The Imperial fair

During the time of the Imperial festival, merchants from all over the Hetrem used to visit it's fair to buy or sell products. It was the greatest event in the economic life of people at that period of time. The market was nearly two kilometre long with two hundred artisan stalls and activities and it counted with more than sixty thousand visitors each year from all over Hetrem. Different stalls were established with all kinds of things for sale, from spices to rugs. Stalls were also established for selling snacks and small pies which people ate when they got hungry. There were some food vendors where locals had prepared dishes from authentic recipes which lasted centuries back. The choice was abundant – from sweets and homemade honey to sausages, cheeses and drinks. This Fair was also a good source of enjoyment for people, both adults and children. There was a lot of entertainment at these fairs such as Jugglers, magicians and dancing bears which were very popular at that time. There were also mystery plays and travelling entertainers called strolling players who told stories from the Bible. Moreover, this market organized workshops for children with a puppet theatre and storytellers. It was the most awaited event for all the classes, hence everybody participated in it. This was a market where dragons, goblins, fairies, nymphs, witches, monks and jesters used to gather to afford an unforgettable experience to both visitors and locals. There were more than hundred artists that entertained the audience with street theatre, circus, music and authentic workshops. There were a lot of games, music, dancing, and drinking. It was a cultural activity as people from different backgrounds used to gather. Almost all kinds of goods were sold. Goods included handicrafts, perfumes, lovely wood carvings, furs and delicious fruits of different kinds which were brought from different countries. There things were considered foreign luxuries and were mostly bought by rich people. There were also spices, cheese, flour, wine and meat. These things were mostly bought by peasants and artisans. Sale and Barter trades of cattle, horses, sheep and birds was also done by the people. Money changing facilities was provided by the money changers who changed foreign coins with the local ones at a cost. For peasants, this Imperial fair was a break from their monotonous routine, whereas nobles were interested in these fairs because they wanted to see and buy things brought from the far flung areas. The Imperial fair was a good opportunity for peasants and nobles to get to know each other. Children mostly came with their parents for enjoyment and recreation. Different kinds of entertainers, like jugglers and wizards, were also invited by some stall holders to attract customers and increase their sales. Apart from economic activity , this fair had a lot of arrangements for entertainment in order to attract people. There was music, dancing and drinking. Children participated in different types of contests and won prizes.

The street was lighted up like a newly bride. Anne and Angela were walking near the sweet bread vendor when Anne saw a man trying to snatch the pouch which was hung at the waist of a young lady. She quickly grabbed that man's wrist and twisted it like a dry wig. He started screaming with pain. " Lady, please release my hand. I swear I will never repeat this mistake of mine. I will never try to steal anything in this life of mine. " As she did not want to create a scene, she gave him a chance to flee away from her sight.

"Thank you. ", the young lady said to Anne.

Before that lady spoke to her, she was so buzy to deal with that thief that she did not even bother to look at her appearance. Now that she stared at her, that young lady was quite beautiful. She was wearing a black tight fitted top which was gracefully showing a little bit of her bosom, with a large tulip-shaped trousers. Golden chains were attached with her dress. Her mystic upturned eyes were taking more attention due to the short face veil which was covering half of her face. Her beautiful black hair was touching her waist. A sweet aroma of lilies was coming from her. Her apperance was quite unusual . Wearing a colour like black in the Imperial festival is quite a daring thing to do as black signifies death, evil, aggression, authority, rebellion, and sophistication. Wearing such a colour during a happy occasion was quite unusual.

When she was busing staring at her. That young lady asked Anne, " Are you not that lady who proposed my brother yesterday? "

Both Anne and Angela flinched. They took glances at each other's face. For a moment they felt like that their soul has escaped from their body. 'Brother? .. There is only one person who can address Caesar as brother and that person is... '

"Are you princess Caroline? ", asked Angela nervously.

" Yes. You are right. " She smiled while looking at Anne.

Caroline. The sole princess of Frostia. She got her black hair from her mother, who was the princess of Ethenesia. Caroline was infamously known as the poison lily. It was because of her profound knowledge in poison . Her favourite flower was sacred blue lily ,so there was always a aroma of blue lilies coming from her. Just like her intoxic beauty which could dazzle the eyes of a human, she was also famous for being a cold hearted evil person. There was a rumor that she used to take a blood bathe every month to increase her beauty. It was also said that she once poisoned a man which even eroded his bones, because that man tried to flirt with her. Together with her brother Caesar, they were known as 'Evil Siblings'

'God, was it not enough for you? I escaped from the strangles of Caesar today, just to fall in the hands of his sister?' ... Anne slowly whispered at Angela's ears with her eyes narrowed and a big smile ( it was hard to distinguish if it was a crying face or a smily face), " Angela, will it be better if we run now? "

She replied with a big smile on her face , " Run, if you wanna die. "

Caroline coughed a bit and said, " Do you know it's rude to whisper in front of someone. "

They quickly bowed and apologized like an obedient child who was just rebuked by his/her mother.

'Oh my, how cute! I think this Anne is feeling nervous because of my presence. She seems like a little rabbit, a perfect match for my brother. ' She started laughing.

Though she laughed due to a positive reason, her laughter was seen by Anne and Angela as a Tigress who was planning to pounce upon its prey at any time.

"You know my brother is quite shy. I think you two will look good together", she said to Angela.

'Huh ?! Have she gone nuts? That brother of hers is shy? If he is shy then I am gay too. ' Her face was like a question mark. Even though she wanted to argue with her on this remark of Caesar she resisted herself. Denying her thoughts were like a putting poison in her own eyes. Who wants to fight with the queen of poisons? She said, " Yes, he is quite shy. "

Caroline looked at the right side like she was giving a signal with her eyes. She then tilted her head and said, " I was going to visit the fair alone. Now that I have met you. How about you two join me? You won't deny me right? "

"Yes.", they stuttered ( ' Nooooo.. I wanna go home' Internal scream intensified)

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To be continued ~