As the wheels of the carriage rolled to a gentle halt, they saw the cool embrace of night enveloping the beautifully crafted festival, the flicker of torches and lanterns casting a warm, golden glow across the bustling streets. Flavian stepped down first, offering his hand to Leesa. "Good thing we came right," said Flavian with a genuine smile.
"Excited for something, demon Lord successor?" came the voice from Leesa's consciousness, as she looked in the mirror only to find out how good of a job Weinne had done.
"Huh, you again?" thought Leesa.
"Well, yes, of course, the all-mighty God. Who else would make an effort to talk to you like this?
"U-huh, the Demon Lord?"
"Oh, he is too busy for that."
"And you're just too free, huh?"
"What!"
"Nothing. Why are you here anyway?"
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to the festival tonight with the crown prince as his bodyguard and while I am there I also need to supervise the festival to act according to how we have planned it."
"Is that all you're going there for with the handsome and gorgeous-looking crown prince of the entire Empire?"
"You mean the only crown prince of the entire empire? What else could there be? I guess we could go and enjoy ourselves a bit."
"Your airheadedness has reached its peak. The poor guy has been trying for so long," sighed the god.
"What are you on about?"
"There is not much really. You need to figure it out yourself."
"So you don't work, you get bored, you need to be entertained and you also don't help people. Why are you still able to hold your position as a God?"
"Yes, I like free entertainment, but I still won't help you. I'm a god; I can do whatever I want. I don't have to take responsibility for your actions or their consequences. Plus, it ruins my entertainment," said God coolly.
"Oh, so your only reason for not giving me the information is you would miss out on your entertainment?" conjured Leesa irritably. "Gosh whatever if you are not going to help, get out of my mind," Leesa got out of the carriage.
Taking Flavian's hand to help her get down from the carriage, seeing the night glow in the festive atmosphere "Yes, it is indeed good that we came, Sire." This relieved Flavian's worries about Leesa not being in a good mood to accompany him, due to the angry faces she made during their travel.
The air was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement, as people from all walks of life came together to celebrate the joy of the event. Vibrant decorations adorned every corner, creating a whimsical ambience that instantly lifted their spirits. Flavian was excitedly looking forward to their festival date.
As they moved towards the crowd, they saw an array of captivating art installations and interactive exhibits. Flavian and Leesa wandered through the art village, marvelling at the creativity and skill of the talented artists. They stumbled upon whimsical sculptures, mesmerizing paintings, and thought-provoking installations that sparked conversations and ignited their imaginations. One stall even allowed them to make items from clay, where Flavian decided to make Leesa a memorable artefact of their precious date, unleashed his inner creativity and made his masterpiece.
A weird-shaped brooch was the best he could do, though. "Here, my lady, is a present for you," mustered Flavian. His face was flustered, and his cheeks were a bit red.
"Thank you, Sire," replied Leesa comfortably.
As they moved forward, their attention was drawn to the right, where a lively group of people swayed and stepped in time with the music. The rhythmic beats of the sound seemed to flow through the crowd, guiding their movements in perfect harmony. On their left, a row of vibrant food stalls filled the air with mouthwatering aromas, mingling with the sound of laughter from a series of game stalls. Their eyes caught each other, "Would you like to go and eat my lady?" suggested Flavian fully aware of Leesa being a food enthusiast.
"Well, I am not that hungry yet."
"I see, then let's go and enjoy ourselves to the sound, shall we?"
"Well, if that's what you would like, sire," replied Leesa. Thinking back on Flavian's great idea of merging with the crowd for supervision. Leesa nodded in reassurance that Flavian had not forgotten their mission for today's stroll.
Flavian and Leesa made their way to the rhythm of the music, feeling the beats reverberate through their bodies. The energy of the crowd was contagious, and they found themselves dancing along, completely lost in the melodies. From soul-stirring ballads to pulsating electronic beats, the festival provided a diverse range of musical genres, ensuring there was something for everyone's taste.
After enough overplay both of them knew it was time to refill their energies. Flavian and Leesa explored the food stalls, enticed by the enticing aromas wafting through the air. From mouthwatering fast food to gourmet delicacies, the festival offered a multitude of culinary delights. Flavian and Leesa savoured every bite, relishing in the diverse flavours and culinary experiences that the festival had to offer. While visiting each stall they bumped into Byrant, Leesa's adorable little brother.
"Hey sis, having another food expedition," said Byrant jokingly but soon that smirk went away as he recognised the shadowy figure behind her. "Good evening, your Highness," whispered Byrant, giving a slight bow aware of Flavin's dressing that he was in disguise.
"Good evening to you as well, Lord Marlene," whispered back Flavian.
"No, we are just surveying food quality and prices," said Leesa looking behind Byrant to oversee the type of food they were selling.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Byrant looking around suspiciously.
"Nobody is under attack, Byrant, so relax. We are just here to supervise the festival; that's it." Flavian looked revolted; he could not find words to utter. He understood all too well the reason they were at the festival, but he refrained from seeking a harsh reminder of the truth. Instead, he clung to the hope that they were simply enjoying a carefree date.