The atmosphere was filled with laughter. But in between the laughter, a rushed sound of footsteps could be heard. Ray quickly rushed to Kai, leaning down and whispering, "You could have told me about the crowd around us through the device in my ear, right?"

Kai just shrugged, his voice coming through the earpiece. "Well, I just thought it would be fun to watch what the two of you did. But I didn't think you two would try to kiss in public. Would you have done something more if I didn't intervene?" Kai's voice was teasing, as a smug look played in his face.

Ray blushed furiously, shaking Kai in his seat. "How can you even think of that!?"

As the two conversed, Hiro and Sakura approached Nino, asking about her well-being. The conversation slowly shifted to with whom she came, and Nino replied, saying she got assigned with some of the royal guards but maybe lost them when she ran up to Ray.

Just then, the sounds of heavy armor approached from the side. Looking behind, everyone saw five knights in red, one female knight among them, came up to them, breathing heavily as they spotted Nino and finally sighed in relief. One of them sat on the ground, saying, "Who knew the fragile, first princess could run so fast."

The female knight continued, "I almost thought we would get executed by the emperor," as she took a breath. Behind them, two knights in sync replied, "Yeah, knowing how the emperor cherishes both his daughters."

As the knights caught their breath, Hiro and Sakura approached them, thanking the knights for safely bringing Nino to the duchy. They also suggested the knights enjoy the festival while they were here. The knights bowed to them with gratitude.

Nino, in the back, turned to Ray and joined the group along with Lala and Karina, coming alongside Elysia and Ana. The group laughed and enjoyed the joyful reunion.

The knights glanced at Nino, then at each other, slowly shifting to serious expressions. The first knight in the group, a tall man with beard went up to Hiro and Sakura, speaking in a low voice, "I am sorry to disturb, but there's something I need to show you, Your Grace."

Hiro paused, thinking for a moment. He glanced back at Ferio, catching his eyes. Ferio gave a small nod, his expression calm.

Hiro turned to the knights. "Alright, lead the way," he said.

Hiro and Sakura followed the knights, the festive atmosphere temporarily overshadowed by a sense of urgency.

As the group enjoyed their moment, Karina introduced herself to Nino, as the two began to chat. Nino momentary looked at Kai, as she commented, "It's nice to see you again, Kai. Especially when you look so handsome without your bangs in the way. If only Mono was here too. She could have seen how handsome her fiancé looked like." She smiled warmly.

In the corner, Ray whispered to himself, "Am I not good looking enough?" But Kai heard his voice and patted him on the back reassuringly.

Just then, Ferio's voice broke through the chatter. "Why don't the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess make a portrait of themselves as well?"

Nino's face lit up as she looked at Ray. "Let's do it, Ray!" she said excitedly. Ray smiled and nodded in agreement.

The painter turned to them and asked if they wouldn't mind waiting for a while, but Kai intervened, wheeling himself up to the two. Words projected in the air:

“There's no need to wait, since I will make a portrait for them.”

Everyone looked at him in surprise. Ray asked, "I didn't know you could paint as well."

The words changed:

“There are many things you don't know about me, Ray.”

Kai smiled and wheeled himself over to the painter, asking if he had an extra easel, canvas, brushes, and paints.

After some time, Kai was set up with the necessary supplies. Ray and Nino sat in front of him, ready for their portrait.

Kai studied the two, his eyes focused and intent. As Kai was setting up to paint, Karina, Lala, Ana, and Elysia gathered behind him, curious to see what he could create. Kai turned to them with a smile, projecting words that formed in the air:

“I get nervous when someone watches me paint from behind, so please don't watch me while I work.”

Understanding his words, the group quickly apologized and moved to the side, still brimming with curiosity. Kai, meanwhile, took a paintbrush in each hand, dipping them into the paints on either side of him. The group, including Ray and Nino, were surprised and intrigued as Kai began to paint with both hands simultaneously.

His swift movements and the dexterity with which he painted captivated everyone. Slowly, a crowd started to form, watching in awe. Even the other painter, Ferio, and Marielle joined in, amazed by Kai's ambidextrous skill.

After some time, Kai rested his hands, his work complete. He looked over at Nino and Ray, projecting the words:

“It's done.”

Ray and Nino stood up excitedly, moving towards the painting. The crowd also gathered closer, eager to see the final result. Kai slowly wheeled himself back, as if ready to make a quick escape.

As the crowd viewed the painting, they were initially surprised, but then burst into loud laughter. Ray and Nino too saw the painting, with Ray looking at the painting with a shocked expression, while Nino laughed heartily, patting Ray on the shoulder. She wanted to say something but was too overcome with laughter.

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Ferio and Marielle, curious, approached the painting. When Ferio's eyes landed on it, a laugh escaped his lips, and he too began to laugh, with Marielle trying to suppress her giggles.

What they saw was a beautifully painted portrait of Nino, but beside her was not Ray in his usual appearance. Instead, it was a stickman version of Ray, wearing a princess gown and a tiara. Ray began to blush, looking around frantically until he spotted Kai in a distance, who was about to turn the corner.

"KAI!" he screamed, rushing towards him. Kai, sensing the urgency, took control of the wheels and quickly turned the corner, making his escape.

The laughter from the crowd continued, filling the air with joy and mirth, a memorable moment amidst the festival’s lively atmosphere.

As Ray chased after Kai, the crowd's laughter slowly faded into the background, replaced by the lively sounds of the festival. Nino, still laughing, turned back to the others. "Kai really knows how to make an impression," she said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

Karina, Lala, Ana, and Elysia, all nodded in syn. Just when everyone was looking at the portrait again, Lala noticed something curious. "There's another canvas underneath the one Kai painted," she pointed out.

Everyone's attention shifted, and Ferio went over to investigate. He carefully lifted the first canvas, revealing another one beneath it. "Oh my..." Marielle was the first to speak, as everyone slowly gasped, seeing the second canvas.

The second canvas held a proper, beautifully detailed painting of Ray and Nino. Everyone was surprised, and Marielle thought to herself, “How did he make two paintings at the same time?”

Nino walked over and picked up both paintings, her eyes flicking back and forth between them. A wide smile spread across her face as she declared, "I love both of these paintings!"

After Nino took both paintings, the group decided to look for Ray and Kai. As they roamed around, they enjoyed the various stalls, sampling different kinds of food. As they walked, Karina noticed the time. "Oh no . . . It's almost six. I need to take my regular medication soon," she said urgently. "I must hurry back to the mansion."

The group understood, and Marielle also mentioned that she needed to head back to cook dinner. She offered to take Karina along and arranged for a carriage. Ferio jokingly asked, "Why not let me go with you as well?"

Marielle smiled but told him, "You should stay and do your duties." Ferio lowered his head, slightly hurt but continuing to look around with the rest for Kai and Ray.

After some time, they found Ray and Kai near a stall, eating some pastries with a few drinks. Ray was standing and talking to Kai, who sat in his wheelchair, nodding with a smile. Seeing them, Nino sighed in relief. "Looks like they've made up," she said.

As they approached, Lala noticed a group of girls across the street, looking at Ray and Kai, blushing and whispering among themselves. Ferio whistled and commented, "Two handsome guys without female companions will definitely attract some attention, right?"

Nino stormed off towards Ray and Kai, leaving the group behind. When Ray noticed Nino coming his way, his face lit up, and he was about to call out to her when she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. Ray was confused, looking over at Kai for an explanation.

Kai smirked and gestured across the street with a nod. Ray followed his gaze and saw the crowd of girls looking at them. At that moment, Kai's voice came through the earpiece to Ray, "This is called jealousy."

Ray looked down at Nino, a slow smile forming on his face. "Nino..." he whispered, wrapping his arms around her. The group watched the scene with warm smiles, appreciating the deep bond between Ray and Nino.

The tender moment between Nino and Ray was soon lifted as Kai interrupted with projected words, “I am getting a room for the two of you, alright?” He started to wheel himself away when both Ray and Nino grabbed onto his wheelchair, laughing.

"Stop joking all the time," they said in unison, their laughter joining the rest of the group's. They regrouped, sharing in the camaraderie and joy of the moment.

In the midst of this, Ferio wondered aloud, "Why are Hiro and Sakura taking so long? It will soon be time for the ritual to begin. They need to return as well . . . " Just as he voiced his concern, he noticed Hiro and Sakura approaching, accompanied by the knights who had escorted Nino.

Elysia was the first to notice and ran towards them. Sakura patted her on the head as Hiro stood next to her. "Did you have fun looking around?" Sakura asked.

Elysia nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! We ate so many delicious foods and brother made a painting for brother Ray and sister Nino! It was so good!"

Sakura listened attentively, while Hiro joined the rest, saying, "It's good that you all enjoyed."

Sakura then asked, "Where are Marielle and Karina?"

Nino and Ferio explained that they had to return for their duties. Nino then showed Sakura the paintings Kai had made, praising his artistic skills on the first one and trying to hold back her laughter on the second.

Behind them, Hiro whispered something to Ferio, who looked at Hiro in surprise. They spoke quietly before Hiro addressed the group. "It's time for us to head back now. We need to start the festival, remember?"

Elysia eagerly nodded, turning to Ana and saying how excited she was to perform the ritual. Sakura turned to Kai, saying, "Since it's your first time celebrating the Moon Festival in the duchy, you must be excited, right?"

From behind, Ferio sarcastically remarked, "Finally, I can go back to my Marielle now!"

Ana asked, "Won't you come with us, Uncle?"

Ferio smiled at her, "I'll be there tomorrow, and shall take you all to enjoy as many sweets as you want, alright?" He turned and walked away, waving. The group waved back, ready to leave as well.

But as Ferio walked away, the carefree smile on his lips changed to a serious expression, recalling what Hiro had told him earlier; “Get to the inn as fast as you can.”

In the present, Ferio walked into a dark alley, muttering to himself, "How dare they interrupt my precious time with Marielle." With that, he vanished into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Kai and the group got back into their carriage, with Nino and Ray sitting in the royal carriage, and the knights tagging along behind in their horses.

After some time, the group reached the mansion, and the two carriages came to a halt. Lala, Karina, Sakura, and the rest stepped out, while Hiro helped Kai with his wheelchair. Elysia and Ana quickly ran inside the mansion, as Sakura called after them, "Be ready for dinner!"

The royal knights were escorted to the guest rooms by Kris, while the knights kept insisting saying they were fine without any extra care.

But from the royal carriage, neither Nino nor Ray emerged. Hiro wondered why and was about to step forward when Sakura stopped him, saying, "Let the two have some personal space."

Hiro slowly understood what she meant, as a smile formed in his face, agreeing with her. Sakura too smiled at him. But soon, her smile vanished as she saw Kai wheeling himself towards the royal carriage. She was about to stop him, but Kai was too fast. He opened the door without knocking, and Sakura facepalmed, thinking to herself, “He didn't even knock!”

Kai made a surprise look, before a smirk slowly formed in his lips, as he looked at the scene before him.

Inside the carriage, Nino was blushing hard, her face flustered as she looked over at Kai. Her hairs a bit entangled, with her hands rested on Ray's shoulders, and Ray held Nino in his arms. Nino was sitting on Ray's lap, with Ray also looking at Kai, his cheeks bright red, a small red mark around his neck. The gap between them was very less, with both their clothes wrinkled.

“Fooling around, I see,” Kai thought to himself. But before anything else could happen, Ray’s voice rang loud, "K..K..K... KAI!!!"

-To be Continued