I WAS WOKEN UP BY THE COLD AIR IN THE ROOM HITTING my upper back and the sun light falling on my eyes. I slowly got up and rubbed my eyes, then it hit me hard and the events from last night repeats in my head. I turn to my side and Riftan is not here.

I quickly got up and put a dress, it was less extravagant than the one from yesterday, but it worked pretty well. I put my cloak on and I left the room to look around the castle. I was immediately greeted by Lord Lucien's servants, who invited me to have breakfast.

"Thank you for the invitation", I bow at them and then I remember who I'm searching for, "have you seen Lord Riftan somewhere?".

"His majesty was invited by Lord Lucien to be a part of our traditional festival", the maid explained to me and gave me a small note in a nice envelope covered with flowers on it.

"A traditional festival?", I looked at the note in my hand and raised an eyebrow.

"As you may know here in Balto the spring comes earlier than the other kingdoms, so we have this festival to celebrate every year. You might like it, lady Eleanor".

The traditional festival of Balto to welcome the spring. I've heard of that. Plenty of noble people come all the way here to celebrate and to try the famous wine, that Balto produces. Plus, the food on this festival is also one of the reason Riftan and the knights come here every year. They say it's magnificent.

This was my first time ever being on a festival, so I was actually excited to see what was it all about. The head maid leads me to the carriage and helps me get in. The moment I entered the city I saw Riftan and Lord Lucien looking around with cups of tea in their hands. The driver of the carriage helped me to get out and I bow to him before he leaves me.

Lord Lucien saw me the moment I got out and he gives his advisor his cup of tea. Riftan noticed me too, but decided to pretend like I wasn't there. I guess the events fro last night weren't a dream after all, I thought to myself as I watched Lord Lucien take my hand.

"Lady Eleanor", he pressed a kiss on top of my hand and looks up to me to smile, "it's pleasure to have you here as my guest. Please, feel free to try everything around here. It's on me".

"The festival looks incredible, your majesty, you have my congratulations", I bow to him and I spotted Riftan looking at me with that cold and scary expression.

"Feel free to try our wine too. And, if you like dancing you can try our traditional dance competition", Lord Lucien finally lets go of my hand and puts his hands on his hips, "you know, many woman try to win it".

"Sounds interesting, your majesty", I smiled and tried my best to avoid Riftan's gaze piercing my soul. Why is he so grumpy all of a sudden? I move my head to the side.

Lord Lucien guided us through every stall and showed us everything. It really was the best festival I've ever seen. For my first time I tried food so spicy, their curry was so spicy, but so good. The little girls made me a flower crown with beautiful dandelions. I even had time to stop by a stall about dresses.

They were so pretty and made out of cotton, the seams were so perfectly done I was very impressed by it. And the many choices of colours was fascinating. In Anatol we don't have that many options, because we gotta have enough cotton for the knights shits.

My eyes stopped on one dress. It was dark red with beautiful golden seams. The neck line was low and it had very nice black corset coming with the dress. It was long and wide below the lower back. It was beautiful and I felt like it was made for me. But unfortunately I didn't had the money to afford such pretty dress. I didn't bring any with me.

"Do you like it?", Riftan's voice got my attention and I turned my head to see him next to me sitting there with his arms crossed. He looked neutral and cold, but his eyes sure were falling on the dress, "if you want I can buy it for you", he suggested.

"It's okay, my Lord, I can come next year and buy a better one", I smiled at him and I turn my back to continue walking.

By sunset my stomach was bloated from all the food I ate and my legs were tired from all the walking today. But it felt good. I don't remember when was the last time, when I had so much free time to relax. Lately work is only thing I'm doing and I gotta admit-Riftan was right. I needed a vacation.

People started gathering around the fire on the central part of the city. Young girls were getting ready to perform their dances for the beautiful competition. I move past the old folks and I got to the front line. I threw one quick glance back to see Riftan sitting next to Lord Lucien on the big table, where the nobles sit. He's fine, so I can enjoy my evening.

The first girls, who performed, decided to do a traditional Balto dance as the opening of the festival. It was a beautiful dance. They spin in a circle, then they caught each other by the hands. The music started going faster and the girls were dancing even faster. I was mesmerised by their moves. It was like they were flying and not actually dancing.

After the traditional dance the style of the other dances was more free. I saw moves from all around the seven kingdoms. Lord Lucien came to me and offered me a glass of wine to warm me up, but I declined his offer. I've never been good at drinking. Riftan didn't say anything to me, he just came to watch the performances.

A soft and nice tone started playing in the air and all the young couples around us got up to move next to the fire. The slow music and the atmosphere was so lovely and romantic, it made me feel so...lonely. I watched as girls around me smile at their partners and it made me wish for someone to dance with me. Riftan was still next to me sipping of his wine. His cheeks were a little bit red, but he still hold his composure.

"Lord Riftan, may I ask you to dance with me?", a young and beautiful lady part from the nobles came to us and gave Riftan a flirty smile. It made me sick to watch her flirty with her eyes so shamelessly. And that's suppose to be a noble lady? Haha.

"Sorry, I already promised a dance", at that moment Riftan put his cup to the side and grabbed my hand.

He started leading me to the fire and when we were close enough he turns to face me and put his hand on my lower back. I put mine on his shoulders. We started dancing slowly following the rhythm of the song and I felt the warmth of his hand on my bare back. Riftan tried to avoid my eyes, but it didn't work out very well. And when our eyes finally met..I felt like the time and the world stopped. It was only me and him. Only us and the song.

"Eleanor..", he said my name almost whispering. Riftan leans closer and closer to my face and I close my eyes ready to receive the kiss I was waiting for so long, but no..he moves to my ear, "I bought the dress you were looking at. You should try it later", he said.

"O..oh..thank you, Riftan", I said and I move my eyes to the side. Seeing all these couples around us kissing and looking so lovely-dovely made me wish for that kiss. But I can't have that, he's an engaged man..and you're not a home wrecker, right?

"Look, Eleanor, about last night..".

"Don't worry, Riftan, I won't tell anybody about it. Not even Ruth", I cut him off and the music stopped. The dance was over. I let go off his hands and I turn my back at him.

I slowly walk past the crowd and I push them to the side, but not too roughly. I grabbed my cloak and I ordered the head driver to bring the carriage. I felt like it's time to go back to the castle. It was..too much for one night.

UNEDITED