Extra Chapter 6 – The Festival of the Future Heir
The air was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine and freshly baked pastries. Lanterns of gold and silver hung from every archway, their glow reflecting off the polished stone of the palace courtyard. Music filled the night—a rhythmic, intoxicating melody played by skilled hands, laced with the laughter of children and the hum of a kingdom alive with joy. Tonight was a celebration unlike any other.
Tonight, the kingdom rejoiced in the coming of its future heir.
Luna stood at the edge of the grand balcony, her hands resting gently over the curve of her growing belly. She felt the pulse of life beneath her palms, a reminder of the tiny being that had already changed everything. A strange mixture of excitement and apprehension filled her chest as she gazed down at the thousands of people who had gathered below. They cheered and danced, tossing flower petals into the air, their joy tangible.
She should have felt nothing but happiness. And yet, a part of her felt strangely exposed—vulnerable beneath the weight of their expectations.
A warm hand pressed against the small of her back, grounding her. She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Are you all right?" Rhydian's voice was a low murmur, meant only for her ears.
Luna inhaled deeply, letting the crisp night air soothe her. "It's overwhelming," she admitted. "But it's… beautiful."
His fingers brushed against hers, a silent reassurance. "They love you. And they will love our child, fiercely."
Luna tilted her head to look at him. The moonlight cast silver shadows over his sharp features, softening the edges of his usual intensity. For all the power he held, for all the fear his name inspired, there was nothing but tenderness in his gaze as he looked at her.
"Come," he said, lacing their fingers together. "They're waiting for us."
Hand in hand, they descended the marble staircase to the main courtyard, where the festivities were at their peak. A hush fell over the crowd the moment they stepped onto the main platform, but it lasted only a breath before an eruption of cheers filled the air.
A respected elder stepped forward, his robes embroidered with ancient symbols of protection. He held out a small bundle wrapped in silk—an offering. "For the child that will shape our future," the elder announced. "A gift woven with blessings of strength and wisdom."
Luna accepted it with both hands, feeling the weight of the cloth, the prayers stitched into its seams. One by one, people came forward, each bearing gifts—some practical, others deeply symbolic. A farmer presented them with a basket of the finest apples, a token of prosperity. A young girl, no older than seven, shyly handed Luna a single white feather.
"For… for when they need to fly," the child whispered, eyes full of wonder.
Luna's throat tightened. She crouched to the girl's level, taking her small hands in her own. "Thank you," she said, voice thick with emotion.
As the night stretched on, the festival pulsed with energy. Dancers wove intricate steps in the open courtyard, their movements fluid and hypnotic beneath the flickering torchlight. Musicians played, their songs reverberating through the palace walls.
The scent of roasted meat and spiced honey lingered in the air as servers carried trays of delicacies, weaving through the crowds. Yet, despite the grandeur of it all, Luna found her attention drawn elsewhere—toward Rhydian.
She caught him watching her, his expression unreadable yet intense. Then, with a subtle incline of his head, he gestured for her to follow.
Curious, she let him lead her away from the heart of the festivities, past the towering archways of the courtyard and into the quiet seclusion of the palace gardens. The moment they stepped onto the grass, a hush settled around them. The sounds of celebration faded into the distance, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl.
Luna exhaled, feeling some of the tension drain from her shoulders. "You planned this," she accused lightly.
Rhydian smirked. "You looked like you needed a moment."
She glanced up at the night sky. The moon hung high, casting its glow over the world below. "It's beautiful out here."
"You are beautiful out here," he murmured.
Luna turned toward him, and for a moment, they simply stood in the stillness, the world forgotten. He reached out, his fingers grazing her cheek before settling against her jaw. "I wish I could freeze this moment," he admitted. "Before everything changes."
Luna's heart clenched. "Are you afraid?"
Rhydian hesitated, then nodded. "Not of being a father. But of failing you. Of failing them."
Luna took his hand and pressed it against her stomach, feeling the warmth of his palm. "You won't," she whispered. "You already love them. And that's enough."
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his grip on her tightening just slightly. "And you? What do you hope for?"
Luna hesitated. "I hope they'll be kind. That they'll know love, not just duty. That they'll be free to choose their own path, even if it takes them far from here."
Rhydian exhaled sharply, as if the thought pained him. "And if that path leads them away from us?"
Luna smiled softly. "Then we let them go. Because love is not a cage."
Something in his expression shifted then, his gaze darkening with something she couldn't quite name. He leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers.
"We'll give them everything," he vowed. "And we'll keep them safe. Always."
Luna closed her eyes, savoring the weight of his promise.
And beneath the glow of the moon, surrounded by the whispers of the night, they stood together—not just as rulers, but as two souls bound by love, facing an uncertain yet beautiful future.