Leon suddenly stopped running after a few steps. He remembered something important.
"Wait a moment, Princess Sylvaine," he said.
"I need to grab something."
Sylvaine frowned sweetly. "But the festival is just ahead..."
"I won't be long, I promise!"
Leon ran off toward a certain place and returned a few minutes later with two masks in his hands—one shaped like a silver wolf, the other a purple fox.
"This is for you, Your Highness," he said, handing the fox mask to Sylvaine.
"So no one will recognize us tonight."
Sylvaine's smile widened behind her mask. "Leon... you're really..."
"Come on!"
Their hands intertwined as they stepped into the dazzling festival.
Upon arriving, countless lanterns stretched out like a dream, hundreds of colorful lanterns swaying gently in the night breeze.
The sweet aroma of pastries and grilled meat filled the air, blending with lively music and cheerful laughter.
Sylvaine clung tightly to Leon's arm, her eyes sparkling like a child's. "Leon... this is even more beautiful than I imagined!"
They explored every corner, sampling street food. Leon choked after trying a particularly spicy dish, making Sylvaine burst into laughter.
Next, Leon played one of the festival games, and when he won a stuffed toy, Sylvaine jumped with joy.
Princess Sylvaine reached into a small black velvet pouch and pulled out something.
"I have something for you."
Leon stared in surprise at the two crescent-shaped pendants glowing softly.
"This... magic?" he asked, feeling a strange warmth from the necklace.
Sylvaine blushed. "Just a little... so you'll know if I'm alright as long as this pendant shines."
Leon did the same, touching Sylvaine's pendant with his fingertip until it glowed as well.
Amid the festival, they saw dozens of couples dancing in rhythm. Leon hesitantly extended his trembling hand.
"Princess Sylvaine, would you—"
"Just call me Sylvaine tonight," she whispered, placing her small hand in his palm.
They danced slowly, the world around them fading away. As Leon spun Sylvaine, her hair ribbon came loose, her dark blue-black hair cascading like a waterfall of night.
"You..." Leon was mesmerized.
"What?"
"Are perfect."
Sylvaine lowered her head, but Leon could see her smile behind the fox mask.
With Fenrith's help—who initially startled Sylvaine—they reached a small river at the edge of town. A simple wooden boat was waiting.
"Trust me," Leon whispered as he helped Sylvaine aboard.
In the middle of the moonlit river, Leon stood slowly. His heart pounded—more intense than any battle he'd ever fought.
"Sylvaine, I..."
Fireworks suddenly burst across the sky, illuminating their faces.
"I love you. Not as a Princess, but as Sylvaine—the one who makes me feel... alive."
Tears streamed down from beneath Sylvaine's fox mask.
"Me too, Leon," her voice trembled.
"From the moment we first met... my heart felt something I'd never felt before."
They removed their masks and embraced tightly as fireworks continued to light up the sky.
Two Days Later
At the teleportation circle, Leon wore the pendant Sylvaine had given him. The Demon King Zephyr raised his hand.
"This will only take you halfway. To help you continue your journey, I've prepared a horse-drawn carriage at the teleportation point."
Sylvaine stood with her hand over her chest, clutching her pendant, which faced Leon's.
"Promise... you'll come back."
Leon pressed his hand to his pendant, which responded with a matching glow. "No matter what."
The magic activated, and Leon, Feyar, and two Elf representatives vanished.
But no one noticed the shadowy figure with crimson eyes watching their departure from the darkness.
=== BAB 10 END===