For the past week, the streets of Astoria's capital have been teeming with energy, a lively convergence of nobles and commoners that blurred the lines of social rank. Vendors called out to passersby, hawking their wares with an exuberance that matched the joyous atmosphere. Children darted through the crowds, their laughter mingling with the melodies of street musicians. Everywhere, there was a sense of anticipation, a collective breath held in unison. The air itself seemed charged with excitement, as if the entire kingdom had awakened to the promise of something extraordinary.
This mingling of classes was not a strange sight during this time; it was the week of the Lunar Radiance Festival, the kingdom's most cherished celebration. Held every four years, when the calendar gifted an extra day and the moon cast its most luminous glow upon the land, the festival was a time of unity, where Astoria's people—whether highborn or humble—came together to honor the celestial forces that watched over them.
As the week unfolded, the commoners prepared for their two-day feast with unmatched enthusiasm. Doors that were usually closed to outsiders now stood wide open, welcoming neighbors and strangers alike to partake in the bountiful meals that adorned their tables. The clinking of glasses in crowded taverns punctuated the night, while merchants eagerly bartered with customers, their stalls laden with goods offered at generous discounts. The spirit of the festival was one of sharing, of spreading the blessings bestowed by the Radiant Moon.
The nobles, too, engaged in the festivities, though their celebrations were marked by tradition and duty. Many began their journey to the capital with charitable deeds, providing for those in need within their domains before making their way to the Celestial Dukedom. There, in the hallowed halls of the holy domes, they knelt in reverence, offering prayers to the celestial beings for continued prosperity and peace. Upon reaching the capital, they stepped into the vibrant chaos of the city with a rare willingness to engage with the common folk, their usual aloofness softened by the festive atmosphere.
The week's grand crescendo would be the Masquerade Ball on Crescent Isle, a secluded island just off the coast. By then, the kingdom would be entirely under the spell of the Radiant Moon, its glow illuminating the waters surrounding the isle, casting a silvery path that the nobles would follow. There, hidden behind masks and veils, identities would be obscured, and the usual boundaries of rank and privilege would dissolve, if only for a night. The ball was more than just a gathering—it was the essence of the Lunar Radiance Festival, a moment when all of Astoria paused to celebrate the unity, peace, and hope that the Radiant Moon bestowed upon them.
It might look festive, and it is, I haven't had time to rest well ever since Alexander came in here. He even left the dress saying it belongs to no one, and if I wanted to, I could just throw it.
I pinch my nose bridge in distress, "My Lady, I really advice for you to take a rest, our travel will not be until tomorrow dawn, you need to be well prepared." Rose said, I glanced at a nearby mirror and I see a hint of dark circles growing under my eyes.
"But Master Aleric—" I tried to protest, but then a knock came in, when it open, it was the Duke and Sir Zeke.
"No need to stand." The Duke said, eventually Rose and Zeke left us.
"If there's something, you should've called for me at your study, Father didn't have to go here." He gently cupped my cheeks, "You've grown beautifully." He smiles.
'Celeste really had a great father.'
I see spark in the Duke's eyes, he's looking at me as if I was his daughter, a pang of guilt cripples into me. Sometime now, I had wondered where and what happened to the real Celeste's soul, what if I'm stealing her life?
"I wanted to give you this." It was a tiny deep purble box, when he opened it, it has a ring that ressembles the galaxy. Its a deep purple gem with glitters inside it. I looked up to the Duke wanting to know what it is.
"It's your Mother's..." He closes it again and directly handed the box to me, "I know you have always wanted this, but I'm never sure when you should have it. You've mature so much, and had endured so much pain, my love." He says smiling at me, "You don't have to wear it at the masquerade ball itself, I know you had called in for Master Aleric to wear your very own jewels, but I just want you to have this."
I didn't know what to say, 'Do I... deserve this?' Instead of saying anything, I hugged the Duke, there was hesitancy at him at first but he hugged me back eventually. "Thank you, Father."
After that, Rose forcibly made me go to sleep, even using a special potion to make people sleep without even able to fight back. When I woke up, its dawn already, the moon shines brightly through my window.
My bags had been packed, and then Rose came in, hurriedly helping me to prepare. For the next few hours, she and the other maid helped me out.
"Wow... my skin look so bright and... young!" The Dark circles are gone, pores seems to have shrunk, and Celeste never had wrinkles and even if she had a tiny bit, it was also gone!
"Lady Rose is really the best!" Miss Tan said, "It's been so long since I've seen Lady Rose and her magic!" Miss Louise remarked.
Rose has been prideful at her makeup skills, if she were in the modern world, I'm pretty sure high end celebrities would want her service.
The sun hasn't risen yet, but we had embarked the journey. We still have to go to the Grand Cathedral at the Celestial Dom (Dukedom) to pray, before going to the Crescent Isle. We will not be stopping by at the Capitol anymore since the masquerade ball is in three days for now.
When the carriage finally reach its destination, the Duke held out his hand to help his daughter, I gulped, still feeling guilty how his Duke longs for his daughter, yet I'm the one in here, a stranger.
"Are you alright, Honey?" He asks, noticing my gloomy complexion, "No, I'm just a tad tired."
When I look at the sorrounding, its as if I can hear the angel's harp as they sing, the sun rise gracefully at the white marbl with golden engraves of the Grand Cathedral, I never really notice it when I arrive here in my first day being wed to Alexander but this is...
Before I even gasped the cathedral's mesmerizing aura, I saw other nobles get out of their carriages. Some has parasols, some walk gracefully, some men hold their pocket watches, and some accompany their families.
I breath one last time, and the Duke and I went to the Grand Cathedral to perform the three knelts of prayer and three sermons of the priest.
'It's going to be a long day.'