The morning after Founder's Day was much quieter.
Greenhollow no longer carried the overwhelming energy from the festival.
The streets were calmer.
The colorful banners still hung between buildings, but many of the stalls had already been packed away. The musicians had left, the crowds had disappeared, and the villagers returned to their normal routines.
Yet somehow...
The town felt even more peaceful than before.
John stood outside the inn, watching the morning activities.
Farmers carried supplies through the streets.
Children walked toward a small village school.
Merchants cleaned their stalls.
Simple things.
Ordinary things.
Things he never used to pay attention to.
---
"You've been standing there for ten minutes."
John glanced over his shoulder.
Lythriel stood behind him, holding a cup of tea.
"I was observing."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Observing?"
"Yes."
"Or thinking too much again?"
John sighed.
"...Why does everyone know me so well now?"
Lythriel smiled.
