Chapter 26: Chapter twenty five: The liana festival
**RAYAN'S POV**
It feels strange walking around without my mask and hood. I've worn it for years now that it feels like a part of me the same with my weapons. This town we were in was different it had a more livelier mood the inhabitants were busy decorating the town unlike the other towns we were in which was filled with armed men and women. I can't help but wonder who really wants princess here whoever the person is they must have unlimited resources. Everyone is after her and am the only one standing in their way.
I know that am good but I could die not that am afraid of death, I have nothing worth living for but princess here doesn't deserve death I guess she's different from the other royals and nobles I've seen, she doesn't look down on others, she doesn't tolerate killing even if the person deserves it and what's surprising is that she thinks that she can pity me but am the most strangest. Why did I tell her about my past? Like right now she was busy staring at the decorations being adorned on the town for the festival.
"quit staring princess you look like a village bumpkin," I said she disregarded my words and continued with her stare.
The town was covered in colorful banners adorned with intricate crests flutter from stone buildings, casting a vibrant hue over the cobblestone streets. Stalls overflow with fragrant flowers, sweet confections, and handcrafted trinkets, while minstrels serenade the crowd with lively tunes. Torches and lanterns illuminated the narrow alleys, their warm glow dancing upon the timber-framed facade, compared to the decorations I've seen In a castle this should be below her expectations.
"Rayan, what's the occasion?" she asked looking at me with those eyes filled with curiosity.
"it's just the liana festival,"
"what's it about?"
"well the liana festival is a folklore about two gods in the ancient times. I heard that they were lovers but they both lived in different realms making it hard for them to be together but it is believed that on this very day the two would meet and share one dance together, see something useless like that, "
" can we stay and watch it? "she asked." please, please,"
" fine and only because we need to keep the charade that we are married, "
But to be honest why am I listening to her demands but she had that huge smile on her face that.... Huh maybe I have gone soft.
**ELENA'S POV**
The liana festival, the decorating ended somewhere around mid late evening, the lanterns and torches that were hanging on the walls of the houses were lit up and everyone gathered in the middle of the town and music started, Mugs of ale were passed around.
This was different from the balls at the castles, in the castles everyone struggles to maintain themselves but here these people only cared about having fun and the dance was different. The man and woman would only hold one of their partners hands and they would move by each other side alternating their positions.
"come on princess," Rayan said as he held out his hand at me, "since we are already here, shall we? "
The cool evening breeze blew through his hair making it sway, his Grey eyes were staring into mine with a peculiar expression. Something about the way he was looking at me made me forget how to breath but I took his hand and he led me to where people were dancing.
"uhm Rayan, I don't know how to dance like they do," I whispered.
"don't worry just follow my lead and relax your body," he said.
I did as he told me to and tried to relax but the moment he placed our palms together my body became rigid, his touch was gentle as he led us.
He was a surprisingly good dancer every step we took made my heart beat faster and faster. This dance was different than the ones I knew, it was fast paced and exciting, like after alternating our hands we would let go and pass each other while clapping twice before he held my waist and pulled me back to him.
Cheer, claps and laughs filled the air as we danced even Rayan couldn't be grouchy at this, he would hold my waist before his hand found my palms sometimes he would turn me and hug me from behind where I would feel his breath on my neck making goosebumps appear all over me.
We danced for a while before the music stopped and people were switching partners I think it was maybe to honor how those gods danced only one dance together, a lot of men flooded to where I was but that didn't bother me much what really bothered me was that many women also went to Rayan.
I know he's good looking and it makes sense that other people would think so but why do I feel this weird squeezing pain in my chest.
"sorry but I'd like to dance with my wife if you don't mind," he said in the rude tone he had when we first met and just walked to where I was pushed the men aside and pulled me back to him.
"quit your smiling princess, I just don't wanna dance with them it's annoying," he said.
"and dancing with me isn't," I said he just gave me a blank look.
The next song that was played was a slow song and it was one that I knew how thanks to the countless instructions from mother. I still refer to those days as the dark times, mother used to place three books on top of my head for balance and I was young so finding my balance was difficult so the lesson took hours and my neck would be killing me. He held one of my hand with one of his and his other found it's way around my waist before pulling me close to him. The first time that we were this close to each other was when he tried to... I shuddered as I remembered.
"if it's about that day princess, I was just scaring you I wasn't going to kill you," he said and he twirled me around and brought me back to him.
"well you certainly accomplished your mission cause I was terrified that day,"
"hmm glad you appreciate my work," he joked, wait did he actually joke about something.
After the dance, I had my first sip of ale and to be honest I didn't understand why people liked it. It was bitter and it didn't even have any flavor after eating our fill, he went and booked us a room at an inn.
"I had fun today" I said as we slept.
"sure princess today wasn't half bad,"
"so what happened after your family was murdered?" I asked hoping we would pick up where we left off. He turned his head and faced me as he took a deep breath.
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