The party departed from the inn early the following morning on their embark to the great city of Magnus. Azrya rode in the carriage accompanied by her husband, who deemed it safer for her to remain by his side, after the previous incident. As they approached the city gates, Azryra could hear the sounds of music, singing and elation ringing from inside the city, and could smell the sweet aroma of food and spices. Intrigued, she peered her head outside the carriage window to catch a glimpse of the commotion.
"What's going on?" she asked Akio curiously.
"The festival of the Fortis Bellator." he replied bluntly, not giving much away.
"Fortis Bellator?" she questioned probingly, her questions earning a side look from Akio.
"It means the brave warrior," he replied impatiently with a sigh.
Azrya thought to herself for a moment before responding.
"It's a festival in honour of you isn't it, and your victory in the great war!"
However, Akio did not respond, and instead a flushed look came upon himself, as though he were embarrassed to be put in the spotlight. Azrya giggled slightly at his unexpected modesty, discovering yet another new side to her new husband.
As the gates to the city opened, majestic colours and wildflowers filled the street, with life and bustling people on every corner. The people of Magnus had gathered at the gate to welcome the ruler of Magnus and his new wife, with welcoming smiles plastered on every face.
The vanguard knights on their horses led the way through the crowd as the carriage followed them, with the rear knights trailing behind them in a tight, secure formation. Children ran alongside the carriage, waving frantically, trying to catch a peek at the new Lady Halen, and Azrya returned their waves with a welcoming smile.
One little girl tripped as she tried to keep up with the carriage, grazing her knee and immediately, Azrya signalled for the party to come to a halt, stopping all the knights, mid-route to the castle.
"What in the hell are you do-" Akio growled coldly to her, at the sudden halt, but Azrya cut him off replying,
"Just wait here two seconds, there's something I need to do," and she swiftly snatched the coin pouch hung at Akio's waist and quickly dashed out the carriage door before he could stop her, leaving him momentarily stunned at her sudden impulsivity.
Azrya sprinted towards the little girl, crouching on the ground, getting dust and dirt on her dress as she gently helped the girl up.
The small, blonde-haired child reminded her of her sweet, youngest sister Iris, so she immediately felt a soft spot for her.
"There, there now it's alright," Azrya said softly with a smile, gently brushing away the girl's tears and wiping the dirt off her dress.
"My, what a beautiful princess you are, there's no need for tears your highness,"
Azrya playfully said to the young girl, earning a giggle from the child as she used her sleeve to wipe her tear-stained face.
"There's only one thing missing," exclaimed Azrya,
"All princesses need a crown!"
And with that, Azrya handed a silver coin to a teenage girl selling intricate festival crowns, weaved from branches adorned with bright, colourful flowers, as well as wooden toy swords, and asked,
"Your prettiest crown for the prettiest princess please."
"Yes, of course m'lady," the seller replied eagerly, selecting a delicate crown covered in purple and pink blossoming flowers and handing it to Azrya with a messy curtsy.
Azrya gently placed the crown on the girl's little head, earning a bright and beaming smile from the child, and the girl immediately hugged her, clinging tightly to her skirt.
Her warm and caring persona only made him want to protect her from the cruelties and realities of the real world even more. In his heart, he absolutely doted on this woman and her every action, but the trauma he endured growing up would not allow him to express his true feelings to her.
"Lady Halen! Lady Halen!" small high-pitched voices cried out while Azrya felt a gentle tug at her dress. She turned around to see a whole bunch of children behind her and one asked shyly,
"Can we be princesses too?"
"What about us, we don't want to be silly princesses, we're knights!" A young boy piped up, waving his makeshift sword branch in the air.
"Of course, you can all be princesses, or knights or whoever you want to be," Azrya said to the kids.
Handing the whole pouch over to the seller, which contained far more money than what she would make in an entire year, Azrya commanded,
"Your most majestic crowns and finest swords for all the children, please." Causing the children to cheer excitedly and the seller beckoned at two other teenage girls selling the same items, and they began to distribute them out to all the children at the festival.
Akio watched as the whole scene unfolded, as he had quickly ran after her, like a loyal pup following their owner. He had a blank expression on his face, but his eyes revealed a certain warmth and lovingness as he watched his wife interact with the children.
He hoped one day they would have children of their own.
Snapping out of his daze, Akio strode over to Azrya. "It's time to go back to the carriage now."
"What a killjoy." Azrya thought to herself silently, then with a smirk she grabbed Akio's hand, intentionally batting her long white lashes looking up at him and with the sweetest tone she could muster she spoke,
"Oh please Sir Halen, mightn't we look around for a bit and enjoy the festivities. They are in honour of you after all, it would be rude not to."
Blushing slightly at her sudden change in demeanour, Akio ruffled his hair which glistened with blue hues in the warm sun. "Fine but you must stay by my side at all times." He compromised.
"Of course, of course, whatever you say, let's go!"
Azrya said impatiently, pulling Akio along through the crowd.
They explored different stalls and tried all different types of food throughout the festival. Azrya leading the way with the curious excitement of a child, dazed by all of the sights before her. Akio, however, was not impressed by the festivities, and rather his attention was drawn to the pure joy of his wife, as she revelled in the festival activities, and he revelled in her.
Azrya had flowers painted on her cheeks, different samples of exotic perfumes applied all down her forearms, and she was filled to the brim of tantalising delicacies she had never tasted before. Her hair was decorated with all sorts of intricate hair pins, clips and ribbons. Upon seeing the Lady of Magnus, all the merchants were eager for Azrya to try their products and Akio paid each one. Azrya's wrists were adorned in intricately woven bracelets, and she selected a blue bracelet, interlocked with silver strands from a merchant, and gently tied it around Akio's large wrist, smiling at him.
Akio felt a pang in his heart at her gesture. He tentatively touched the worn-out yarn necklace around his neck, hidden under his tunic, with a small silver pendant hanging off it, getting a flashback to the first gift he had ever received from Azrya.
She didn't recall him or what had happened when they were younger, but Akio had never and would never forget.
Stroking the bracelet adorning his wrist, he smiled at her.
Azrya was surprised for a moment. It was the first time he had ever smiled at her, and for a moment it was as though time had stood still and they stood gazing at each other for a little longer before continuing their journey to the castle.