The crowd watched her wide-eyed, filled with confusion and suspicions. Vivia did expect hostile sentiments from demons who weren't used to seeing a human in their city - humans that they despised the most.
"Sh-She spoke in Xul!" One demon exclaimed to his neighbour in disbelief.
"Princess Clairette can speak our language?"
"Why would a human bother learning Xul?"
Everyone had assumed it would be difficult to understand her because of the language barrier between their races. Demons in Rudaheim only used their realm's language, Xul, to communicate.
Only a few demons belonging to the Ministry of Diplomacy knew how to speak the neutral language of Vael. Knowledge of anything regarding the Human Realm's language, Grakth, was out of the question.
They weren't quite able to wrap their heads around this development when something else bugged them.
"Why is a human, a royal princess at that, bowing before us demons?"
"Don't nobles only curtsy before other nobles? We're not nobles."
"I think this princess is trying to achieve something here. Humans can never be trusted."
"Yes, humans are sly and cunning!"
Some of those words fell on Vivia's ears as the demons weren't trying to be so discreet in the first place. She let go of her curtsy and raised her head. "I always thought that Xul is a very beautiful language. Hence I insisted on learning and mastering it."
The demons remained stubborn to be impressed.
"As for my curtsy, it's only natural to show respect. You're the diligent citizens of the Demon Realm. As Emberlain's Princess, you remind me of my own people," she said with a warm smile.
Though Vivia hadn't truly stepped into Clairette's shoes as the princess, her words nevertheless reflected her genuine intentions.
Humans and demons might differ in appearances, but it didn't change the fact that at the end of the day, every demon here worked like any other human in her homeland to provide for their family and live their life to the fullest.
In essence, how they led their lives was the same.
Zerath, for a brief moment, wondered if she would find it overwhelming to stand amidst the keen and bitter scrutiny. He sighed in relief, watching her proudly stand her ground, undeterred by their unfavorable gazes.
He smiled. "I invited Princess Clairette to the festival, not only because she's our guest but also because she was the one who contributed to the end of Nethermoor's eternal winter."
A unified gasp rippled through the crowd. The crowd was aware that Nethermoor's crisis had ended after a long wait of over twenty years. It was the biggest news spreading throughout the realm, but none had any knowledge about the specifics.
Zerath said, "Though this might sound puzzling, spring greeted Nethermoor only because of her. It was her dance in the lake forest that made the sun come out of its slumber. We don't believe it's a coincidence."
Vivia's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
I-It wasn't anything divine…! I'm not the blessed in the first place! She lacked the tears to shed.
An audible gasp swept through the air once again.
"Dance? Does that mean Princess Clairette is the Harbinger of Seasons?"
"Impossible. Only a child belonging to the Great Three Families is blessed by the Gods. The royal family isn't one of them…"
"This is really strange," whispers spread through the crowd.
Zerath continued. "Princess Clairette holds Rudaheim's immense gratitude. As someone who brought our fellow citizens out of their long misery, it was only prudent for me to invite her to the festivities."
The unsavory and inhospitable expressions remained.
"But wasn't young lord Astaroth working to end the eternal winter?" One demoness countered her friend.
"I wonder what happened to him then?"
"To see a human take away his glory…I don't think that would've sat well with him," another demon gossiped.
Zerath could read their endless questions like an open book. The circumstances around Astaroth were lengthy to explain, and he didn't wish to consume the festival's time with it.
"Captain Valtor will post an announcement soon. It will detail everything in regards to Nethermoor and its situation, including young lord Astaroth's fate. Everyone can read the bulletin once it's up."
Fate? What fate? The curiosity ramped up further.
He smiled. "For now, let us begin the festival. I implore everyone in Casca to enjoy the celebrations to their heart's content. As Casca's lord, I command that there should be no end to food, drinks and indulgence today."
"Rise for the Crown Prince Zerath!"
The joyous battlecry almost made Vivia go deaf, but the energy in the atmosphere brought a chuckle to her lips.
As the crowd dispersed, Zerath turned toward her and said, "I apologize for the sourness you faced. I…cannot promise if you'll be able to truly enjoy the festival. It will be difficult for the people to shed their stiffness toward you-"
"You don't have to apologize for anything. I understand the bitterness as well as you do. And don't underestimate me," she chirped. "I can enjoy the festival no matter who gives me the cold shoulder. I'm stubborn in my own ways, hoho~"
Vespera inwardly rolled her eyes.
Good luck with that, Princess. You're too confident for your own good.
"I should accompany you."
She smiled. "No. I don't want them to feel the pressure to please me because of your presence. They'd be nice to me but only because of you. I don't wish for that. As Casca's new lord, I also believe you've many important appointments to keep."
Zerath stared at her, slightly pursing his lips. He murmured under his breath. "Sometimes I wish you wouldn't be so understanding…"
—
Vivia gazed at the main street, starry-eyed. No matter where she looked, bustling stores filled every nook and cranny. A plethora of shops lined the street, making her feel dizzy.
"Vespera, is that the Infernal Parade?"
Vespera looked in the direction she pointed. She stared back at her, perplexed. "Does the Princess know about the parade?"
"I heard it from my master! The Infernal Parade is one of the main highlights of any festival in Rudaheim. It's a tribute to the Sun and the Moon, am I correct?"
Captain Valtor, whom Zerath had ordered to guard Vivia, nodded. "Yes, Princess."
Vivia looked at Eurus and asked, "Would you like to take a look at the parade, Eurus?"
He nodded once.
The Infernal Parade was a breathtaking spectacle that celebrated the twilight energy. Towering effigies of the sun and moon crafted from molten gold and shimmering silver glided through the streets. Fire dancers moved around the procession, tuning their steps to the melodies being played. The golden glow from the sun collided with the silvery luminescence of the moon, creating a dazzling display of fireworks.
Vivia and Eurus watched the shower of sparks in awe. She found her feet unconsciously tapping to the drum beats. Sparkling with excitement, she took Eurus's hands and laughed.
"Let's dance!"
At first, the crowd thought that she was crazy. But the more passionately she moved her body in beautiful arches, the more everyone found their gazes slowly locking onto her.
Her feet tapped on the ground as if she were a fairy. Though the parade's fiery musical beats left even the strongest of the demons fatigued, she kept matching the rhythm with her own energetic swirls and movements without breaking a sweat.
At that point, a spirit of competition stoked within the fire dancers. They exchanged glances, a fiery aura blazing around them.
As if we'd let a human defeat us!
Vivia thought she was imagining it, but she felt the air change. She was completely surrounded by the fire dancers. Their steps and moves became more aggressive, yet they didn't lose even a shred of elegance. Their razor-sharp eyes landed on her, challenging her.
Can you match this, huh?
Vivia's face shone in pure joy as if it was the sun itself. "Oh, you're ramping it up? Perfect!"
She studied their steps in great detail and clasped her hands behind her back mimicking them as she lifted her thighs - first left then right - all the way up until they touched her chest. She had to twirl while keeping that form straight and intact. It was one of the most difficult steps as the hands at the back tended to disturb one's balance. It took years of harsh practice and surviving hellish body pain to achieve that level of flexibility.
The crowd, especially the fire dancers, were flabbergasted.
Is she a monster!?
"Huh. Not bad…"
In the distance, a demon with deep blue eyes watched her and Eurus dance while idly tossing an apple between the air and his palm.
"Why do you sound so impressed?" A neighbouring demon grunted. "It's nothing so special. She's just making a fool of herself."
The apple mid-air fell back into his palm, and he yawned. "How about you dim those glitters in your eyes before you speak? If you aren't impressed, then don't show yourself as one."
"I-I wasn't impressed!"
"Sure," he snorted.
He watched her dance for another minute, then lazily walked away, humming a tune to himself.