Chapter 21

The Blue Bar buzzes with excitement, a lively hum of voices filling the space as Muffy's club gathers for their weekly meeting. Sunlight filters through the windows, casting a warm glow on the rustic wooden tables, where the women of Forget-Me-Not Valley sit, eager to share their ideas. The arrival of Summer has brought renewed energy, and Muffy stands behind the bar, her smile wide as she prepares to share her big news.

"Alright, ladies, settle down!" Muffy calls out, clapping her hands. The chatter quiets as the women turn their attention toward her. Keira, seated near the corner with her blue feather still tucked into her hair, leans in with curiosity.

Muffy takes a deep breath, her excitement bubbling over. "I've got some exciting news! Romana has decided to fund the creation of a brand-new festival right here in the valley."

The announcement is met with gasps and murmurs of anticipation. "Romana?" One of the women, Celia, asks from across the room. "Is this for real?"

Muffy nods enthusiastically. "Yes, it's real! Lumina's grandmother wants to bring more tourism and development to the valley. And the best part? She's entrusted us with organizing the whole thing!"

The room erupts into applause, and the women's voices rise in excitement. Nami, usually quiet and reserved, raises an eyebrow from her seat. "A festival, huh? Sounds like a big responsibility."

"It is," Muffy agrees, her smile widening. "But it's also an opportunity to show what we can do! We've already proven ourselves capable through the club, and now Romana wants us to take the lead."

Keira listens intently, her mind racing with ideas. She's seen festivals in the past—grand events and cultural celebrations back in her homeland—but this feels like something different. This is a chance to create something unique, something that could define her new life in the valley.

"So," Muffy continues, "Romana left the details completely up to us. We can create any type of festival we want. That's why today, I want to hear everyone's ideas. What kind of festival should we organize?"

A chorus of voices begins, each woman tossing out ideas with growing enthusiasm.

"How about a harvest festival?" Celia suggests, her hands clasped in front of her. "We could celebrate the valley's farmers and the bounty of Summer!"

A few heads nod in agreement, but Flora, sitting beside Celia, chimes in. "What about something that highlights the valley's history? We could have an archaeology-themed festival, and I could even set up a booth showcasing some of our ancient finds."

Nami, her arms crossed over her chest, smirks. "Or we could have something fun, like a music and dance festival. Get people moving and celebrating under the stars."

Muffy listens intently to the suggestions of the women around her, but something doesn't sit right. Most of the ideas seem too familiar—harvest festivals, music shows, fairs celebrating the valley's history. While those ideas were nice, they were already being done elsewhere. Muffy knew the valley needed something fresh, something that could draw attention to the valley and put them on the map.

As she scans the room, her eyes land on Keira, who is sitting quietly at the back of the bar, listening but not contributing. It's unlike Keira, who usually has a quiet yet thoughtful demeanor but often participates when asked. Muffy senses that Keira might have something on her mind and decides to ask her directly.

"Keira, you've been quiet," Muffy says, catching her attention. "Do you have any ideas for the festival?"

Keira blinks, surprised to be called out, but her expression softens. After a brief moment of hesitation, she nods. "There is a Summer festival from my time," she begins, her voice soft yet confident, "called the Bon Festival. It's a time when people come together to honor their ancestors and celebrate. There are games, food, and entertainment for everyone."

The room grows quiet as the women lean in, intrigued by the idea. They've never heard of anything like it. Muffy smiles, gesturing for Keira to continue. "Tell us more," she encourages.

Keira, though still a little shy, starts to explain further. "During the Bon Festival, there are many different attractions. People can enjoy carnival-style games, buy food and souvenirs, and offer tribute to their ancestors. One of the highlights of the festival is a special dance performed by the queen for the king. Thankfully, my mother taught me the dance in preparation for the day I would have become queen."

She pauses for a moment, reflecting on the memories of her time as a princess. "It was the one day the queen was allowed outside the castle, to perform for her people. Because of my unique situation, I was never able to participate, but I always watched from within the castle walls. It's a beautiful, sacred dance meant to bring peace and honor to those who came before us."

The women exchange glances, clearly intrigued by Keira's idea. Muffy's eyes light up, already imagining what such a festival could do for the valley. "That's unique," Muffy says thoughtfully, leaning forward. "We've never had anything like that here before."

The other women nod in agreement, excited by the concept. They ask Keira more about the specifics—the decorations, the food, and the kinds of games people could enjoy during the event. Keira, now more comfortable, shares more details about her memories of the festival, her eyes bright as she talks about the cultural significance and the joy it brought to her people.

Muffy smiles, knowing they may have just found the perfect idea. "This is exactly what we need. Something that will make Forget-Me-Not Valley stand out. Keira, I think your Bon Festival idea is wonderful."

Keira's face flushes with pride, her earlier shyness replaced by a sense of accomplishment. The women begin to discuss how they can adapt the festival to their own traditions while honoring Keira's cultural roots, their excitement building with each new suggestion.

After the room fills with excitement and applause following Keira's description of the Bon Festival, Muffy stands and addresses the group, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

"Alright, ladies! It's settled—we'll host our very own version of the Bon Festival here in Forget-Me-Not Valley!" Muffy announces. The women cheer, already buzzing with ideas for decorations, food stalls, and how to adapt the festival's customs. But before the excitement could fully settle, Muffy continues, "And Keira, since this is your idea, you'll be leading the preparations for the festival!"

Keira freezes in her seat, her eyes widening in panic. "Wait! What?" she stammers. "Muffy, I—I don't think I'm qualified for something like this." She looks around at the other women, hoping someone might share her hesitation, but all she sees are supportive smiles and nods.

Muffy walks over to Keira and gently places a hand on her shoulder. "Keira, you've told us before that you're a princess, right?" Muffy asks, her voice both kind and encouraging.

Keira nods hesitantly. "Yes, but—"

"Well then, as a princess, you must have some experience in leadership," Muffy continues. "This is your chance to show off those skills. We trust you, and we believe you can make this festival something truly special. Something that will be remembered for generations to come and bring the attention our valley needs."

Keira looks around the room, and the other women are all nodding in agreement, their faces filled with encouragement. "We're all here to help," Muffy adds. "But we need your vision to guide us. You know the Bon Festival better than anyone, and you have the ability to turn this idea into something incredible."

Keira takes a deep breath, her heart still pounding with nerves, but she can't deny the sense of responsibility growing inside her. The valley, her new home, was depending on her. She had always watched her mother lead with grace and poise, and now, it was her turn to do something meaningful. The weight of the task felt daunting, but Keira realized she couldn't let fear stop her.

After a few moments of silence, Keira stands up, her resolve building. "Alright," she says, her voice steady. "I'll do it. I'll organize the festival."

The women around the room burst into applause again, their cheers filling the bar. Muffy smiles brightly at her, her confidence in Keira unwavering.

"You'll do great, Keira," Muffy says warmly. "We all believe in you."

Keira nods, still a little unsure but bolstered by the support of the women around her. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but something about this felt right. She would honor her heritage and her new home, blending the two worlds together to create something truly unforgettable.

As Keira walks home after the meeting, her mind swirls with doubt. She had been raised with the knowledge that one day she would lead a kingdom, taught the values of leadership and responsibility from a young age. But this? Organizing a festival, in a time period so unfamiliar, for people whose customs she was still learning? That was something entirely different.

Keira sighs, staring down at her feet as she walks through the quiet path leading back to the farm. The weight of responsibility presses heavily on her chest, making her wonder if she had been too quick to accept the task. She had to make this festival a success—not just for herself, but for the valley that had welcomed her so warmly. Despite her royal upbringing, this felt like a challenge unlike any she'd ever faced.

Later, at dinner, Mark notices how distant and quiet Keira seems. Normally, she'd be chatty about her day, sharing her thoughts with him, but tonight her usual spark is dim, her chopsticks absently poking at her food.

"Hey," Mark says gently, leaning forward across the table to catch her eye. "What's going on? You've been quiet since you got back."

Keira blinks, startled out of her thoughts by his voice. After a moment, she sighs and sets her chopsticks down, finally meeting his gaze. "The valley is hosting a new festival," she begins, her voice soft. "It's a festival similar to the Bon Festival from my time, and Muffy asked me to organize it."

Mark raises his eyebrows in surprise with a warm smile quickly spreading across his face. "That sounds like an amazing opportunity! You're the perfect person to lead something like that."

But Keira doesn't share his immediate confidence. "I don't know, Mark," she admits quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It's a big task. Sure, I was raised to be a leader, but this is different. I wasn't prepared for something like this—especially in a time where everything is so unfamiliar. Organizing a festival isn't the same as ruling a country." She pauses, frowning. "Even if everyone in the valley helps, we just don't have enough people to make it as grand as it should be. I'm worried it'll fall short."

Mark leans back in his chair, tapping his chin as he considers her words. "Hmm… you're right, the valley's population is small," he acknowledges. "But what if we bring in more people?"

Keira looks at him, confused. "More people? From where?"

"Mineral Town," Mark says, his smile growing as the idea takes shape. "They're always looking for something new to get involved in. A festival like this could benefit both Forget-Me-Not Valley and Mineral Town. They could help with the preparations—and they've got more experience with larger events. Plus, if they advertise beyond just the valley, we could bring in a lot more tourists. It'd be perfect!"

Keira listens, her doubt starting to wane as a flicker of hope kindles inside her. "Do you really think Mineral Town would be willing to help?"

"Absolutely," Mark nods, his voice filled with conviction. "I know plenty of people over there, and they're always excited to try something new. This 'Bon Festival' must be unique—something none of them have ever seen before. I bet they'd jump at the chance to be a part of it."

As he speaks, Keira's worries begin to fade, and new possibilities take root in her mind. "That… that could actually work," she murmurs, a small smile creeping onto her face.

Mark reaches across the table, gently taking her hand in his. "You've got this, Keira. And you're not alone. We'll work together, and you'll make this festival something amazing."

Looking into Mark's eyes, Keira feels a surge of gratitude and excitement. With his unconditional support, the task ahead doesn't seem so daunting anymore. It wasn't just for the valley—it was for their home, their future. And with Mineral Town's help, it now felt more achievable than ever.

"Thank you, Mark," she says softly, squeezing his hand. "I feel so much better about this now."

Mark smiles, his eyes full of warmth. "We'll talk to Mayor Thomas tomorrow. I'm sure he'd love to get Mineral Town involved."

Keira beams with excitement. The path ahead may still be filled with challenges, but with her husband's support and her own determination, she feels ready to lead the valley into something unforgettable.

The following morning, Keira and Mark set off for Mineral Town with a renewed sense of purpose. The sun rises, casting a warm glow over the fields as they walk hand in hand through the vibrant greenery separating the two communities. Keira feels nervous, but Mark's presence beside her fills her with confidence. Together, they would make this work.

When they arrive in Mineral Town, they are greeted by the usual bustle of the streets. There's a lively, welcoming energy there that immediately puts Keira at ease. They make their way to Mayor Thomas' home, where they're warmly received. After exchanging pleasantries, Keira and Mark sit down with the mayor and explain their vision for the festival. Keira describes the Bon Festival's significance, how it would celebrate the valley's history and culture, and the importance of bringing the two communities together.

Mayor Thomas listens attentively, nodding with interest as she speaks. "I have to say," he begins, smiling broadly, "this sounds like a wonderful idea. A festival like this could really bring people together—and boost tourism for both of our communities. I'm more than happy to get the people of Mineral Town involved. It's been a while since we've had something special like this, and I think everyone will be excited to help."

Keira's heart lifts at his enthusiastic response. "Thank you so much, Mayor Thomas," she says, her voice filled with gratitude. "With Mineral Town's support, I truly believe we can make this festival something to remember."

Mark watches proudly as Mayor Thomas claps his hands together, already excited about the prospect. "Consider it done!" the mayor exclaims. "I'll start spreading the word today. We'll get everyone on board and ready to help."

With the support of Mineral Town secured, Keira and Mark return home, energized and determined to make the festival a success. Keira immediately reaches out to the valley residents, assigning tasks, and ensuring every detail is accounted for. As the festival date approaches, the valley buzzes with anticipation and excitement. Keira, now more confident than ever, knows this will be an event that brings joy and unity to everyone involved. The festival isn't just a celebration of her past—it's a test of the future she and Mark are building together in Forget-Me-Not Valley.

Keira wastes no time in contacting Muffy to finalize the date. After some discussion, they agree to hold the festival on the 25th day of Summer, giving them plenty of time to prepare while aligning with the traditions of the Bon Festival. As Keira sits with Muffy, the two begin outlining their plans. Muffy helps Keira brainstorm the various tasks that need to be done—setting up stalls, coordinating food vendors, organizing entertainment, and ensuring Keira's performance of the sacred dance goes smoothly. Keira takes charge of overseeing everything, assigning tasks to the valley residents, and keeping the festival on schedule.

"There's a lot to do, but I know we can handle it," Muffy says with a smile. "Everyone in the valley will be happy to help, and now with Mineral Town on board, we've got all the people we need."

Keira nods, her confidence growing with each passing moment. The valley is depending on her, but with the combined efforts of both villages and the support of her friends, she knows they can create something truly special.

As the day draws to a close, Keira returns home, her mind buzzing with plans and ideas. The countdown to the festival has officially begun, and Keira is determined to make sure it's an event that brings joy to both Forget-Me-Not Valley and Mineral Town—an event that will be remembered for generations to come.