18 Festival I

"Don't you have anything to say?"

Rhys finally meets my eyes, giving me a look of uncertainty and making me breathe out a conceded sigh. We've been sitting in silence since we left, with Rhys keeping his eyes only on the window like he's trying to avoid me. This guy excitedly invited me to the festival, and now that we're on our way, he's sulking.

"Seriously?" I tilt my head, blinking at him.

Then he flicks his fingers as if he finally got it and looks straight at me, "sorry for beating you up; it's not my fault you're an awful opponent."

My mouth hangs open, "you are unbelievable; that doesn't even sound sincere at all," my face contorted, and he chuckles.

The carriage abruptly turns, taking us by surprise, and we go sideways with the wagon. Rhys hisses when he bumps his head on the window side, letting out a soft thud.

I place both my hands down on the seat to keep me steady when the wagon jumps harshly over a rock. Because of Rhys' incredibly tall height, his head bumps yet again on the ceiling, with this time an even louder thud.

"Hey coachman, keep it steady," he chided, turning behind him towards the coachman. I giggle, seeing Rhys rubbing his head and ruffling his already messy blonde hair.

"Now that's karma," I tease, and he glares, "he won't hear you through the glass, you fool," This carriage is completely sealed, blocking noises from the outside or inside.

Rhys opens his mouth, about to let out unnecessary remarks when I shush him in time. My eyes go wide of the sight ahead of us.

My cheeks touch the window as I giddily look outside, seeing the brilliant town. As towns are usually small and crowded, the town spread wide with broad streets and multiple wooden houses that could go up to three floors sticking together.

In the center of the town, a tall tower made of stones with a big bell at the very top. The town is also fenced with brick walls much higher than the castle fences. My eyes sparkle as we are nearing the town's entrance, the gates wide open, inviting anyone who wishes to join the festival.

"Put on your cloak," Rhys orders. I unfold the black cloak, swinging it behind me and buttoning it to secure it. Rhys does the same with a brown cloak.

My attention goes back outside, the carriage moving past the tall arched bricked entryway of the town with metal gates open. The first few houses come into view. They are well-built wooden houses with window boxes filled with all sorts of colorful flowers. The street is lit with streetlamps and wall sconce from the houses.

I try to spot creatures walking about, but the street is empty. As the carriage goes further inside the town, my eyes go round, spotting a child with his parents carrying what looks like a blue lantern as they appear out of their house. I scan their features to realize that they look like ordinary humans. I keep my eyes on them until we turn away from the houses and reach a big crowded space surrounding the bell tower.

"Wow," I gasped out loud, seeing multiple wooden stalls selling lanterns, dresses, weapons, food, and all sorts of stuff. We pass by an open hall filled with familiar creatures on foot and some that are flying. They were happily dancing and feasting on the banquet table on the side. This is where the festival takes place.

This carriage is indeed soundproof. With all that's going on outside, there isn't anything I can hear from the inside. I feel my excitement ignite. I'm eager to step outside when we turn to another empty street full of houses away from where the festival is happening.

I look at Rhys with confusion plastered on my face, "wait, where are we heading?"

"We have to park the carriage in a much safer place," he responds. I look outside to see carriages neatly parked in one straight line. Eventually, our carriage comes into a complete stop at the only vacant lot beside a willow tree.

The wagon shakes as the coachman drops down from his seat. He opens the door, and I can finally hear the distant sound of blaring music. Rhys hops out of the wagon and holds his hand out for me. I take his hand, thanking him before going down. It was a bumpy ride all the way here, but I enjoyed being in that beautiful carriage.

I look up, my eyes sparkling, seeing various small flags hanging from houses to houses in different shades of blue. The moon is as blue as they say, still shying behind dark clouds. The street we are in is not far from where the festival is being held, but it is a quiet and lifeless street. No one is around, and only a few carriages are parked.

I start walking, following the sound of music, when Rhys tugs on my shoulder and faces me towards him. I raise a brow at him, and he reaches for my hood, lifting it and resting it on my head, concealing my face.

"Never take your hood off," he says sternly.

I nod at him, "okay-okay, now can we go?" and I take his hands on mine, which felt cold as ice, but I shoved the thought away and dragged Rhys towards the end of the street where the lights shine bright and beautiful music blasted.

---

We reached the event location. Out of curiosity, I went straight towards the stall decorated with fairy lights that sell cakes for a piece of blueberry cheesecake that caught my attention while I was in the carriage.

I come face to face with an old-looking lady in charge of the stall. My eyes drift towards her ears to find them round like mine, then tilt my head to take a peek of her back and fine it wingless. She's human.

"Is there something behind me?" she asks, looking behind her to find nothing and then back to me. She smiles sweetly at me. She must be a kind lady.

I wave my hands in front of me, "oh no-no, I was just- I thought there were flies?" I try to say, but it came out more like a question, and I feel my cheeks warming from embarrassment.

"Oh, they are fruit flies because of Hubert's stash of fruits," she laughs, pointing at the stall behind her that sells fruit juices, "anyways, what delicious cake do you fancy, my dear? I have a lemon cake, blueberry cheesecake, and garden triple-layered cake, and of course people's favorite, Tinker's famous chocolate cake!"

I give her the brightest smile for that sweet introduction, "I'd like a blueberry cheesecake, please."

"Why, of course, do you want me to box it for you?" she asks, and I shake my head a no, "alright dear," she says before tapping her unlit rusty lamp, and it magically lights up.

I gasp, stunned.

They have magical abilities; they're not normal humans. Then I recall the origin of the center realm when Bohr gifted the power of nature to humans. So everyone here has different types of abilities.

I open my mouth about to ask the kind lady about her ability when she looks up, waving towards a person behind me, "Frida! How did you like the new wagon my husband made?"

"It makes delivering weapons much easier; your husband is undoubtedly the best of tinkers," a lady with an accent speaks behind me. I hear the stomps of her boots coming near until I feel her presence beside me. I turn towards the lady, about to greet her, when I see no one.

"Psst down here," I hear her again, and I look down to see a female dwarf wearing a leather armored dress with leather boots, a brown bag strapped around her waist, and she holds a hammer, "never seen a dwarf-"

She stops mid-sentence as soon as she catches sight of my face. With a slight smile, I bow my head greeting her, "Hello ma'am."

Frida squints her eyes, her gaze towards my face as if she's trying to recognize me. I fiddle with my fingers feeling uncomfortable with her stare, but I keep the smile on my face.

"Here you go, dear," I look back towards the lady, thanking her as she hands me a green plate made of leaves together with a small iron fork, "that will be four silver coins."

And I forgot that I have no money with me, "hold on," I say nervously, looking left and right. Do I take the cake and go? No, that's a terrible idea.

"Here," a familiar deep voice speaks behind me extending their arm above my shoulders to pay the lady with a gold coin, "keep the change."

I turn around to face the frowning Rhys and punch his arm softly, "where have you been?"

"Where have I- where have you been? You just bolted away from my side, and I couldn't find you from the sea of bodies!"

I thank the lady before taking the cake plate on my hands and walking away from the stall with Rhys still scolding me but is inaudible as I look back at the female dwarf, Frida. She watches me going away; she has that look of suspicion and surprise. My forehead creases. Does that lady know me?

"Are you even listening?" Rhys grumbles, grabbing my attention. I sigh, looking at him and then reverting my eyes behind him, where I see the stalls that sell lanterns.

"We have to get one of those," I beg, pointing at the stalls.

Rhys lets out an exasperated sigh, holding on to my shoulders and pushing me backward slowly until I hit something. Rhys forcefully sits me down.

He stands towering over me with his hands on his hips, "Rose, you can't just wander off on your own. Even in this crowded place, danger can strike at any moment. Blossom will have my head hung on the castle gates if anything should happen to you."

"I know, I'm sorry," I sincerely apologize, looking down at my cake. I feel a hand on my cheek, pushing my head up. I meet with Rhys' icy-blue eyes, which match the brilliant blue moon that already came out of its hiding.

"You look stunning tonight," he compliments, taking me by surprise, "even though you're such a nuisance," he finishes making me frown, and I slap his hand away. He laughs, taking a seat beside me.

"Finish up your cake if you want to fly lanterns," he says, picking up the only fork.

I watch as he takes a piece of the cheesecake. My eyes widen when he slowly brings the fork towards my mouth. I willingly open them, waiting for the cake, but this devious smirking knight turns the fork away and only for him to take the first bite.

My eyes flared, snatching the fork away from, "you-"