The day went by so fast, and then, next dat arrived. The moon harvest eve. The whole empire would be beaming with celebration, lanterns and decorations lit in the air by now. But the celebration was best held and enjoyed in the evening, when the sky was calm and about to set, and everyone was at their homes with family. However, the real celebration was tomorrow, the moon harvest festival. It was a day specifically blessed by the moon goddess, where young wolves get the chance to find their destined mates, because there was always this invisible string that flows in the air and leads soul mates to each other.
It was a day of happiness and jubilee. There was even a rumor, that on this specific day, lost mates could even find eachother again. That was how strongly they believed the day to be blessed.
Adrian did as he had promised Lily. They got in the carriage and rode off, leaving the glares of Luna Valerie behind. She and the Alpha watched them leave as the gates closed, Valerie faced Jederek and glared at him too.
"I can't believe you gave him permission to take that damned redhead out!" she said.
However, Alpha Jederek remained calm and composed, a slight smirk forming on his lips.
"She is still the daughter of an Alpha," he implied, repeating exactly what his son had told him yesterday. He was annoyed seeing their closeness yersterday, and had asked him why he wanted to take the girl out. And that was his son's exact answer.
Valerie was stunned to speak, until she snapped out of it and glared at him again.
"What the hell is that even supposed to mean?! Can't you see how he's grown really fond of her??"
Alpha Jederek glanced at her and smiled coldly. "Rest easy Valerie, it is only for a day. This doesn't mean anything."
He then turned to walk back inside, leaving her standing, wondering if it was still her husband who had just spoken.
As the carriage stopped at the market, they both came out. The blue sky gradually turned pink and it's glistening beauty was what greeted Lily's eyes. Her lips parted in awe as she glanced around, seeing people move around with smiles on their faces.
Adrian took her hand as they began walking towards the market that lies just by seaside. And Lily, she couldn't stop looking at everything around her, curiosity and excitement flashing in her eyes.
But after a while, she began noticing the weird looks of the people on her. Some were staring at her like she was something strange that they had never seen before in their lives, while some stared at her as if she looked really familiar. And it began making Lily feel a bit uncomfortable.
Adrian could sense her getting tensed, so he squeezed her hand gently to assure her that he was right there with her. It made Lily calm down a little before she smiled back at him.
He then continued to take her inside the market. The moon harvest was always a blessed time for everyone. As well as the street marketers, this was always a perfect opportunity to sell their business knowing everyone would be out today.
"Fresh jewelry! For all you beautiful ladies!"
"Buy sparkling crystals! And bracelets!"
"Get your beautiful dresses ready for tomorrow!"
"Fresh fish!"
She could hear the loud voices of the sellers advertising their market, and it amused Lily. She didn't even know when a bright smile fell upon her face. For the first time in many years, she felt so free and ailve. All of a sudden, she heard a loud noise, which caused her heart to jump.
She turned around to see men hitting drums and playing the flutes as many females danced around in beautiful dresses. She wondered if it was still because of the moon harvest that they were so happy and joyous.
Then she felt Adrian gently tugged at her hand to pull her closer to him. "Come," he said. "We don't want you getting lost."
Lily grinned at him as they continued to walk further into the market, reaching the seaside. Lily could see boats from afar, as well as the beautiful blue sea.
"Hey," she turned to face Adrian when she felt him pull her closer again.
She saw him point his finger to the calm, glistening sea, and he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Look. Isn't that the exact replica of your eyes? My, very beautiful isn't it?"
Lily's eyes widened, staring at the sea and looking back at Adrian, suddenly feeling heat rush to her face -after realizing that he was comparing her eyes with the beautiful sea.
"But I have never heard of anyone saying that the sea is cursed. I've only heard of how it is filled with nothing but blessings and great fortune." he teased as he tried to look confused.
"Which means.....you were lying to me weren't you? That's not nice of you, my lady." Lily couldn't control her smile now as she giggled, hearing his flattering words.
Adrian smiled seeing how bright her face had gotten. He wanted her to always know that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever set his eyes on. And she wasn't cursed.
They continued walking and they soon got to a dress seller's shop. All of a sudden, a few ladies rushed out of the shop and surrounded Adrian.
"Hey mister! Why don't you try out some nice attire fit for a handsome man like you?" the ladies all said as they surrounded him, smiling and trying to get his attention, causing he and Lily's hands to separate.
Lily's heart which was calm before began racing again, she was getting nervous. She tried to get closer to him, however the ladies blocked her way, making her not even able to sight him again.
Lily's heart was pounding now, until she felt a grip on her hand and she jolted around to see an old man in a small shop, who looked calm and humble.
"I'm sorry miss, I just wanted to show my dresses to a beautiful female like you," the old man smiled wholeheartedly at her which made Lily freeze as she stared at him, before looking down at the dresses in his hands.
"By the way, I must say. You are a very beautiful young lady. I have never seen you in the market before, perhaps your parents prefer to keep a precious jewel like you safe at home?" The man continued to smile as he showered her with compliments making Lily silently wonder if she was dreaming.
A stranger had just called her beautiful. She smiled genuinely at the old man, blushing a little. She suddenly wished she had coins with her so she could give him and buy his dresses.
But her smile soon died when she heard a woman's voice.
"What are you doing touching the cursed redhead's hand? You fool! Are you trying to bring misfortune to my business?! Aren't you supposed to call good ladies to buy our market?!"
The woman seemed to be his wife seeing how bossy and domineering she was as she stood and faced the old man, not even wanting to look at the girl in the eyes.
Lily frowned and quickly took her hand away from the man's hold, turning away from them.
She sighed as she continued walking away, it looks like no one has forgotten about the cursed redhead.
While she continued walking, a kid suddenly bumped into her and before she could even react or say anything, the kid's mother had pulled him away, with fear in her eyes.
"What are you doing touching the cursed redhead?? Get away from her!" Lily remained silent.
It seemed like her rumored curse was still taken very serious and nearly worshipped just like a deity. She could even be worshipped in another sense and claim herself as a god at this point-
"Bloomin heck!"