Enchanted Rivalry

12. Water play

Kael

As I made my way through the familiar corridors of the palace, a sense of unease gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. The empty breakfast table was a stark reminder of the absence of my family, leaving the expansive hall eerily silent and devoid of its usual warmth and bustle.

With a furrowed brow, I approached one of the palace guards stationed nearby, my voice tinged with concern. "Where is Father?" I inquired, my words echoing hollowly in the empty hall.

The guard's response was terse, his expression unreadable as he informed me of Father's preoccupation with matters of administration. It was a familiar excuse, one that I had grown accustomed to over the years – a convenient shield behind which Father could retreat, leaving me to navigate the complexities of palace life on my own.

But it was the mention of Prince Adrian that gave me pause, a flicker of apprehension igniting within me at the thought of my younger brother venturing out alone. "And where is Prince Adrian?" I pressed, my tone edged with urgency.

The guard's response sent a chill down my spine, his words weighted with a sense of foreboding. "The young prince went out towards the river, accompanied by our palace guards," he replied solemnly.

A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as I processed his words, a surge of protectiveness coursing through me at the thought of Adrian wandering the palace grounds unattended.

 Without another word, I turned on my heel and set off in the direction of the river.

As I approached the river, my heart pounding with concern for my brother, I was met with a sight that both puzzled and relieved me. Adrian stood at the water's edge, his clothes drenched and a mischievous grin plastered across his face.

"Adrian, what happened?" I began, my words cut off abruptly as a sudden splash of water drenched me from head to toe. I sputtered in surprise, blinking away the water as I turned to face the source of the unexpected deluge.

And there, on the opposite bank of the river, stood Aria – her laughter ringing out across the water as she brandished a playful smile. Her hair was soaked and clinging to her face, the remnants of a water fight evident in her gleaming eyes and flushed cheeks.

For a moment, I was taken aback by the scene before me – Adrian and Aria engaged in a playful exchange that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their respective worlds. And yet, despite my initial confusion, a sense of relief washed over me at the realization that my brother was safe and in good spirits.

As the water dripped from my drenched clothes, I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Adrian's infectious grin. "What's going on here, little brother?" I called out, my voice tinged with amusement.

Adrian's laughter bubbled up in response, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "We were just having a bit of fun, Kael!" he exclaimed, gesturing towards Aria with a playful glint in his eye. "Aria challenged me to a water fight, and I couldn't resist!"

I glanced across the river at Aria, who met my gaze with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "It's true," she called out, her laughter echoing across the water. "Your brother puts up quite the fight, Kael!"

I raised an eyebrow incredulously, shaking my head in disbelief. "You do realize we're not children anymore, Adrian," I remarked dryly, though a small smile played at the corners of my lips. "Besides, shouldn't you be attending to your princely duties?"

Adrian shrugged nonchalantly, his grin widening. "Oh, come on, Kael! Live a little!" he urged, gesturing toward the river with an inviting grin.

Aria's laughter echoed across the water as she joined in, her eyes dancing with amusement. "He's right, Kael! You're never too old for a little fun," she called out teasingly, her playful demeanor infectious.

As she turned to leave, her hair still damp from the playful water fight, Adrian called out to her with a grin. "You'll be there at tonight's full moon ceremony, right?"

She paused, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as she glanced back at us. "Of course," she replied, her voice carrying across the river with a hint of warmth. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

I nodded in agreement, a sense of anticipation building within me at the thought of seeing her again later that evening. "We'll see you there," I added, my tone more casual than I intended.

Aria offered us a wave before turning to leave, her figure disappearing into the trees as she made her way back to the Summer Court. Adrian let out a sigh of contentment, his grin widening as he turned to me with a gleam in his eye.

"Tonight's going to be great," he declared, his enthusiasm infectious. "It will be so much fun!"

----------------------------------

As the moon rose high in the sky, casting its ethereal glow over the gathering crowds, I found myself scanning the riverbank for any sign of Aria. I couldn't seem to spot her amidst the throng of people gathered on the opposite side of the river.

Liam approached me with a curious expression. "Looking for the princess?" he inquired, his gaze flickering between me and the bustling crowd.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Why would I be?" I replied.

Liam raised an eyebrow knowingly, his lips quirking into a knowing smile. "Oh, I don't know," he teased, his tone laced with amusement. "Perhaps because you can't seem to take your eyes off the Summer Court side of the river?"

I rolled my eyes at his observation. "I assure you, I have more important things to focus on than the whereabouts of the princess," I retorted, though my gaze unconsciously drifted back to the opposite bank once more.

As the ceremony unfolded around us, with chants and rituals honoring the power of the full moon, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that had settled over me. Despite my attempts to remain aloof, a part of me couldn't help but hope that Aria would make an appearance – only to satisfy my own curiosity.

But as the night wore on and the moon reached its zenith, there was still no sign of her. Not that her presence meant something to me. Its just, I am curious.

As I scanned the riverbank, my gaze fell upon Aria, her laughter ringing out amidst the crowd. But to my surprise and dismay, she was not alone – standing beside her was Prince Andrews, the prince from the neighboring kingdom with whom she had shared a dance at the ball.

A surge of frustration and confusion welled up within me at the sight. Why was he here, intruding upon our sacred ceremony? And more importantly, why was she laughing and conversing with him as if they were old friends? She never laughs like that with me and we practically grew up together, although with this divide but still.