn one every day." ŕ𝘢₦∅βЁṠ
Fortunately, Aira seemed to like it.
That night, I ended up having to leave Aira's room. It was disappointing, but there would be other opportunities.
Most importantly, I should consider myself lucky that Aira didn't chop off my neck when the fireworks woke her up.
Another good thing was how radiant and lively Aira looked when she woke up in the morning.
"I feel lighter than usual. I could twist that ƅitch around with one hand. The incense you burned last night seems to help."
"Yes, Theo. You are always loyal to me, and for that I am grateful~."
All in all, it wasn't a bad night, as Aira's liking and trust in me increased. Call it a case of catching a rat after taking a step back.
It seemed that the world's fortune still had mercy on me.
"So, I'm getting tired of this festival. Can you tell me how much longer I have to watch these crowds?"
Aira frowned slightly as she looked at the bustling people out the open window. The festival, now well past its midpoint, seemed to have already become tiresome.
I replied to the Queen.
"Tomorrow, along with the tallying of the Queen Contest, the semester will officially come to a close with the lantern festival, where the final lanterns are lit and released into the sky."
"Hmm, so it's the end of the semester. Summer has truly begun."
"And it also means the start of vacation."
"Hng, really? I feel like I haven't learned anything since coming to Ark and it's already vacation."
You didn't learn anything, because you didn't go to class…
Aira, as a single digit ranker, had the privilege of not having to take lectures or exams, so she probably hadn't felt any sense of a school life.
Gazing out the window, Aira said as her hair fluttered in the breeze.
"I wish summer would end soon and autumn comes. I like autumn."
"But summer has just begun. You'll have to wait a bit longer for autumn."
"Yeah, anyway. I can't wait to see Serazade's crying face when she loses to me~. Theo, try to get the vote counted a little bit earlier."
I answered the question, but I couldn't just speed up the tallying. After acknowledging her words, I recalled today's schedule.
Aira's schedule for today was as simple as walking around, signing, waving and smiling in front of people.
As I silently prayed for a peaceful end to the day—.
Aira, who was stroking my hair, made a strange sound.
"Is something wrong, my lady?"
"It's nothing. But Theo, I just realized that autumn leaves have bloomed on your crown. It seems like autumn has already arrived on your head."
I was horrified when I looked into the top of my head in the mirror.
Like what Aira said, autumn 'leaves' were blooming on my head. The hair on the top was dyed red like a red maple leaf.