~𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞~

𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒜𝓌𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔

➪𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐦𝐢 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞
  ➪𝟏/𝟐𝟔/𝟔𝟎𝟑𝟕
    ➪𝟔:𝟑𝟎 𝐩𝐦

Standing before the mirror, the maids flitted about me with a rustle of silk and the quiet clink of jewelry. Their deft fingers worked to fasten the intricate laces and brooches of my grand attire, each piece carefully selected for the kingdom's most anticipated festival.

My heart yearned to abandon this pomp, to shed the trappings of rank and spend the evening in the warm, uncomplicated company of Elvira and Evan. Yet duty, as ever, held me in its unyielding grip.

"We're finished, Grandmaster," the maids announced in unison, their heads bowing in perfect synchrony before they departed with a swish of skirts.

Alone at last, I reached for the familiar weight of my sword. My fingers wrapped around the worn leather of its hilt, finding comfort in the well-oiled rasp as I strapped it to my waist. This, at least, was a part of the evening I relished - the quiet strength of steel against my thigh.

With a final glance at my reflection, I turned to leave, my boots echoing off the cool marble. The stables awaited, and within them, my trusted companion. Onyx, a majestic black stallion with eyes as dark and knowing as the night, stood in his stall, his ears perking as I approached.

He was the only horse who truly understood me, who could sense the turmoil beneath my composed exterior. Taking up his reins, I felt the familiar jolt of connection as I mounted him, his powerful body shifting beneath me like an extension of my own.

With a gentle pressure of my heels, we trotted off into the kingdom, the clatter of hooves on cobblestone ringing out into the evening air.

➪𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐥
➪𝟏/𝟐𝟔/𝟔𝟎𝟑𝟕
➪𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐦

As the sun's fiery orb dipped below the horizon, the day's warmth gave way to the cool kiss of evening. Yet even as the light dimmed, the night itself came alive. Thousands of twinkling lanterns hung with meticulous care along every street and stall, flickered to life, bathing the kingdom's festival in a kaleidoscope of color.

The air pulsed with the rhythmic thrum of lutes and the lilting trill of flutes, the music weaving through the laughter and cheers of the merry-making crowd. The kingdom's people, from lowly apprentices to lords, converged and mingled with abandon, their faces aglow with joy.

Amidst this whirlwind of light and sound, Elvria and Takumi wondered if their paths would cross that night. Fate, it seemed, had seen fit to place them at opposite ends of the festival, a vast sea of revelers stretching between them. Elvira stood at one end, a smile tugging at her lips as she watched Evan.

His face was alight with unadulterated joy, his eyes sparkling like the very stars as he basked in the music and spectacle. The pure, uncomplicated happiness radiating from him warmed her heart, a balm to the flutter of nerves within her. "So, what's the plan?"

Scarlett asked aloud, her voice rising over the din as she stood amidst the festival's bustle. "I was thinking we could grab some food. I also heard the king has an announcement planned before the night's end," Odessa chimed in, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

After a moment's discussion, they agreed and made their way to a nearby restaurant. The sign above the door creaked in the gentle breeze, bearing the image of a golden dragon. Once seated, they perused the menus and took in the lively atmosphere, the clink of glasses and muted hum of conversation enveloping them like a warm embrace.

Meanwhile, on a balcony overlooking the festival, the kingdom's higher-ups gathered to survey the event. The king and queen sat centrally, resplendent in their finery, their faces stern yet approving as they took in the night's revelry.

They were flanked by Octavius and Takumi, both young men clad in the formal attire of their stations. Their expressions, however, were muted, neither having wanted to be there amidst the stifling formality. Octavius leaned over to whisper, "Do you think you'll see her tonight?" The 'her' he referred to was someone Takumi knew all too well.

After visiting Elvria, Takumi and Donnavan stumbled upon Octavius awaiting their return. As usual, Donnavan hadn't been able to keep quiet, spilling the details before Takumi could stop him. "I hope so," Takumi grumbled, his scowl remaining, his eyes scanning the crowd below with a mix of longing and trepidation.

Back at the table, Evan found his way back into his mama's lap to be fed, a common occurrence she didn't complain about.

As they were finishing their food, they decided to go look around and shop. After paying for their meal, they started walking about, looking at the different shops that were present. Odessa and Scarlett picked out different clothes and items, pleased with their finds.

Little Evan was strolling peacefully with his mama; Elvira was walking patiently behind him until he accidentally bumped into someone. Taking a slight stumble, he landed on his bum. Elvira took notice and went to his aid quickly, picking him up from the ground as he started to tear up a bit from the fall. "I'm sorry," Elvira said quickly to the woman who was the same woman that clung to Takumi a few day ago, Lady Malina, as Elvria rubbed Evan's back and whispered soft words to comfort him.

"Ugh, he just messed up my dress. Do you even know who made this? Tuh, you probably don't," the Malina carried on, her voice dripping with malice. Elvira took this opportunity to leave, beginning to walk away, until she felt herself pause at what the girl had said, "I know you looked familiar, you're the cunt who's been stealing Takumi's attention from me." Now Elvira could take a lot of things, but she was never one to take disrespect lightly from anyone.

" And if I did, what does it matter to you?" Elvira tested, which caused the girl's face to burn up. Looking like she was about to throw a tantrum, Elvira decided to leave since a crowd was starting to form.

"And what's with the little brat? He looks like he's about to cry. Maybe if you put a leash on this little mutt we wouldn't have had a problem," the girl added slyly, causing Elvira to dead stop and emit the same glow as she did before as she felt rage run through her. 

A warm, golden light began to emanate from her body, her magic responding to the child's distress. The glow grew in intensity, illuminating the surrounding tables and drawing the attention of those on the balcony above. It was like a fire was light around her.

Takumi's head jerked up, his eyes locking onto the source of the light. His heart leaped into his throat as he took in the sight of Elvria, her form aglow with a soft, ethereal radiance. Beside him, the king's gaze narrowed, his interest piqued. It seemed the night had just become far more intriguing.