Chapter 1 — Princess Ciara and the Flower Festival

(Three Days Ago)

"Princess..."

I opened my eyes and realized I'm in a very weird place. Flowers with different colors and sizes were scattered in this bright meadow. I gasped when a single petal fell on my nose. It's raining of petals!

I picked it up and I realized it's a combination of blue and yellow color. My eyes widened with pure awe.

"Princess Ciara..."

I creased my forehead and looked up but suddenly, everything is blurry. Until all I can see is darkness.

My eyes fluttered open when I awoke from the same dream. Heaving a sigh, I slowly sat on the fur bed. I winced when I felt a tiny pain on my right eye. It's like it was pricked by something sharp!

I was holding my eye when the door of my room opened, revealing Luminstre, my handmaiden. With a ginger brown curly hair, and a pair of blue eyes that matches her white fair skin. She's small and thin, and at first sight, you'll know she ages not more than twenty. Same with me.

"Good morning, Your Highness!" She greeted but her smile faltered when she saw me and immediately went to my side. "Oh, what happened? Are you okay, Princess Ciara?"

I slowly nodded when the pain subsided. "I-I'm fine, Lumin." When I stepped down the furry bed, she assisted me. "What are the plans for today?"

"You'll be surprised, Your Highness!" She said enthusiastically. "Johanssen will be out for town to deliver sweets in Mr. Panchios' store. He tipped me that there would be a festival in Lamacre Street today. So, would you like to come, Princess?'

"You know I'd love to."

"But I'm not sure if the king would allow us this time. He told me last week that there were spotted Krams in the borders. It might be hard to convince him to allow us to go out."

Krams...

"I'll try."

After taking a bath, Lumin helped me get dressed in a light pink chiffon dress with white pleats. Silver stones gathered in the busts and little scattered on the flowing skirt. Lumin made me wear a matching gloves that reached my elbows and a 2-inched white shoes.

Then, she pulled me in front of the vanity mirror and made me sat on the squared leather stool.

"How would you like your hair today, Princess?" Lumin smiled through the reflection.

"Just the usual."

She nodded and started braiding my hair with the use of silky threads. I closed my eyes as I waited.

Praia is a wide country with four nations. The northern part is Praia Solitia, east for Ellinboe, west for Anesthera and our nation in the south is Uretah. Every nation consists of cities and kingdoms, and lots of towns.

Here in Uretah, our family has been the leader for generations. My father, King Lucas managed to maintain the peace and order in the five cities of our nation—our city Craggerham, the Los Tianos, the Averydam, the Pailietine, and the Mandalli.

We have three seasons. The longest is the winter. Summer lasts only for a couple of months, and the stormy season that brings destruction every year lasts for five to seven days.

My ancestors has managed to surpass the challenge of nature. But for decades, one thing never stopped. Evil. It was persistent like a raging wind knocking on your door, never stops until it opens and starts ruining everything.

When my grandfather became king, black magic was said to be jumping from cities to cities. They said, it causes minor damages at start, but it wasn't long when it became more destructive. Destroying, creating chaos to the lands, killing people...

No one really know what started it but people of Praia believed it was black magic caused by the witches that lived for centuries. Rumors said that one say it just vanished. No one knows why but the destructions stopped and in fact, the countries even lived in abundance. For the recent years, kingdoms are relieved that their enemy now is only envy and the feud for power. No magic.

The noise of metal clattering snapped me out of my thoughts. A soldier quickly picked up the shield and bowed at us. "My apology, Your Highness."

I smiled at him.

Lumin and I continued to walk in the hallways. It was bright because the sun's light passes through the half-opened lined-up glass windows. My gaze lifted to a batch of approaching armored soldiers.

"I guess, they're out for hunting again," whispered Lumin. I bit my lip when the soldiers halted and bowed for me.

"Good morning, Your Highness." Cassio, the captain of the squad smiled and neared me, while the others continued to walk. He's bulky and huge that he towers all over me. He has a pair of electric blue eyes that matches his masculine features.

I smiled. "Are you hunting again, Cassio?"

"Yes, Princess. News came early this morning and Krams won't stop lurking in the borders. We'll try to dispose them before they cause trouble in the towns."

"Be careful, then. Come home safe."

Cassio's smile widened. "We will, Princess. See you soon."

When he left, I caught Lumin smiling weirdly at me. My brow raised in confusion but she only shook her head and motioned me to go.

Krams has been a problem to Uretah since years ago. My father said when he met my mother, that's also the time when these dark and wild animals appeared. It wasn't really a trouble for the kingdom because for some reason, they can't invade the kingdom. They are always in the borders, as if guarding, too. But palaces knights knows better. They suspected they are staying low-key and when the time comes, they'll attack the kingdom and destroy it. So, whenever a Kram is in sight, they kill it.

I never saw a Kram in my seventeen years of living. But I wish, I won't.

The maids curtsied before they opened the large brown double-doors. My father was there. Sitting in one of the golden chairs of the wide library. His head rised when he noticed my presence, and immediately he smiled.

"Let me guess, my princess. You want to go downtown aren't you?"

My eyes widened and eventually smiled. "Good morning, too, father."

He chuckled lightly and stood up to give me a hug. "Let's have breakfast."

I nodded and when he turned to leave, I smiled awkwardly at Lumin. Guess, I'll have a hard time asking for his permission. I wish I can go to the festival.

*

The dining was litted with chandeliers that hang in the roofs and reflected to every glass utensils and silverwares placed on the long table. My father sat on the head of the table while I'm on his right side. Lumin joined us, too, who sat beside me.

I watched my father as we ate. He's a naturally huge man, like Cassio. His torso are muscular that his wardrobe looks all fitted. He said, he likes it that way. But for me, I feel like it'll choke him.

His face is angular and every details are prominent. From his well-defined jaw, to his firm lips, tall nose, stern eyes and forehead.

We share the same light green eyes and that's one thing that I really like. Although, I'd be more happy if I got my mother's eyes which was known to be the most beautiful here in our kingdom.

Maybe that was the reason why my father fell for her the first time they met.

He's the king and I know that he really took good care of the kingdom and the people that for years, we all lived in prosperity and peace. He got both the sharp mind and the soft heart that keeps Praia Uretah in order.

"Father?" I called when we were eating desserts now. "Since you already know what I'm up for today, will you allow me to go?"

He sighed and put his fork down. "Ciara, I'm sure you already heard about the Krams. It's not the right time to go to the town and join festivals."

"But why not? The Krams were never really a trouble for us, right? They never really passed the border. Besides, Cassio and his team are already there to take care of the Krams. Please, Father! I really want to see that festival. You know I like those and that only happens once a year!"

He eyed me for a while so I showed him my eager look.

"Don't worry about me, Father. I have Lumin! And Johanssen! They won't let me get hurt and besides that, I can already take care of myself."

It took a few seconds for him to finally sigh and nod. "Okay, then. I'll allow you, Ciara. But promise me, that you will come back right after the festival. Don't go anywhere else, especially near the borders!"

I and Lumin smiled in delight. "Thank you, Father!"

I haven't told my father about this but I like festivals more than parties. In town, I can see lots of people and whenever they saw me, they really made me feel welcomed and happy.

In parties, however, I encounter lots of narcissistic and arrogant peoples that socializes only to show what they've got. Girls only talk about their fancy dresses, new and imported jewelries and whatnots.

I was raised as a princess, too. But I don't know why I really found no interests in things the way they do.

And boys at the parties, they all just wanted to marry me. They all do. Not out of love, of course, but to get the throne of my father. And I don't want it that way. Though, I still have lots of time to find for the right man to take care of the kingdom. But while no one really appeals to me, I am doing my best to become the queen. I can be queen if I have to!

"There's Johanssen!" Lumin pointed to the gates and she was right, he's there! We mounted the waiting royal carriage and stopped when we passed Johanssen. I peeked through the window while Lumin went down to greet him with a hug.

"You look beautiful today, Your Highness." Johanssen smiled and bowed at me. I can only laugh at him. He's a friend of mine, too. And he's Lumin's older brother.

"Come ride with us!" I invited. The coachman helped him with the boxes and put it inside. Then they all mounted and the carriage started moving again.

Johanssen is a tall, slender man in his middle twenties. I became friends with him because my favorite gardener, his father, would always bring him to help. Since then, we became playmates and eventually good friends.

His blue eyes flickered to mine. "Good thing, King Lucas allowed you to go, Princess Ciara."

"Well, I've got valid reasons. And you know I want to attend the festival. What are inside these boxes?"

"Sweets for Mr. Panchios. He's gonna give that to the children in the festival."

"Oh, that's very generous."

"It is."

Suddenly, he took out a miini-box on the pocket of his black coat and handed it to me. "I hope you like this."

My eyes widened with surprise as I took it from him. "Can I open it now?"

"Sure thing."

I gently untied the pink ribbon and when I opened the box, I smelled sweet vanilla and chocolate. It's a cupcake with lots of sprinkles!

"Thank you, Johanssen!"

He nodded and we ate his gift the whole ride. When I heard voices, I knew we're nearing town. I peeked through the window and smiled widely when I saw some people were already waving at me and greeting me a good morning.

I excitedly climb down the carriage when it stopped in front of Mr. Panchios shop. While they're busy taking out the boxes, I went to the nearest fruit stall.

"Good morning, Yanabi!" The fat, white woman seemed to just noticed me and was very startled.

"Oh, Princess Ciara! You're here! Welcome back, Your Majesty," she curtsied politely. "Are you alone?"

"No. Lumin and Johanssen is with me. We're going to the festival. Will you?"

"Yes, I will, Princess."

I smiled and when kids and other people greeted me, I was really happy. I visited stalls after stalls and talked with the vendors. The merchants, the passers-by, everyone! Lumin and Johanssen stayed behind me and greeted the people they're acquainted, too.

I walked with them towards the center of Lamacre when the program is about to start. Streamers looks really colorful as they were blown by the wind above us. Flowers are potted and placed everywhere that made the sorroundings vibrant and lively! There are long tables sorrounding the whole circular plaza. Above the tables are variety of foods and I know they are all tasty and delicious. Townspeople prepared homemade dishes and that's what makes every festivals special. They don't just celebrate, they share as well!

It was a little crowded in the plaza and people are now busy talking with their friends. It was noisy but it never annoys me. It only made me even more excited.

I wish the king could come, too. But he's always busy with his responsibility. Hmm, then I'll just bring home some foods for him!

I went to the table but suddenly, I felt the same stinging pain on my right eye. I stopped and clasped my eye. Maybe I should really tell Father about this when I get back.

"Princess, are you okay?"

I waited for the pain to subside before looking up to the owner of a husky, womanly voice. The beautiful woman was staring worriedly at me.

"I'm okay... Thank you."

She smiled and eased a bit. "I'm Andrae, Your Highness. Welcome to the Flower Festival of Lamacre."

But after she said that, she let out a high-pitched scream and all I can see is smoke coming from her face and body. A beautiful smoke that opposed the beauty of her wailing. Her shrilling voice sent shivers down my spine the next thing I knew, my eye hurts so much!