Chapter 128: Orion, Sophia and the Festival Proper III

Chapter 127: Orion, Sophia and the Festival Proper III

The vendor pointed behind her, still chuckling. "Its no trick. And as for who would buy something like this, ask them."

She turned and blinked in shock. A small crowd had gathered, people watching with wide eyes and laughter in their throats. A few called out greetings to Orion, wishing him a good festival, though most were clearly amazed to see him here.

Sophia’s ears burned. "You all saw that, didn’t you?"

A few voices laughed in response.

Orion smirked. "Experience is the best teacher."

"You could’ve warned me."

"And ruin the fun?"

She made a sound somewhere between a growl and a sigh, wrapping the half-eaten skewer back with the napkin. "You’re impossible."

He inclined his head politely. "So I’ve been told."

With a huff, Sophia spun and marched off. Orion murmured farewells to the crowd, then followed her, his chuckle still lingering in the air.

The music grew louder as they moved deeper into the square. Drums pulsed like heartbeats, children darted between legs carrying paper lanterns shaped like moons and wolves, and laughter echoed off every wall. The glow of dozens of a dozen lanterns painted everything in gold.

Sophia slowed as they neared the next stall, a wide one draped with silk banners. The scent of paint and herbs mingled in the air. Several people sat on stools as artists traced lines and swirls across their faces in shimmering pigments.

"Face paint?" Sophia asked, curiosity returning to her voice.

"It’s tradition," Orion said, stepping beside her. "Everyone paints something that represents the festival or a personal wish for the year ahead. Some marks are blessings. Others are simply for joy."

Sophia’s eyes roamed over the crowd. She saw one girl with a crescent moon painted across her cheek, another with spirals like ripples of water. The colors glittered faintly under torchlight.

"It’s beautiful," she murmured.

They joined the line, though the moment Orion stepped in, a ripple went through the queue. People turned, eyes widening, and greetings began to echo again.

"Alpha Orion!"

"Blessings to your home."

"Hope you have a good festival, Alpha!"

One man even stepped aside, gesturing urgently. "Please, go ahead, Alpha. You shouldn’t wait in line."

Orion shook his head, smiling faintly. "No need. We’ll wait like everyone else."

Sophia arched a brow at him, surprised. "You? Patient? That’s new."

He gave her a look that was half amusement, half warning. "It’s a festival. Even I’m allowed to behave."

Someone nearby laughed softly at that.

Sophia leaned closer. "You realize they’re all still staring at you, right?"

"I’m aware."

"Then maybe you should let me handle the attention," she teased, elbowing him lightly.

He didn’t move, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "And deprive them of your performance? Never."

She pinched his side in retaliation, making him exhale a sharp breath that might’ve been a stifled laugh.

"Careful," he warned quietly.

"Or what?"

"Or I’ll make you eat another harthworm."

Sophia groaned. "Don’t you dare."

The people nearest them chuckled at their banter, and even a few children whispered in delight.

Sophia studied him for a moment, warmth threading through her chest. It was strange seeing him like this, standing among his people instead of above them, his expression soft in the flickering light.

He caught her looking. "What?"

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"That’s a lie." Orion said to her and she chuckled.

"I’m just glad you are here and enjoying the festival. It’s fun and I’m glad you are seeing that. No one holds a grudge against you for what happened. I’m sure no one even remembers and even if they do, they don’t hate you for it." She said softly.

Orion stared at her for a while as she debated what painting she should get on her face. Being part of the festival wasn’t so bad after all. But if it wasn’t for her and her insistence, then he wouldn’t even be here in the first place. He’d have to thank her for showing him this. For letting him think past the guilt that had burdened him for long.

"What do you think I should get?" She asked him with a smile.

"Something that shows how short you are." Orion replied not missing a heartbeat.

Sophia gave him an eye roll. "The painting is something that signifies the festival." She said to him.

"And you being short signifies...okay, it doesn’t signify anything in the festival." He said with a laugh.

"I’m thinking about getting a moon." She told him.

"Why?" He asked her.

"Because the festival happens at night with the moon watching over us...just like how the moon goddess watches over us." She told him. "And don’t you dare argue that the moon goddess doesn’t watch over us."

"Okay." He told her.

She gave him a look but didn’t say anything. "What are you going to get?" She asked him.

Orion smiled. "You’ll see."

"I told you what I was going to get but you’re not telling me yours?" She asked him.

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Because I don’t want to."

"Orion." She called drawing out his name.

"Sophia." He said mimicking her.

Those who heard the conversation chuckled. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The line inched forward, and Sophia found herself watching the painters work deciding to ignore Orion. The pigments shimmered, purple,silver, blue, and gold dusts mixed with oils that glowed faintly under lantern. Some designs looked almost alive, pulsing with magic woven into the paint.

It was the kind of thing she never thought existed. It wasn’t really magic, she knew that but it felt like it.

Orion nudged her lightly. "You’re up."

She blinked. The painter, a young woman with dark braids and ink-stained fingers, was smiling at her. "What would you like, miss?"

Sophia smiled at the woman. "A moon. A half crescent moon."

"A half crescent moon?" The woman asked her and Sophia nodded with a smile.

"Yes. Is there anything wrong with it?" She asked the woman who stared at her with a frown.