Tatiana and Bjorn rustled through the streets.
The festival was starting and people from many parts of the kingdom came to the capital to celebrate the Sun Festival. The festivities usually start at dawn, when the sun rises, and end when it sets, but that doesn't mean that it will be the end of the day's celebration.
At night, people enjoy the night stalls and caravans. There are also magic shows and plays. The highlight will be on the last night of the celebration when there will be fireworks.
"So much cool stuff," Tatiana whispered as they walked. The merchants are having the time of their lives since many people are buying from them. There were also magical things like a glowing and levitating rose in a glass container, bracelets that gave all sorts of energy to the wearer, and even boots that made people walk faster.
"Hey, Bjorn!" Tatiana gasped, "look at that cool magic sword!"
A blacksmith showcased his sword that emitted flames in a short amount of time. It burns the things that it slices and the user's energy is used for it to work. There was also other stuff like a bow with arrows that automatically burn when aimed at a target.
"Those things easily break and are not ideal when in battle. They also drain energy, which will put the knights in danger." Bjorn explained, and looked uninterested at all.
Tatiana kept her mouth shut since Bjorn didn't look like he was excited about the festival at all. She was also offered a magic pouch where she could store many things and could even fit a whole sword inside. Many magic items from all around the kingdom were being sold in the capital. Tatiana was tempted to buy many things, but she didn't have enough savings because most of her allowance is being used for the operational expenses of the orphanage.
"These are really pretty," Tatiana whispered as she stared down at a ring with a big blue stone at the top. At first, it looks like an ordinary gem, but when you look closely, it has white and many shades of blue swirling on the inside.
"You have a great eye, young lady!" an old woman who was selling the goods approached her and picked up the ring. "This is a magic stone that protects you from bad luck and sometimes, it may be able to grant a wish."
"That's nice," Tatiana said, but she was sure that she wouldn't be able to afford it. Plus, it sounded like a scam to her. She just liked it because it was very shiny and pretty.
They continued on their way to look some more. The only thing that was in Tatiana's budget was the street food that they were selling. They had corndogs that were cheesy and immediately melted in her mouth.
"These are good," she moaned in delight after eating one after another. "Have a bite!"
She raised her stick and placed it in front of Bjorn's mouth. His forehead creased and he immediately thought of rejecting her, but the princess looked like she was having a good time and he didn't want to ruin her mood.
He hesitantly opened his mouth and took a bite of the snack that the princess offered him. Tatiana encouraged her to chew and waited for his response. Bjorn chewed and sparks flew, and he immediately liked the taste. His eyes slightly widened in delight.
Tatiana chuckled and nodded in approval. "Tasty, right?"
While Bjorn was still chewing, Tatiana grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the crowd. There were face painters, and children were getting their faces painted with flowers and other cute things. A woman offered her a sunflower wreath, while Bjorn was offered a leafy one with dark blue lilies.
"Come up if you're willing to challenge our most powerful fighter!" a man announced. There was a crowd of people encircling a stage with thick ropes as railings. Most of the audiences were knights and big men, shouting and chanting while rooting for their champions.
"They have things like that here?" Tatiana whispered to herself. She looked back at Bjorn and saw him looking over at the stage. His eyes sparkled with interest, and Tatiana could describe him as a little boy looking at a new toy.
Tatiana smiled when she saw him actually enjoying the festival. He was so boring and dense at first, but as time passed by, he finally lowered his guard and actually started enjoying the festival.
"You want to join?" Tatiana asked him.
Bjorn immediately turned bright red and shook his head, "Why would I take part in things like that?"
"Why not? Other knights are having fun, so why would the captain not be allowed to?"
"It'sâ" Bjorn trailed off, thinking of other excuses to say, "Uhh."
"Go on," Tatiana encouraged him, "show them what the leader of the knights can offer. You'll be able to enjoy yourself, and you'll be able to win the prize if you win!"
"I'm not sure about that," Bjorn scratched the corner of his chin, looking all bashful. Tatiana's heart fluttered at the sight, it was the first time she saw him acting cute.
Tatiana sighed and tiptoed to get his wreath, and she started taking off his gloves for him. She also took off his cloak, which left him with a fitted tunic and combat pants. Tatiana's face heated up even more when he saw just how buffed-up Bjorn was.
"Go on," she said and pushed him towards the ring, "I have a contender!"
"A contender!" the announcer said, "Well look who it is! The captain of the knights!"
The audience roared and cheered for him. They called out his name, and the ground felt like it was shaking because of the rowdiness. Soon after, not only men and knights were gathering around the ring. Even families and girls wanted to watch Bjorn fight.
A long piece of clothing was handed over to him, and he started wrapping his knuckles with it. He tilted his neck from side to side and started warming up. He felt a jolt of electricity in his body, and he had never been this excited before.
The announcer shouted, "Will he still be able to win in hand-to-hand combat?!"
The audience roared. "Our current champion standing is known for being the best at hand-on-hand combat! He has won all of the fights until now, but here is the thing, only one victor wins. Between two of these powerful men, who will be the last one standing!"
The crowd cheered again, louder than ever. A man who was two times the size of Bjorn went up inside the ring. He was a middle-aged man who looked like he had rocks for breakfast. His body was all muscle and he was extremely large. He was bald, with intimidating eyes and a bushy mustache. He roared when he went face to face with Bjorn.
"Will this be the biggest fight in the festival's history?! We'll never know! The Exterminator and the Captain of the Knights!"
"Watch out, boy. I am definitely more experienced than you," the exterminator taunted Bjorn while they were circling around the circle.
"Experience will not measure one's fighting abilities," Bjorn plainly said.
The man laughed, his voice booming in the air, "How cute of you, but this fight is mine."
The fight was not his.
Bjorn toppled over him with ease and even had a psychotic smile on his face. Tatiana had never seen anybody looking so happy and excited while beating another person up. The poor man tapped immediately after receiving multiple blows from Bjorn. The man was strong and very intimidating, but Bjorn was a beast. He was extremely fast and precise with his moves. During the early fight, he immediately attacked the weak points of his opponents and just played with them right after.
The princess froze in her place. She did not expect Bjorn to be that good, or even wild. Even the crowd was in shock after the fight and the announcer was delayed in announcing who the winner was because he was in a state of shock.
"Well," he cleared his throat, "We have a winner!"
The crowd roared, and flowers were thrown into the ring. The exterminator was immediately carried into the tent to be tended to. The knights cheered with pride for their captain, and the girls squealed with delight, shouting things like they want to marry him or bear him a child.
At that moment, Bjorn shone, and that was the first time Tatiana ever saw him smile in victory. His teeth were exposed, and he stood there with pride while the announcer raised his other arm. Who knew that an uptight person like him would be able to grin like that out of pure joy.
Tatiana's chest tightened, and suddenly, it was hard to breathe. Her heart was beating fast while staring at him.
The remnants of the original Tatiana inside her churned. The feelings that were left dormant for a long time started to wake me up. Was this what the original Tatiana saw in him?
--
END