Rune always called our land “Vetiti,” but as far as I know, our island has never been officially named. It is a realm of beauty and unity, thriving under the wise rule of its royal family. Divided into culturally rich regions, all stand together under one banner. Crescent City is this island’s heart and soul; that’s where the grand palace is, a symbol of power and grace, where the royal family uses ancient magic to maintain peace and justice. Unless, of course, the last of that royal family doesn’t have any magic. Then, the council is in charge of maintaining that justice.

Harmony is key—disputes are resolved diplomatically, and the people live in balance with nature, preserving it for future generations. Education and the arts flourish, and festivals bring joy and creativity to all. It’s also the only time I’m openly allowed to leave the palace, especially since I have no magic to defend myself with. Not that my people want to hurt me, but the not-so-friendly folks from the darker realms are questionable.

The year's highlight is the Harmony Festival, a grand celebration of unity that welcomes everyone—even from the darker realms. For one night, differences are set aside in laughter, music, and the promise of hope for the future.

“Ciara, my lady, slow down!” Rune huffed behind me.

“Sorry, Rune,” I chortled, “I don't want to be late.”

As I turned the corner, I collided head-on with Allyster, our royal Guardian. It was like running into a solid brick wall.

“You're going to kill me like this!” Rune shouted somewhere behind me. “Don’t you understand that you are of royal blood?” he huffed as he finally caught up.

“I don't think it worries her much,” Allyster commented, looking down at me with disappointment in his tone. As head of the palace guards, he was privy to all the goings-on within the walls.

To outsiders, he appeared like a frightening monster. Allyster has bright yellow eyes that could burn a hole in a boulder if he tried. The scar stretches from his forehead, chin, and neck from one of the battles he has seen. Despite his rough, battle-scarred skin, Allyster has an air of nobility. His cheeks are chiseled and clean-shaven, and he has a delicate jawline accented by his long golden-blonde hair flowing behind him. His ears are pointy and line his head like a conch shell. His body is as hard as steel, with bulging muscles that cover every inch of him. His arms are massive, his fingers are like sledgehammers, and he carries a battle axe that would take two normal people to lift. He wears silvery-white armor with golden trim and a golden cape with royal insignia.

“I apologize, Guardian Allyster,” I quickly composed myself, straightening my dress and brushing off any dirt that may have clung to it from the collision. Allyster's gaze bore into me, his bright eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing my every move. I knew he took his duty of protecting the royal family very seriously, and my reckless behavior must have disappointed him.

"You should be more careful, Lady Ciara," Allyster's voice was stern but not unkind. Allyster's gaze softened momentarily before he stepped to the side to let me pass. "Very well, you should get going. The festivities will begin soon."

Grunting softly under his breath, Rune exhaled heavily. “This is too much for a faerie like me; I'll get someone else to go with her.”

Their voices faded into the background as I descended the grand staircase, lost in my thoughts as the excitement of the upcoming festivities bubbled within me. The air was filled with anticipation and joy, a palpable energy that seemed to envelop the entire palace. I could hear the distant sound of music and laughter drifting from the courtyard, drawing me closer like a siren's call.

Rune had told me to wait until he was ready to escort me, but patience had never been my strong suit. He’ll forgive me, I thought, grinning. Eventually.

I took the steps two at a time, nearly tripping on the hem of my dress. “Excuse me! Pardon me!” I called out as I zipped past startled courtiers, their protests fading into the background.

The festival’s colorful tents came into view as I rounded a corner. In my excitement, I took the turn a little too sharply. My foot slipped, and before I could react, I collided with something—no, someone—solid. Again.

“Oof!” I gasped as I bounced off a broad chest and went tumbling backward. Time seemed to slow as I flailed, my arms pinwheeling desperately, trying to stay upright. Gravity had other plans, and I landed unceremoniously in a vibrant flower bed.

“Great timing,” a deep, unfamiliar voice muttered dryly.

Blinking up, I found myself staring at a stranger—a tall, rugged man with striking features and an air of quiet confidence. His bright red hair was tousled as though he’d been running his hands through it, and his piercing gaze was fixed on me with an unreadable expression.

“I—uh—sorry?” I stammered, sitting up amid a cloud of crushed petals and dirt.

Before he could respond, an angry voice cut through the air. “My flowers! Look what you’ve done!”

A diminutive flora fae stormed over, her hands on her hips and her face red with fury. She was barely four feet tall, but the sheer force of her outrage made her seem ten feet tall.

“You’ve trampled the lilac lilies! And the star blossoms! Do you have any idea how long it takes to grow those? Do you?! They don’t just poof into existence!”

“I didn’t mean to—” I started, but she was already on a roll.

“And you!” she turned to the stranger, jabbing a finger at him. “What are you standing there for? You let her crash into you like a tree falling into my precious flowers! Are you a tree, huh? Just standing there, doing nothing?!”

The man’s eyebrows shot up. “I wasn’t exactly expecting someone to come flying around the corner like a whirlwind,” he replied, calm but with a hint of amusement.

“I’m so sorry!” I said quickly, climbing out of the flower bed and brushing dirt from my dress. “I’ll, um, fix it? Somehow?”

The flora fae snorted, clearly unimpressed. “Fix it? With what, your queenly magic?” she scoffed, making air quotes with her fingers.

“Well, I—”

The stranger coughed to hide a chuckle, and I glared at him. He raised his hands in mock surrender, the corners of his mouth twitching in a barely contained grin.

The flora fae threw her hands in the air. “You know what? Just go! Both of you! Before you destroy anything else!” She waved us off like we were misbehaving children.

“I’ll send someone to help,” I offered meekly, but she just shook her head, muttering under her breath as she surveyed the damage.

As I hurried away from the scene, the stranger fell into step beside me, his smirk now in full bloom.

“So, do you make a habit of bowling people over, or was that just for me?” he asked, his tone teasing.

I shot him a sidelong glance, my cheeks burning. “I was in a hurry.”

“To dive headfirst into a flower bed?”

“Are you always this irritating, or is it just for me?” I shot back, unable to stop myself.

He chuckled, a low, warm sound that was surprisingly disarming. “Guess you’ll have to stick around to find out.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at my lips as we reached the festival grounds.

The air was filled with the aroma of exotic spices and flowers, a testament to our realm's cultural richness. I spotted nobles, courtiers, and dignitaries dressed in their finest, embracing the festival's spirit. However, my gaze returned to the dark figure standing by the fountain. A shiver ran down my spine as I recognized the silhouette of a dark fae. While expected during the festival, their presence still evoked a sense of unease. I stuck closer to the light, where music and laughter filled the air.

The sight of the dark fae reminded me of the importance of this festival. For one night, we set aside our differences and embraced harmony. It was a night of magic, where even the darkest realms were welcomed, and the promise of unity and hope shone brightly. As the festivities unfolded, I felt a sense of pride in my realm and our commitment to peace. With its diverse regions and rich traditions, it stood as a beacon of unity. This night, a highlight of our year, was a testament to our belief in diplomacy and balance. As I moved through the crowd, the festival's energy enveloped me, and I knew this night would be etched in my memory forever.

As the festival kicked into full swing, everyone was dancing and singing. I’m pretty sure I even saw Astrid hanging around somewhere. She’s a burly woman covered in green tattoos that twist and dart across her muscles. So far, I haven’t seen Rune, which means that Astrid is probably my chaperone for tonight.

Her presence alone was enough to keep any trouble at bay. She was a seasoned warrior known for her fierce loyalty and unmatched combat skills. I knew that I had nothing to fear with Astrid by my side.

The music swirled around us, captivating dancers moving in fluid harmony. The feast was a spectacle of colors and aromas, each dish more tantalizing than the last. I couldn't resist the urge to try a little bit of everything, savoring the flavors unique to Celgica.

I bumped into Kraven, a long-time companion of mine. He's a spirited water fae with dazzling blue markings that resemble raindrops. "Ciara, my dear! Have they finally allowed you to leave the palace?" Kraven's eyes twinkled mischievously as he spoke, his voice filled with warmth and amusement. "Or did you sneak out like a little rogue again?" He chuckled, reaching out to ruffle my hair playfully.

I swatted his hand away, feigning offense. "I'll have you know, I am a responsible lady of the court," I replied with a grin, unable to hide my amusement at our banter.

Kraven's laughter filled the air around us, blending with the joyous sounds of the festival. "Of course, my dear Ciara. A responsible lady who enjoys a taste of freedom," he teased, his eyes dancing with mirth.

Kraven jumped up on a nearby table and declared, "Lady Ciara, I challenge you to a Bramble Contest!"

Without hesitating, I eagerly hopped up on the table and yelled, "I'm in!"

Kraven's challenge sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd, drawing their attention to our impromptu competition.

"If Kraven loses, he has to get hitched!" someone shouted from the audience. A chorus of laughter erupted from the crowd at the prospect of Kraven getting married should he lose.

"Oo, I like that one!” I laughed.

Kraven's eyes lit up mischievously as he replied, "Fine, but if you lose, you'll have to kiss me!"

The crowd cheered even louder at the new wager, and I couldn’t help but agree.

“Alright, you’re on!” I laughed. “Barkeep! Bring out your best mead!”

Bramble grabbed two of his most enormous mugs and declared the rules out loud. “You both must finish all five rounds of my finest strongest brew. The first one to give up, pass out, vomit, or fall off the table loses. You got it?"

We both nodded in agreement, eager to out-drink the other.

The first round went smoothly, the mead's sweet and spicy flavor warming our bellies. The second round was a bit harder, but I still finished without a problem.

As we hit the third round, the alcohol began to take its toll. Words were slurring, and movements were becoming unsteady. But neither of us wanted to give up.

The fourth round proved too much for Kraven, who stumbled backward off the table and collapsed on the floor, unconscious.

I was determined to finish the final round and claim victory. I lifted the fifth mug with shaking hands and downed the last mead.

Wild cheers erupted from the crowd as Bramble declared me the winner. With a yell of triumph, I thrust my mug into the air. However, I used too much force and wobbled backward off the table and into the crowd. Thankfully, the people caught me before hitting the ground.

Ciara shouted joyfully. “I totally outdrank a water boy!”

The crowd cheered so loud that it was deafening.