It was the evening of the grand festival, one of the rare occasions when the entire kingdom let its guard down, a night of food, music, and celebration. The air was thick with excitement as the town beyond the castle walls transformed into a maze of food stalls, lanterns, and colorful decorations. The scent of roasted meats, sugary confections, and freshly baked bread drifted through the cool night air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and chatter.

But for Erika, the night felt a little too distant, separated by the grand walls of the castle. She had heard about the festival for days—how the people of the kingdom filled the streets, dancing under the stars, how children ran with sparklers in their hands and fireworks exploded in bursts of vibrant color against the dark sky.

But she, of course, had never been outside the castle walls since her arrival.

She stood by the window, watching as the last of the preparations outside the castle gates were made. Her heart ached with a longing she hadn’t fully understood until now.

“Alaric,” she whispered to herself, staring out at the stars, the moonlight dancing across the courtyard.

It was then that Alaric appeared at her door, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Erika turned in surprise. “What do you want?” she asked, her tone half teasing, half expectant.

“I think it’s time to settle our bet,” he said, stepping into the room. “So, what’s your request?”

She hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice quiet but determined. “I want to go to the festival. The one outside the castle walls. I’ve heard so much about it. I want to see it for myself… and I want you to come with me.”

Alaric’s brows shot up in surprise. “You’re asking me to go to the festival... in disguise?”

She nodded. “Yes. We can go in secret, no one will recognize us.”

Alaric smiled, the excitement in his eyes matching her own. “You want to escape for a night?” he asked with a playful glint. “Alright, but we’ll have to be careful. You’ll have to keep your hood up, and we’ll both wear cloaks. That way no one will know who we are.”

Erika’s heart fluttered at the idea. It felt like a dream—simple, free, and full of possibility.

That evening, as the sun began to set, they snuck out of the castle dressed in simple cloaks, their faces mostly hidden beneath the hoods. The night was cool and crisp, and the atmosphere felt different, like they were two ordinary people lost in the crowd, instead of a prince and his future queen.

They entered the bustling streets just outside the castle gates. The air was alive with the sounds of music and laughter. Colorful lights twinkled above them, casting a festive glow over the cobbled streets. Erika inhaled deeply, her senses overwhelmed by the smells of food and the sound of lively chatter. She couldn’t help but smile.

“Isn’t this incredible?” she asked, her voice full of wonder as they walked hand in hand, blending in with the crowd.

“It’s a little too crowded for my liking,” Alaric teased, nudging her with his elbow.

Erika laughed, feeling free in a way she hadn’t in months. “It’s fun. Don’t be such a sourpuss.”

They walked through the maze of stalls, sampling food and enjoying the sights. Erika’s eyes sparkled as she tasted roasted chestnuts for the first time, and they shared laughter over fried pastries that made her fingers sticky with sugar.

As the night deepened, they made their way to the central square, where a large bonfire blazed brightly and children danced around it with sparklers. But the most mesmerizing sight was the grand fireworks display that lit up the sky in brilliant bursts of color.

Erika’s eyes were fixed on the fireworks, her heart swelling with the beauty of the moment. The lights shimmered above her, reflecting in her wide, awe-filled brown eyes.

“It’s perfect,” she murmured, barely aware of Alaric’s gaze on her.

Alaric stood silently beside her, watching the fireworks explode in the sky. He could feel the pull in his chest, the warmth of her presence beside him, the shared experience of something so simple, so human. For the first time in weeks, he wasn’t thinking about the weight of the crown or the pressure of his royal duties. He was simply… with her.

“Erika,” he said softly, his voice low and hesitant. He turned to face her, his gaze intense.

Erika didn’t notice the shift at first, lost in the beauty of the lights. But when she turned to face him, she was startled by the closeness between them, the way his hand gently brushed against hers.

“Alaric?” she whispered, her heart pounding.

“You deserve this,” he said quietly. “You deserve more than just a life behind castle walls. You deserve freedom, happiness… and love.”

Erika’s breath caught in her throat. Her pulse quickened, and for a moment, all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart. What was happening? Was this real?

Alaric stepped closer, his hand finding hers in the darkness. The fireworks continued to explode above them, casting fleeting, colorful lights across their faces. For a moment, everything felt suspended in time, as if the world around them was fading away, leaving only the two of them standing there.

And then, without warning, Alaric cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing against her cheek. His lips hovered inches from hers, his breath mingling with hers.

“I don’t know what this is,” Alaric confessed softly. “But I feel something for you, Erika. Something I can’t ignore. I think… I think I might be falling for you."

"I love you,Erika."

Erika froze, her mind racing. His words filled her with an unfamiliar warmth, but they also frightened her. She had never experienced love this way before. She had never allowed herself to open up to anyone, especially not someone like him.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Alaric closed the distance between them. His lips brushed hers in a kiss that was soft, and gentle, yet filled with an undeniable intensity. The world seemed to stop, the fireworks, the noise, everything fading into the background as Erika’s mind swirled in confusion.

She pulled back slightly, her heart racing in her chest. “I— I don’t know how to… do this,” she stammered, her cheeks flushed. “Is this… love?”

Alaric’s eyes softened, his hand resting on her cheek. “I don’t know either. But it feels like it, doesn’t it?”

Erika couldn’t find the words. All she knew was that her heart was racing, her breath shallow, and she felt as if she had just stepped into an entirely new world. A world she wasn’t sure she was ready for but also didn’t want to escape from.

“I’m not sure what to do,” she whispered.

“You don’t have to do anything,” he said quietly, his voice sincere. “You don’t have to know everything right now. But I’m here, Erika. I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time, Erika let herself relax into the moment, the weight of the world lifting from her shoulders as she closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the warmth of his hand on her cheek. They shared a passionate kiss under their cloaks as the fireworks continue to glisten up in the night sky.

The night was far from over. As they walked deeper into the heart of the festival, they passed through a bustling courtyard filled with games and challenges. The stalls were vibrant with lights, and laughter bubbled in the air. There were several contests taking place: ring toss, fortune-telling booths, and a handful of games that tested strength, speed, and accuracy.

Erika’s eyes lit up as she spotted a prize stall laden with trinkets and stuffed animals. “Let’s try one of these,” she said with a grin, tugging at his sleeve.

Alaric raised an eyebrow. “You’re up for a challenge?”

“Always,” she teased. “You promised you’d do whatever I wanted, remember?”

They approached a booth offering a series of games. The first was a strength test—a hammer to ring the bell. Alaric took one look and smirked, eager to show off, but Erika cut him off.

“Let me have this one,” she said, stepping up confidently. She grabbed the mallet, and with a swift swing, the hammer sent the bell ringing loud and clear. The stall owner gaped.

“Impressive,” Alaric said with a low whistle.

They continued from booth to booth—ring toss, balloon popping, and even a dart-throwing challenge—Erika winning each one. By the time they reached the last booth, she had gathered a heap of prizes: stuffed animals, delicate glass trinkets, and ribbons.

“What now?” Alaric asked, laughing.

With a glint in her eye, Erika looked at the stuffed animals, then at him. “I’ll give them all to you.”

Alaric stared at her for a beat, then chuckled. “I should’ve known. You never do anything halfway.”

As the night continued, Erika watched the smile on his face grow. And as they danced in the crowd, surrounded by the joyous music and the warm glow of the lanterns, she knew she had won more than just the games tonight. She had captured something deeper—a connection with Alaric that, for the first time, didn’t feel like a game at all. It was getting serious than she could've never imagine.