The streets of Eldria were busy with excitement. People were decorating for the festival, hanging blue and silver banners. The smell of roasted nuts and sweet cakes filled the air. In the corner of the marketplace, a young man stood quietly, staring at the castle gates.

Eryan, a blacksmith's apprentice, wiped his hands on his apron. His messy blonde hair was darker from years of working with fire, but his blue eyes still looked bright. He was thinking about his old friend, Princess Seraphina.

They had been best friends as children. They ran through fields, laughed, and shared dreams. But one day, the King found out about their friendship. He told Seraphina to stay away from Eryan. "A princess has no business with a common boy," the King had said.

That was the last time Eryan saw her. She had walked away from him, tears in her eyes.

Now, fifteen years later, Eryan often wondered if she remembered him.

"Make way for the royal carriage!" a loud voice shouted. People moved aside as a shiny carriage passed by.

Inside, Princess Seraphina sat quietly. She was now a young woman, graceful and elegant, but her heart felt heavy. She still thought about the boy who called her "Sera," the name no one else dared to use.

Seraphina had planned something daring today. She wore a simple cloak to hide her royal clothes and told her guards to leave her alone. She was going to the festival — to find Eryan.

As the evening grew darker, lanterns lit up the streets. Eryan felt a strange pull, like something was guiding him. He followed it to the old fountain where he and Seraphina had played as children.

There, he saw a figure in a cloak.

"Seraphina?" he said, his voice shaking.

The figure turned. When her green eyes met his, Eryan's heart raced.

"Eryan," she whispered, her voice soft and full of emotion.

For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other. The years apart didn't matter anymore.

But Seraphina knew the King wouldn't be happy if he found out she had come to see Eryan. Eryan also knew they still lived in two very different worlds.

Even so, neither of them wanted to let go.

"Come with me," Seraphina said, her eyes full of determination.

And together, they disappeared into the night, not knowing the dangers and surprises waiting for them on their journey.