Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire-Chapter 317: Garlands of Dried Wheat and Marigolds

<.Moonville Village, at the same time.>

The merriment of the harvest festival surrounded Lariette and Ruediger. They had been here since half-past two in the afternoon when the sunlight still filtering warmly through the puffy clouds.

Despite the night had fallen, the excitement still buzzed through the festival grounds.

Everyone, including visitors from other villages and districts, happily celebrated the closing of the harvest season before winter arrived.

After having lunch with Paul and Melissa, Lariette and Ruediger headed to the festival. Upon their arrival, they saw the field had been transformed into a merry festival grounds.

Colorful ribbons were hung like streamers from tree branches, fluttering as children ran beneath them. The vendors operated at the rows of booths made from old timber, decorated by garlands of dried wheat and marigolds.

A wooden stage was set up near the center of the grounds. Folk music echoed from there, played by a band of local musicians as they tuned fiddles, flutes and drums.

By nighttime, Lariette and Ruediger were exhausted and famished from all the activities they had earlier. They decided to have dinner at one of the makeshift restaurants while waiting for the bonfire dance.

"Let’s sit there."

"Okay."

Lariette and Ruediger sat by the plastic window. It wasn’t enough to keep them away from the chill, but at least the breeze wouldn’t bother them when eating.

The pair ordered some chicken and herb soup, creamy tomato soup, grilled bread and hot tea. While waiting for their food to arrive, they took the time to relax.

"Tired, huh?"

Ruediger grinned, watching the clear lines of exhaustion on Lariette’s face. Still, she looked so happy. He held back from poking her cheeks that flushed red from the cold.

"Hehe, a little bit."

Lariette enjoyed coming here with Ruediger. They played some games, among them were pumpkin ring toss, a hay bale maze, guess the jam and shooting the apple target.

At the same time, they tried foods and drinks sold by the vendors. From the classic pumpkin soup, then wild mushroom tart, venison meat pie, and honey-glazed roasted apple. They also had some mulled apple cider.

Right before sunset, Ruediger and Lariette rode on the horse cart. The guided tour was only offered during the harvest festival and was limited in numbers.

The cart left the festival grounds as the coach brought them through the farms, forests and riverside trails before returning.

Because they stopped from time to time, the whole ride took over one hour. Still, Lariette was happy because Ruediger got to see the village where she grew up.

Their last activity before retreating to this restaurant was watching a play, performed by a small yet promising theater group.

"Eddy," Lariette called, her voice soft, "Did you enjoy the play?"

Ruediger hummed softly, recalling the past hour when he and Lariette watched a theater play, performed on a makeshift stage built from wooden crates and painted clothes.

Like other audience, they watched the play while sitting on a hay bale covered by a plaid blanket, holding cups of hot drinks to fight against the cold.

"It’s quite interesting," Ruediger replied, "Didn’t you say it’s a local folk tale? You grew up listening to it, en?"

Laughing, Lariette nodded as she brushed a strand from her face, "Yes. Grandma always told me the story. This play is kinda a staple for harvest festivals in this region."

The play told the story of a girl who outwitted an evil force in the neighboring forest. She traded her voice for the safety of the village, only to have it back after a battle against the spirit.

The actors were clad in mismatched costumes. As they spoke in poetic tones, they drew laughter and sighs from the audience.

"You suddenly became a babysitter, Eddy," Lariette grinned. She propped her elbows on the table, cupping her face, "Hehe, you’re good with children. I can see that."

Ruediger laughed in helplessness. He remembered when out of nowhere, a crying child suddenly rushed to him, frightened when the spirit appeared in a flurry of white and black feathers.

"I’m not exactly good with them. I was lucky he didn’t cry for so long."

After a while, the child ceased crying. His parents came to pick him up. They were also surprised by his sudden action. The snotty little one waved at Ruediger and Lariette before leaving with his parents.

Lariette said nothing anymore, but the smile remained on her lips. She remembered how Ruediger tenderly stroked the child’s head while ensuring him the evil spirit would perish.

Soon, a young man came bringing their food and drinks. Without waiting, Lariette and Ruediger took their first bite. The warmth of the delicious soup warmed their bellies.

Outside, the field glowed in warm hues as shadows danced across booths. Strings of lanterns and torches lit the entire festival grounds.

The air, which buzzed with soft music and laughter, drifted into the eatery. The echoes blended with the chatters of the patrons.

While drinking his hot tea, Ruediger recalled a particular moment that happened when he and Lariette wandered on the festival grounds.

’She met her old neighbors. But it’s clear she didn’t remember them much.’

Villagers of Moonville were not the only visitors, but also from other villages and nearby towns. Some of them came from Amberwood. freewēbnoveℓ.com

When Lariette and Ruediger lined up for some mini pancakes, they heard a group of old ladies talking nearby. They mentioned how their village should host a grand harvest festival similar to Moonville.

As the ladies talked more, Lariette and Ruediger caught Amberwood Village in their conversation. Then, she looked up at him and whispered, her face relaxed.

"Hehe, that’s my old village before I moved here. Do you remember?"

Putting his cup down, Ruediger made up his mind. He would go through with his plan. He had been wanting to inquire more from Lariette about her time in Amberwood, but his hesitation delayed it.

’Tonight. I think I can ask her before we go to bed.’

Exhaling a soft sigh, Ruediger told himself that nothing would go wrong. He would try asking without pushing Lariette too much into it.