During the second and third days, the festival unfolded with familiarity, featuring delightful food stalls, lively music, enjoyable activities, and lively dances basking in the daylight. However, as the sun set and nightfall descended, the true distinction between day and night became apparent. The night events introduced an entirely different atmosphere, marked by a touch of magic, romantic allure, and enchantment.
As the second night unfolded, a captivating play titled 'The Crop Production of the Astandra Empire' took centre stage, narrating the rich history and significance of the festival. Before its grand presentation, Leesa and Anton meticulously reviewed and approved both: the script and the performance. The performance was showcased to esteemed guests including the emperor, the empress, and dignitaries from foreign nations during an evening of entertainment. However, Flavian could only access the script due to his tight schedule.
The story begins with a detailed account of the origins of crop production in the Astandra empire. It focuses on the experiences of three farmers representing the rest of the farming community. These farmers express their determination and enthusiasm to till the fertile fields of Astandra, scattering seeds for a bountiful harvest and laying the foundation for a thriving agricultural sector. Then enters a merchant who showcases the empire's high-quality crops in a bustling marketplace. The merchant emphasizes the importance of crop production for the sustenance of the empire's inhabitants and the stability of its economy. The marketplace scene vividly represents agriculture's economic and social importance in the Astandra empire.
As the play progresses, the farmers face several challenges, including natural disasters, which threaten to destroy their crops and livelihoods. However, the farmers vow to innovate and adapt to these challenges. The next scene depicts a testament to the resilience and determination of the farming community in Astandra. The last act of the play concludes with a grand celebration, marking the agricultural success of the Astandra empire. The celebration serves as a symbol of resilience and prosperity that can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and innovation. The play emphasizes the enduring significance of crop production in the history of the Astandra empire, celebrating the power of determination in overcoming challenges.
As the play ended, the second night's events came to an end. On the third day, morning light filtered through the blinds, casting diagonal shadows across the room. The steady hum of the people buzzed in the background as the crowd was enjoying themselves at the festivities. Flavian was sitting in his office chair going back and forth and absently staring at the reports from yesterday, waiting for Leesa to come and give him further tasks. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about that night. The moment he stepped away from the dance floor, leaving behind the bittersweet memory of his last and only dance with Leesa, his heart ached with the words he had long kept buried. As the music faded, so did the fleeting warmth of their shared embrace, leaving only the haunting silence of unspoken feelings lingering in the air.
He straightened up when he heard the soft click of footsteps approaching. Leesa appeared in the doorway, looking fresh in her army uniform and her dark hair swept up in a messy ponytail. Flavian glanced over at her fascinated by her simple attire as he always does. "Good morning, my lady," said Flavian giving a hazy smile.
"Morning, sire," answered Leesa formally before sitting on the sofa, sorting out the documents and reports to hand over to Flavian.
Flavian caught his breath in his throat for a moment, then forced himself to act like everything was normal. He leaned back in his chair, trying to keep his tone casual. "If you are free today, would you like to come for a stroll with me, my lady?"
"Yes, I am free, but a stroll to where sire?"
"Shall we go watch the festival and see how the preparations and our hard work unfold, my lady?"
"Can we go?" Really? Won't it be dangerous for you to go out in such a crowded place without much security, Sire?"
"Oh, come on my lady you will be there with me. What could even happen?"
"Well, that is right, I will be there but still Sire I insist we should take some security with us."
"Haa... Fine. So, are we going or not?"
"Yes, Sire. We are."
The two of them quickly wrapped up their tasks making their evening time free, organised the documents for the next day, double-checked the reports and headed towards their respective rooms to get ready for their festival date. As Leesa stepped towards her room she called for Weinne.
"You called, my lady?" requested Weinne with a slight bow.
"Weinne, please prepare a light dress for me. I have to accompany the crown prince to the festival under supervision," explained Leesa, eating fruit, which was kept on her table carefully prepared by Weinne knowing her likes and dislikes.
"Certainly, my lady," said Weinne with a face full of a grin. Her fantasy ran wild again. Full-on preparing for a festival date, she took out a fancy dress from the closet.
"Weinne, I am going under disguise, a simple dress will do," said Leesa, amazed by Weinne's choice of a simple dress. Weinne nodded slightly embarrassed by her mistake and helped Leesa put on the dress. It was a perfect fit. She quickly gave a few touch-ups to Leesa's make-up and she was done with her work.
Leesa stepped into the cobblestone square dressed in a gown that showed rich emerald fabric shimmering faintly, its soft velvet folds cascading to the ground in elegant waves. Intricate golden embroidery traced along the bodice and sleeves, forming delicate patterns of vines and flowers. A braided belt cinched her waist, the pattern complementing the soft curls that framed her face. Around her neck, a simple pendant glinted—a reminder of her timeless grace.
Flavian awaited her outside the hall connecting their rooms. The silver threads in his tunic shone in the bright light of the palace. The deep charcoal fabric, trimmed with burgundy, emphasized the sharp angles of his shoulders and the confident set of his jaw. Over the tunic, a leather belt held a small pouch, adding rustic practicality to his attire. His boots, polished but sturdy, seemed ready to carry him through the festival grounds with ease. A wide-brimmed hat with a single feather completed his look, lending an air of gallant charm.
"You look stunning even in a simple dress, my lady," beamed Flavian as Leesa stepped out of her room.
"Thank you sire, but you don't look bad for yourself," remarked Leesa as they both made their way towards the carriage. Leesa had learned to give back Flavian's complement to subdue her embarrassment.
As the wheels of the carriage rolled to a gentle halt, they saw the cool embrace of night enveloping the beautifully crafted festival, the flicker of torches and lanterns casting a warm, golden glow across the bustling streets. Flavian stepped down first, offering his hand to Leesa. "Good thing we came right," said Flavian with a genuine smile.