“Hand it to me?”
Columbina tapped his fingertips lightly against the table, and after a moment of thought, shifted her gaze to Sandrone.
[Will the clockwork on Sandrone’s back keep turning forever?]
[Always in the same direction?]
[I really want to find out.]
“Sandrone, I’m really curious about the clockwork mechanism on your back.
Can you let me touch it?”
As the words fell, Sandrone’s brows furrowed tightly.
He shook his head at Columbina: “No way.
If you’re that curious, how about I install one on your back too?”
“Besides…” He paused, “According to the rules, only the victor can make demands of the loser.
Why are you asking me instead?”
“But in the end, I saved you.” Columbina tried to persuade her.
“Who asked you to save me!” Sandrone’s tone was resolute, “No means no.”
“Fine.”
Columbina had not been entirely unprepared for this result, yet a trace of faint regret still welled up in his heart.
However, there was still a long way to go in the future.
I wonder what it would feel like to touch Sandrone’s clockwork?
“Hey!
Columbina, what are you smiling foolishly about by yourself?” Sandrone crossed her arms, her tone leaking dissatisfaction, “Any more demands?
Don’t waste everyone’s time.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Columbina retracted her little thoughts, and along with a gentle white light, her figure quietly vanished.
“What on earth is this Columbina up to?” Sandrone watched the spot where he had vanished, complaining in a low voice.
“Sandrone, are you calling me?”
Columbina suddenly appeared once more, with a black Kamera appearing in her hand.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Sandrone glanced at the camera in his hand, “So, you deliberately left just for this?”
“Mhm.” Columbina nodded gently, her gaze sweeping slowly over everyone at the tea party.
After this tea party, I’m afraid it would be hard to have such a gathering again.
“I want to take this opportunity to leave a group photo with everyone.”
“Not a bad suggestion.” Arlecchino looked toward Columbina, nodding slightly.
Tartaglia laughed with his usual heartiness: “Then Miss Columbina, you must make sure to take a handsome picture of me!”
Capitano pondered for a moment, a trace of gentleness seeping through his deep voice: “…Memories are always good.”
“Then, please everyone stand together.”
Everyone rose one after another, gathering in front of the carved terrace railing.
The evening light was just warm, dyeing the clouds into molten gold waves, and the eternal snow-capped peaks of the Zapolyarny Palace in the distance were also plated with an amber halo. Follow the newest chapters on novelping(.)com.
“Sandrone, let Pulonia come over too.” Columbina looked toward the figure quietly guarding the garden entrance, “It is also a part of the tea party.”
“You don’t need to remind me.” Sandrone signaled Pulonia to stand behind her.
Columbina carefully placed the Kamera on the high table opposite, adjusted the angle, skillfully set the delay, and then walked briskly toward the crowd, standing naturally beside Sandrone.
Sandrone gazed at the snow-capped peaks in the distance, her expression maintaining its usual calmness, but suddenly felt his shoulder sink slightly.
Glancing sideways, Columbina was tilting her head, resting gently on her shoulder.
“Columbina!
Get away from me.”
“We’re taking the picture.” Columbina laughed softly.
A faint, regular mechanical whirring sound came from the Kamera.
“Hmph!” Sandrone turned his face toward the lens, though her gaze was somewhat unnatural.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
“Happy tea party!”
“Click.”
The brisk sound froze the time of this moment.
“It’s taken.” Columbina retrieved the Kamera, examining the gradually developing photo paper.
“Let me see!” Tartaglia crowded forward first.
In the photo, he was grinning broadly, making a casual yet flamboyant gesture.
Capitano stood straight, resembling a calm mountain.
Arlecchino crossed his hands in front of his chest, chin slightly lifted.
Pulonia stood silently in the background, like a solid shadow.
And in the front — Columbina tilted his head leaning against Sandrone’s shoulder, a gentle arc rippling at the corners of his lips; while Sandrone clutched his skirt hem with both hands, a trace of imperceptible panic flashing across his expression.
After looking at it, Tartaglia showed an I-knew-it smile.
“Not bad.” Arlecchino had walked close at some point, glanced at the photo, and smiled slightly at Columbina.
“Delete it!
Delete it!
Quickly delete it for me!” Sandrone rushed forward then to snatch the photo, but was nimbly evaded by Columbina.
“That won’t do, I’m going to treasure it well.” Columbina laughed.
It was so humiliating.
Everyone looked toward Sandrone, and a faint blush quickly rose on her face.
“Hahahaha—”
A wave of kind laughter sounded at the tea party.
Today’s tea party was really happy.
Drinking tea together, sharing snacks, playing games, and finally leaving a group photo.
Sandrone, you think so too, right?
Columbina looked toward Sandrone, who had sat back in her original position and was drinking tea sullenly by herself.
The liveliness gradually subsided, and the tea party finally returned to silence.
“It’s time to disperse.” Arlecchino put down his teacup, tone calm.
Capitano nodded, his heavy cloak flying up as he turned around, and he left first with steady steps.
Tartaglia waved at Columbina, blinked at Sandrone, and with the youthful vigor characteristic of a young man, disappeared into the corner of the garden corridor in a few steps.
“I should be leaving too, Sandrone.” Columbina tidied his hem, and smiled slightly at her.
“Wait, Columbina.” Just as Columbina was preparing to leave, Sandrone suddenly spoke.
Columbina turned around.
The setting sun plated his ginger-red hair with a layer of warm golden light edge.
“What is it, Sandrone?” She tilted his head and asked softly.
“…Today’s matter, thank you.” Sandrone lowered his voice and said.
“You’re welcome, we’re friends after all.” Columbina was full of smiles.
“Mhm.” This time, Sandrone did not refute.
“Columbina…” He hesitated and spoke again, “Do you…
not have anything else you want to say to me?”
“Anything I want to say?” Columbina lightly tapped her chin with his fingertips, looking earnestly at Sandrone.
“Sandrone under the setting sun is very pretty.”
“If you could smile, it would definitely look even better.”
“Co-lum-bi-na—!” Sandrone clenched her fists, lowered her head, and the tips of her ears quietly turned red.
“Did what I said make you angry, Sandrone?”
“Angry?
Ha!
Why would I be angry?
Not—angry—at—all!” He gripped her fists even tighter.
“Is it because…
it made you shy?”
“Ha?
What are you thinking!
How could I possibly be shy!” Sandrone turned her face away, her voice getting smaller and smaller.
“Mhm, see you tonight, Sandrone.”
As the words fell, Columbina’s figure gradually faded, as if melting into the setting sunlight.
“See you tonight, Columbina…”
Sandrone watched the spot where she had vanished, and said softly.