Spring in Avelyn was joyous time. People from neighboring kingdoms always paid a visit to the lavish kingdom during the springtime, knowing it was a sight they could not afford missing. With the arrival of spring came a new beginning; a celebration they called Nowruz.

It was the first day of Nowruz, and Clara had finally healed enough to be able to walk around without her friends needing to keep an eye on her. Though her recovery was tough, she was even tougher.

Clara's laugh sounded around as Lila danced around in her new dress, singing happily to herself as the two sisters walked the town's market. Clara's basket was already full of ingredients she'd bought to bake some goods for all her friends and neighbors who helped with her spring cleaning; a tradition in every house to prepare for Nowruz.

"Clara, dear!" The florist grinned upon spotting her, motioning for her to walk over. "I wanted to give you these; a small thank you for what you've done for us."

Clara blushed and smiled shyly, waving her hand nonchalantly. "You guys did all the work."

"With your guidance nonetheless." She smiled warmly at the younger girl. "Please, accept these gifts."

"Please, Clara?" Lila tugged on Clara's sky blue skirt. "They're so pretty!!"

"Alright, alright..." She chuckled at her sister who yelled out in delight and reached out so that the florist could place the flower crown upon her head, decorating her hair with beautiful colorful petals mixing with beautiful daisies. "What do we say, Lila?"

"Thank you!" The little girl grinned at the older woman who returned the gesture.

She then turned to Clara, placing her own special crown on her head, taking a few threads of her hair from under the flower crown to frame her face.

Clara's hair glistened in the sunlight, the orange petals of the Nasturtiums bringing out the golden tones of her locks. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of the familiar flowers; she often got them for Edwin after each fight he had won.

She never thought she'd be the one receiving them one day.

With one last smile and thank you, the two sisters continued their walk in the market, buying everything they needed, and many things they didn't need, but alas Clara could not convince her sister otherwise.

"You little goblin..." Clara shook her head with a tiny chuckle, paying the merchant for the bag she insisted she needed more than air itself, even though she hated carrying things and had many unused bags at home. 

"Kids, huh?" The merchant laughed. "Got a few goblins myself."

Clara laughed cheerily. "Can't live without them though."

"Indeed." He smiled fondly. "Happy Nowruz, my lady."

"Happy Nowruz." She smiled back before she ran after her little sister.

The market was filled with various scents of blossoming flowers and many baked goods, and the knight could easily recognize the strong smell of saffron when she passed by some food vendors. Street performers were strumming their instruments and singing happily at every corner she turned, the sound mixed in with the loud chatter of the people as they shopped together. Kids ran around causing trouble all around, even making Clara stumble a few times when they crashed into her while running.

As she watched the two kids run away giggling to themselves after apologizing for crashing into her, Clara remembered how she and Hazel were the same; chasing each other until they could no longer breathe. She remembered Edwin's face as he ran after them, holding baby Lila firmly to his chest, making sure her fabric strap wouldn't slip off of his shoulders.

Nowruz is a special time for families to spend time together, and it was Clara's favorite time of the year because Edwin spent more time at home than usual. Though the castle always held banquets for the occasion, the small family often spent their time at home in the peaceful presence of one another, playing board games and baking together. Every year they also dedicated one of the thirteen days of Nowruz to spend with Hazel's family.

They built traditions within their traditions together.

There was no doubt that Clara was happy at the moment, but a hole remained empty in her heart; Edwin's lack of presence left a bitter taste in her mouth as she fought away a wave of sadness.

Her smile grew genuinely when she saw Alan and Hazel also shopping together. Pushing away her thoughts, she made her way towards them.

Alan shifted on his feet nervously, glancing between Hazel and Clara every few seconds, chewing on his bottom lip. Clara noticed his odd behavior, knowing he had something to say but for some reason couldn't. Connecting the dots, she asked Hazel to go after Lila instead of her because she'd gotten tired after a long day of walking.

Hazel, being the sweetheart that she was, agreed, not wanting Clara to exhaust herself.

"Okay, spit it out." She turned to Alan the second Hazel was out of earshot.

"Oh thank god." He let out a long breath, his forehead glistening with sweat. "I didn't know how I could get away from her."

"What's going on?" She asked hesitantly. "Why did you want to get away from Hazel? Is everything okay?"

"Yes yes, everything is great!" He smiled. "Too great, actually."

"I am so lost right now." She blinked.

Alan sighed before he looked around, making sure the curly haired maiden wasn't there to hear his next words.

"I want to ask Hazel to marry me."

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!" Clara accidentally slapped him out of excitement, her grin so wide it hurt her still healing scars. "Sorry! You actually want to marry her?"

"I really do." He nodded with a soft smile. "I know we haven't been together for long but...with everything that happened...I just don't want to waste another minute without her."

"I'm actually going to cry." Clara wiped away a stray tear, still grinning at her friend. "I am so happy for you two. I'm sure she'll say yes."

"I need your help though." He shifted on his feet again. "First, we need to buy the ring; you know her best-"

"I am not the person to ask for that, she and I are complete opposites when it comes to jewelry."

"How am I going to pick out the right ring for her then?" Alan's face paled. "Do I ask victor?"

"Yes, he's good with that sort of thing." Clara nodded. "He wears nice rings."

"Okay good." He sighed in relief. "Also, I want you to be there with me when I ask her parents for their blessing."

"That I can do!" Clara grinned before she started giggling and clapping her hands excitedly. "Oh I'm so excited!!"

"I'm glad my panicking is bringing you joy." Alan shook his head with a small smile. Clara laughed.

"What are friends for?" She said with a wide grin. "You go get the ring, I can distract her for the rest of the day."

"Thank you, Clara." He smiled sincerely at her.

"You have nothing to thank me for." She smiled back. "I should be thanking you."

"I'll get going before we get stuck in this loop again." Alan laughed, flicking her hair playfully making her slap his hand away as she laughed along with him, watching his retreating figure.

Clara smiled softly before it slowly grew so big that her cheeks began to hurt. She then turned to go find her best friend once more, ready to keep her away from the jewelry merchants.

Victor's reaction had been much calmer than Clara's, although the smug grin on his face didn't help calm Alan's nerves.

"I knew it!" He grinned. "I saw it in your eyes the minute you saw her with a sword!"

Alan quirked an eyebrow, thinking of the irony of him saying that statement. He rolled his eyes jokingly before a smile broke out.

"So, will you help me find the perfect ring for her?" He asked.

"Absolutely!" He smiled, patting him on the back. "I know just the place, come on."

"I'll get our horses-"

"No!" Victor cut off the knight, looking down at the ground while rubbing the back of his neck. "I want to walk. I...haven't really seen the town during Nowruz in years."

Alan grinned before speaking: "You, my friend, are in for a treat."

The two began their walk with Victor leading the way to his favorite shop. He was mesmerized by the pure life surrounding him. The loud music and happy chatter was a welcomed change to what he was used to when all he did was stay in the castle. The breeze was refreshing and the sunbeams warmed his skin.

Finally, he felt at home.

Victor and Alan then turned to look at a group of kids who were playing together and laughing while staring at the prince and the knight in awe. The two friends smiled and waved at them, making them burst into giggles before they ran off to play another game.

"I actually have an important proposal for Hazel as well." Victor said.

"Go on." Alan nodded for him to continue.

"Since Rowan is gone, and my father is giving me more responsibility...I get to make my own council." He smiled.

"And you want Hazel to be on the council?" Alan smiled back, his heart fluttering with pride.

"A personal advisor." Victor nodded. "I'm also starting a new project which I need her help in."

"I'm sure she'd accept your offer." Alan grinned.

After a while the two men arrived at their destination and Victor greeted the merchant with a bright smile before he asked him to bring out the engagement rings. After he did so, he gave them distance so they could observe and choose in their own privacy.

Alan was overwhelmed with all the shiny jewels and crystals. He'd never seen such extravagant rings in his life. Gems of different colors and sizes littered the trays placed in front of them. He didn't even know where to start; too many designs jumped at him at once that he had to take a step back. 

He sent Victor a helpless look, making the Prince chuckle before he turned to the trays. 

Victor began to fish out the ones he thought Hazel would like. A few of them had Amethysts studded into the gold band, and some others had a diamond accompanied by rubies. The designs he picked out were more on the delicate side, intricately made with beautiful details. 

"Wait can I see that one?" Alan pointed at one that Victor picked up. The prince nodded and handed him the ring in question.

Alan turned the ring between his fingers, smiling at the engravings of the gold band. It had a beautifully cut aquamarine gem studded in the middle, with the gold swirling around it like beautiful leaves from a mythical plant, too beautiful to exist in the mortal realm. A small moon was placed above the gem, giving it the perfect unique touch it needed. Smaller gems of the same clear blue were studded neatly all over the ring.

"This is it." Alan smiled, holding it up to the light, watching in awe as the light passed through the blue gem and reflected on his face.

"It's perfect." Victor smiled, patting him on the back happily. He then turned back to the rings as Alan went to pay. He then pulled out a silver ring with intricately placed amethysts, making it look like a flower. "Do you think Clara would like this?"

Alan's brows shot up at his friend's question.

"You want to get Clara a ring?"

Victor's face flushed red as he realized how that sounded. He stumbled over his words as he tried to come up with the right words to explain what he meant. Alan had to bite back his laugh as Victor hurriedly spewed out words from his mouth without even knowing what he was saying.

"No! I just, I thought she might-" He flailed his hands around, his face growing redder with every second. "It's only a thank you gift...an apology too."

Alan finally let out a loud laugh at his friend, enjoying how nervous he'd gotten at the mention of her. He couldn't wait to tell Hazel.

"Clara doesn't wear rings." He shook his head with a laugh. "She always loses them, so she stopped wearing them. But, I know what you can get her."

"And that would be?" Victor rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

"She's been needing a new dagger to hide in her boots." Alan said. "You helped me, and now it's time I repay the favor. Follow me."

This time Alan lead the two throughout the town, walking deeper into it. Victor's eyes widened in awe the closer they got to the center, where people were loudly celebrating joyously. He couldn't help but be distracted by the smell of fresh pastries so he stopped the knight and bough the two of them some pastries.

"This is the best day of my life..." Victor muttered before he took another big bite of his sweet. Alan laughed at him before his eyes caught onto the crowd dancing around. He smiled and glanced at Victor knowingly before he nudged him to look.

"And it's about to get better." He smirked.

Victor turned to where Alan was looking, his mouth still full of the sweet pastry. His eyes then landed on Clara, Hazel and Lila dancing together among the large crowd. His eyes trailed over Clara's bright smile as she pushed away the stray hairs from her rosy cheeks. The skirt of her dress flared out as she was twirled around, her laugh echoing in Victor's mind. Alan took another bite from his pastry while staring at the prince in amusement; his mouth was slightly agape and crumbs were falling from the corner of his lips.

"The dagger can wait." Alan chuckled. "Let's go join them."

"What?" Suddenly panic filled his thoughts. "No, I can't-"

"Sure you can!" Alan started to pull him along. "It's Nowruz! You have to dance!"

They quickly finished eating the rest of their pastries before they walked closer to the dancing crowd. Victor stopped Alan from walking and when he turned back to look at him with a raised eyebrow, Victor was shifting on his feet nervously.

"Do I have anything on my face?" He asked.

"You mean other than your intense blush?" Alan teased. "No, you're good. Now stop dawdling!"

Alan stood behind Victor to push him towards the crowd, shaking his head as he watched him finally walk towards it.

"This is going to get frustrating..." He whispered to himself with a chuckle.

The two men joined the dance effortlessly, easily slipping between the people and walking closer to the girls they know. Victor recalled the last time he danced, and he wished he could go back to that day just to see Clara's smile as she watched her father figure proudly as he was awarded a medal. He imagined the life she could have had if Hugo had never attended that banquet.

Yet here she was in front of him, still smiling brightly despite all her scars. He couldn't help but smile too.

Their dance was more carefree than the one they did in the castle, but nevertheless Clara spun right into his arms once again, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw who had his arms gently wrapped around her waist, careful to avoid the wounds he knew were hidden under her dress.

"Welcome back, Cleo." He smiled at her charmingly and she laughed, lightly hitting his shoulder. 

"Your princely reputation doesn't stop you from dancing anymore, does it?" She quipped back as he twirled her around.

"I have to be one of the people to really be able to help them, right?" He tilted his head, a knowing glint in his eyes, recalling one of their conversations during their training days. His heart fluttered when Clara's smile widened at the words. She looked at him like he had just won awards, and in his mind, seeing her smile at him was the greatest award he could ever receive.

"You're absolutely right." She smiled at him once more as he put her back onto her feet before she twirled away from him and he watched her go away with an awestruck look on his face.

One that Hazel did not miss.

The dance soon dispersed and the group of friends gathered together again to walk the market and finish their shopping. Lila had gotten tired from all the walking, so Victor was carrying her around on his back. Suddenly, Hazel gasped as she saw a rack full of beautiful dresses. She held onto Clara's hand and sprinted over there, with the rest following them.

"These would be perfect for tomorrow!" Hazel grinned, looking through the various dresses.

"Tomorrow?" Clara wondered out loud.

"The Nowruz ball, don't tell me you forgot?" Alan asked her.

Clara smiled sheepishly, a slight blush dusting her cheeks as she looked down, letting her hair fall into her face. Victor had to fight the urge to push it away for her.

"I uh..." She chuckled nervously. "I did forget...Edwin, Lila and I always stayed home."

"You've never been to the ball?" Victor raised an eyebrow at the girl. "No wonder I've never seen you around before."

"We've been once or twice," She explained. "we left early though, Lila was too small to handle the loud noise and we enjoyed our peaceful evenings together; we didn't get much of them."

"I promise you're going to love it." Victor smiled at her.

Clara nodded, her gaze far away as she reminisced to previous years when she spent this time of year with her favorite people. She couldn't help but feel the weight of grief. She took a deep breath before she looked at them all with a smile. 

"I have some chores to do at home, I'll see you all tomorrow." She smiled. "Lila, do you want to come home or do you want to stay?"

"I wanna go home." She rested her cheek on Victor's shoulder, her eyes drooping. Clara adjusted her basket of groceries and reached her arms out to take the little girl from Victor's grasp. Victor gently put his hand on hers, ignoring how his heart pounded or how electricity shot through his arm at the mere touch.

"I'll bring her." He smiled softly.

The Prince and the General waved at the couple before they made their way towards Clara's home. Hazel leaned her head on Alan's shoulder as she watched them fade away from their sight, her lips stretching into a knowing smile.

"You're seeing what I'm seeing, right?" She asked.

"You don't even know the half of it." Alan chuckled, wrapping his arm around his girl as he thought back to the way Victor acted around Clara.

"Do tell!" Hazel's eyes widened, hoping to know more about what Alan had seen.

A while after, Victor and Clara had finally made it to the house and Victor carefully let Lila climb down from his back. The little girl gave him a hug, thanking him for carrying her around. 

"Happy Nowruz, Vicky!" She said before she ran into the house for a much needed nap.

The two adults laughed fondly at the little girl's antics before Clara turned to look at him.

"Thank you, really." She said.

"It was my pleasure." He smiled down at her, getting lost in the way the sunlight reflected in her dark brown eyes. "Uhm, those flowers really suit you."

"Oh, thank you." She smiled, a slight blush creeping up on her cheeks at the unexpected compliment. "I should head back in...Happy Nowruz, Victor."

"Happy Nowruz, Clara." He whispered to her as she went back inside. He remained there a moment longer, taking the time to let his heartbeat calm down.

I am literally CRYING at how cute this is. My boy is falling harrrddddd!!

I'm sorry I haven't been updating more frequently; uni is absolute hell. And in true fashion of myself...I wrote this instead of studying for my midterms which happen to fall on the same day...along with many projects I've yet to start...

I'm doomed. Pray for me.

OH OH ALSOOO-

I MADE A WRITING ACCOUNT ON INSTAGRAM!!!! If you like quotes and random, deep writings, please follow me @/ ChatoyantMinds ! I'll put a link in the comments!

Hope you liked the chapter!! Don't hesitate to let me know what you think!