As the crowd began to disperse from the stadium, the announcer turned to Luca and said, "You should wait until most people have left before heading out."
Luca nodded and replied, "Very well."
He stepped back, allowing the excitement to settle. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd's chatter and laughter slowly fading away. When only a few stragglers remained, Luca quietly slipped away.
Outside the stadium, the streets were lined with small, colourful toy stalls, many selling fox masks identical to the one Luca had worn. Children tugged eagerly at their parents' hands, their eyes fixed longingly on the masks.
Because the winner of the deer chase had worn a fox mask, it had suddenly become the most sought-after item. Shopkeepers shook their heads, sighing in frustration. One of them muttered, "If we'd known, we would've stocked up more!" The masks were flying off the shelves.
Near one of the stalls, Luca noticed a little boy, no older than four or five, crying inconsolably in his father's arms. "I want the fox mask!" the child sobbed, his small body shaking with sobs.
His father gently patted his back and said, "They're all sold out, son. Maybe next time." But the boy wouldn't stop crying, his wails growing louder and more desperate.
Luca hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward. "Here, you can have this one," he said, holding out his mask. The boy's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked up at Luca with tears still streaming down his face.
"Really?" the boy asked, his voice trembling.
Luca nodded, a small smile on his face.
The father smiled and said, "That's very kind of you, young man. Let me pay you for it."
Luca shook his head and said, "No need."
The boy's tears disappeared, replaced with a bright, beaming smile. "Thank you, big brother!" he exclaimed, clutching the mask tightly.
Luca gave a small nod and turned to leave, disappearing into the crowd.
As Luca wandered through the festival, his eyes landed on a small, shop filled with books and writing materials. The sign above the door read "Moonlit Pages." Curious, he stepped inside and picked up one of the books, flipping through its pages.
To his surprise, they were all blank. He glanced around and noticed that all the books were the same, they were all empty pages waiting to be filled. It seemed they were meant for students preparing for the kingdom's official exams.
In Waldria, individuals who meet the government's specified qualifications are eligible to become government officials by passing the kingdom's examination, which was held once a year. However, preparing for it required both time and money. The best academy for scholars was in the capital, where students had access to everything they needed.
Luca had only learned to read and write after arriving at the Drakemore estate. He decided to buy two blank books, along with a brush and ink.
Before leaving, he turned to the shopkeeper and asked, "Can I leave these here for now? I'll come back to collect them after the festival."
The shopkeeper, who looked half-asleep, gave a lazy nod. "Fine. Just make sure you come back before midnight, or I'll be closing the shop."
Luca took the small wooden token the shopkeeper handed him, which had a number carved into it for identification. "I'll be back before then," replied Luca.
Luca continued exploring the festival, taking in the sights and sounds around him. The streets were lively, filled with the chatter of people and the smell of delicious food.
He stopped by a food stall where a vendor was selling sweets he had never seen before. The golden, syrupy treats looked delicious, and the smell was even better. Curious, he bought one and took a bite. It was warm, soft, and melted in his mouth, with a taste unlike anything he had eaten before.
"This is from the southern region," the vendor said with a proud smile. "Glad you like it!"
Luca nodded, savouring the flavour as he walked on.
Further ahead, a group of musicians had gathered in the centre of the street, playing lively tunes on string and wind instruments. A small crowd had formed around them, clapping along to the rhythm. One man played a flute with quick, skilful movements, while another strummed a stringed instrument that gave off a deep, rich sound.
Luca watched for a while, enjoying the music. Some children danced to the beat, while others sat and listened, mesmerized by the performance.