Fran

[Mihalis's Pov]

I was led throughout the village by the arm, Ayla pointing out all of the attractions and things they would do during the festival. People danced with flowers on their heads with bright smiles, singing songs of old, hoping to carry it into the future. The sun-filled with laughter and the fresh smell of food.

"Ohhh! Look at this!" Ayla shouted, pointing at a sign attached to a stall, it was in a language foreign to me, I stared at the sign but it only seemed like scribbles.

"Kami Cookies!" She said, practically squealing as she picked up one, taking in the delicious aroma before popping one into her mouth. "We don't have these at home, Kami flour is so hard to come by back in Balvior!"

"They have such a soft texture and just melt in your mouth! They're so sweet and smell so good!" She kept going on and on about them, her mouth filled to the brim with the Kami cookies.

"Don't just eat it, we have to pay first–" I muttered, digging into my pocket to pay for the cookie she just devoured. "Ten silver for a cookie just isn't right.."

"They're made from Kami flowers which were blessed by the gods themselves, so it makes sense, it says anything made with a Kami flower is sure to fill any adventurer in one bite!"

"Yet you devoured the whole thing…" I took a deep sigh before I parted ways with my ten silver, the sleeve of my clothes being tugged at.

"Look! Look!" She squealed, pointing over to the flower crowns that would be given to people without them, her eyes sparkled with amazement as she rushed over to get one and I followed slowly behind. She was like a puppy always going to the next thing without a break… I don't think I can keep up with this, traveling alone is way less expensive.

This would keep me up for an hour or so, constantly on my feet, constantly moving in the heat of the early afternoon sun before I finally got a chance to rest.

"Finally–" I groaned, sitting on a random bench as Ayla left to use the restroom, I leaned back, my hand planted against the firm wood. Though I feel tired, though I want so badly to go home, I also don't want this to end, it's weird. Why do I feel so conflicted?

"Yo," A voice called out to me, knocking me out of my thoughts, I turned, startled by the sudden interaction, just to see a man that had black hair that shone in the sun, and midnight blue eyes that would mimic the night sky.

"Hey…" I replied, still a bit weary of him as he sat down next to me.

"You're Mihalis, correct?" He pondered, looking at me with a stupid smile, I stared at him, my body tense and at the ready if he tried anything.

"I am, what about it?" I muttered.

He stared at me for a bit before looking to the festival, his smile not wavering an inch, "No need to be so tense, I won't bite." He declared, reaching into his pockets and pulling out a weird cylinder with something wrapped in between.

"What's that?" I pondered, looking at the weird item in his hand, he looked down at it a bit disappointed, before looking back at me.

"Damn, guess these haven't taken off much yet have they?" He lets out a soft chuckle before lighting it and sticking it between his lips. "Never mind that.."

He took a deep drag and blew out a puff of smoke, his gaze shifting to me as he spoke.

"I should probably tell you my name first, call me Fran," I nodded at his words, making a mental note of his name before he continued.

"I'm not here to cause a fight or anything, don't get the wrong idea about me–" He turned his attention back to the cylinder, taking another deep breath with the contraption inside. "–I'm just here to deliver a message."

"What message-" I pondered, looking at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.

"You're being sought after, Tomorrow, outside the village when the princess's on stage." he admitted, "I suggest you go there alone."

"What do you mean? Who's looking for me?" I got up from the bench, uncertainty clouding my mind as he slowly stood as well.

"That would take too long to explain, I need to go, I'm meant to be at the castle by now, I'm already late…" He rested his hand on my shoulder as he walked past me, giving off a soft smile before saying. "Good luck."

"Wait!" I shouted after him, Fran stopping and turning to me with a curious look at him. "What'll happen if I don't go-"

"I don't know, I won't be able to say, I'd say take it, less something happens to Ayla. Just make sure you don't regret that choice." and with that he left, leaving me to stand there and sit on his words, disappearing into the lively crowd.

"I'm back!" Ayla declared, her happy mood mellowed as she saw me standing there, her head tilted to the side in confusion.

"You ok?" She pondered.

"Yeah… I'm fine."

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[Fran's pov.]

"You finally arrived…" The king says softly, his long blonde beard covers most of his features, soft blue eyes aged with time staring back at me with kindness and worry. I stood in the throne room, the sun bursting through the window in a bright light that cast down on me, the walls lined with gold and silver, and the pristine red carpet soft under my feet.

"Sorry, Your Highness, I just got sidetracked." I turned to his daughter, who sat right by his side, she looked at me then looked away, unable to look me in the eye.

"Do you have it prepared?" The king pondered, stroking his beard, I nodded at his query, my hand behind my back as I spoke.

"Yes your highness, wouldn't miss it for the world."