Festival of Shadows
AURELIA/ LEXI
The gates of the Obsidian Palace opened wider than ever. I was transported into a dreamlike world. The streets outside glowed black under purple lanterns. The stone was slippery but not slippery. The air was filled with smoke and spices, swirling as lavender swirls from every stall and chimney. Horned merchants shouted in the rapid, hoarse tones of the Underworld.
I couldn't believe it. This part of the palace outside was so different from what I had seen from my bedroom window. It looked like the setting of a dark fantasy movie. But to me it was super cool. I couldn't hide my excitement and amazement; I was like a child squealing with delight at what I was seeing.
"Grathen for your coin, Vaerling!" one shouted, waving a basket of fruit that glowed as if lit from within. Its blue skin shimmered faintly under the lantern light.
"OMG! You saw that?" I asked my three servants in amazement. "And that's too!"
Nyx rushed to my side, almost trembling with nervousness. "Your Highness, don't get lost!"
I laughed as I clutched my skirts tightly. The celebration was filled with sights I had no name for. Glimmerfiends flew above the crowd. Their tiny wings left faint flashes of light. Ashlings hurried swiftly past the people, silently observing, ever alert. Cinderbeasts pulled carts; their coal-like eyes glittered as they moved along to the music of the street performers.
I felt like I was at a costume party in a large, fictional movie world.
Kael walked behind me, silently. I almost forgot he was with us. People naturally stepped aside as we passed.
Shadow follows you. I heard a whisper from a passing businessman.
I felt it too, the heaviness of the eyes, the awareness that someone was watching me, but… strangely free.
The noise in that place continued. But when we got close, it was as if an angel had passed by, because they would suddenly fall silent. There would be no one left who wouldn't bow to me. From the vendors, the customers, the young, and the old. When I passed, the noise would start again, and the fun would start again.
It felt a little uncomfortable. They were happy as you approached, then suddenly fell silent when you were there. I knew it was human nature, but I still felt out of place.
I closed my eyes when I smelled delicious food in the air. I remembered the smell of street food on the way to the school I went to.
'This smells so sweet.'
I approached a stall where a horned vendor was holding a skewer of dark meat covered in purple sauce.
The vendor was a little surprised to see me approaching. He quickly bowed. I noticed the tremor in his hand as he held the skewer.
"It smells delicious," I said as I stopped in front of the vendor.
The vendor slowly lifted his head and stared at me as if examining me. I smiled slightly and looked at the skewer he was holding. He realized what I had done and immediately moved.
"Vaer-lin, Your Highness," he said with a bow. "For your taste."
His hand trembled as he handed me the skewer. I took it. I took a small bite. Heat and sweetness clashed on my tongue. The taste was delicious, and I couldn't explain it. I smiled and met Kael's sharp gaze from the corner of my eyes.
Nyx elbowed me. "See? Even the festival approves."
We walked through the market until we reached the rows of houses. Smoke curled up from the chimneys. The residents wore layers of tunics and robes, embroidered with silver thread like the palace fabrics, but less ornate, more… simple. Children ran between the stalls, laughing, chasing the Ashlings who flew by like tiny shadows. A cinderbeast passed by with a cart of glowing fruits. I reached out to touch its fur. It was warm, and it turned its head, and its eyes were amber.
"This is… beautiful," I whispered. I had never seen a world like this, not even in my wildest dreams.
"Careful," Kael said calmly.
"You know, you're such a KJ," I hissed at Kael. "Try enjoying it, so you don't look so bitter."
"Enjoy?" Kael sneered. "It happens three times a year. Same decoration, same food."
I nodded. "Ah, so you're getting tired, then?"
Kael's mouth opened, but before he could speak, I shoved the remaining skewer I was holding into his mouth. He was surprised by what I had done.
"You're eating it, and then you're giving it to me?" he asked in surprise.
I jumped up and glared at him. "So what? Grossed out by my saliva? That's your advantage, as if you've already kissed me with it."
I turned around and ignored any reaction he might have had to what I said. We continued walking. I heard my three servants giggle softly, for some reason I don't know.
We arrived at the central plaza, where the performers were preparing on a high stage. The dancers stretched their legs out very long. Shadows swirled around them like strange shapes. The music echoed in an uneven rhythm, notes that I felt in my chest instead of in my ears.
"Your Highness," Nyx whispered, tugging at my sleeve, "try not to look like you've never stepped outside the palace."
I smirked. "Relax. I won't embarrass you."
Kael's eyes were fixed on me, sharp and serious. He recognized me. I realized.
Then, instinct seemed to draw me in. I saw him: Sir Malric, walking through the crowd as if he owned the market. His grin widened when he saw me.
"Your Highness," he called. "Enjoying your little festival?"
I straightened my shoulders. "I am. Unlike some, I appreciate seeing the world beyond the palace walls."
"Really?" Malric smirked. "This is the first time you've enjoyed a festival as if it were your first time witnessing it."
I fell silent. I hadn't expected the princess to be a killjoy at the festival either. I suddenly remembered the vendor earlier and his reaction when I approached. He must have been surprised to see me enjoying the festivities.
'Wrong move.'
I glanced at my three servants, Morgana, Nyx, and Celetine. 'Sir Malric noticed, did they notice too?'
Kael moved slightly behind me. I didn't need to say anything; I could feel his eyes watching me, patient and alert. Malric circled us, examining, teasing.
Without hesitation, I raised my hand, signaling a nearby dancer. The dancers immediately began to dance; they spun in a way that made the ground shake under their long shadows. Gasps echoed through the crowd.
"See that?" I said softly, loud enough for Malric to hear. "Even shadows have elegance when they move freely. Something some people in the court seem to forget."
Malric paused; a hint of uncertainty crossed his face. I glanced at Kael. His gaze softened.
The performer finished his performance and bowed to the crowd. The children cheered, the merchants applauded, and even the fantastic animals gave a soft roar of delight. Malik's smile vanished completely.
"Interesting… very interesting," he whispered, taking a few steps back.
I suddenly felt nervous, as if something bad was going to happen,
Kael caressed my hand as we walked away from the crowd, a brief touch that sent a jolt of electricity through me.
"You handled that well," he whispered. His voice was low, controlled, but there was warmth in it.
I let out a small smile. "I'm learning. Slowly."
He said nothing; only his eyes stared at me. I couldn't read them, as before.
-
The celebration didn't slow down, not at all. If anything, the noise grew louder as the hours passed, with more lights, voices, and movement. The night in the Underworld wasn't over.
And somehow… I didn't want to leave.
Nyx pulled me from one spot to another as if it were her personal mission to make me try everything. Meats skewered with spicy sauce, crispy fried creatures that cut my teeth, soft and steaming bread filled with sweet and spicy food, I could barely count after the fifth place.
"This one, Your Highness—no, wait, this one is better!" Nyx insisted as she pulled me towards another vendor.
"I'm starting to think you're trying to kill me," I whispered, holding the half-eaten skewer in one hand and the other food in the other.
"You're enjoying it," she shot back.
…She wasn't wrong.
Nyx was surprised by what she said and immediately bowed and apologized to me. Morgana and Celestine did the same.
"You're serious. It was just a joke."
My three servants looked at each other, and even Kael frowned. "Joke, joke. It's not true, but it's funny." When I noticed they weren't getting it, I took a deep breath. "Let it be. Let's go for a walk."
I started walking again, and the four of them followed me.
I laughed, panting, as I walked through the crowd with less hesitation than before.
I was just… here.
I continued to look around. Even though I was enjoying myself, I was studying my surroundings. I glanced at my three servants, and they were enjoying themselves too. I glanced at Kael. After wandering, his eyes would glance at me from time to time.
Kael stayed close to me the entire time. Not interfering and not saying much. Just observing.
As I reached for another unfamiliar dish, something wrapped in dark leaves and slightly steaming, Kael grabbed my wrist.
"Enough."
I blinked at him. "I haven't even tried this one."
"You've tried everything," he said flatly.
"That's not true," I argued. "There's at least ten more—"
"The night is deepening." His tone changed.
The crowd was still alive, still noisy. A few figures lingered on the sides for a long time, watching rather than celebrating.
The heat in my chest cooled slightly.
Kael scanned the area once, sharp and calculating. "You should not remain outside the palace this late."
I took a deep breath, glancing at the rows of stalls, the twinkling lights, and the performances in the distance.
"I thought this lasted three days," I said.
"It does."
"Then why do I have to leave?"
Her eyes returned to me. Steadfast. Sure. "Because danger does not wait for the festival to end."
…Right.
Of course it didn't.
I hesitated, then nodded once. "Fine. But I'm coming back tomorrow."
A pause.
"I still have a lot of stalls I haven't visited. I still have a lot of food I haven't tasted." I glanced at Morgana, Nyx, and Celestine for approval. The three nodded.
We all looked at Kael, who had just been staring at me.
"That can be arranged."
Nyx immediately perked up. "Then tomorrow we try the fermented flame broth—"
"No," Kael and I said in unison.
Nyx pouted.
I grinned, turning slightly as we began walking back to the palace. The people parted again, but this time, I didn't shrink from it.
Kael walked beside me. Close enough for me to feel his warmth without looking.
And I knew Kael had noticed something. Ever since we stepped out of the palace's tall iron gates, he hadn't taken his eyes off me. I was sure that, in addition to observing my surroundings, he was also secretly observing me.
Even if I were exposed to Kael, he couldn't hurt me, and he knew it.
And for the first time…
I wasn't scared of this world.