The carriage rolled smoothly along the cobbled path, the soft clatter of wheels echoing beneath them. From her seat beside the coachman, Maya kept her gaze fixed on the landscape. The sunlight danced across the rolling hills and rooftops, bathing Eldoria in a soft, golden hue.
She hadn't seen the kingdom like this in so long.
The familiar sight of cottages with ivy-covered chimneys, winding roads dotted with market stalls, and open fields brought a quiet ache to her chest. She remembered festivals past—before the palace, before her world had changed.
Inside the carriage, Princess Samantha sat with her back straight, eyes watching the scenery as it passed. There was no emotion in her expression, just calm observation. Her fingers, neatly gloved, rested in her lap.
Prince Alexus glanced at her, sensing the distance in her silence. Wanting to ease her mind, he leaned slightly toward the window and pointed out, "Look there—the lanterns lining the street. They say they stay lit through the night during festival week. It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Samantha followed his gesture. Her eyes lingered on the lanterns swaying gently in the breeze, their soft colors glowing in the morning light. She didn't smile, but she gave a small nod.
"And just over that ridge," he added, "the way the trees open up to the valley... it's easy to forget how much beauty lies beyond the palace walls."
She said nothing, but her shoulders eased slightly.
Outside, Maya sat quietly at the front of the carriage, her hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes fixed on the road ahead. The soft jingle of the harness and the creak of the wheels were the only sounds filling the morning stillness.
As the familiar outline of the town began to rise in the distance, her mind wandered, unbidden.
She remembered the last time she had come this way—not as a servant, not wrapped in silence and duty, but as a girl full of laughter and light.
Back then, the festival had been her favorite time of year.
Javier had been at her side, grinning from ear to ear as they ran through the crowded streets, their hands sticky from candied almonds and honey pastries. They had danced beneath hanging lanterns, tried their luck at ring toss stalls, and tossed copper coins to street performers. He had always made her laugh, even when she tried to act serious.
Before the sickness crept in.
Before everything changed.
The ache of that memory settled in her chest like a familiar bruise. Her brother's laughter echoed faintly in her ears—soft, fleeting.
Now she sat still and composed, dressed plainly, no longer part of the festival, only passing through it as a shadow. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, but inside her, the memory lingered like the sweet scent of roasted almonds drifting on festival wind.
When the carriage reached the forest clearing just before the town's edge, it slowed to a quiet stop beneath a thick canopy of trees. Sunlight streamed down in dappled patches, painting the ground in shifting gold and green.
The coachman gently pulled the reins, bringing the horses to a steady halt. Maya watched as Prince Alexus stepped out first, then extended a hand to help Princess Samantha down from the carriage. She descended gracefully, her expression unreadable. Maya followed, climbing down from the front, her boots crunching softly against the leaf-strewn earth.
Two guards stood waiting just beyond the trees, already stationed at the clearing. They gave silent nods of acknowledgment as the small group gathered.
The coachman descended from his seat and approached them. With a respectful bow, he spoke quietly, "I'll return at the hour just before sundown, here at this same spot."
He tipped his hat, bowed once more, and without another word, turned back to the carriage. The horses snorted and shuffled as he climbed back into place. A soft whistle, a gentle flick of the reins—and the carriage began its slow, steady journey back toward the palace, the sound of wheels fading into the trees.
The forest clearing now held only five figures: Maya, Princess Samantha, Prince Alexus, and the two silent guards.
Ahead, the narrow path into the town lay open, lit in the distance by the glow of festival lanterns and the rising hum of life.
Maya led the way toward the village opening, her steps quiet but sure, guided by memory and the well-worn path beneath the trees. The faint sounds of the festival ahead—music, chatter, and the clinking of stalls—grew clearer with each step.
Behind her, Alexus and Samantha followed. The princess moved carefully, her fine shoes catching on roots and uneven patches of earth. Her brows pinched with subtle frustration—she was used to polished marble floors, not forest trails.
Alexus noticed her struggle and offered his arm. "Here," he said gently, steadying her. "The ground can be unpredictable."
Samantha hesitated only a moment before accepting his help, her fingers curling lightly around his sleeve. She didn't speak, but her steps became more assured with his support.
The guards followed at a respectful distance, cloaked in plain clothes to blend in. Their eyes scanned the surroundings, alert but unobtrusive, careful not to draw attention.
Maya didn't look back. She kept her eyes on the path ahead, heart tugged by a quiet blend of duty and memory. Just beyond the trees, the lanterns of Eldoria's village square began to flicker into view, their warm glow reaching out like old, familiar arms.
Decorated in lanterns of every shade and shape, the village looked alive—brimming with music, laughter, and color. Stalls lined the cobbled streets, their counters overflowing with woven crafts, sweet pastries, and flickering candles. People danced in circles near the square, children darted through the crowd with painted cheeks, and the warm hum of life filled the air.
As they reached the edge of the village, Maya slowed her steps. Just before the first set of market stalls, she turned around, bowed her head respectfully, and said, "We have arrived, Princess Samantha."
Then she stepped aside, giving Samantha space to come forward and take in the scene.
Samantha moved to the front, her gaze sweeping over the vibrant crowd. The music was loud, the chatter louder, and yet there was something comforting about the chaos. No walls. No expectations. Just people—free and alive.
She gave a small, curt nod, her face unreadable at first. But something in her posture softened. The tightness in her shoulders eased as her eyes traced the flickering lanterns, the dancing townsfolk, and the joy that hung thick in the air.
For the first time since leaving the palace, Samantha felt safe.
"What do people do in the festival, Maya?" Samantha asked, her voice softer than usual—almost innocent. It lacked its usual command, laced instead with quiet curiosity.
Maya turned her head slightly, surprised by the question. Samantha's eyes were darting around the village square, wide with wonder as she took in the colorful stalls, the swirling dancers, and the joy that echoed in every corner. Her posture, usually so stiff and composed, now leaned forward ever so slightly, like a child seeing magic for the first time.
Prince Alexus chuckled, clearly amused. "You look as though you've never seen a market before."
"I haven't," Samantha murmured, not taking her eyes off the sights.
Maya smiled faintly, the change in the princess's demeanor catching her off guard in the most unexpected way. "Well," she began, gesturing to the stalls, "you could start by trying some food. The vendors serve sweets, grilled meats, warm pies—whatever you're craving."
She pointed toward a row of stalls where smoke curled from skewers and honey-drenched pastries glistened under lantern light.
Samantha turned her gaze toward them, eyes lighting up with the slightest glimmer of excitement. Maya watched her, a small tug of amusement curling at the corner of her lips. For someone who'd spent her life behind high walls, the princess looked oddly… enchanted.
Samantha, her curiosity fully awakened, tugged Alexus by the sleeve with more enthusiasm than grace. "Come on," she said, pulling him toward a brightly lit food stall that boasted a row of sizzling pans and the rich scent of spices and sea breeze.
The cook bowed slightly as she approached, recognizing her noble bearing even in plainer clothes. "What may I offer you, my lady?"
"I'll try the seafood," Samantha said confidently, her tone light. "With extra spice."
She took the steaming plate with interest, biting into a crisp, seasoned prawn. Almost immediately, her expression twitched at the heat. She coughed once and, turning toward Maya, offered the plate. "Here, try this."
Maya took a cautious step back, offering a polite but awkward smile. "Thank you, Your Highness, but… I'm allergic to seafood."
Alexus, who had been watching the interaction in amusement, froze slightly. His brows furrowed.
Hadn't the princess once told him the same thing? On the terrace at dusk, she had laughed—softly—and told him how she once broke out in hives after eating crab cakes as a child. She had avoided seafood ever since.
Yet now… she was ordering more. Another plate, this time with less spice.
He blinked, watching her with an odd sense of disorientation. Had he imagined that conversation? Or misremembered?
Maya kept her expression composed, though a flicker of tension crossed her eyes.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Alexus turned to the vendor. "I'll have the grilled bread and fruit stew," he said, pointing. Then, without a word, he passed the food to Maya.
"Thank you," she said softly, her fingers brushing the edge of the plate as she took it.
He nodded but kept glancing back at Samantha, the strange feeling lingering in the back of his mind—quiet, persistent.
Something didn't add up.
With her appetite satisfied, Samantha brushed her hands together and turned at the sound of laughter and drums coming from a nearby square. A small crowd had gathered, forming a circle around a group of dancers twirling to the rhythm of lively festival music.
Curious, she stepped closer.
The dancers were dressed in bright fabrics that shimmered under the lanterns. Their movements were quick, rhythmic, infectious. The air pulsed with energy, and the crowd clapped along with every beat.
One of the performers—a woman with bells on her wrists—caught sight of Samantha watching from the edge. With a broad grin, she reached out, took Samantha's hand, and pulled her gently into the center of the circle.
Startled, the princess hesitated, but then—laughing at herself—tried to mimic the steps. Her movements were clumsy at first, unrefined and stiff, but there was joy behind each misstep. She threw her head back and laughed freely, something she had never done so openly within the palace walls.
Maya watched from the edge, stunned for a moment by the image of the princess—laughing, dancing, smiling with real delight. It was a side of Samantha few had ever seen.
Next to her, Alexus's face broke into a wide grin.
Then, suddenly, he stepped forward and grabbed Maya's hand before she could react. "Come on," he said, his voice warm and full of mischief.
"What? No—wait—" she stammered, but it was too late.
He pulled her onto the stage, spinning her around into the dance. The crowd cheered at the addition of more dancers.
Maya tried to resist at first, awkwardly keeping up with the rhythm. But the music was loud, the lights were dazzling, and the air was thick with joy. Before long, she found herself laughing too, trying the steps alongside Samantha, who was breathless with amusement.
Tired from dancing, Maya stepped away from the crowd, her chest rising and falling with quiet breaths. She made her way to a small wooden shed at the edge of the square, where a few empty stools sat under the soft glow of lanterns. Gratefully, she sank into one, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
From her seat, she watched Princess Samantha still on the dance floor, twirling with unrestrained joy. The music had shifted to a slower rhythm, and one of the performers—a woman dressed in green with a crown of shells—smiled and handed Samantha a string of brightly colored beads.
"Here," the woman said, motioning to her waist.
Samantha hesitated, then laughed, tying the beads loosely around her waist as the crowd clapped in approval.
Maya couldn't help but smile at the sight—Samantha looked genuinely happy, her guarded royal composure forgotten for once.
"Nice being outside the castle, don't you think?" Alexus's voice came softly beside her.
Startled, Maya turned to find him sitting down next to her. He wasn't looking at the dancers—his gaze was on the open sky, then shifted gently toward her.
She nodded, drawing in a cool breath. "Yeah… so free," she said quietly.
There was a long pause. The music drifted between them. Laughter from the village filled the night air.
Alexus tilted his head slightly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You have a beautiful laugh, Maya."
Her eyes widened just slightly. She hadn't even realized she'd laughed—hadn't realized someone was listening.
She turned her gaze away quickly, trying to hide the way heat crept to her cheeks. "I—I don't laugh often," she said, voice soft.
"Well," he said, his tone light, "you should. It suits you."
Maya didn't answer, not with words. She simply smiled—shy and fleeting—before turning her gaze back to the dancers, her heart knocking a little faster than before.