Flavian's grin widened, a smile too practised this time. "Of course," he replied. His tone was light, but there was a faint shadow in his eyes that lingered just a little longer than his smile. He opened his mouth again, "Shall we start taste-testing, my lady?" to deviate Leesa from suspecting anything further.
"Yes, sire," Leesa puts the mystery of Flavian's expression on hold.
"Here try our meal bowl, sis," smiled Byrant brilliantly, who, in the tense atmosphere, was busy giving his best to bring a healthy and delicious meal bowl they had been serving today on their stall. "This one's yours, Your Highness," handing Flavian his share from behind the counter.
They both enjoyed their meal wholeheartedly. Now that they were too full to eat anything, they decided that this was their last taste-testing stall. They gave warm goodbyes and regards to Byrant and headed towards the gaming and entertainment stalls. This area was surrounded by laughter and cheers, blending seamlessly with the vibrant melody that seemed to make the very ground beneath their feet pulse with energy.
Leesa and Flavian decided to start their festival adventure with the ring toss, drawn in by the rows of colourful bottles glinting under the string lights. Flavian went first, narrowing his eyes in mock concentration as he aimed. The ring sailed through the air, landing with a clink just shy of its mark.
"Close!" Leesa teased, stepping up and giving him a playful nod. She took her turn, pressing her lips as she focused. Her ring, too, missed its target, bouncing off a bottle with a cheerful ping.
After a few more tries—and plenty of good-natured ribbing—they moved on to the dart-throwing cubicle. Flavian was up first again, holding the dart like a pro. He aimed carefully, throwing it with a flair that made Leesa grin. It landed far from the bullseye, eliciting a groan from him and a burst of chuckle from her.
"Alright, let me show you how it's done," Leesa said, taking her turn. Her dart flew straight into the centre. Leesa looked proud.
"Perfect shot, now that's how I want my commander's aim to be," cheered Flavian. The two exchanged looks before breaking into laughter, their competitiveness melting into sheer enjoyment.
As they played, the sounds of the festival buzzed around them—the music, the chatter, the distant whoosh of a carousel. They didn't win any grand prizes, but by the time they walked away, their grins were wider, their spirits lighter. And it was soon time for them to go back to the royal palace.
While Leesa and Flavian made their way back, the night sky erupted in bursts of light, the firecrackers splitting the darkness with brilliant, fleeting colours. The two stood for a moment, surrounded by a swirling frenzy of light and sound, as if the firecrackers themselves had celebrated their presence. The sky continued its glittering performance and without both of them realising, they had reached the corner where they had entered from and Leesa asked Flavian to wait till she went and called for a carriage to return.
Mesmerised by the mere show of the night Leesa found herself thinking of today's time that she had enjoyed and how she had always seemed to enjoy her time with the crown prince. A realization washed over Leesa, illuminating her perspective deeply. It was as if a veil had been lifted, transforming the world around her. This newfound clarity radiated outward, evident in the gentle, shy smile that blossomed across her face, a soft glow that reflected the excitement of her awakening.
Joy still lingered in Leesa's steps as she walked briskly through the festival grounds, the fireworks now just a distant echo. Her cheeks glowed from the crisp night air, and her heart beat lightly, carried by the memory of Flavian's laughter, and the light in his eyes that matched the stars above.
I'll tell him how much I enjoyed this night, she thought, almost smiling to herself. I'll thank him properly.
But when she reached the meeting place—a quiet passage just beyond the festival lights—the feeling that had stormed her heart so sweetly began to unravel. There was no sight of Flavian.
She paused, frowning slightly, her eyes scanning the clearing. "Sire?" she called softly, her voice hopeful, almost worried.
Only silence answered. The faint glow of lanterns from afar cast long shadows between the trees, their branches swaying slightly in the breeze. She tried again, louder this time. "Sire!"
Nothing.
Her chest tightened as a chill crept over her, her earlier warmth replaced by unease. She turned, looking back the way she'd come, searching for a glimpse of his familiar figure. But the path was empty, swallowed by shadows.
Maybe he's nearby… maybe he's just… went to get something random again, she reasoned, though her thoughts wavered. Flavian wasn't the type to leave without telling her.
Minutes dragged on, feeling like hours, and her heart began to race for reasons she didn't want to name. A muffled sound caught her ear—a crack of a twig or a rustling in the brush—but when she turned sharply toward it, she found nothing but darkened leaves shifting in the wind.
"Where are you?" Leesa whispered to herself, her voice trembling now.