“I wonder where they went off to but it’s not as if it’s late. Honestly, I wouldn’t have waited either,” said Khayri as they walked around.

“Your Highness should feel bad considering she’s probably not used to this type of crowd,” added Nima and Khayri made a look at being scolded again.

“I’m sure we’ll find her,” he mumbled.

It wasn’t completely his fault, Urien had to take some blame as well, but he wasn’t the one getting scolded by his favourite person. It was hard to imagine that his sister would make a scene about being neglected or scold Urien considering how soft she was which made Khayri even more annoyed.

After enquiring from the shopkeepers near the inn, they confirmed spotting young women matching the description getting into a carriage and most of the carriages were headed to the central market district. So, they got on a carriage themselves and headed to the thick of the festival.

Urien and Brice were walking ahead searching for her as well. Considering that she was with both Lili and Raisa and they knew the city, they likely would have taken her to a part of market with various entertainment venues. The streets and even stalls were crowded so even with Nima’s usual vigilance, he bumped into a young lady.

“An apology for the handsome brother,” she said before stuffing a red flower into his hand with a smile.

He turned, about to say something to her but the person was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his eye fell on a familiar face through the crowd.

“You’re busy collecting favours here while nagging me,” suddenly said Khayri.

The youngest prince inexplicably felt something hit the back of his head.

“Domestic viol-”

Nima had to hook his arm around his prince’s neck to keep him quiet. He said a few words before noticing that the person next to him wasn’t replying and turned to the deer-like eyes staring at him.

“Your Majesty,” he said while letting go.

“Is that not the princess?”

Khayri finally turned to the direction that Nima had gestured towards. Even without seeing her face, the costume was one of a kind so it couldn’t have been anyone else, but she seemed…different.

She was pointing to one of the stalls with an energetic smile, talking about something they obviously couldn’t hear. Even so, she seemed quite excited as she spoke, unlike the quiet young woman they knew.

The poker-faced young man next to her was paying the closest attention to her happy chatter contrasting the unapproachable air he gave off. Even though he looked like a tall silent guard walking beside her, there were moments when his face faintly softened, and he seemed amused at whatever she was saying.

As far as Khayri knew, Kamaria was not the type of person to easily interact with people she didn’t know. She barely made conversation with the ones she did know.

“Hmm, would you look at that,” he mused with a smile on his face while scratching his chin.

The situation seemed harmless enough, if anything Khayri was grateful that she wasn’t wandering around alone as she would seem like a good target for people with unsavoury thoughts. As for the unspoken rule of unmarried young people not being alone unless there was other company with them, those rules could get kicked down a well. Besides he was still annoyed about being scolded.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Anyone who’s anyone in this world should have a few options if they choose.”

As the prince walked head, Nima had an idea of what he was about to do and shook his head. Then again, he wasn’t wrong. Why did the princess deserve to have any less fun? Khayri finally caught up to his friend.

“You know, I think maybe we’ll have better luck in this direction,” he said while draping his arm on Urien’s shoulder and turning him right in the opposite direction of where they had spotted the princess.

Khayri believed that if she could wait for Urien for two hours then he could wait for a while longer.

****

Out of a dim alley, a man came scurrying out almost tripping over his own feet.

“These types of idiots are ruining a completely good night,” said a young man as he leisurely strolled out of the alley.

“These few days should be about celebrating and getting a good drink,” he continued although the person next to him never said a word.

While he was looking for something else to complain about, he spotted a familiar face that seemed more dazzling than usual. He suddenly smiled, making a few people walking past him steer clear. The scar running over his nose from the left to right of his face did not go very well with the joyous atmosphere of the festival.

“I must be imagining things. That troublemaker is smiling, with a man? Don’t those fierce little bloodhounds of hers never let her out alone?”

While he was happy to see the face, but it also made the stitches of his newest injury itch and his hand subconsciously brushed over one side of his torso.

Kamaria was just about to suggest a place to sit and eat when she caught a glimpse of a dubious smile from a young man leaning on a wall next to an alley. Sorin noticed the sudden change in her demeanour and wanted to turn back to see what caused the sudden reaction when he felt a discreet pull on his robe.

“Did you see someone you know?” he asked.

“Just an old patient, no need to worry. Hey, let me show you one of the capital’s exclusive lairs,” she insisted with a smile but was clearly leading him away from everyone and into an alley.

Sorin ignored the shifty behaviour with a little smirk. It wasn’t surprising this one would have trouble with a few people. Kamaria made sure to gesture to Lili before they left.

They meandered quieter passageways, and it didn’t take long to reach what seemed to be the back gate of an establishment. Kamaria knocked on the smaller side gate and a round opening suddenly revealed an eye.

“Ah, it’s you. We don’t have space tonight, everywhere is full,” replied the voice of a young man.

“Does the manager know you don’t want my business?” she whispered next to the opening and then looked back at Sorin and smiled.

The gate was opened rather reluctantly, and it seemed to be the back area where the staff were running around and preparing the ingredients.

“I’ll take the usual private room,” said Kamaria while confidently walking forward into the building and listing a variety of foods as she went.

They were headed to the kitchen or rather making their way through the great kitchen. The young man curiously looked the tall Sorin up and down before scurrying after Kamaria.

“Doctor, must we do this today?”

“Smells so good, I definitely want some of this. Send it up,” said Kamaria as she patted one of the chefs on the shoulder and left with a piece to taste.

“But Doc-”

The boy barely had time to say anything else before she had already disappeared around the corner.

It turned out that they had entered a popular teahouse. It was much smaller than the inn Sorin was staying giving a cosier feel but not less intricately decorated. After walking up a narrow back staircase, Sorin realised that the front building was packed with the slight lingering scents of incense, coffee, and tea.

There were two floors and most of the tables were occupied. Like most places of entertainment, it was set out so that there was a central stage that could be seen whether one was downstairs or upstairs. Since it was a festive period, the small opera lively opera was accompanied by the sound of an energetic oud and an orchestra of other instruments.

“Did you see the man with the Doctor?” whispered a few waitresses.

“Ah, I want see,” commented a few others when they heard but only a few could go in and serve the food.

The room they were led into was more luxurious than Sorin was expecting. Silk floor pillows and ornate rugs lined the floor making sure the occupants would be comfortable as soon as they took off their shoes.

The dark wood used for the furniture had its own slight fragrance and the lighting added a certain charm to the room illuminating the polished bronze ornaments and lanterns. Trust the little Doctor to know how to enjoy life.