"Merlin, I want to try the food over there," Luna said, pointing toward a bakery in the distance.

"Okay," Merlin replied with a smile and immediately led her there.

They bought two chocolate-flavored breads and tasted them on the spot. They were so delicious that Luna couldn't help but smile.

The two continued walking through the city hand in hand. They stopped at several shops to buy different kinds of food, and, of course, Merlin paid for everything.

Although Luna offered to pay several times, his pride as a man wouldn't let him accept.

Once they were satisfied, they decided to return to the mansion.

Without realizing it, ten days had passed in the blink of an eye. The Dragon God Festival had finally arrived, and the crowds in Dralmor were overwhelming.

The city center was filled with parades, with several people carrying a statue of the Dragon God together.

There was also an event where people carried torches while walking through the city, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

However, the highlight of the festival would only happen at night, so Merlin and Luna decided to return then.

***

"Does my dress look good?" Luna asked, pulling both ends of her dress and twirling gracefully.

Merlin looked her over from head to toe, then nodded appreciatively.

"It looks perfect. It suits you beautifully, Luna," he said, admiration clear in his voice.

Luna wore a black dress. It wasn't formal—casual, really—but it still highlighted her elegance and charm.

"Hehehe…" Luna smiled shyly at his compliment. "By the way, you look handsome too, Merlin. Where did you get that robe?"

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at him. The black robe he wore bore the Clay family crest on his right chest, and his usually messy white hair was neatly combed back, giving him a surprisingly charming appearance.

"Aunt Iris picked it out," Merlin replied. "Pretty good, right?"

"It's excellent!" Luna said without hesitation. "With our outfits in the same color, we look really well-matched, don't we?"

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she cast him a shy glance.

"Yeah, we do," Merlin chuckled softly. He stepped forward, took her hand, and said, "Let's head to the festival."

"M-mm!" Luna nodded slowly.

Hand in hand, they left the dressing room and made their way toward the mansion's exit.

Coincidentally, Frederin and Iris had already gone. As the region's leader, Frederin naturally arrived early.

James went with them, not only to keep the city of Dralmor safe so the festival could run smoothly, but also to protect Merlin and Luna from any potential danger.

Merlin and Luna climbed into the prepared horse-drawn carriage and set off.

***

"I've received word that Merlin Clay will be arriving with his fiancée later. Capture him when he lets his guard down. Understood?"

A masked man glanced at his partner beside him.

His comrade nodded slowly. "Understood. But have you assessed the situation? I doubt Frederin Tharot would neglect to secure them tightly. Besides, I sense a strong presence at the Third Spirit Core stage near the city. If we are discovered, we're as good as dead."

"Relax," the masked man said. "I've made sure no one will find us. The important thing is that once we capture Merlin Clay, we escape the city and disappear. The Master wants him alive, so we have to make sure he doesn't die."

His comrade said nothing, simply nodding in agreement. After exchanging a few brief words, the two disappeared from their positions.

Meanwhile, the horse-drawn carriage carrying Merlin and Luna reached the outskirts of the city center.

The carriage couldn't go any further—the streets were crowded with people.

Moreover, the parade was about to begin, so all main roads had been cleared of vehicles.

Merlin and Luna stepped out, stunned by the sight of the Dragon God Festival.

"It's beautiful… and even more crowded than in Droswen," Merlin murmured in awe.

The Dragon God Festival was held every year. Merlin had always gone with Catrine to the center of Droswen to enjoy it.

Although Droswen was a prosperous city with a grand festival, it couldn't compare to the spectacle before him now.

Beside him, Luna couldn't hide her smile.

"Next time, take me to Droswen, Merlin. I want to see the Dragon God Festival there," she said softly.

Merlin was about to nod when he remembered his younger sister, Catrine.

"Ahem!" he cleared his throat, then said, "If there's a chance, of course I'll take you there to enjoy the festival."

If Catrine and Luna met, chaos would surely follow—on one side was Catrine, his younger sister, and on the other, Luna, his fiancée.

In the past, he would have defended Catrine. But now, he couldn't.

His relationship with Luna had grown rapidly over the past few days, leaving him able only to make promises without being certain he could keep them.

Just then, the system's voice appeared in his mind.

"[Master, you're such a coward! Even the protagonist, Abel, can have them both—so why can't you?]"

Merlin rolled his eyes at the comment and ignored it, pulling Luna toward the city center.

The festival was lively, with everyone in Dralmor—residents and visitors alike—gathered, smiling, and enjoying the celebrations.

Some wore dragon costumes or other outfits, adding color and energy to the crowd.

Merchants lined both sides of the road, their stalls filled with people eager to buy food and goods.

Merlin guided Luna to a stall on the right and bought two glasses of fruit juice. Luckily, the line was short, and they got their drinks quickly.

"Merlin, look! The parade has started!" Luna exclaimed, pointing to the golden dragon procession winding through the street.

"Let's get closer," Merlin said.

Luna nodded, and they pressed forward with the crowd on the right side of the road.

The parade was spectacular. Ten to twenty people carried a golden dragon statue that stretched tens of meters long.

Behind them, another group performed with four torches each, tossing them skillfully into the air in a synchronized display.

Merlin watched the performance, mesmerized, and couldn't help recalling what had happened in the novel.

At the Dragon God Festival in that story, Merlin Clay had tried in countless ways to please Luna—even at the cost of his pride. But she had always ignored him, for her heart belonged only to Abel.

Now, his fate had changed. Abel had not yet appeared, and the heroines—Margaret, Catrine, Linda, and now Luna—were all within his grasp.

Merlin looked up at the night sky, his voice low and icy. 'Abel… you've lost. In this life, I will be the one to win.'

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