Princess Samantha returned from the dance circle, her face glowing with exhilaration and a faint sheen of sweat on her brow. The beads at her waist jingled softly with each step. Her smile was wide, almost childlike, as she made her way toward the shed.
Without a word, she plopped down beside Prince Alexus, still catching her breath.
Maya stood up quickly, straightening her posture. "What can I get you, Princess?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost timid.
Samantha didn't respond—still engrossed in conversation with Alexus, laughing at something he had said, her hand resting lightly on her chest.
Maya's hands folded nervously in front of her as she tried again, louder this time. "Your Highness, can I get you anything?"
Still no answer.
It wasn't until Alexus glanced up and caught Maya's hesitant expression that he gently nudged the princess's arm.
"Samantha," he said with a small smile, "she's speaking to you."
Samantha turned her head, blinking as though just remembering Maya was there. "Oh," she said, brushing her hair back. "What did you say?"
"I asked if I could get you anything, Princess," Maya repeated, her eyes cast downward.
Samantha waved a hand, still flushed with excitement. "Some water, perhaps. Dancing is… more exhausting than it looks."
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Alexus and Samantha remained seated, talking and laughing together as the music played in the background. The village around them shimmered with warmth—lanterns swaying overhead, laughter echoing from the stalls and the dancers still moving with joy.
But then something in the crowd pulled Samantha's attention.
A group of young girls walked past, their hair tied with delicate ribbons embroidered with golden lanterns. The light caught on the patterns, making them glow faintly in the twilight.
Samantha's eyes followed them.
Without a word, she stood, distracted from the conversation. "Those hair ties," she murmured, stepping away from the bench and toward the crowd.
She weaved between festival-goers, her eyes locking onto a nearby stall just a few steps ahead. There, under a canopy of paper lanterns, hung dozens of the same ribbons. Each one was handmade, dyed in deep village colors, and stitched with the iconic lantern—a symbol of light, celebration, and community in Eldoria.
Samantha approached slowly, mesmerized. She reached out, letting her fingers brush one of the ties as the stall keeper offered a smile.
Maya returned moments later, a wooden cup of water carefully balanced in her hands. She slowed her steps as she approached the shed—only to find the seat beside Prince Alexus empty.
Her brows furrowed as she looked around, scanning the crowd. "Where did the princess go?" she asked quietly, her voice carrying just enough concern.
Alexus tilted his head toward a nearby stall, a small smile tugging at his lips. "She saw the hair ties with lantern patterns. Said nothing—just walked off," he said, gesturing gently toward the vibrant booth where Samantha stood, still admiring the delicate pieces.
Maya followed his gaze, spotting Samantha amongst the festival-goers, her pale gown catching the soft glow of the hanging lanterns.
With a small sigh, Maya sank into the empty seat beside Alexus, setting the cup down carefully on the table.
There was a pause, then Alexus turned to her. "Are you having fun?" he asked, his voice lower now, softer.
Maya hesitated, her eyes flickering over the festival—children laughing, vendors calling, music echoing like memories. "I suppose… it's nice to see it again," she said with a faint smile, not quite meeting his gaze.
Alexus looked at her for a moment before continuing, his tone laced with a hint of guilt. "I know I promised you'd be the one to show me the village… take me out past the gates," he said. "But I couldn't go against the Queen's orders."
Maya turned her head slightly at that, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.
"I understand," she said quietly. "It's just... strange being here like this. Watching instead of living it."
Alexus nodded, then looked back toward the lantern-lit stall, where Samantha was now holding one of the ties up to the light. "Still, I'm glad you're here, Maya. Even if it's not how we imagined it."
Samantha's POV
As Princess Samantha admired a silver hair tie adorned with the intricate lantern pattern symbolic of the festival, a voice called out softly from the crowd behind her.
"Maya?"
Samantha turned slowly, unsure if she'd heard correctly. A young man stood a short distance away, his eyes fixed on her with a mixture of surprise and longing. He looked like someone who'd traveled far—worn boots, a rough linen shirt, and a hopeful expression that seemed to falter the closer he looked.
"I… I'm sorry," he said quickly, noticing her confusion. "You just… look like someone I used to know. Her name was Maya. I must've been mistaken."
Samantha tilted her head, unsure how to respond. For a moment, she was silent—curious but composed.
"It's alright," she said simply, her voice more gentle than usual.
The man gave her an awkward nod and a quick smile before turning back into the crowd, disappearing among the laughter and music.
Across the square, Maya was seated with Prince Alexus, quietly sipping water and lost in her thoughts. She hadn't seen the man or heard him speak her name.
Samantha returned from the stall with a wide smile on her face, holding five different hair ties in her hands. Each one shimmered under the lantern light—deep maroon, ocean blue, golden yellow, forest green, and a soft lavender.
"I couldn't pick just one," she said cheerfully. "They were all too pretty."
Maya stood up as the princess approached, quietly handing her the cup of water she had gone to fetch. Samantha took it with a small nod of thanks, still admiring the vibrant bands looped over her fingers.
Maya stepped beside her.
"Would you like one tied, Princess?" she asked softly.
Samantha glanced at the ties and held out the golden yellow one. "This one. It matches the embroidery on my sleeves, doesn't it?"
Maya gave a small nod and took the hair tie, then moved behind the princess to fasten it carefully around her waist.
The music and festival sounds continued around them, vibrant and alive, as the evening unfolded.
The day had passed in a blur of laughter, music, and colorful stalls. Samantha had tried sweets that stuck to her fingers, clapped along to folk songs she barely knew, and even joined in a local game with Alexus cheering her on. Maya had managed a few quiet smiles, sampling roasted corn and helping Samantha pick out small trinkets along the way.
As night fell, the village transformed under a sky of glowing lanterns. The warm golden light cast a magical hue over everything, and the air buzzed with joy.
Drawn by the glow, the trio wandered toward the lantern stall, where villagers crowded around, choosing their lanterns for the night. It was tradition—every festivalgoer released one into the sky, carrying a wish with it.
Alexus picked out a simple yet elegant lantern, its frame lined with blue and gold. He turned and handed it to Maya with a soft grin.
"This one's for you."
Maya blinked, surprised, then accepted it with a quiet, "Thank you.
As their lanterns flickered to life, each of them paused for a moment, holding the delicate frame gently in their hands. The field was hushed now, filled with the soft crackle of flame and murmured wishes.
Samantha closed her eyes, whispering something no one else could hear. Her lips moved slowly, her fingers tightening around the lantern before she let it go.
Alexus smiled faintly and said just loud enough for Maya to catch, "I wish for freedom—real freedom."
Maya held her lantern close to her chest, staring at the warm light glowing within. Her voice was barely a breath.
"I wish… for Javier to be safe."
One by one, they released their lanterns into the night, watching as they floated upward, joining hundreds more that filled the sky like glowing stars.
For a moment, none of them spoke. The beauty of it all needed no words.
When the last lantern had vanished into the dark, Samantha turned to Alexus and Maya.
"We should go."
They made their way back through the dimly lit village, past the quieting stalls and winding paths, where only laughter and music lingered behind.
At the edge of the forest clearing, the coachman and the guards waited. The carriage door was open, and the night air had cooled.
Without a word, they climbed in—Samantha and Alexus inside, Maya taking her seat at the front once more. The carriage turned slowly, wheels crunching against gravel, heading back toward the palace.
Behind them, the village of lights grew smaller, but the warmth of the night lingered in their hearts.