The streets were alive with color and sound. Lanterns in the shape of moons and blossoms floated in the night sky, their golden light casting a warm glow over the festival. Music drifted from the square, laughter and chatter blending with the aroma of roasted meats and sweet pastries.
Eva walked between Eyan and Luca, the three of them cloaked and hooded to conceal their identities among the crowd.
Her eyes widened in wonder. "Wow… it's so beautiful."
Luca grinned beneath his hood. "It is, isn't it, sister-in-law? That's why I come here every year."
"It's more beautiful than I imagined," Eva breathed, then turned to Eyan. "It's beautiful, right, Your Majesty?"
His voice came low and sharp. "Lady Eva, you can't address me like that here…"
"Oh—" she covered her mouth and bowed slightly. "I apologize." She paused, then smiled mischievously. "It's beautiful, right… honey?"
Eyan froze in place. "What… what did you just call me?"
"Honey." Eva beamed at him, watching his reaction.
Eyan's face instantly flushed red.
"Did you not like it?" she asked innocently. "Did I say something wrong?"
Before he could answer, Luca burst out laughing. "No, sister-in-law, he liked it. Just look at him—he's blushing like crazy!"
Eva turned to Eyan's crimson face and giggled.
"I shouldn't have come here," Eyan muttered, clearly flustered.
"Oh, don't say that!" Eva said brightly, tugging at his sleeve. "Look—there are so many beautiful things."
She darted ahead, her attention caught by a food stall.
"Lady Eva, where are you going? Don't run off like that!" Eyan called after her, panic rising in his voice.
"I want to eat this!" she pointed eagerly at a tray of steaming dumplings.
Eyan stepped forward. "How much is this?"
"Two gold coins," the seller replied.
Eva's jaw dropped. "What?! Two gold coins? Mister, are you trying to fool us? That's outrageous!"
The seller shrugged. "My lady, it's the festival. Everything costs double."
"Then I don't want it!" Eva crossed her arms.
"Lady Eva…" Eyan's tone softened, though he sighed. "It's not that expensive. They need to earn profit from the festival."
He handed over two gold coins. "Here, take this."
The seller's eyes lit up. "Oh, thank you! My lady, your guard is very thoughtful."
Eva's eyes blazed. "He's not my guard—he's my husband! Mister, watch what you say."
The seller paled. "I-I apologize, my lady."
"Too late! You've angered me. Now I don't want anything from you." With a huff, she turned away. "I'm going."
Eyan quickly took the food from the seller and hurried after her. "Eva, wait! Where are you going? You'll get lost in the crowd!"
Eva scowled, her steps quick and careless. "I came here for fun, but that idiot ruined everything."
"Honey, let's go eat something else. I don't want what that man was selling."
Silence.
"Honey? Why aren't you answering—" she turned, only to find herself alone.
Her voice faltered. Eyan was nowhere to be seen.
Her chest tightened. "Eyan? Where are you?" She spun in the crowd, panic rising. "Eyan…"
Elsewhere, Eyan was pushing through the crowd, searching frantically. "Lady Eva…" He shoved past a group, his voice breaking. "Eva! Where are you?"
Luca appeared at his side. "What happened?"
Eyan's eyes darted wildly. "Luca, have you seen Eva?"
Luca froze. "Sister-in-law? She was with you! Weren't you two together just now?"
"We were," Eyan muttered, his voice thick with worry. "But… I lost her." He grabbed Luca's arm. "Use your magic. Find her."
"Alright." Luca raised his hand, his eyes glowing faintly as his magic swept through the festival. Within seconds, he smirked. "Found her."
"Where?"
"There." He pointed.
Without another word, Eyan bolted in that direction.
Eva sat on the ground near an alley, hugging her knees. "Did I really get lost? How am I supposed to find Eyan now?"
"Eva!"
She jolted up. That was his voice.
"I'm here!" she shouted.
A moment later, Eyan came running, his hood half-fallen, his eyes frantic.
"I thought I lost you—" Eva began, but her words cut off as Eyan pulled her into a tight embrace.
She froze, shocked. "Your Majesty… what's wrong?"
Eyan pulled back, his hands gripping her shoulders. His voice shook with anger and fear. "Didn't I tell you not to wander around alone?"
"I'm fine," Eva whispered, trying to calm him.
But Eyan seized her hand firmly. "From now on, you are not allowed to let go of my hand. Is that clear?"
Eva blinked at his intensity, then nodded.
"Good. Now let's go."
They returned to the square where Luca was waiting.
"You found her," Luca said, relief softening his grin.
"Yes," Eyan muttered.
Luca wagged his finger at Eva. "Sister-in-law, you can't just run off like that. It scared us both."
Eva lowered her head. "I'm sorry."
Luca clapped his hands together. "Well, now that everyone's safe—let's enjoy the festival!"
---
The three of them strolled through the lively streets, where music played and villagers twirled in circles under the lantern lights.
Eva's eyes widened in delight. "Wow… look at them dancing."
Luca grinned. "Sister-in-law, do you want to dance?"
Eva hesitated. "Can I?"
"Of course," he encouraged. "You should go and join them."
Eva's smile brightened, and without waiting another moment, she rushed toward the dancers. Her laughter rang out as she spun and twirled with the villagers, her dress flowing with every step.
Eyan stood rooted in place, watching her. A small, unbidden smile tugged at his lips.
Luca caught it immediately and smirked. "Eyan, what are you smiling about?"
His face turned serious in an instant. "Nothing."
"You should go dance with Sister-in-law too," Luca teased, giving him a firm push toward Eva.
Eyan stumbled slightly, then straightened, holding out his hand to her. "Lady Eva, would you like to dance with me?"
Eva's face lit up. "Of course."
And just like that, the two began to dance together. The crowd cheered as they moved gracefully in sync. Eva's laughter blended with the rhythm of the music, and for a fleeting moment, Eyan felt the world narrow to only her.
From the sidelines, Luca crossed his arms, nodding proudly. "They look good together," he murmured to himself, smiling.
Time slipped by until finally, the music faded. Eyan and Eva returned to Luca, both slightly breathless.
"Sister-in-law, did you have fun?" Luca asked.
Eva's cheeks glowed. "It was fun."
"Then let's have some drinks," Luca suggested eagerly.
"All right," she agreed.
The three of them found a small tavern and settled at a wooden table. Moments later, the bartender arrived with three cups of steaming spiced wine.
Luca nudged one toward Eva. "Here, Sister-in-law. Try it—this place sells the best drinks."
Eva lifted the cup, but before it touched her lips, Eyan's hand intercepted.
"Lady Eva, you shouldn't drink this."
"But—" she protested softly.
"I said no," he cut in firmly.
Eva pouted, her lips curving downward. Before she could argue again, Eyan took the cup from her and drank it himself, leaving her staring in mild annoyance.
After a while, the three of them finished their drinks and prepared to leave. But when they stepped outside, a heavy curtain of rain had already swallowed the streets.
"Oh… it's raining heavily," Luca muttered, lifting his hand to shield himself.
Eva frowned. "Then how are we supposed to get back home?"
"Don't worry, Lady Eva," Eyan reassured. Then he turned to Luca. "Luca, use your teleportation magic."
Luca blinked at him. "Eyan, did you forget? I just had a drink. My magic doesn't work properly when I'm drunk."
Eyan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're useless."
Eva tilted her head. "What now?"
"The rain doesn't look like it'll stop anytime soon," Luca said, peering at the stormy sky. Then his eyes brightened. "Looks like we have no other choice but to spend the night here."
Eyan reluctantly nodded. "You're right."
"Then let's find a place to stay the night," Luca declared.
The three of them hurried through the rain-soaked streets, searching for shelter as the storm raged on.
---
By the time they found a small inn tucked between narrow streets, the three of them were already soaked through from the rain. Their clothes clung to their skin, and droplets slid down Eva's trembling hands.
Luca pointed toward the wooden sign above the door. "This one looks good enough to spend the night."
Without waiting, he stepped inside. "I'll go and get the keys for the rooms."
Eyan nodded, then turned back to Eva. Her lips were pale, her shoulders trembling as water dripped from her hair. "Lady Eva, are you cold?"
Her voice shook. "Yes…"
"You need to change," he said softly, concern flashing in his eyes. "Your clothes are all wet. Just wait a little—Luca will be back with the keys soon."
Eva gave a small nod, hugging herself to keep warm.
Moments later, Luca returned, jingling two bronze keys in his hand. "Here we go! Got us rooms."
He handed one to Eyan and kept the other for himself.
Eyan frowned. "Why are there only two keys?"
Luca shrugged casually. "They only had two rooms left."
"Fine," Eyan said firmly. "Then you and I will share one, and Lady Eva can—"
"Who said we're sharing a room?" Luca cut him off with a mischievous grin.
Eyan stiffened. "What?"
"You and Sister-in-law will share a room, of course."