The Festival has finally arrived.The atmosphere felt alive.
Voices overlapping across the grounds. Laughters, footsteps, announcements and everything else is moving at once.
Stalls lined up the pathways, filling with a splash of color and activitys, clubs showcasing their works, competitions being prepared, and visitors arriving.
"This is insane!" Jude turned in place, eyes wide. "Was it always this big?!"
"It has always been this scale," Leontius replied.
"No way," Jude muttered. "It feels bigger today." He looked around again, then paused.
"Hey...Where's Luna?"
A brief silence.
"She had already gone," Leontius said.
"On festival day?" Jude blinked.
"Your forgetting things," Leontius said,
But Jude didn't heard what Leontius has said, he scratched his head.
"She's probably like this though... doesn't like going crowds"
Leontius said nothing.
Dormitory–Earlier
Soft light filled the room. Clara carefully adjusted the final folds of the gown,precisely and quite.
"Please remain still, Miss."
"I am."
"Just a little more."
The fabric settled perfectly. Clara stepped back.
"It is finished."
Lunivara looked at her reflection, for a moment, she didn't speak.
["It's this moment again..."] She breathe deeply, calming her self.
Clara watched her quietly. "You look beautiful miss."
A pause.
"Thank you,clara" Her voice was calm–slightly softer than usual.
"Shall we proceed?" Clara asked.
"Yes."
Arena Grounds–
People starts gathering waiting for the event to start, moving to arrange their sitting, voices overlapping, chattering.
"—HOOOORN—"
The sound echoed across the academy, movements slowed, attention shifted and the arena became silent.
"The Royal Family will now arrive."
Jude straightened immediately. "Oh."
Four soldiers opened the gates, and three luxurios carriages entered,with gold and red colors symbolizing the kingdoms figure, and 2 flags above the roof.
Figures stepped forward–formal, composed,...distant.
Jude watched–then froze.
"Wait" His voice dropped.
"That's–"
Lunivara stepped out the carriage, slowly, carefully.Not as a student,not as an assistant, But as a princess.
The gown was elegant, refined, and impossible to ignore, her presence shifted instantly higher, distant, untouchable.
Some of the students who recognized her began whispering, the sound of whispers echoed the arena.
Jude stared. "That's...Luna?!"
Leontius said nothing. But for a brief moment– smiled faintly.
"Yes," he said.
"That is Luna." Jude exhaled sharply. "And I've been arguing with her about paperwork..."
Leontius didn't respond.
A couple of noble girls gathered a meter away from their seat suddenly began talking aloud, as though intentionally making the people nearby hear what they're talking.
"Oh dear, look at her," one whispered loudly, giggling behind her hand. "A royalty arriving with absolutely no escort? Such a shame, not even a single guard to open her carriage door. It seems the rumors are true–the royal family hates their own daughter."
"How embarrassing," the other replied, making sure her voice carried. "If I were rejected by my own blood, I would have at least stayed inside the–"
Suddenly, the first girl frantically gestured for her to stop.
"!?"
When the noble gossiping girl looked over to the other side, her breath caught. Two men were staring deadly at them. The girls were instantly terrified. Panicking they desperately moved to the farther sitting,
"Jude"
"I already got it" Jude said, quickly informing the guards(sword club members)
Jude got back close to leontius standing near by, "Already done,"
Leontius and Jude watched the noble girls who were gossiping loudly getting escorted out of the arena, some of the girls were angry and some felt a shamed covering thier face with the fan.
"Serves them right" Jude said.
"Great work Jude" Leontius added.
Jude smirked.
The event in the arena continued, matches after matches, the royal family was sitting to their own room , visible from the people to see and the royals to see the match, finally the victory was finally announced and the king give the end speech.
"Students,honored visitors , and distinguished guests– we extend our deepest gratitude for your presence and participation in today's grand event. To those who triumphed on the field, we offer our highest congratulations, your victories today shall be remembered. It is our sincerest hope that theses matches have brought you joy, and we look forward to welcoming you all once more to the next festival. Finally, let us extend our royal gratitude to Prince Veylore for hosting this gathering with such impeccable grace. That is all."
The king stepped back, and the entire assembly rose to their feet, filling the grand hall with a resounding ovation.
The ceremony ended,–Backstage.
The noise slowly fading, her parents and older brother waited until the noise faded, he's older brother commanded the knight to go outside and let not anyone get in.
Then,
"Your appearance was acceptable," her father said.
A pause.
"But your involvement with the sword club is unnecessary."
His gaze sharpened.
Lunivara lowered her head. [How did they know?]
"It reflects poorly." Her mother added quietly, "You should know your place."
The words were not loud, but they landed cleanly.
"Raise your head Lunivara!" The queen said, but not angerly.But instead a hidden meaning saying do not Deign.
"Y-yes Mother" startled she replied.
"Cedric told us about your assistancy, I hope your not troubling them"
{Behind meaning:I hope your doing well with them}
Cedric eyebrows twitch.
"If I hear your name at the sword club linked to any trouble, you are finish here."
Lunivara lowered her gaze slightly.
"Understood."
No argument, no resistance, because there was none allowed.
The Royal Family got to their Carriages and the arena was already empty, each of the carriage carried each person's role, the King and Queen, The Crown prince and lastly for the princess...Lunivara.
Lunivara was the last person to stepped out the room and ride the carriage, she came back to her dormitory to change clothes first before going back to the main festival area.
Festival–
While Lunivara was walking, she look at the sides observing the peaceful silent but as she got closer noises began returning .
The noise returned–louder than before.
Shortly after–
Leontius noticed first.
"You returned later than expected, Luna," Leontius said.
"I had something to attend to."
A pause.
He observed her expression quietly.
"Nothing important?"
A moment.
"Nothing important."
"I see."
No further questions.
"No," Jude said immediately after noticing her. "You don't have to just walk up like nothing happened."
"Nothing happened," she replied.
"You entered with the royal family."
"Yes."
"As the princess."
"Yes."
Jude laughed in disbelief.
"That's insane."
"For me, its normal."
"That doesn't make it less insane."
He paused, then straightened slightly–
"I should bow, right?"
"Don't."
She stopped him immediately.
He froze mid-motion.
"We're not doing that," she said.
A pause.
"We're friends."
Jude blinked.
"Even now?...even though you are a royal?"
"Yes."
A beat passed.
Then he relaxed.
"Alright."
A grin returned.
"Good, Because I wasn't planning to change."
"You shouldn't."
They moved into the festival together. Jude immediately took the lead.
"Food first!"
"That is unnecessary"Leontius said.
"It is today...Let's go!"
They walked a bit further to the food area.
Moments later, he grabbed something from a stall.
"Try this!"
"What is that?" Luna asked.
"No idea."
"Then why–"
"Because it smells good."
A pause.
She took it, and took a small bite.
"It's good."
Jude lit up.
"See?!"
Leontius watched quietly.
Observing.
"Your highness"
A voice.
Velarisse stood nearby.
She bowed first.
"It is an honor, your highness"
Jude stiffened slightly.
"Right–"
He started to bow–
"Jude." Lunivara said.
He stopped.
"Don't."
A pause.
"We already agreed."
Velarisse twitched her eyes and smiled softly.
"Hello...Lady Thyselle"
Jude exhaled.
"That's easier."
Leontius and Velarisse stood within proximity–but did not interact.
No greeting. No acknowledgment.
Lunivara noticed.
["So... It hasn't started yet"]
She said nothing.
Velarisse waved Goodbye.
"I thought you didn't have friends beside us"
Lunivara stared at Jude.
"I didn't say we were"
"So why was she friendly?"
"..."
"Let's try that food over there" Leontius said, he pointed.
Jude turned "Yeah, let's hurry!". He began walking.
"Faster you guys!"
"Shall we" Leontius said to her.
Lunivara nodded.
And they walked again.
Through the light.
Through the noise.
Through something that almost resembled freedom.
Even if it was not.
End of Chapter 26