Chapter 12: The Gang Appears
On the next evening, the entire village of Elowen shimmered under the soft light of a hundred lanterns.
Strings of colorful cloth fluttered between homes, dancing in the breeze. Children darted around with paper lanterns shaped like birds and stars. Long tables filled the village square, lined with everything the village could offer — fresh rice dishes, boiled roots, garlic-flavored broth, roasted forest vegetables, and sweet tea brewed from wild herbs.
And walking toward the center of it all was Riku, a covered basket cradled carefully in his hands.
Lila walked beside him, peering at it with obvious interest.
"You're not going to tell me what's inside?"
"Nope," Riku said, lips curved into a smug little smile. "It's a surprise."
"Humph. I am sure that it would be nothing good anyway," she muttered under her breath, looking away,
Though in reality, she was secretly looking forward to it.
Barou smiled when he saw the theatrics between his daughter and Riku. Slowly, he came forward to address the crowd, his voice booming as always — this time tinged with genuine emotion.
"People of Elowen!"
The villagers fell quiet, every eye fixed on him.