The capital had been one of the liveliest cities in Zuerst. Years ago, it was delegated as the heart of the continent itself, because of its economic prosperity due to the fact that it is the reigning metropolitan of Feuersturm. Octavius" regime along with the three other kings—"The Great Three"— of the Opus were all directed on the military power of the country. The moment the Ruler bloodline—kings with "rich" at the end of their name sanctioned the nation, they focused more on developing Feuersturm economically.And with the newfound "rest" dominion, with the name of Noah, brought the "glory" back. Glory in various aspects—from the military to thrift; from territories to the grandeur of the king. Retrieving the sword of Feuersturm from the dungeons; bringing the land to prosperity as the heart of the continent; being the youngest to ascend the throne from almost a thousand years" rule.
The capital had the most jubilant banquets every start of the End—the Sat.u.r.days. Common folk and n.o.ble alike come and go to visit the said festival, with a variety of entertainments that differ each week. It is a costly project that is established by the Ninth king, but it was a successful investment. Tourists doubled—no, they tripled and such practice ama.s.sed revenue to be given to the slums and the less fortunate villages in Feuersturm.
Alexander Octavius IX. The young king of Feuersturm made it all possible. There are various achievements he made prior to the knowledge of common folk, only knew by The Circle, his twelve diplomats whose ident.i.ties are hidden even to the n.o.bles, unbeknownst even to the Court and the Council.
Faustina blended in with the crowd. It was not that hard; the festive music and the singing and dancing crowd laid as the evidence. Entertainers, common folk, and n.o.bles clapped their hand and sang native songs of the Fire dragon, a hymn known to the people of Feuer.
Lo and behold,
Watch the fire dragon roar!
His scorching breath gave life,
To the gloried land of fire.
Inferno, inferno"s flame,
Firestorm, Feuersturm set ablaze;
Inferno, inferno burned,
The fire country was born!
Faustina lost herself into the ma.s.ses and found herself drawn to the colorful lights being emitted by the Entertainers. Dancers of foreign clothes whirled and flew stunts similar to those of graceful birds. They all had unnatural purple, yellow, and blue hair with intricate tattoos that gleamed in their bodies with their faces painted with b.u.t.terflies and images of ornaments. A lively sound accompanied their movements—their bodies syncing with time.
And then from the exuberant melody, transitioned a seemingly tranquil hymn, along with the dancers" movement slowing down into a solemn harmony. Suddenly there was a veil in their faces, moving in a rhythm of beauty and grace, whilst their faces gleamed a mysterious yet calming aura. Faustina felt intoxicated, as if on hypnosis.
A clap from the cloud brought Faustina back to her senses. The dancers had bowed to the crowd as their finishing dance. The girl bowing in front, through her veil, met Faustina"s eyes. Faustina blinked, realizing she had pondered quite too long.
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She then proceeded to walk away from the scenery—and a livelier crowd welcomed her, almost taking her away to the cheer. People clapping in sync of music. Faustina parted her lips when she sensed a hand on her waist—but before she could mutter a protest nor react, someone had pulled her to the dancing circle! People watching the dancing ma.s.ses cheered in antic.i.p.ation, applauding gaudier.
Faustina blinked and realized some n.o.bles were there—observing her! She realized that common folk and n.o.bles blended into this dance. She moved her hand and recalled the basic dance lessons Lovellia taught her. She whirled and copied the rhythmic movements, accompanied by a jubilant song, a tune of happiness. Faustina heard the crowd roar in cheer, clapping their hand in sync with the music. Faustina lost sight of her surroundings, only thinking of the next steps, and how to escape—
She whirled and then it was the cue for the change of partners. Her gown twirled as she spun. The music was now transitioning from lively to mellow.
Faustina blinked.
"You..." She muttered, out of shock she had forgotten to display courtesy. Faustina"s chocolate-brown eyes met that of a purple-colored one. The shade of purple stone, amethyst. Gleaming silver hair in the moonlight, illuminated by the lively colors surrounded by the capital.
"Ezekiel... Johann?" Faustina whispers.
Ezekiel spun her around, his eyes displaying no emotion. The dance was still continuing.
The dance ended with them in the midst of the vast array of n.o.bles and common folk.
He narrowed his eyes, letting go of her hand.
"Faustina." He says after Faustina retracted her hand away.
"Y-you know my name?" Faustina asks.
"Who would not?" He exclaims. "Again, I apologize for Lili"s misbehavior."
"It"s alright," says Faustina. "We fight our own battles."
He nods. "...are you heading somewhere?"
"O-oh, I was just... er..."
"No, I do not mean your business right at this night," He clears. "I meant your objective. I presume you are going to Magierstadt?"
"Yes," Faustina says, fidgeting a bit. "Um, if you"ll excuse me."
His purple eyes stared back at her apprehensively, devoid of any emotion. The longer Faustina looked at him, the more she thought about the picture of the schoolmaster. They were nothing alike in their face, but their features were the same—distinct silver hair and eyes of the color of purple, akin to the gem amethyst.
After a long pause, he spoke tentatively, "where is your maid?"
Faustina blinked. "Pardon?"
"I heard your health is on the decline?" He asks. "Why are you alone?"
"Um, well, you see..."
"M"lady!" A voice from afar.
"Shoot," Faustina mutters.
"Huh?"
"I have to go."
A bell from the clock tower of the city rang, indicating a new day. It was midnight. Faustina cursed under her breath. She must complete the task.
"I enjoyed the dance!" Faustina says, making haste. She did not wait for his reply or a glimpse of his reaction. Maddie was getting nearer. The limit was midnight. Faustina rushed and then her shoe wore off; she was not accustomed to stilettos!
Faustina saw Maddie from afar; she discerned that if she would pick her shoe, Maddie might catch up to her. And with a posthaste thinking, Faustina made a hurry—her grey hair glistened in the moonlight as she ran away from the scenery, escaping yet in another wave of the crowd.
Ezekiel stood there, his purple eyes fixated on the girl running away, and then his amethyst gaze fell to the blue shoe left on the cobblestone paths. He walked forward and knelt down to pick the small shoe.
He chuckled.
"What an odd Cinderella."