THE SHADOW BOUND CROWN

The festival's energy carried the crowd toward the glowing river, their path illuminated by the warm golden lights strung between poles and trees. The market square, now left behind, had been a spectacle of song and stories, but the true culmination of the night lay ahead. The river's surface reflected the countless lanterns already prepared for release, their soft glow casting rippling patterns upon the water. Excitement buzzed through the air; anticipation thick among the festival-goers as they awaited the final ritual.

Lysara walked amidst the crowd, her posture relaxed yet alert, her senses keen even as she allowed herself to take in the beauty of the festival. Aurelia remained at her side, occasionally brushing against her in the tightly packed space, though whether it was intentional, Lysara could not tell. Laurien followed closely behind them, his gaze fixed ahead, his usual composed demeanor softened by the celebration's atmosphere. Calla trailed slightly behind, admiring the beauty of the floating lanterns lining the riverbank.

At the river's edge, the area count stood on an elevated platform, raising his hands to silence the murmur of the crowd. As he began the well-known celebration prayer, voices across the assembly gradually hushed, listening with reverence.

"Ancestors of Ravenshade," the count intoned, his deep voice carrying over the water. "Guardians of our land, keepers of our past, hear our words this night. We honor you with light, with stories, with the fire of our spirits. Look upon us as we send forth our wishes, and if it pleases you, let them be carried into the heavens and answered."

As he finished, a hush settled over the crowd before, one by one, voices rose in whispered prayers. The flickering glow of lanterns seemed to pulse in rhythm with their hopes, each person murmuring their deepest desires into the night air before lifting their lanterns toward the sky. The sight was breathtaking—countless points of golden light drifting upward, their reflections shimmering upon the water's surface, blending into the stars above.

Lysara held her lantern firmly, feeling the smooth wood and delicate paper under her fingertips. The warmth of the tiny flame inside it spread outward, much like the quiet determination in her heart. She closed her eyes briefly, whispering her wish before gently releasing it into the sky.

Aurelia, watching the lanterns ascend, turned toward Lysara, curiosity flickering in her gaze. "What did you wish for?"

Lysara smirked slightly and shook her head. "That's a secret."

Aurelia crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Hmph. You won't tell me?"

Lysara raised a brow, tilting her head in amusement. "Why don't you tell me yours first?"

Aurelia harrumphed, her cheeks tinged with color as she turned her gaze back to the sky. "Maybe I wished for you to appear in my room again while I was naked," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Lysara choked on air, her face immediately burning red. "I did not—! That was an accident!" she sputtered.

Aurelia smirked, clearly enjoying Lysara's reaction. "Then why do you look so guilty?"

"I—" Lysara exhaled sharply, running a hand down her face. "I already apologized!"

"Not properly," Aurelia quipped, folding her arms. "I think you should take responsibility for spying."

Lysara groaned, her face still warm. "It wasn't spying! But… fine. What do you want as compensation?"

Aurelia hummed, pretending to think before flashing a satisfied grin. "I'll let you know when I decide."

Lysara sighed in defeat. "Of course."

Nearby, Laurien, who had been silently observing their exchange with thinly veiled amusement, chuckled as he lifted his own lantern into the air. "I think I can guess what your wish was, Aurelia."

Aurelia turned to him, narrowing her eyes. "Oh? Enlighten me."

Laurien smirked. "You probably wished for Caelum to miraculously disappear."

Aurelia huffed but did not outright deny it. "And what about you?" she shot back. "Did you wish for Evelyne not to fall in love with him?"

Laurien's smirk softened into something unreadable. He neither confirmed nor denied it, his gaze flickering toward the drifting lanterns. "Let's just say I have my concerns," he said simply. He knew his siter wished him happiness hence guessing she would wish for his success in his love pursuit.

What he did not know was that he was half right and that his guess was indeed in one of her wishes but not at the top of it.

The playful atmosphere dimmed slightly at his words, the weight of the situation returning to the back of their minds. But before it could settle, Calla, who had remained quiet, suddenly spoke up.

"I wished for a good suitor."

Silence followed her confession. Aurelia, who had previously regarded Calla with subtle coldness, turned to look at her fully, expression unreadable. Then, to Lysara's surprise, Aurelia nodded.

"Well, I hope your wish comes true," Aurelia said sincerely.

Calla blinked, slightly taken aback by the shift in attitude, but nodded in gratitude. Lysara, watching the interaction, felt a pang of curiosity. Aurelia had seemed distant toward Calla earlier, yet now, she was offering genuine well-wishes. It was an unexpected but not unwelcome turn of events.

As the final lanterns ascended into the heavens, the celebration reached its end. People slowly began to disperse, returning to their homes with lingering smiles and hopeful hearts. The air remained warm with the energy of the night, but the excitement had begun to mellow into contentment.

Lysara turned to the group. "We should head back," she said. "We need to return to the castle soon."

They all nodded in agreement, making their way back to Marienne's home to change into their earlier, more suitable attire. As they walked, the golden glow of the lanterns still drifted above them, carrying their wishes into the endless sky.

And in Lysara's heart, she knew that while not all wishes came true, some were worth chasing after.

She also knew that it was okay to have many wishes as long as one worked hard to get them.

They then bid goodbye to their wonderful host Lysara promisinng to bring their greetings back to her sister. They borded the carriage and left the place.