Drowning in Fire

The Market Place

I smile made its way to my face as I quickly put my headwrap down and started to eat again

"Luna, I'm heading into town today to stop by the market for  chef would you like to come with me?"

I nearly fell out of my seat

Of course, I would

I could see so many beautiful things

As well as avoid the prince as best as I could

As we passed the castle gates the scenery changes tremendously

The tree's stood tall

Not as oak trees my skinny trees with large flat leaves

The ocean stood out far more and they were small houses all over

I couldn't pry my eyes away

This land was beautiful

The street became louder and louder as we made our way towards the center of the village. Women carrying jugs on their head filled with water while holding little children they were dressed beautifully in vibrant colors as well.

"It's lovely isn't it luna"

I had no words so I simply nodded my head

"I will try to take you to the village with me each time I head out! I'm just surprised the prince was okay with you coming with me"

My eyes nearly popped out of my head.

I completely forgot to tell the prince where I was going

I quickly turned my gaze to the window hoping Heather would not notice my reaction, but it was too late

"Don't tell me luna" she said with a warning tone

" I'm sorry, I completely forgot!"

The next thing you know Heather is throwing hands in the back of the royal carriage

" he's going to kill us"

"I know but let's worry about that later because we're here"

I ran out of the carriage and into the marketplace. Heather had not noticed the carriage has stopped.

As soon as I was outside my body was surrounded by new senses

There was music being played while some people danced while others sang along.

Men and women carried baskets filled with beautiful fruit and other materials

I suddenly felt a hand wrap itself around mine it was heather

She still had a bit of anger left but I could tell the atmosphere f this village lifted her spirits

We walked through the market gathering fruits and pastries from the list chef wrote out for us

We even stopped by the fabric shop so that I could stop stealing clothes from the prince I got many beautifully colored pieces

Bright reds and dark purples too

The people of this village stared like the ones back home but it felt different rather than being cold and uninviting they were curious and amazed

Many men gave me roses and pins to adorn my clothes out of kindness

Heather smirked beside me but never said anything

She got a few too

Eventually, we stopped at a small pud to get lunch before riding back up to the castle

The room was filled with people from the village laughing and sharing drinks

Heather and I were seated towards the back of the pub. We left our baskets in the carriage and only carried a small bag of coins for our food.

A small petit lady approached us with an apron tied loosely around her waist

" what can I do ya" I smiled at the way she asked the question

Heather ordered both of us a beef stew with some warm buttered bread. My stomach grumbled at the sound of it.

" so have you made up with the prince yet, he nearly went mad searching for you last night" Heather question with a far of gaze last night

"I suppose, he's a weird man"

He has his reasons"

What then

The prince had it hard growing up, after he lost his sister he went slightly mad"

" How did he lose her

"No one can truly say, some say she was poisoned  by a rebel, but most believe she was killed by the prince himself"

" Why do they think it was the prince"

" she was his opponent for the throne"

" Do you believe it?"

"I don't know, do you?"

"I don't know"

We sat in silence for a bit. I found admiring the many pins I was given. Heather helped me arrange them all oblong my clothes in a beautiful pattern.

Rosie would have loved these

Then my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. Each night I found myself praying to the moon goddess for her safety and protection

The lady returned to our table with cups of water and large bowls of the stew.

Heather must have noticed me not eating and tried to lighten my mood

"Do you know what those pins mean luna"

" no, what," I asked putting a spoon of the warm stew in my mouth. It was delicious but not as good a chefs

" those are marriage proposals " she smiled

I nearly choked on my stew

" marriage proposals!"

" you were quite a stunner in the marketplace today" she laughed

" the most I've ever gotten was 5 but you managed to get over thirty" she began to laugh. Only causing me to laugh along with her.

We finished up our food and went back to the carriage.

I was a bit sad leaving the market. But I could see myself living here with Nova on the outskirts of the village. Maybe I can start a herb shop and sell medicine to the villagers.

The castle gates began to open and both Heather and I suddenly remembered the prince

" Do you think he noticed my absence"

" Maybe he didn't notice since he had to train soldiers"

"Yeah he should be too busy" we both chuckled nervously

But then we realized that the cart had not yet started to move

I stuck my head out of the window to see what was happening Heather did the same

We were greeted by the whole army regimen and the prince

I thundering voice yelled my name

"LUNA"

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GUYS!!!!!

we have made it to 500 Reads!

I am so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to read this! Thank yall so much.