Main Market, Arian Core — Main Plaza
A wide-open square, ringed by merchant stalls and old stone buildings, the air usually alive with the chatter of trade. At its centre stood a fountain, old yet elegant — the plaza's defining landmark.
Flora frowned, looking tense as she followed behind Evelina. "You know, I said it before, and I'm going to remind you again. We should head back to the House, or else someone will find out we're out here."
Evelina smiled, her sky-blue dress embroidered with white roses swaying as she walked. "Relax, Flora. You make it sound like I'm an escaped prisoner. It's fine to enjoy a bit." She giggled, stepping closer to the fountain.
A group of three stood in front of it.
"My name is Adora Greyratt," the woman announced to the gathering crowd. She had light blue eyes and long, curly brown hair.
"We're here to celebrate the start of the festival with a song my children and I wrote for this happy occasion." She smiled and bowed gracefully, lifting the layered folds of her indigo dress.
"Oh, she's doing it this festival too — so lively," Evelina said, smiling as she stood among the crowd.
Flora stayed close to her side, whispering, "My lady, do you know her?"
"Not personally. But whenever there's a big event, she's usually there. Adora's a great musician — she plays in crowds to draw everyone's attention, then subtly advertises her shop afterward." Evelina chuckled, squeezing Flora's hand.
"Sounds like you come here a lot… How often do you sneak out?"
"Ugh… let's just see the performance."
"Tea, Boreas — let's start," Adora said, gesturing to her children as she sat by the fountain's edge. Her fingers caressed the strings of a Lyra Crete — an instrument like a violin.
"Let's do it. We'll help this time. I'm so excited," Tea whispered under her breath.
"I wonder if Adam is watching," Boreas murmured, glancing around before focusing on the performance.
The audience fell silent.
Hnnnnnng… hng hng hng… — the sound of the Lyra Crete broke the hush.
Tea and Boreas clasped hands and stepped closer, their white and black outfits sharply contrasted as they began to dance.
"Oh, my Seraphyx… is that a couple's dance? They both look so cute!" Evelina beamed, squeezing Flora's hand.
"But they're siblings," Flora said, raising an eyebrow. "I guess it's fine — it's cute seeing siblings do something other than fighting."
The music quickened. Tea and Boreas moved faster — spinning, bowing, embracing — their motions graceful and bright.
It was beautiful.
"Flora! Let's dance!" Evelina laughed, pulling Flora toward the open space near the fountain. They began mimicking the children's steps.
"Wait… I'm still tired from last night in the Brothel…" Flora whispered, but Evelina only giggled and kept dancing.
One by one, more couples joined in as the fountain's spray caught the sunlight like crystal dust.
"Let's dance too — it looks fun!"
"Adora's melody is so nice, I want to dance as well!"
"Wanna dance with me?"
"Dance with you? Ugh, no!"
"It's okay, I'll dance with you!"
Before long, the whole plaza was filled with people dancing in each other's arms, the air alive with melody and laughter.
Evelina laughed, breathless, as the space around them spun with colour and joy.
Adora's strings still carried above the laughter…
Sira's Bakery — Arian Core, Main Market Street
"Hmm, what's this? Adora's already started her performance?" Sira muttered, glancing toward the window where faint music drifted through the air. "I guess we'll miss it this time." She pouted lightly, returning to her trays of golden pastries, the scent of butter and honey thick in the air.
"The music and laughter reach even here," Tywin said as he entered the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. "We should go and enjoy a bit too, Sira. It's okay to close the shop for a while."
Sira hesitated, eyeing the counters covered with freshly baked sweets. "I suppose you're right. This festival is for Prince Orion's coronation… it won't come again." She sighed, carefully covering each dish before she began tidying up.
Tywin smiled, his voice light. "Great! Adam will be delighted to hear it." He chuckled as he pushed open the door, the noise of the festival spilling faintly inside.
Sira paused for a moment, listening to the distant melody — the laughter, the applause, the soft hum of the Lyra Crete weaving through the streets. "The festival will last two weeks, probably," she murmured, tying her apron. "But without Adora's music, it'll feel a little dull.
She quickened her pace, the warmth of the kitchen fading as she followed Tywin out into the sunlit street, where the sounds of celebration grew louder with every step.
While laughter filled the streets of Arian Core, silence settled over Aethercastle.
Throne Room, Aethercastle
White-beige walls enclosed the vast chamber, their surfaces gleaming faintly under the light of carefully arranged lamps — each mounted an equal distance apart, save for one that stood slightly offset, breaking the symmetry.
A velvet-red carpet stretched down the center of the floor, soft beneath the steps of those who entered, leading directly toward a raised dais crowned by three thrones. Above, crystal chandeliers hung in stately rows, scattering soft light across marble and gold trim.
On either side of the chamber, elevated balconies lined the walls — tiered seating for nobles and council members, their curved railings polished to mirror brightness. From above, the chamber formed a perfect symmetry of power and order, the air heavy with quiet reverence.
A man with a thick beard and a noble blue suit stood in the throne room, his clothes embroidered with gold and adorned with jewels. His black hair and green eyes gleamed as he watched the king approach.
"Your Highness, thank Mother Seraphyx that you are in good health."
Duke Glykeria sighed in relief and bowed deeply.
King Orios smiled as he took his place upon the central throne. "Just because I have decided to pass my crown to my son doesn't mean my health is compromised."
"My apologies," the duke said quickly, straightening his posture. "But please understand — I am aware of the injuries you sustained all those years ago in the Leviathan March. It's only natural for me to be concerned."
"Duke Splits," Orios chuckled softly, "I've told you before — there's no need to worry about my condition. In such matters, we must simply pray to Mother Seraphyx. Once He returns, my health will no longer be an issue. Besides, it's unlikely I'll need to enter battle again anytime soon."
The king's gaze drifted upward toward the glass dome ceiling, where sunlight spilled across the marble floor.
"And may I ask, Your Majesty," the duke said, following his gaze, "where are your guards? They should be accompanying you."
"I'm meeting with an old friend today," Orios replied calmly. "They're waiting outside."
A faint wind stirred through the hall — a cool whisper against the heavy stillness.
"So then," the king said after a moment, his tone quiet but steady, "what brings you here today, Duke Glykeria?"
"After the coronation," Duke Glykeria began, bowing his head slightly, "my daughter, Iris, is to be wed to Crown Prince Orion in a week. I came to speak with you regarding that matter."
"Of course. Ask what you must."
"I would like to discuss the prince himself," the duke said, his tone tightening. "Rumor has it that he has stopped leaving his chambers. I expect Your Majesty understands how serious that is for a man about to be crowned."
Orios sighed, adjusting his posture on the throne. "I understand your concern. But it's normal for him to be nervous before the coronation. I went through something similar before my own."
The duke's expression softened slightly. "I remember the day he first met my daughter. He spoke to me himself, years ago — said he had never met anyone like her. Their bond was genuine then, born out of their own will, not the crown's."
"Yes…" Orios nodded, his eyes distant. "He was rather taken with her. I had never seen him so alive."
His voice faltered just slightly before he steadied it. "But duty does strange things to men, Duke Glykeria. It asks them to trade pieces of themselves — sometimes, the best ones."
Glykeria looked away, conflicted. "Perhaps. Still, my daughter is worried about him — she says he's grown distant, quiet, and refuses to speak of what troubles him."
Orios frowned faintly. "I'll visit him soon. It would not do for the future king to lose himself before the coronation."
He rose from the throne, his smile returning. "But now that this is settled, I can't let you leave just yet. You're about to become my family — we should share some wine together."
Glykeria's sternness broke into a small smile. "It would be my pleasure, Your Highness."