Adrianna and Dmitri slept after a few more rounds of lovemaking. Since it was a holiday the next day, none of them bothered to get up early. When they woke up, it was already lunchtime. They woke up all fresh and happy. After taking a bath, they went to eat lunch. Lunch was an exotic affair since Adrianna was having it in the royal palace after a long time. Dmitri was spoiled for choice. He tried some of the best dishes he had ever had in his life. "Adri, I don't mind living off as your wife in the royal palace," he remarked and both of them laughed.
"That reminds me, when is the third stage of the competition?" he asked.
"Please, Dmitri, don't remind me that. I have just come back after finishing the second stage!" Adrianna rolled her eyes.
"I am asking because after the third stage the cowonation will take place. Only a few days are left…"
"Hmm…" Adrianna acknowledged lazily and finished the fish that was on her plate.
As soon as they had their lunch, Fleur came. She seemed excited and wanted to talk to them about something: she couldn't hold her enthusiasm.
"What is it, Fleur?" asked Adrianna. "Dmitri and I are going to the human realm.So you better open the portal soon."
"Do you know that tomorrow the wizard kingdom will be witnessing a Winter Carnival?"
Adrianna raised her eyebrows as she looked at Fleur. They were now sitting in the main hall. Winter carnival in a wizard kingdom sounded weird. What kind of shows and tricks would these people even put up?
"There is a carnival taking place in the wizard kingdom every five years. Tomorrow would be the first day. It takes place in the third level, and Isidorus was having a tough time arranging the security all around the third level.
"What? How come I was never even informed about it?" asked Adrianna feeling sad that she didn't have a clue about it all the while.
"Adrianna, you were so busy with the academy and the second stage of the competition that I didn't want to divert your attention. Plus, it was Isidorus who wanted me to stay quiet about it." Fleur lowered her head and headed, "Some people in the ministry feel that you are not the Queen yet and hence there was no need to tell you about it. You should be informed just like any other wizard or witch…"
Adrianna asked, "Don't you people announce about it months before like they do that in the human realm?"
"Months before? Why would we do that?" asked Fleur amused at Adrianna.
"I am sure you must be making preparations."
"No, everything is created right there and then."
Adrianna pursed her lips, as Dmitri chuckled. "Adri, you are in the kingdom of magic."
Adrianna smiled.
"Would you like to go there?" asked Fleur because she was keen on going there. It was so much fun.
"I don't mind… I mean, I have hardly seen any carnival and a winter carnival to add… But there is no snow falling around, Fleur," said Adrianna mocking the words 'Winter Carnival.'
"Oh! You haven't seen the third level. It is covered with snow right now. In the next few days, you will see that the snow has fully covered the second and third levels."
"That's very interesting!" said Dmitri. "What attractions do you have here in the carnival?"
"It is a lot of fun. We have sledding, digging during blizzards, navigating the roads in treacherous, drifting snow, races during high winds, and of course, lots and lots of hot food!"
Fleur clasped her hands and sounded so excited that it was getting infectious. "Please Adrianna, let's go there tomorrow?! Otherwise, I will end up staying around here. The Winter Carnival comes once in five years and it is worth all the excitement.
Adrianna smiled at Fleur and wondered if the latter hadn't had her share of excitement in the past few days. She looked at Dmitri, and all she wanted was to peacefully spend her time with him. She held his hand and interlocked their fingers with his. "Fleur, I want to spend my time with Dmitri. Why don't you just take a day off and go?"
Fleur sulked. She looked at the leaf in her hand. She was bound for the lifetime to protect her queen. "I can't…" she answered and got up to go. She created the portal and was about to enter it when Dmitri asked, "Can Liam come and join us?"
Fleur turned to look at him sharply, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Of course! But will he come? It has been ages since I met him."
"Well, then you should get him here," he said.
"Why, Dmitri?" Adrianna asked as soon as Fleur disappeared in the portal.
"Liam has been feeling under the weather. This is a good time for all of us to be together," he replied as he kissed her cheek.
Fleur was back there within five minutes. The funny part was that she was hanging on Liam like a koala and both of them were kissing passionately. As soon as Liam stepped out, he broke away from Fleur. He tilted his head to look at Dmitri and said, "Thanks, Alpha," and went back to kissing Fleur. The next second, they disappeared from there.
Both Adrianna and Dmitri were stunned. What just happened? They felt like parents of two very spoiled kids. They laughed and walked through the portal that Fleur had already created for them.
They walked right into the human realm. It was the market that Adrianna had previously come with Niiya and Ookashi. Her memories were refreshed. She circled Dmitri's arm and started walking the street ahead. She felt nice to be with humans. They were so normal, oblivious to all the magic happening around them. From the corner of her eyes, Adrianna could identify that there were at least ten wizards and witches of her team that were around the couple. She shook her head.
Dmitri guided her to the shop he had in his mind.