Lovewood

Crystal and Marina staggered through the lively crowd, their eyes scanning the room for Aurelius and Ambrose. Finally, they spotted them standing near an ornate fountain, their expressions frozen in astonishment as they laid eyes upon Crystal's transformed appearance.

Aurelius, captivated by her beauty, couldn't help but express his admiration. "Crystal, I must say, you appear utterly resplendent," he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine awe. Crystal's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she smiled back at him, grateful for the compliment.

Meanwhile, Ambrose stood at the side, his breath caught in his chest. The sight of Crystal's transformed appearance sent a wave of conflicting emotions through him. Memories of Madonia, threatened to resurface, mingling with his growing feelings for Crystal.

He reminded himself that Crystal was a different faerie altogether, a distinct presence of her own.

Sensing the tension and fear in his aura, Crystal approached Ambrose with a gentle determination. She reached out and took his left hand in both of hers, a comforting gesture meant to convey support. Her warm smile radiated reassurance as she spoke softly, "You Highness, you don't need to worry. Everything will go smoothly for sure." She had thought that Ambrose was still upset about his father, he really did seem to hate him.

The gentle touch of her hand on his, coupled with her encouraging words, helped ease Ambrose's earlier panic. Yet, the image of Madonia still lingered in his mind, causing him to view Crystal through a lens colored by his past experiences. Crystal sensed his lingering worry from his aura, prompting her to employ a bit of humor.

"I've heard that you don't attend the banquet every year," Crystal teased, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "So, rest assured, I fully support you. We can make a swift exit once our part is done. If we can sneak once then we can sneak twice without a doubt." Her playful remark broke the tension, eliciting a beautiful laughter from Ambrose. In that moment, as his laughter filled the air, Ambrose felt a renewed sense of connection with Crystal, a reminder that she was a distinct individual, separate from Madonia once again.

Although Aurelius hated the interaction between the two, he just held his words within, looking away from them. He knew that Crystal was looking after Ambrose with the kind heart she possessed, at least that was what she tried to console his aching heart with.

...

The four of them stood together, side by side, on the stage adjacent to the main stage where the King was seated. Each of them in position and ready for their performance.

Marina, with her water affinity, reached out to a nearby fountain, manipulating the water to form a drum, its rhythmic beats resonating through the air.

Aurelius, with the power of the spring, called forth scattered leaves and branches from the surrounding area, crafting them into a harp. The natural sounds blended harmoniously with Marina's water drum.

At the end of the line, Crystal took a deep breath and with a wave of her hand, she summoned a swirling gust of wind element, shaping it into a flute. As she brought the instrument to her lips, the wind whispered melodies that echoed through the hall, complementing the rhythm set by Marina and Aurelius.

As the three of them began to play their enchanting instruments, guided by their magic, Ambrose stepped forward. His voice, rich and resonant, filled the space with harmonies.

The lyrics of the song, crafted by Crystal herself, paid homage to a son's love and admiration for his father, the King, who tirelessly cared for his nation and its people.

"In your heart, the love so grand,

A king's touch, a guiding hand.

With wisdom true and strength divine,

You lead us through the passage of time.

You nurture dreams, ignite our souls,

And make us whole, as each bell tolls.

With every step, you build a land,

A kingdom strong, where dreams expand.

So let us sing with voices strong,

In honor of the king, his reign so long.

We raise our hearts, in grateful cheer,

To a father, a king, whom we hold dear."

Only Ambrose knew what lies were filled in the song as the rest of the faeries in the banquet hall clapped as loudly as possible.

Only he was aware of the sins his father has committed and only he knew how much he wished for him to disappear.

Crystal felt his burning rage throughout their performance but the respect in her eyes for him increased as he did not show it on his face, keeping it devoid of any snark and completed the song; not to mention she was mesmerized by his voice.

...

Marina's eyes lit up with joy as she spotted a faerie in the crowd. With a burst of excitement, she rushed towards him, and he warmly embraced her. He complimented Marina on her performance, causing her cheeks to blush even deeper.

The other three looked at each other in awkwardness.

As Marina brought the faerie closer to them, she introduced him. "Allow me to introduce Silvanus, my twin flame." Silvanus greeted them with the fae greeting and with a friendly smile. He particularly inclined his head in a bow towards Ambrose, acknowledging his status as the crown prince.

Silvanus's appearance mirrored his connection to the earth element. His tousled hair had a rich, earthy brown color, reminiscent of fertile soil. And dressed in a refined attire befitting the grand occasion, which had subtle earthy tones, reflecting his affinity for nature.

...

Crystal and Ambrose found themselves alone within the grand corridors of the Fae Palace.

Marina and Aurelius had excused themselves to reunite with their respective families in the crowded banquet hall.

Sensing Ambrose's discomfort in the festivities, Crystal suggested they explore the palace, knowing it was a rare opportunity for her to visit the Fae Palace without actually sneaking around.

As they kept wandering through the beautiful palace, admiring the ornate architecture and the play of light through stained glass windows.

They had mindlessly reached the storeroom that they had previously visited and Crystal's memory was sparked by a familiar sight.

Crystal turned towards Ambrose, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Your Highness, what is there in that corridor?" she asked.

Ambrose looked around, uncertain. "I am uncertain, Crystal. This area is not frequently visited. However, if it piques your interest, I am willing to accompany you."

Curiosity at peak, Crystal took a step forward and began walking towards the corridor and Ambrose without hesitation, followed her in there.

As Crystal and Ambrose stepped into the corridor, a strange sense of déjà vu washed over Crystal. The surroundings felt oddly familiar, as if she had encountered them before, perhaps in a dream. She tried to recall the details, but they slipped through her grasp, leaving her with a lingering sense of mystery.

The corridor further revealed a tapestry of countless paintings adorning the walls. Each portrait immortalized the essence of couples—some aged and wise, others vibrant and youthful.

Aurelius's attention was drawn to a particular painting, and he bent down to read the plate beneath it. The words engraved on the plate confirmed his suspicion. "King Nimbus Lovewood & His Wife Luxiana Luminis" It proclaimed, accompanied by a date that indicated their reign nearly a hundred and seventy centuries ago.

Crystal's eyes sparkled with wonder as she gazed at the array of portraits. She suggested that these might be the former kings and queens of the Fae Kingdom, their likenesses preserved in time for future generations to admire and learn from. The thought of being surrounded by the legacy of those who had ruled before them filled her with a sense of awe and reverence.

Ambrose's brows furrowed as he looked at the portraits. "Lovewood-- The name sounds familiar," he mused aloud, his voice tinged with confusion.

Crystal turned to him, a curious smile on her lips. "Well, it's not surprising. The former king had the surname Lovewood," she replied, her tone playful.

Ambrose shook his head, his expression resolute. "No, undoubtedly it pertains to something different. I am unable to precisely identify it, but I am certain that I have come across that name in some context before."