Reborn as the Princess' Knight (GL)

Chapter 68: Festival with Vivienne (XXVIII).

Kein's POV

Well the flirting session only ended when we could finally see some artists walking around with their tools signing their name into the competition, while others were happily trying to sell their artwork at that side of the competition where they wouldn't be able to disturb the ongoing event while still making some money.

"Moma, where's grampa?" (Vivienne) looks around the place while holding the little wallet she got from father. It seems that she's already missing my old man.

"Oh don't worry we're finding him."

I'm not sure where he is but I'm sure he's probably in a meeting with a friend or acquaintance. Besides, we'll be able to find him anywhere once the competition will start judging, father mostly judges everything this year.

Father likes holding events like these, because his late wife was an artist. He would hold a competition in her honor just like every other year with different themes we could work on.

There were so many artists roaming around, they were even displaying last year's winners and I remember all of them. I became excited smelling the fresh paper and wet paint, seeing so many artists bringing their tools, conversing with one another to see who'll most likely win the top prizes.

There was a small little billboard on the list of the top prizes the artist's will be getting this year. There's other sections on sculpting, painting, poetry and many more subjects that were related to the arts.

The kingdom considers arts as one of their many strong points and unique characteristics that the light goddess loves.

The lore here states that the more talented you are at the arts the more you're magically talented at magic and the chances you have of receiving a blessing from her would be high.

"Father is going all out on the prizes." I held my chin reading the long list of gold my father would be giving away. There's also some needed art supplies they could win as well if not the money. "All in all, this is really good."

"You still draw and paint right, Kein?"

I stopped eyeing the prizes for a second to answer her. "Yes but mostly for a hobby now. I... think I'll be getting back to it more when I have free time."

While I miss the feeling of my brush being held in my hand, the only thing I was mostly painting was Rose in my free time anyways and that was years ago.

Vivienne found my stash of sketches and watercolor paints I made of Rose in my room, speaking of which thankfully I hid it somewhere much higher that she wouldn't be able to reach.

"Well would you look at that? The prizes for first place are at least a thousand gold coins, second place would be five hundred and the third place is two hundred." There's also small consolation prizes, from silver coins to plush toys.

"Wait, the tenth place will have a chance to win a frog plushie?!" I point to the tenth placer list that you needed to get in order to get the cute plush, there's even a cute frog drawing on the side.

"I want it for- ahem for Vivienne."

I totally don't want it for myself but Vivienne seems to be rather taken with it just like me. Of course, we're bonded frog lovers so I'll get her this cute plush!

"Are you sure you can get the plush with your level of skill in the art of painting?" (Rose) tells me and I stop in my tracks.

"Well of course I can, I just... have to do badly."

Is what I said- but-

"I'm actually a bit more worried about your pride as an artist, knowing you- you don't like to do things half-baked." she tells me and I grimaced, nodding in agreement.

She's right, my pride as an artist will not be able to do badly at a competition, one should do their absolute best in events like these to show your personal growth and continue on- but if I won't be able to join how can I get the frog plushie?

Buying it or demanding for it is rude- even if my father runs the booth.

"What if I win it for you?" (Rose)

Win it for me?

"You're... going to participate in the competition?" I ask Rose as she responds with a look of a determined brave face as if she's saying, 'I'll get you that damn frog toy if it's the last thing I do.'

While I adore the spirit of her wanting to win something for me- "What if your cover gets blown?"  I whispered and she shook her head.

"I thought about what area to choose from that won't be able to reveal my identity."

"I have some experience in dancing and singing but if needed I can participate in the art of painting. Watching you often has already helped me grasp the basic steps of it." (Rose) plays with her fingers and I wasn't sure what to tell her.

"I learn really quickly... Just by watching or reading. If I can do decently enough, I can win it."

I scratched the back of my head, I looked for Vivienne with some sort of guidance but she just gave me a small thumbs up and quick nod.

"Trust mommy." (Vivienne) states and I sighed, feeling to have lost to these two gray eyes doing the little puppy eyes, I'll just suffer the consequences later if she gets found out.

As long as she's having fun that's all that matters.

"Alright let's get your name registered now, and which course of the competition will you be competing in?"

.-.-.-.-.

When Rose had decided on what event she was going to participate in, we went ahead to the front to see one of my father's personnel staff listing  to all the artists that were going to join. "Thank you so much, here's your number and you'll find a stall with that number on the side."

We could see him giving a paper with the number thirty-four on it to the artist and waving goodbye before serving the next person, we waited until it was our turn.

"Welcome to the art booth! Are you interested in participating in the event- wait a moment!" The art booth helper recognized me immediately looking up in my blond hair and bowed his head in an apologizing manner. "Apologies milady! I didn't see it was you! Please forgive me."

I shake my head, referring to him that it was alright, I did plan on joining as well before but it seems Rose was pretty determined that she'll be the one trying to win the frog plush for us. "No it's quite alright, my partner here would be interested in joining in one of the events."

"P-Partner?" He looks at my partner in confusion after all as the next heir to the Hills heirloom, if there were any gossip of me getting a partner it would've been heard to his face however it seems to be a complete shock.

I could see Rose smiling faintly under the shawl when I called her my partner, her chest puffing a little not denying my claim.

"Yes, I'm her partner." she told the event organizer and I chuckled a little seeing his dumbfounded expression.

"M-Milady's partner… I see-! Congratulations!" he claps a little stuttering as he looks at Rose warmly. "Welcome and please which one event would you like to join in?"

I thought everyone that's under my father's personnel would have known about my preferences by now, seeing that I don't have any male suitors coming up to get me. "I would like to join the dancing event please." (Rose)

The event organizer gave a little stiff smile holding out the clipboard with the paper for all the dancers that listed their names under the event.

Rose takes the quill that was offered, dipping it in wet ink before putting only her first name and then she stops writing, "Kein- I have a problem." she turned to me as I held Vivienne in my arms.

What could be the problem?

"What is it? Do you need anything? Is the quill broken?" I looked at her quill that seemed to be in good condition and she didn't seem to be running out of ink.

Rose pulls my sleeve telling me to bend down a little so she can whisper something in my ear. I followed her request and bent down a little to her level and she smiled, "Mind if I borrow your last name?"

Borrow my... last name?

"Rose... which one are you planning to borrow?" I asked her and she didn't look happy with my reaction. "That pick-up line wasn't enough to get your face getting flustered?"

"It usually would but... my mind was more interested on which last name you'll be planning to take." I laughed a little as she did a little 'hmph' taking the quill once more before writing Rosenguard on the part of her last name section.

"I've dreamt that someday I'll be able to take your last name, this works too~"

This cheeky woman has been being way too bold this whole time. I swear to get my revenge just to see it when we get into the bedroom.