Radiance

Excitement

|M|

Wait... Is there something I'm missing?

I glance at the shelf of books in front of me as I looked for the book about the Elites during the age of the first Hero. I felt like I was forgetting something... But I just couldn't remember it...

I finally spy the red and gold lined book on a nearby shelf and nab it, quickly pulling it from its place. I had wanted to read up on the Collector again, and his journey through his hardships. Something about how he persevered, inspired me. And... just the thought that I lived during his era... something about it was magical to me.

"Oh! Your Leadership! There you are!" A voice quips and I look to see one of the Rose Guards standing there with a very excited Red Steve who had a pair of golden glasses and a simple gold and red over cloak on their shoulders.

"I came to ask you on if I could be head of the Wisdom Festival this year! My father usually was the head planner, and I was hoping that I could be able to continue on his legacy!" The Red says with a genuine smile on their face and I remember suddenly, that's what I was forgetting.

The Wisdom Festival!

It was a celebration every ten years in which the Red kingdom would come collectively together to put all their knowledge into a new volume of the books of Wisdom, and a festival would occur until it happened. During the festival itself, Red Steves would share knowledge and wisdom with each other in various forms. It was my favorite occurrence, and as the new leader, I was to sign my first volume this year.

"Oh! Of course! Your father is Ne'lio, isn't it? He's the best planner for it and I have confidence in his line's ability of decoration planning," I say with a smile and I gently close the book in my hand, having been about to read it before I was interrupted. The Steve grins widely.

"Thank you so much Red Leader!! I promise I will learn as much as I can from my father and make the Red Kingdom proud!!" The Steve runs off and the Rose guard gives me a smile before they walk off after the Steve.

Proud. They wanted to make the kingdom proud. I had no doubt in my mind they would, but a single thought in the back of my mind questioned if I was up to this. I shake that thought away and grin.

I had completely zoned that the Wisdom Festival was soon, but now that I remembered- I could get things into full swing! I had always paid close attention to how my teacher, the previous Red Leader, had gone about things, so I had full confidence in my ability to get this thing set up!

Any paperwork could wait!

With quick and happy strides, I'm out of the library and dashing down a street. My feet pounding on the stones below me. I had a few friends of mine who would enjoy a break and celebration like this.

In moments, I'm running up the stairs to the Rose Sanctuary and dashing down the left hall to Light's guest quarters. If he wasn't here, I'd check Sabre's room, then look at all the different areas he'd be at to check the progress of our guard.

"Light! Light you here?" I knock rapidly a few times before hearing nothing and opening the door.

As I turn the corner to look into the rest of the room, I see Light standing shirtless, his hair untied, and just wearing his common pants with his back to me.

"ACK!" I quickly duck back behind the corner and cover my eyes, embarrassed that I had walked into his room while he was dressing.

"Huh-?! Who's there?? Hello?" Light calls out and I walk out from the corner, holding up my book to cover the side of my vision that would have seen Light.

"M! Y-Your Leadership! I- Didn't you knock?!"

"I DID! YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME LIGHT! I KNOCKED MULTIPLE TIMES!!" I shut my eyes tightly and bite my lip, still in shock from having seen him indecent. Like why in Chroma was he just standing there, and not dressed?! Or at least have not responded to my knocking?!

I hear shifting and a frantic sliding on of a shirt before I hear a dull thud and turn to look. I see Light kneeling, his head bowed and I quickly shake my head.

"I apologize M- Your leadership! I didn't mean for you to see me like that," He says quickly and in a panic I shake my head quickly, waving my hands as well.

"Nononono- Light, you don't have to do that! I don't have any guards with me," I say as I chuckle awkwardly and help him stand up. Sure it was awkward to see another Steve like that, but it wasn't a cause worthy to punish or anything.

"I- I'm sorry M... I hadn't heard you knock. Then again, I must have just gotten lost in my thoughts." The silver- haired Steve looks off to the side and I reach up to place my hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay Light, I should have waited a moment longer or at least called out when I had entered," I say with a chuckle then grin, remembering my reason I was here.

"But put the formalities on the back furnace- follow me! I want to go grab Sabre right quick!" I quickly grab Light's wrist and drag him out of his room.

Oh, I couldn't wait to show them both the festival.