Episode 12 of *Secrets of the Silent Witch* opens with Isabelle extending an invitation to Monica for a festival. The witch is over the moon with joy, yet circumstances prevent her from attending right away. Thus, she promises Isabelle that she will accompany her to the next town event.
Later, Monica dons an elegant outfit to meet Mary Harvey, the Starseer Witch and one of the revered Seven Sages. Mary is hosting a meeting with both her and Louis, aiming to engage in meaningful discussion.
While their conversation spans various topics, Felix unexpectedly becomes the focal point. Mary, famed for her unparalleled skill in reading the stars, reveals a decade-long mystery: she has been unable to decipher the prince’s future.
As their talk deepens, Monica receives an unexpected offer: Mary wishes to join her at the very same festival Isabelle is attending. This celebration, akin to Halloween, sees people donning costumes to honor the deceased. Mary explains her attendance is to perform a magecraft ritual, offering a sacrifice for the release of a macule—a dark stain of magical corruption.
Louis, however, declines to attend, citing exhaustion from recently unsealing a powerful magical artifact. The item, known as the Starweaving Mira, is an instrument capable of absorbing mana from the earth. However, its use is restricted to women; any man who dares to wield it faces certain death.
Meanwhile, at the bustling festival, a merchant schemes to boost his profits. Unbeknownst to many, he had once collaborated with the thugs who attempted to rob the school during the incident where Casey rescued Monica. Despite this, he does not appear as malevolent as his former associates and was unaware of their true intentions.
Noticing the high demand for glimpses of the Starweaving Mira, the merchant devises a plan to craft and sell a counterfeit version. His reasoning is simple: if it looks cheap and unremarkable, no one can accuse him of wrongdoing.
When Monica arrived at the festival, her eyes were immediately drawn to the prince, his face concealed beneath an enigmatic mask. Yet, amidst the throngs of people milling about in a dizzying whirl of colors and sounds, she found herself unable to approach him again. Before she knew it, she was swallowed by the crowd and hopelessly lost.
Just then, Bartholomeus, a kind-hearted merchant, spotted her weeping amidst the chaos. He refused to simply pass her by and instead offered his assistance, promising to help her locate her friend. As they chatted, the festival's purpose—to honor the departed—became a topic of conversation, and just then, Felix stumbled upon her.
This encounter stirred up a whirlwind of emotions in Monica. She knew she should maintain a safe distance to protect him, but somehow, she found herself lingering by his side. She discovered that he was attending the festival alone, prompting him to inquire if she, too, was on her own.
Monica, caught off guard, struggled to concoct a believable lie. Her inability to deceive became apparent as she claimed to be a mischievous soul who thrived on the nightlife, asserting that she had come to the festival of her own accord. Felix, amused by the notion of the typically shy girl embodying such a wild persona, extended an invitation for them to enjoy the festivities together.
Felix then led her to a club where he intended to procure costumes for her. While one of the workers there assisted Monica in getting dressed, Felix engaged in a conversation with Madam Cassandra, the establishment's proprietor. She handed him a stack of letters from disgruntled nobles, all expressing their disdain for Duke Clockford. When questioned about whether he would require her services again, Felix merely chuckled and reached into his pocket, withdrawing a bag of money.
With Monica now donning a whimsical squirrel costume, they ventured out to immerse themselves in the festival's delights. Their first stop was a jewelry stall, where Felix purchased a necklace imbued with a protection spell from one of the Seven Sages. He inquired if Monica desired anything for herself, but she, lost in nostalgia, asked if he remembered their initial encounter. To her, the nuts he had helped her gather from the ground held far greater value than any trinket or gem. His smile at her sentiment was warm and genuine.
Despite this, Felix was determined to buy her something as a token of their time together, so he settled on purchasing a loaf of bread for them to share. As they munched and chatted, he posed a question to Monica: Was she afraid of people? However, Monica, lost in her own thoughts, worried that she had inadvertently hurt his feelings and found herself unable to formulate a response.
But Felix remains unperturbed. He suggests that she ought to think of him as a mere specter; after all, they are attending a festival where the departed can seemingly spring back to life. The girl's face lights up with joy, though she remains mute, unable to utter a single word. Determined to lift the spirits of the moment, the prince decides to step outside briefly in search of a refreshing drink.
Just then, Ryn makes an entrance, approaching the girl with Mary's familiar companion—an owl. Alas, the owl bears an ominous message for Monica: the Starweaving Mira has been stolen.
