Chapter 20: Magical Fair

SIENNA

The air of the fair is infused with magic—an intoxicating blend of exotic spices, sweet incense, and the cold breeze carrying the echo of laughter and the clinking of glasses in a toast.

Astrid pulls me forward with energy, her eyes shining with wonder at the spectacle before us. The night is young and vibrant; floating torches cast golden reflections on the colorful tents, which seem to ripple with a life of their own. Creatures from all Courts mingle in the crowd: tall elves from the Air Court in translucent robes that float with every step, beings from the Fire Court with glowing eyes and skin marked by living embers, merchants from the Water Court whose garments seem to undulate like the ocean itself. The order and beauty of the Earth Court are reflected in each tent, adorned with ancient symbols, wooden statues carved with superhuman precision, and crystal lanterns illuminating the cobbled ground with amber and emerald hues.

People glide between the stalls—some levitating gracefully, others wrapped in an aura of mystery—while the fair’s music swells in intensity, a hypnotic melody played by instruments that seem to sing on their own.

— I promised to make an effort to have fun, but I didn't expect to feel this tired — I murmur, adjusting my dress with slight discomfort. It's more revealing than what I usually wear, but worthy of the Earth Court, with luxurious fabrics that mold to my body in a way that almost makes me feel out of place. However, as I catch my reflection in a nearby glass, I silently admit that I look beautiful. Astrid, in her own equally elegant attire, shines with a natural sweetness that makes even the magical fair seem like a mere backdrop to her light. Still, the fair’s magic is contagious, and though my body protests, my mind is determined to enjoy this night.

— You promised to celebrate, Sisi. You can't back out now — she replies with a mischievous smile.

— I don't remember making such a promise — I say, but her look tells me I won’t escape this.

I walk with her through the food stalls, where the scents of roasted meat, sweet bread, and warm wine mix in the air. Though I try to remain on guard, there is something hypnotic about the atmosphere. For the first time in a long while, people aren’t looking at us with distrust or disdain. They watch us with curiosity, with recognition.

We stop in front of a candy stand, where Astrid stares, enchanted, at some honey-spiced candied fruits. Before she can say anything, a pair of coins fall onto the table, and a deep voice interrupts our thoughts.

— Two of those for them — says Bastian, appearing beside us with his eternal smirk of self-assurance.

Astrid blushes instantly, and I can only roll my eyes. Not a second passes before another figure joins the scene. Aldrion stands by my side, offering me a cup of mead with a relaxed gesture.

— A drink to your victory, Sienna — he says in his calm yet firm tone.

— To our victory — I correct, taking the cup.

We toast, and the warm liquid burns my throat with an intoxicating sweetness. I don’t realize how tense I’ve been until the heat of the alcohol spreads through my body, relaxing my muscles. I glance at Astrid and see her smile widen as Bastian offers her a piece of candied fruit. The way he looks at her is shameless, but instead of pulling away, she dares to hold his gaze a second longer than necessary. At first, the idea of someone seeing her that way terrified me—of her allowing herself to trust someone. But now... Now I want her to. I want her to enjoy, to fall in love, to feel butterflies in her stomach like in the stories we once dreamed of. I want all that and more for her because after so much suffering, Astrid deserves to know the sweetness of life.

— And what are the plans for the rest of the night? — Bastian asks, sounding carefree.

— I want to try the fair games! — Astrid says excitedly.

Aldrion crosses his arms, glancing at me with a half-smile.

— And you? Or would you rather go to bed and miss all the fun? —

— Oh, no. Now that I’m here, I’m not going to be left behind — I reply with a defiant smile.

**

The fair is a whirlwind of lights and vibrant sounds, a spectacle where magic seems to dance in every corner. Floating torches cast golden flashes over the colorful tents, and the music intertwines with the murmur of the crowd. We stop at a target game where the goal is to hit a moving mark with a dagger.

Bastian steps forward first, with the confidence of someone who always expects to win. He takes one of the daggers and throws it with impeccable precision. The blade cuts through the air and embeds itself in the exact center of the target.

— Not bad — I comment, taking my own dagger.

I spin it between my fingers, weighing its heft. The cold metal feels familiar, almost comforting. I take a deep breath, let my instinct take over, and throw. The blade flies in a straight line and lands just a centimeter closer to the center than Bastian’s.

Bastian raises an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement.

— Impressive — he murmurs.

The game intensifies, and competition ignites in all of us. Astrid, however, doesn’t participate with rivalry but with her usual sweetness, watching everything with eyes full of wonder and delight. Aldrion, to my surprise, joins in naturally, matching our skill. And then something unexpected happens—I’m actually having fun. I laugh, I relax, I feel the thrill tingling in my chest. Is this what it means to enjoy life?

Aldrion leans toward me with a sly smile.

— Where did you learn to throw like that?

— Survival — I reply with a shrug.

But he watches me closely, as if trying to read something deeper in my expression. We continue wandering through the fair, trying out games and attractions. Aldrion no longer stops to ask me; he simply takes my hand naturally, guiding me through the different stalls, whispering lighthearted comments in my ear that draw smiles from me.