[TIDK] 122 – Procession

Entering the waiting room tent for the Snow Queen, Isaac couldn't contain his laughter upon seeing Scarlett. "That's fantastic," he exclaimed, amusement evident in his voice.

Scarlett, unamused, chastised him. "Don't laugh."

Apologising through his laughter, Isaac regained his composure. "I'm sorry, sorry. How are you, Liv?" he greeted, directing his attention towards Scarlett's companion.

Blushing slightly, Liv responded in a shy manner, her fingers twisting strands of her own hair. "Oh, hello," she replied softly.

Caught up in her thoughts, Liv momentarily forgot her task. However, Scarlett's call snapped her back to reality. "Liv," Scarlett called out.

"Oh, right," Liv muttered, regaining her composure and promptly finishing Scarlett's makeup.

As Scarlett rose from her seat, an aura of unfamiliarity surrounded her. Isaac noticed her choice of footwear and remarked, reaching out, "You're wearing high heels."

Scarlett sighed, feeling a bit out of place. "Well... I'm not supposed to be smaller than the Spring Queen. But if that's the case, I might as well be an actress."

With a touch of frustration, Scarlett rested her hand on Isaac's. Nearby, Charlie and Susan, the children of the tram driver who had been patiently waiting, had their eyes widen in astonishment.

"Wow, she's the Snow Queen," Charlie exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

Susan, equally amazed, recognised Scarlett and called out, "Scarlett! Is that Scarlett?"

In response, Scarlett adopted a mischievous grin. "No, I'm the Snow Queen. The Snow Queen will freeze all the naughty kids."

Charlie's excitement grew, and he exclaimed, "Wow! That's cool!" while Susan nodded in agreement, captivated by the enchanting presence of the Snow Queen.

Amidst the bustling excitement, the children gathered around Scarlett, their voices filled with admiration. "Scarlett, you're so cool!" they exclaimed, their energy contagious as they ran alongside her.

Without hesitation, Scarlett climbed onto the wheeled wooden board, catching the attention of the tram drivers responsible for constructing the event equipment. One of the drivers approached, a proud smile on his face. "Miss Scarlett, I made sure to trim the tree without any thorns so you wouldn't get hurt. What do you think?" he asked, eager for her approval.

Scarlett's eyes lit up with appreciation as she took in the carefully crafted device. "No wonder. I can tell you've put in more effort than usual. And look, there's cloth on the handle," she observed.

With a hint of pride, the tram driver revealed, "I sewed it myself." The image of the burly driver handling a needle and thread brought a smile to Scarlett's face. "Thank you," she expressed her gratitude sincerely.

As Scarlett positioned herself on the device, a sigh escaped her lips, revealing a tinge of embarrassment. Sensing her unease, Liv stepped forward, her voice filled with reassurance. "Scarlett, you're an actress. Actresses should be proud."

A hint of defiance crept into Scarlett's response. "First of all, I'm not an actress, and I'm not doing this because I want to."

This statement caught Susan off guard, prompting her to ask in surprise, "S-Scarlett, you don't want to be the Snow Queen?"

Amusement filled Scarlett's eyes as she was taken aback by the innocent question. "No! No, I love it. I love wearing such beautiful clothes," she reassured, her tone filled with genuine delight.

Relief washed over Susan as she realised Scarlett's true feelings. With a contented nod, the child's worry dissipated, and the atmosphere became light-hearted once again.

The wooden device beneath Scarlett's feet began to move, propelling her forward. All she had to do was maintain her composure and avoid laughing. Determined to keep a straight face, she tightly sealed her lips, aware that even the slightest funny scene could easily break her resolve. However, her efforts to stifle laughter only seemed to make her want to laugh more, even at the most mundane moments.

As the parade progressed, cheerful voices filled the air. "Let it snow less this year, Snow Queen!" one person exclaimed. "The Snow Queen! You're beautiful!" praised another. "I love you, Snow Queen!" echoed a chorus of adoration.

It proved difficult for Scarlett to contain her laughter when everyone around her was eager to please the Snow Queen. She fought to suppress her amusement, mentally breaking down the clock in her head and adjusting it again, hoping it would distract her from bursting into laughter.

Since it was January, a challenging time to find blooming flowers, people compensated by releasing coloured paper into the air. Occasionally, some individuals even sprinkled real petals, creating moments of floral fragrance. Though initially embarrassing, Scarlett couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in the genuine wishes of the people, their desire for a short winter evident in their actions.

The parade continued, traversing through streets that had remained largely untouched by new construction. The older buildings stood as witnesses to the tradition and history of the city, their presence adding a touch of nostalgia to the scene.

'I hope this winter is really short.'

The device finally came to a halt, marking the end of Scarlett's journey. As she stepped into the black tent, she knew her role as the Snow Queen was officially over, and soon the Queen of Spring would announce her departure from the tent.