6 - Festival

After Jin had left Saera dozed for some time longer, grateful for the solitude. She eventually threw off the covers and got out of bed, curiously making use of the wet room and freshening up. When a knock was heard on the door, she hurried over, hoping it was Risa, but in the hallway stood instead a young girl, short and eager.

"I was sent to see if you need help dressing." The girl appeared pleased with herself.

Saera's first thought was to refuse. She had rarely found need for assistance when dressing, but the girl's youth and eager countenance, and Saera's loneliness in the new environment, changed her mind.

"Alright, thank you."

The girl strode into the room happily, too bold to be serving staff.

"What's your name?"

"Kamiko. I am the second son's younger cousin."

Saera smirked, for the name suited the girl perfectly.

"Second son... You're Jin's cousin."

"Jin told me to come and check on you." The girl looked at Saera with large, serene eyes. "He said you had to meet at the ceremony before breakfast, but he would prepare in a different room."

At this Saera frowned, and wondered if she'd displeased Jin in some way. But then she reconsidered. Maybe he had done this purposely to give her privacy, absenting himself from the comfort of his own chambers to allow for hers. The thought triggered a flicker of cautious optimism inside of her.

Saera opened the door to her wardrobe, her garments neatly stored by the Mina servants. "Well, what shall I wear?

The girl jumped to attention, eager to prove herself. Saera dressed in a garment patterned in pink flowers and trimmed with gold, with a thick red sash around the waist. When she looked into a looking glass, she realized she had never taken the silver necklace off. She kept it on as a sign of goodwill.

The youth and openness of the girl began to put Saera at ease. Saera realized Jin must have sent Kamiko to her out of kindness, knowing the girl would be friendly and unthreatening. The girl chattered happily as she led her through the halls, to a small chapel in a separate wing of the building.

The chapel was dimly lit and slightly dusty, sunlight floating through the air in slices from narrow windows. The stone was cool beneath Saera's slippers as she moved forward into the room. Jin was there, waiting for her, standing at the dias. He wore a stunning suit of white silk, the pants tailored and slim, the jacket buttoned up to the neck. He smiled in welcome, and Saera let herself smile genuinely back. She watched curiously as his eyes roved admiringly over her, but then flinched stiffly away.

The morning's ceremony was quick, short, and a matter of tradition. In the presence of only a select few family members, Jin and Saera stood before a priest and answered his routine questions. Did they agree to uphold the engagement negotiated by their families? Did they agree to act as man and wife during the period of their engagement? Did they agree to end the engagement period and be formally married in thirty days? The formalities felt pointless to Saera, as she knew there was no variability or opportunity to decline. All of the questions asked had been pre-agreed upon and signed for by family elders. She, and the man across from her, had no choice but to say yes.

As the ceremony finished and they turned to leave, Saera studied the man beside her again, whom she was now formally betrothed to in the eyes of the gods. Jin was taller than her but not by much, and his features were undeniably pretty. She decided that he was not unattractive in the least, if a departure from the style that usually drew her attention.

Jin pulled her to one side as those who had attended the brief ceremony filed out of the chapel. They stood quietly for a moment, each unsure of what to do next.

"Have you eaten?"

"I was told to come here first thing in the morning."

"Right." Jin flushed. "Then you must be hungry. There is a yearly festival that we have here, and it begins today… would you like to go?"

"Yes!" At her enthusiasm, Jin appeared relieved. "I would love to go." Risa had told Saera of the festivities that were planned, and she had secretly been hoping to go.

"I have to visit the offices briefly before we go. I've asked them to contact me less this week, so that I have time to spend with you."

Saera raised her eyebrows, surprised. She hadn't expected that the man she married would have much interest in getting to know her.

"I'm sure the meeting would bore you, so you could go on ahead of me, if you'd like."

"I'll go with you."

"It's just something quick for the family business. I'm sure you aren't interested in that!"

"I am interested." Saera hesitated slightly, then gathered her courage and pushed forward. "I'm interested in you. I want to get to know you, Mina Jin."

Jin felt heat rise up his neck at her bold declaration, and he didn't argue again. Saera accompanied him to a different wing of the building and stood quietly, watching, as he relayed updates on some of the mines he had visited before Saera's arrival. His demeanor changed from hesitant and sweet to self assured and commanding. Every time Jin spoke, the attention in the room shifted to him despite his young age. He was able to command respect in a polite manner, and Saera found this a handsome trait indeed.

Once finished, they made their way down to the festival together, and Jin's hard exterior melted to become playful and sweet.

In just that one day, Jin's attentions were captured. He found Saera to be enthusiastic, intelligent, and insightful. She showed genuine interest and curiosity in the world around her, asking Jin about certain stalls, buildings, and foods. As the day passed her questions shifted to Jin himself, genuine inquiries and attempts to get to know him. Jin found himself smiling and laughing, and his shyness melted away so that he could look directly into her eyes - sparkling dark eyes, fringed with long lashes, that glimmered when she laughed.

In turn, Saera found Jin to be not the man she had initially assumed. His initial shyness paired with his delicate features had lent him a coldness that Saera quickly realized was falsified. She found herself drawn to his voice, softer than that of other men. His smile, which spread across his entire face, was quick and genuine. As the day went on, Jin's outer shell cracked, revealing an outgoing man prone to teasing and friendly banter. Whenever she showed interest in something, Jin purchased it for her immediately, unbothered by the cost. Saera eventually latched onto his sleeve, holding his arm as they walked through the sprawling festival.

"There's just so much," she exclaimed. "It never ends! And you said it goes on for one week?"

Jin chuckled. "The stalls will change almost every day. Some days the theme is games, other days, food. The last day is just performances or shows."

"But where do all of these vendors come from?"

"We are a family of craftsmen." Jin gestured to a stall as they passed by, its wares glimmering in the light. "The Mina gained wealth during the Great War by crafting armour and weapons, just like those. When peace came, there was less demand for those, but they had taken control of so many mines, they had ample supply of ores and metals. So they had to learn other trades." He waved to a vendor at a jewelry stall and the man waved happily back. "Most of the vendors are Mina, but not all. Any of the peasants who live in the lands around here are welcome, and can lodge at no cost in an old soldier's barracks that was converted after the war. The festival seems to grow bigger each year."

"It's… it's wonderful," Saera sighed.

"I asked that the festival start on the day after you arrive, so you could see it." Jin smiled down at her.

The warm, happy bubble was shattered as Saera's heart fell, and she pulled her arm away. "I was engaged to Akira until just the other day. How would you have known to ask that ahead of time?"

Jin reached for her, but she backed away.

"Did you mislead me on purpose?"

"No. Saera, wait." Jin caught up to her. "I asked when you were still engaged to Akira."

"Why would you ask that? You had nothing to do with me. Was this change planned ahead of time?"

"I thought it would be welcoming for you when arrived, that's all. No one meant to mislead you."

Saera kicked at the ground, her good mood spoiled. "What happened, Jin? I was given no explanation and it was all so sudden. I don't understand…"

"Akira… something happened to Akira, and he had to back out of the marriage…" Noticing Saera's skeptical gaze, Jin tried again. "I can't tell you," he said quietly. "I've sworn not to, but I will make Akira tell you himself. I promise." His eyes were concerned. "There was no plotting or planning, trust me."

Saera turned away, unsure, and Jin followed.

"Please." He spoke the word quietly, but there was a power behind it. "I didn't plan to marry you, Tae Saera, and I understand if maybe you preferred my brother - but now that we are engaged, I will do my best by you. Don't distrust me so soon."

Saera looked back, struck by his words. His eyes met hers earnestly, and try as she might, she couldn't spot any sign of deceit in them. She nodded slowly, and when Jin offered her his arm again, she accepted it quietly.

The festival continued for one week.