"And what happened next?" Sofia hurried.
"He said, 'I'm not interested in finding a new companion... especially an all-consuming one.'" Verina mimicked Victor's dignified and serious voice.
"Haha, It's a pity that I didn't see the lady's face," Sofia laughed heartily. "It's rare for a noble to have such a good sense of humour."
Sofia was right. Victor was indeed that rare one. The nobleman who could hide something deeper, kinder and more honest behind his rich and arrogant face. But did that mean she could trust him? Verina didn't know yet.
"Do you think he really is what he seems?" Sofia asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Could he be your friend?"
Verina paused, thinking about his offer to go to the festival. "Maybe... but it's such a new acquaintance. I still don't know what to expect from him."
Sofia stepped closer, lowering her voice. "But if he's honest? If he could help you get out of this routine?"
"I don't know..."
"You know this is your chance, don't you?" Sofia continued. "It's never too late to try something new. Even if it means taking a risk."
Verina sighed, feeling the weight of her routine pressing down on her. Taking a risk was what she needed. "Maybe you're right. It's time to try."
Sofia's eyes sparkled with encouragement. "You won't regret it! Imagine the excitement, the music, and the people!"
Verina smiled, the thought of the festival igniting a spark of hope in her heart. "Alright. I'll go."
"Perfect! I can't wait to hear all about it," Sofia exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "And who knows? Maybe you'll discover something wonderful."
Verina felt both excited and anxious. But for the first time in a while, she was ready to embrace the unknown.
As Sofia prepared to leave, she paused at the door, looking back with a soft expression. "I'll be thinking of you tonight. Don't let fear hold you back."
Verina smiled, grateful for her friend's support. "Thanks, Sofia. I appreciate it. I'll let you know how it goes."
"Please do!" Sofia called as she turned to leave, her voice carrying a mix of encouragement and excitement. "Goodbye, Verina! Have fun!"
"Goodbye!" Verina replied, watching her walk away. As the door closed behind her, Verina felt a newfound sense of determination. The evening held possibilities, and for the first time in a long while, she was ready to embrace them.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the quiet streets, Verina stood by the bakery's entrance. Her nerves buzzed with a mixture of anticipation and doubt.
She didn't have to wait long. Victor appeared, stepping out of the twilight, his usual polished attire replaced with something simpler—plain trousers and a linen shirt that looked both comfortable and unassuming. His hair was tousled, and he wore a soft smile, as if the weight of his noble status had temporarily been lifted for the evening.
"Evening, Verina," he greeted her warmly, his eyes lighting up as they met hers. "Ready for the festival?"
She blinked, surprised by how different he seemed. The elegance was still there, but it was… more approachable. "I didn't expect you to dress down for the occasion," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Victor chuckled, glancing down at his outfit. "I figured it would be easier to blend in. And besides," he added, "it's not one of those formal events, right?"
Verina nodded, still unsure of what to make of him. "No, it's not."
For a moment, they stood there, a quiet, almost comfortable silence between them, broken only by the distant sounds of festival laughter and music floating through the air. Victor extended his arm, his smile never wavering. "Shall we?"
Verina hesitated before taking his arm. As they began to walk together, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would be different—whether in a good or bad way. She couldn't yet tell.
The festival's noise enveloped them. Fiddles and flutes played. The air was filled with the smell of roasted chestnuts and sweet pastries. Children darted through the crowd, chasing each other with wild abandon, while vendors called out their wares, their voices cheerful and inviting.
Victor leaned in slightly. "What do you think of all this?"
"It's… lively," Verina admitted, her eyes scanning the bustling scene before her. "I haven't been to one in a long time."
Victor nodded, glancing at the musicians on a makeshift stage as they struck up a lively tune. "There's something freeing about it, isn't it? No titles, no formalities. Just people enjoying themselves."
Verina glanced at him, a slight furrow forming on her brow. "But you… you live in that world of titles and formalities. Doesn't it ever feel strange to step out of it?"
Victor chuckled. "It does. But sometimes, it's good to remember that there's more to life than what people expect of you. Besides," he added, glancing at her with a sly grin, "it's more fun when you don't follow all the rules."
Verina's lips quirked upward despite herself. "Is that what you're doing? Breaking the rules?"
"Only the unimportant ones," he said, his eyes twinkling. "The important ones? I'm still figuring those out."
For a while, they wandered through the festival, stopping here and there to watch performers or sample treats from the stalls. Victor bought her a honey cake, laughing softly as he handed it to her, the irony not lost on either of them.
"I thought you might appreciate this," he said with a grin.
"It's better when you don't have to serve it," she remarked, her tone light but laced with something deeper.
"You don't belong behind a counter, Verina." Victor suddenly said.
She paused, her breath catching for a moment. "And where do I belong?"
He didn't answer right away; his eyes searching her face as if trying to find the right words. "Somewhere more free," he said finally, "You're not meant to be stuck in one place, doing the same thing every day."
Verina glanced away, feeling the weight of his words settling on her. She wasn't sure if she believed him, or if she even wanted to. But there was something about the way he said it, something that stirred a hope in her she hadn't felt in a long time.
Before she could respond, a burst of laughter erupted nearby, and a group of dancers twirled past, their movements wild and joyous. Victor turned to her, his hand outstretched, a teasing smile on his lips.
"Shall we dance?"
Verina hesitated, staring at Victor's outstretched hand. The music around them grew louder, the rhythm infectious, as the dancers swirled past in a flurry of colour and laughter. She hadn't danced in years.
"Come on," Victor encouraged, his voice teasing but warm. "It's just a dance."
Verina met his eyes, feeling a strange pull toward him. [Why is he so persistent with me?] But without fully knowing why, she placed her hand in his. He led her to the clearing where other festival-goers were spinning and twirling, some clumsy, others full of joy, none of them caring how they looked.
"I don't think dancing is one of my talents." She said.
Victor grinned. "Good, then we'll make it up as we go."
Victor's steps were confident yet relaxed, and though Verina stumbled at first, she quickly found a rhythm. They weren't trying to impress anyone—just two people moving along with the melody, their movements loose and carefree.
"Not bad for someone who claims not to dance," Victor teased lightly, giving her a playful spin that had Verina laughing.
"I still prefer the bakery to this," she replied, her tone wry but light. "At least the dough doesn't have to step in time."
Victor chuckled. "True, but dough doesn't laugh either. And right now, it looks like you're having more fun than you'd ever have kneading bread."
Verina shook her head with a smile, realizing he had a point. The weight of her routine, the familiar comfort of her life, felt distant tonight. For the first time in a long while, she felt a kind of ease she hadn't expected. Not joy. But something close—something lighter.
As the song came to an end, they slowed down with the crowd, stepping aside to let others take their place. Verina brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling a strange sense of gratitude for the moment.
"Thanks for dragging me into this," she said, her voice steady.
Victor gave her a warm smile. "Anytime. It's not every day I get to see someone from the bakery out here."
Verina smirked. "Don't get used to it."
Perhaps, just perhaps, he was right. Maybe she wasn't meant to be stuck in one place.
They continued to enjoy the festival. It was a pleasant evening. Verina began to feel herself relaxing more and more. [Maybe Victor is a good man.]
As they continued to walk in the crowded streets, Victor suddenly froze, grabbing Verina's hand.
"What is he doing here? We have to go the other way."
"What? " Verina was confused. "He?"
"My family guard." He hurried, "Run!"
She didn't even realize what was happening, but started running with Victor anyway.
They ran through the crowded streets until they reached the village stream where people were already waiting for the fireworks. They were both panting from the long run.
"Fuh, we made it." Victor sighed.
"Why did we run from your guard?" Verina finally asked, "You're not supposed to be here?"
"I'm not," he admitted, his voice low, "I wasn't supposed to leave the estate tonight, but I needed to get away for a bit. If my father finds out I'm here... well, he won't be happy." His expression darkened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. "He has plans for me, you know. Arranged meetings, and expectations to uphold. Tonight was supposed to be another dull gathering, but I couldn't stand it any longer. I just wanted to feel... normal for a change."
Verina raised an eyebrow, her pulse still racing from their dash through the streets. "You snuck out to come to a festival? Isn't that a bit... reckless?"
Victor glanced at her, a wry smile tugging at his lips. " Reckless? Absolutely. But I'm tired of living under his shadow, of being a pawn in this Empire game. This? This is the first time in ages I've felt free."
It struck her then how rare it was for someone like him, a nobleman with all the privileges that title conferred, to feel trapped. She realized that beneath his confident facade lay a deep yearning for freedom and authenticity.
"Are you really willing to risk that?" she asked softly, surprised by the sudden intensity of her concern.
Victor glanced away, his expression conflicted. "Sometimes, it's worth the risk to feel alive, even if just for a moment."
She thought about the careful routine she had built to shield herself from uncertainty. Yet here was Victor, willing to throw caution to the wind.
Before Verina could respond, the first firework exploded. It filled the sky with brilliant colours. She glanced up, her breath catching at the sight. The bursts of light reflected off the surface of the stream, casting everything in an ethereal glow.
For a moment, everything seemed to stand still. The laughter of the festival, the lingering tension from their escape—it all faded into the background as they watched the sky light up in vibrant hues of red, gold, and blue.
They stood there in silence, the fireworks painting the night sky with colour.
As the fireworks explode overhead, casting bright light and shadows over the festival, Verina notices something off in the crowd. A man, dressed in dark, formal attire, watches them closely. At first, she dismisses it as just another festival attendee, but the unease in her gut grows.
She tugs on Victor's sleeve, her voice hushed. "Victor, I think someone's watching us."
Victor's easy demeanour evaporated in an instant, replaced by a look of alarm as his eyes quickly searched the bustling crowd. When he finally spotted the man, his face turned pale. "That's not just anyone," he replied, his voice low and serious, a stark departure from the carefree tone he had maintained moments before. "That's someone worse than a guard."
Confusion etched itself on Verina's features as she pressed him for more information. "Who is it?" she asked, her heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Victor hesitated for a heartbeat, as though weighing the danger of revealing too much against the urgency of the moment. "He works for my family, but he isn't here to bring me back to the estate," he said finally, his voice laced with tension. "He's here to ensure I don't stray too far from... their control."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and Verina felt her stomach twist with anxiety. "What do you mean?" she pressed, but before she could probe further, Victor's expression hardened.
"My family's influence isn't as noble as it seems," he said, glancing back at the man now weaving through the crowd to close the distance between them.
"We need to get out of here. Now."
Without waiting for her answer, he took her hand. They plunged into the throng of festival-goers, weaving through the laughter and excitement. It now felt more like a dangerous trap than a celebration. The festival, which had moments ago represented freedom and joy, now transformed into a maze filled with hidden threats.
As they ran, Verina's mind raced, questions flooding her thoughts, and she couldn't help but wonder—just how deep Victor's secrets go, and what darkness lay behind the facade of his noble status?