24. Ring the Bells! It's a Festival {2}

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Prince Cormac was taken back by Princess Vera words. She retreated and smiled at the boy as if nothing had happened. Princess Ximera watched the odd exchange, taking up the chance to clear the silence that was building up. "Who might this be?" She asked, looking towards Iker.

Cormac pulled the boy forward, placing a hand on his shoulder, giving him an assuring squeeze. "This is my friend Iker. I hope you don't mind him coming along." Iker looked up at Cormac then back at Princess Ximera, there was no need to deny it anymore.

Princess Ximera eyed the boy, making him even more nervous. "You're that boy Etta mentioned that helped out with making the flower crowns for the People's Festival." Iker gave a small nod. "You have my deepest thanks. You helped us quite a lot."

"I don't deserve such praises." Iker said, his voice shaking like a leaf in the wind. "I was happy to have helped. Doing that reminded me of the times I spent with my mother."

Ximera nodded, "I have to agree. That Festival is the biggest reminder of my mother to this Kingdom. I'll carry on her work." She finished proudly.

Prince Cormac looked towards Princess Vera. A drink sat idly in her hand as she looked around at the Festival. "If you don't mind me asking Princess Vera," Cormac said, gaining the woman's attention. "Is the King with you?" It would do Cormac the honor of meeting him.

She shook her head, "My King is very busy. I'm here because of Princess Arabella's request." She looked towards Arabella then back at Cormac. "Would you like to speak with the King? I could relay a message when I get back." She offered. Prince Cormac shook his head.

They chatted for a bit more. Prince Cormac learning that Princess Arabella was taking swords lesson from the fiercest woman in all the lands. They both found it to be amazing. Princess Arabella testing her skills by sparing with Prince Cormac with wooden swords. They excused themselves from the Festival for a little while.

The Prince was surprised by Princess Arabella skills. The women of Fartonia were highly skilled, no wonder Princess Arabella wanted to train there. A few more laughs and wondering around the Festival, eating the food that was offered. They all removed the titles of Prince and Princesses as they enjoyed the fun.

Cormac could only do so when he was in Area fifteen with the person he loved. As he watched the people dance, unable to contain himself from dancing too. Ximera flowed with the music along with Arabella. Vera had paint applied to her face, fitting for a warrior. Iker chatted with Etta who had joined them earlier, showing him a few movements.

Cormac thought why couldn't Seridina be like Laqum. Loving amongst their people, having festivals and enjoying life. Instead they were drowning in hatred for each other. He looked towards Ximera who had joined the performers, people clapping along with the beat of drums. They sang loud, sending praise towards Ximera.

Cormac didn't forget he had to talk with her. He'll have to tell Phoenix the truth when he gets home. It frightened him knowing that Phoenix will leave his side when he knew the truth. Lying was his biggest mistake, but he didn't knew he would fall in love. He thought Cormac the true meaning of love. Something he never once received in the castle.

He wanted Phoenix to spread that love alongside him within the Kingdom. The people had long forgotten such a word and its meaning. They need to be reminded of who they truly are, not who the King wanted them to be. As he looked around the Festival grounds, a future queen that was already making her people happy. Cormac needed to make his own people happy again.

Ximera lifted the end of her dress and bowed. Her chest rising and fallen from the sudden adrenaline. A smile remained on her lips as she tried catching her breath. Cheers and applause filled the air. Etta handed her some water as she made way back to them. Arabella squeezed the remaining life out of Ximera and showering her in praises.

"Do you mind if we could talk in private?" Cormac said, only for Ximera to hear.

"I don't mind." she said. This was the moment she's been waiting for. "I know a great place."

They left after Ximera was rested. Telling the others that they would return soon. Iker was engrossed in a conversation with Etta, seeming they were talking about someone as Etta pointing into the crowd. Ximera bought Cormac to a lake not far from the Festival grounds. The music could still be heard along with the chatters but it was faint.

They sat on the low cut grass, looking at the lake that reflected the full moon. Ximera ran her hand along her hair, putting it in front of her as she allowed some to remain behind her. "The festival is amazing." he spoke, laying himself into the grass. "Everyone is having so much fun."

"Of course they are. I placed a lot of effort into it. It wouldn't be a festival if no one had fun." Ximera responded, bringing her knees close as her dress flowed to the ground.

"I was surprised to see Princess Vera here." he admitted. "At any rate the Laqum kingdom will be joining a treaty soon with Arilikook."

"The only Kingdom that's signing treaties is ours." she said. "Arilikook is a calm but fierce Kingdom. It won't be so easy to form an alliance with them, even for us Laquians. They might fear our military power but we don't rule by fear."

"What about the other two, Ipera and Ruel Kingdom. It seems we're the first to join hands." Cormac spoke. Knowing the reason behind it made him worried.

Ximera looked towards Cormac with frightened eyes. "Haven't you heard?" the boy arched himself onto his elbows, confusion written on his face. "King Waylon and King Enzo joined hand in marriage. Both kingdoms were joined and is now known as the Kingdom of Peruel."

Cormac rose into a sitting position quickly. "I didn't know that." he answered honestly. He started connecting the dots. He figured he didn't know because of the very same reason his father didn't tell him about Area Fifteen. His marriage with Ximera, their use of military power, the marriage with King Waylon and King Enzo. It all made sense.

He kneaded his hands together. There had to be something he could do to stop his father. Having a war with a Kingdom over such a trifle thing. Cormac knew not what was the source of his hatred was. Looking at what he did to his own people, the Kingdom of Peruel would suffer worst.

Ximera watched as Cormac battled with his emotions, lost in his thoughts. "Is something wrong?" Ximera asked.

"I'm fine." Cormac said. He didn't want to bring his problems to the Laqum Kingdom during a fun filled festival.

Ximera knew he was lying but shook it off. "I've been meaning to ask," she said, looking at the glistening lake. "What are those tall walls in Seridina?."

Cormac looked her way, her eyes still rested on the lake. "People." he said simply. Ximera noticed he didn't say diseased as he always does. "Just people who love just the same as us. Its also the place where the love of my life resides." Before he knew it, the words had left his lips.

Ximera jumped to her feet, standing in front of Cormac. "What do you mean the love of your life?" She wasn't the least bit angry. Just curious as to who the person was.

He blushed under the Moonlight, thinking about Phoenix yet again. "I met an amazing boy Ximera, he stole my heart upon first sight." he answered honestly.

"A boy?" she rested a hand on her hip, even more confused and curious towards Cormac.

He nodded, resisting the urge to rush home and be with Phoenix. "Yes, he's a boy. My father despises such things that's why he built the Iron Fortress and locked them away. I don't really care, they're people of Seridina, why can't they live just as peaceful and happily with the person of their choice." He said. "He's amazing Ximera, I love him dearly. That's why I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be able to marry you anymore."

"Love, it's a beautiful thing. My mother thought me that." Ximera spoke. "She said that regardless of who we are, rich or poor, a commoner or a royal. Love should be shared amongst all." Cormac was even more impressed by the previous Queen. She had thought Ximera well. "It was bound for us to find the person we will want to be with forever."

Cormac stood from his seat, brushing his clothes off, "I'm glad you understand Ximera." He spoke. "Our fathers might not agree but I will make sure nothing bad comes out of it." Not only was he saving Ximera and himself from a fruitless relationship. He could help the Kingdom of Peruel in the same way.

"One thing," she said, turning as he dress swirled behind her. "My uncle was the one who built that Iron Fortress, Arabella's father, and the King was to rule this Kingdom instead of my father, Malachi."

A crowd of people started moving towards the lake. Candles held in their hands as they blocked the wind from outing it. Cormac now knew who Malachi was, another piece of the puzzle solved. The people were much calmer than before as they made way to the lake. Ximera turned to face them all.

Their expression was replace with sadness. Cormac don't understand what was happening, or why they were holding candles. He soon saw Iker who approached him. A candle lit of his own and a non lit one he gave to the Prince.

"What is this for?" He asked, low enough for Iker to hear him.

Ximera heard, poking her head over his shoulders as she explained. "The Moonlight Festival is about honoring those who have passed away. We all light a candle for someone we miss dearly. Someone who was taken from us. Everyone has lost someone. This day shouldn't be only filled with sadness, the Festival should bring smiles too."

She left after leaving Cormac staring blankly at his candle. "Is there anyone who would like to send that candle off in their name?" Iker asked.

Iker held his own lit candle, a hand blocking the wind. He shared his flame with Cormac. People were allowing their candles to float along the lake, some whispering small things before pushing it off. "These are for my parents." Iker said. "I still miss them. Even with the life we shared, they always remained happy."

Cormac tousled the boy's hair. He should share his past more so Cormac could understand him better. "This is for my mother." he concluded. He spotted Etta and asked. "Can the candle represent more than one person?" Etta nodded. "And this is for the people who have died because of the hate my father had built in the Kingdom. They deserved to be honored."

Iker smiled proudly at his future King. They set their candles in the lake watching it float along in a circular glass. Ximera thought about her mom and those who had passed within the Kingdom. Arabella honored her father.Vera sent her candle off for the people in her Kingdom who are no longer with her.

Cormac never knew his mother. He was too young then to remember what she was like. His father rarely spoke about her. As he watched the candles move amongst the many. What Cormac would give to see his mother one last time. To meet her and know what she's like. He hadn't realized how much he missed his mother until now.

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