Royal Temptations

Chapter Three

The ferry ride to Lebanon was certainly unpleasant. The howling winds left Rania's lips chapped and swollen. A thin coat of salt had settled upon her skin and left her itching to bathe. For once she was grateful of her father. The cloak she was made to wear was certainly making a difference but with the howling winds left from the storm, the grime still managed to travel to places that seemed unreachable.

After a horrid seven hours the trip had finally come to an end. They were dropped off at the loading bay in the centre of the city. The buildings towered over them as they wondered blindly towards the heart of the festival. An overwhelming feeling of contentment spread through Rania as a beautiful melody reached her ears. Lilith seemed to notice it to as she quickly pointed to the source of the sound, tugging on Ashur's hand in excitement.

"Look! How is that boy making those sounds Ash?" She smiled, jumping up and down in pure glee.

"He's playing the flute." Seb answered for him. "A musical instrument originating from.."

Rania tuned her brother's speech out as she studied the man with the flute. He was standing on a street corner, his talent catching attention from many passer-biers. Children danced around, an older couple swayed silently near just enjoying the sound the man managed to present. It was the way he played that entranced her though. His fingers seemed to dance along the keys, it was as if he had been practicing for years upon his age. Although his age must not be far from her own.

The man caught her eyes, pausing for just enough time to send her a heart-warming smile. Rania would remember that smile, for it was perfection itself. With the glimpse of his perfect white teeth, a single dimple formed on his left cheek, once again entrancing Rania.

"You're drooling." Seb teased, glancing between Rania and the musician.

Rania snapped back to reality, mumbling a playful 'he's the one drooling' towards her brother before continuing on her search. They needed to find a place to set up and sell their items. The festival was crowded making their task close to impossible. Rania kept a firm grip on Lilith's hand as they followed Ashur after he claimed to spotting the perfect space.

It was far from perfect but they would take what they could get. The crowd was getting thick, you could easily loose someone within it. And the impatient citizens were creating a stampede as they hurried around in a hundred different directions.

The boys set up while Rania made small chitchat with the old lady running a flower stand next to them. She was their only neighbor as an alleyway was on their other side. The old lady was kind to them taking an immediate liking to Lilith, as did most people. She flashed a toothless smile as she handed a bunch of flowers to Lilith, then letting out a breathless laugh as Lilith surprised her with a tight hug.

Luck was escaping the family that day. Three hours after they had set up their first customer finally approached them. It was a young girl that Rania was sure was more interested in her brothers than the wool she purchased. As the girl scampered away Rania couldn't help but be surprised by her brothers reactions. Ashur, the usual flirt of the family rolled his eyes before sitting down next to Lilith. Sebeen, the one that has yet to take full interest in girls let his eyes linger on her, studying her closely.

"Look who's drooling now." The remark Rania supplied sent a ghost of a smile onto his lips.

"What can I say? She's wearing the type of dress that starts religions.. I can't help it." He drawled out before turning away.

Rania let a very unladylike snort out at his honesty before joining Ashur and Lilith. She let out a laugh as she started to help them make daisy chains. Ash was already wearing one as a necklace and Lily one as a crown.