The festival of Shimarath had set the city ablaze with light and wonder. Rows of oil lamps glimmered along the streets, lanterns floated skyward like drifting stars, and firecrackers split the night in bursts of red and gold.
Laughter, music, and the scent of roasted sweets filled the air, drowning the city in celebration.
Prince Shaurya walked ahead, wearing a white cut mask, his eyes wide with curiosity, his entourage shadowing him at every step.
Behind him, General Bijli of the Cat Clan also wore a black cut mask, trailing gracefully in a festival gown—though her sharp gaze betrayed her vigilance. Their faces were half-hidden beneath the festive glow.
Soldiers fanned out among the crowd, disguised as revelers, yet every heartbeat of the festival seemed measured by their watchful eyes.
"General Bijli," Shaurya muttered sarcastically, "if you keep parading me like some priceless relic, how on earth am I supposed to enjoy this festival?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice with a sly grin. "At least let me be free for a little while. No one will recognize me—we're already wearing masks."
Her ears twitched, tail swaying with restrained patience.
"No," her golden eyes narrowed above her mask.
"Your Highness, the King's command is clear—you are to return after a single round. Until then, your safety is my burden. Trust no one."
Shaurya tilted his head skyward, sighing at the sight of lanterns rising into the starlit heavens. "A gilded cage lit with fire and dreams," he whispered, his sarcasm edged with longing.
Just then, a fountain of flame erupted in the distance, spiraling into dazzling shapes.
"Woah," Shaurya exclaimed, unable to hold back the childlike wonder in his voice. "They can do all that without spiritual powers? Remarkable!" He pushed forward instinctively, eager to see it closer—only to bump into a masked stranger.
General Bijli moved like lightning, shoving him back. "Stay behind me. You cannot go further!"
"What is this?" Shaurya groaned. "Can't I even get close to see?"
"If you wish, I can have the display brought to the palace. Then you may watch in comfort," Bijli replied coolly.
"Forget it," Shaurya muttered, frustrated. His attention shifted when he spotted a vendor selling delicate sugar dolls shaped like beasts. His eyes lit up. "So cute."
He reached for one, but Bijli intercepted smoothly, handing coins to the vendor.
"Taste it first," she ordered.
The vendor, visibly nervous, tasted it and then handed it over. Before Shaurya could taste it, Bijli snatched it back. "You cannot eat this. It's already been touched."
She picked another and broke it, handing one piece to a soldier. He chewed cautiously, then nodded. Only then did she allow a second piece to reach Shaurya.
"Here. Now you may eat."
Shaurya bit into it, rolling his eyes. "You've managed to ruin all the fun, General Bijli." He sighed dramatically, then added, "Just give me a little freedom—please. I swear I won't eat or drink anything else."
"No," Bijli replied firmly, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Not even for a moment."
Shaurya groaned, half-amused, half-defeated. The festival raged on around him—an ocean of light and laughter—yet here he was, caged by loyalty, duty, and the sharp eyes of a Cat General.
Before his guards, Shaurya's demeanor appeared almost delicate, endearingly fragile—a far cry from the cold, unyielding warrior prince of the previous night.
His wandering gaze suddenly caught sight of Princes Inara, standing gracefully among her maids, admiring the rows of oil lamps offered by different kingdoms.
Something sparked within him—like a flame leaping to life.
"Hey, nosy peacock!" Shaurya called out, his voice sharp and mischievous as he strode toward her without hesitation.
General Bijli and the guards exchanged alarmed glances before following at once.
Inara's eyes flicked toward him, sharp with disdain.
"Oh, the ungrateful white cat," she muttered, her words biting.
Shaurya quickly raised a hand to his mouth, stifling a laugh. He knew well that General Bijli stood right behind him—and that she was a Cat Soulbeast. She didn't recognize him, remaining in her human form, with no ears, no tail, no claws.
Leaning down slightly, he whispered toward her with mock-innocence, "Don't take it personally, General. Later you can show her your true, loyal cat powers."
Straightening again, he smirked at Inara.
"So… you're buying oil lamps? Tell me, which one do you want? Just say the word and they'll all be yours."
Inara crossed her arms, voice dripping with cool pride.
"How generous. And here I thought your arrogance had no limit. But these aren't for sale—they're gifts from different kingdoms, meant for the festival alone. "
"Decorations, not trinkets for you to throw at me. Not everything in this world can be bought, Wayward Prince."
Meanwhile, high above the festival, Agnira sat on the roof of a pavilion, watching the celebration unfold through a brass spyglass. Her gaze drifted over the glittering streets until it settled on a small bookshop tucked into the corner.
Among the cluttered shelves, one title caught her eye—Spiritual Powers.
In an instant, she descended and slipped into the shop. Behind the counter stood the shopkeeper, an old rat Soulbeast with long curved fangs, a narrow tail flicking behind him, and spectacles balanced on his nose.
"You want this book?" he rasped. "One silver stone for reading, three silver stones for buying."
Agnira tilted her head, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Do you think I don't belong here? Do you have any idea who I am?" Her lips curled into a smirk. "I'm a Cat Soulbeast. My aunt is General Bijli herself. And you dare try to cheat me?"
She dropped two silver stones onto the counter with a sharp clink, snatched the book, and leaned closer, her voice a low warning:
"Take it—and remember this mercy. Next time you try to rob me, you'll lose more than silver stone."
In this festival, Inara's eyes also lit up with newfound light… she finally caught sight of Agnira.
"Cool girl!" she shouted excitedly and ran toward her, her trailing sashes fluttering behind like comets.
Agnira recognized her instantly and thought anxiously, ′What is she doing here?′
Right behind her was Shaurya.
"Hey, nosy peacock! You don't just abandon friends like that," he called out as he rushed after them. A few others followed too, trying to keep the two in check.
Agnira, seeing him approach, bristled with anger.
'I told them not to show their faces before me! Did they have a death wish?'
Her gaze caught a figure in the crowd—a masked General Bijli. In that instant, Agnira understood everything.
"Useless… fragile children," she muttered under her breath.
Thinking quickly, she rushed forward and pulled Inara into a sudden hug.
Startled, Inara froze, and nearby guards and maids tensed, confused by the unexpected scene.
Agnira leaned close to her ear and whispered,
"If you say anything to anyone about my eyes or hair from last night, I swear what I do next will make everyone see exactly what kind of trap you fell into."
Inara, unfazed, whispered back sweetly,
"No one will know anything. You're my friend now?"
Seeing them embrace, Shaurya seized the chance. Wrapping his arms around both of them from above, he said,
"It makes me so happy to see you all together like this…"
Leaning closer, his voice dropped to a desperate whisper,
"Look, get me out of here. Please… otherwise, they'll keep torturing me like this forever. Help me. Your secret will stay safe, and the price you want… you'll have it."
Agnira shot him a glare, anger simmering, and stepped back, pretending to retreat.
Smiling innocently at Agnira, Inara added,
"Come on! Let's explore the city together," and grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the festival crowd.
Shaurya quickly reached out and grabbed Agnira's hand.
"Don't even think about plotting against me," he warned. "Those behind me… they'll take you down too if you cross me."
Agnira glared, anger simmering. "If you're going to be this fragile, why aren't you wandering around with your bodyguards? I don't tolerate unnecessary trouble."
Shaurya, walking beside her with a sly grin, replied,
"I see you like books. There's a massive library in the royal palace. You can take any book you want from there."
The night had descended softly upon the city, wrapping rooftops and domes in velvet hues of indigo. Firecrackers bloomed across the sky—crimson, emerald, gold—painting the heavens like strokes on a living canvas. The city below buzzed with laughter, chimes, and the warm fragrance of roasted nuts and sweet syrupy confections.
The three of them walked together, pretending to be deep in friendly conversation, yet bickering like mischievous kittens.
Inara snapped, "You shouldn't have left the palace to come here—you really shouldn't be here at all! Your bodyguards are stricter than my parents!"
Shaurya chuckled. "If you want to enjoy it, just help me—or you'll be stuck worrying the whole time."
Inara, irritated, shot back, "Clingy cat!"
" Nosy peacock, keep your mouth shut and use your brain!" Shaurya grinned teasingly.
Agnira interjected sharply, "Both of you keep quiet, or today's going to be your last fun day."
Shaurya chuckled. "You can't touch us."
Inara blinked. "Yeah, King's guards and General right behind us.
"Mouths closed." Agnira grinned, and whispered,
"As soon as I count three, dart toward the left side of the lake. Run as fast as you can. Got it?"
Agnira's hand slipped into her bag and pulled out something small, tossing it nearby as fireworks ignited, sending sparks into the air.
Suddenly, smoke erupted around them, filling the air with a thick haze. Without hesitation,
Shaurya and Inara grabbed her hands, and together, they slipped away from the chaos, disappearing into the festival crowd.
To be continued ......