130 Chapter 130: Festival

Annual Festival

The much-awaited appeared sooner than Hazel could have imagined. Hazel excitedly woke up early and waited for a long time before she could get dressed for the event. As usual, Delia was picking her clothes, and this time she chose red making Hazel grin widely.

Delia dressed her up and was styling her hair when she noticed Hazel fidgeting with her fingers. Delia looked in the mirror at Hazel who was biting her lips. Taking a napkin, she rubbed her lips and said, "Princess, don't bite your lip."

Hazel smiled and watched Delia reapply her lipstick. Her fingers couldn't stay still as she started clutching her dress while her eyes drifted to her door often.

Delia sighed, "Princess, don't get too tense. I'm sure the Crown Prince wouldn't break his promise."

Hazel nodded her head and smiled wryly. 

Instantly a knock was heard making her smile drop. Hazel eyed the door warily as if her enemy was standing right outside. Delia pursed her lips and said,

"Maybe, it is the maids calling you for breakfast, Princess"

Even though Delia said that she was praying deeply to be someone else other than that regular guard. She knew how many times the Crown Prince has let her down and this time she truly wished that he hold his promise.

Delia nervously held the doorknob before opening it to only let her heart fall. She closed her eyes in grief as she stood there blocking the path.

The Crown Prince's guard couldn't help but look at the maid amusedly. His eyes drifted towards Hazel who was staring at him dejectedly. His lips twitched when he saw the crestfallen face of the Princess.

Hazel exhaled as she started tugging her clothes and hair making the guard's eyes widen.

"I have got the message, so go back to your prince."

She mumbled under her breath, "I should have known that it was an empty promise again."

The guard lowered his face to hide his smile. 

He cleared his throat, "Princess, the Crown Prince wanted me to inform you that he would be waiting by the gate. He also said that we can eat at the stalls today."

Hazel froze and gaped at the guard who was gazing at the ground. The guard tried to hide his smile and thought

'The princess is so adorable'

The guard was taken aback when he heard a squeal suddenly and a force pushing him out of the way. He staggered back and held onto the door before chuckling at the figure rushing down the hallway.

Hazel skipped to the hallway and greeted the people as she passed. The guards and maids laughed as they saw life in the princess. Finally, the castle is coming back to life.

She stopped and panted while holding the door. She raised her eyes when she had enough air in her system and saw her brother chatting with a few guards. Hezekiah noticed a figure by the door and turned his head to her with a huge grin on his face. 

Hazel didn't know how wide her smile was as she ran towards her brother and slammed her body against his. Hezekiah caught her and murmured, "Caught you, Freya"

Hazel threw her arms around his neck and snuggled into his embrace and said

"I love you brother"

And all she heard in return was chuckles and something soft on her hair.

....

Music filled the air, festive beats lifted the spirits and made the people want to move, jump, and sing. Bold yellows, magenta, cyan, and emerald green, sequins were sparkling in the brilliant afternoon sun and feathers of every color. Wherever you looked there were painted faces and masks, The stilt walkers marched down the middle of the crowd blowing bubbles or waving as they went. Food sellers weaved through the mass of onlookers and the aroma of their wares perfumed the air. 

Amidst the crowd, two cloaked figures were walking towards the center of the city with a certain number of guards following them from a distance. Hezekiah chuckled as he leaned in and whispered, "Freya, close your mouth."

Hazel was gaping at her surroundings in awe and surprise. Was this the same city she visited weeks ago? She didn't know. Somehow everything changed into colorful. Hazel walked excitedly only to be held back by Hezekiah.

Hezekiah shook his head and said, "Remember, no running off."

Hazel rolled her eyes at him but stood by his side obediently. She didn't want to get lost in the crowd and lose her way. Suddenly the aroma of food wafted towards her nose that she sniffed the air and looked at the sellers in greed.

Since she didn't have dinner, her stomach complained and growled loudly making her tug her cloak. She pulled her brother's hand who chuckled at the hunger in her eyes. Hazel pouted at her brother and urged him to buy her all the food available making him regret his decision of having breakfast in the stalls.

Sighing, he patted her head and went towards the stall and bought all kinds of food for both of them. They found a bench and sat on it and placed all kinds of food on the table.

She eyed the food with hunger while Hezekiah wondered whether they could finish it all.

Hazel waved her hand as she said, "We are all eating it... There is no way we won't finish it."

She waved to her guards who were surprised and touched by her gesture. Yet, they looked at the Crown Prince for his approval before they decide to help themselves.

Hezekiah laughed and nodded, "Fill your stomachs, everyone. We will have a long day today."

Hazel and Hezekiah started with the same food which was bread with some meat inside. They looked at each other before they munched on it letting out a loud moan, "Mmmm"

Both of them looked at each other and burst out laughing. The guards who were accompanying them and eating shook their heads hopelessly at the duo. They wondered how their enemies would feel once they see this view. 

The rumored cold ruthless prince was nowhere to be seen as he enjoyed his food with his sister. It was only in front of the princess that he revealed this side of hers that would make all the ladies faint in joy.

Hezekiah heard a change in music and his eyes brightened. He stood up and said, "Let's go"

Hazel was still munching on a bun and complained to which he smiled, "Don't worry, they will bring this back home."

Hazel nodded and dusted her hands before she followed her brother to the center. Her eyes widened when she saw rows of ladies dancing gracefully. When she saw the ladies clap their hands, Hazel followed along clapping excitedly. 

Suddenly her eyes almost fell out from the socket when she saw two ladies pull her into the dance. She turned around to glance at her brother who was waving his hand while hiding his smile.

Hazel stood there amidst the dance group awkwardly. She glanced at her brother who was laughing out in the open which made her narrow her eyes. Hazel looked at her partners adjacent to her and tried copying their movements.

At first, even though she found it hard, later she got the hang of it as she danced along with a huge smile. During the dance, her hood fell back revealing her long brown hair. Everyone was awed by the beautiful girl's graceful yet fun dance.

Hezekiah smiled at her sister who was enjoying herself to her maximum. 

He sighed and murmured, "I should have brought her sooner."

After the dance, Hazel hopped towards her brother and gloated at her achievement. She had tiny beads of sweat on her forehead while she panted slightly.

But her eyes sparkled in mirth as she hugged her brother and remarked, "Today was the best day, brother"

Hezekiah smiled and rubbed her head and promised, "I will bring you out more often."

Hazel tilted her head doubtfully making him pull her cheeks.

"I promise... I will not break any more promises."

Hazel went on a full wide smile before her smile fell gazing at something. Confused, Hezekiah gazed in her direction and laughed when he saw her watching the sunset.

He shook his head at her reluctance to return to the castle. Hazel pouted as she didn't notice the time as she was enjoying the day too much.

Hezekiah said, "Let's return... We can come back tomorrow if you want."

Hazel looked at her surroundings in longing before nodding her head. She followed her brother who was leading the way when she heard a voice within the crowd call out.

"Freya?"

Hazel knitted her brows and turned around and couldn't see anything through the crowd. But, then she widened her eyes when she saw those familiar black curls standing at the other end. Hazel squinted her eyes as she tried to make out the figure but when she saw the figure move away. She unconsciously shrugged her brother's hand off and hurried in the direction calling out, "Wait !!"