Chapter 29: SUMMER FESTIVAL

Ivan definitely didn't agree to come to the town's summer festival with me!

At first he was shocked by the fact I had agreed to the town's invitation and when I had asked him to go with me, he gave me a 'no' for an answer. Not even when I pleaded with him and told him Kiran and Aurora were going to be coming with me. Ivan didn't mind and told me to go with them.

I didn't give up though, I followed him around the castle giving him a hundred reason why we should attend the festival. I mean the people had taken their time to ask me, it's only fair I honor their invitation. Besides, it's obvious they don't get to see much of their king or other royals based on the way they behaved the last time I had went there with Aurora. That was going to change tonight though because we were going to the festival.

When I saw my flattery and pleas didn't work on Ivan, even my fake tears! I decided to use another means. I had threatened to go to the festival naked if Ivan didn't come with me. On hearing that Ivan's eyes had flashed bright red in warning but I held my ground, I didn't back down. Which is why we are here, standing at the square where the festival was being held.

"Okay I've got to admit it Arianne, you are one feisty woman!" Kiran said with admiration as he looked at me from where I was standing beside his brother, his arms wrapped around me tightly.

Aurora nodded her head in agreement. "I'm surprised with the way she managed to convince you two to come, especially Ivan!" She said looking up at her brother in disbelief.

"I had no choice!" Ivan said through gritted teeth, "She threatened to go naked!"

Aurora gasped her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at me. "You didn't?"

"I totally did!" I said my voice filled with pride.

"Wow! I must really commend you sister in law! You are a tough one!" Kiran says looking at me with respect shining in his dark eyes. "Although I wouldn't mind if you had gone through with your threat." Kiran waggled his brows at me in a flirty manner and I laughed at him while Ivan let out a growl as he glared at his brother.

"Do you want to die brother?"

Kiran didn't seem fazed by his brother's threat. "Then I'll die a happy man but relax brother, I know she is yours!"

"Mine!" Ivan affirmed with a growl pressing me tighter to him while I rolled my eyes at his possessiveness.

"Yes, yes, yes, yours. I get it." Kiran said in a bored tone, "But then we might focus on this party because I'm starting to think we weren't actually invited." Kiran commented as he stared at the town which had gone still upon our arrival.

As soon as we had arrived the music paused immediately everyone looking at us nervously. The air felt tensed, everyone was nervous waiting to see what we would do. It didn't also help that Ivan their king was giving them an intimidating look.

I nudged him in his ribs with my elbow. "Can you please not look like you want to bite every head of your subjects off and smile instead?" I hissed while plastering a smile on my face.

"Why should I? I'm not here to please any of them!" Ivan said in a dry tone and it was loud for everyone to hear.

I let out a nervous laughter to quickly mask it then I shuffled closer to Ivan. "Smile and say something or the straps of my dress are coming off!"

Ivan narrowed his gaze at me. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh want to test that theory your majesty?" I smiled sweetly as I batted my eyelashes sweetly at him. My hands already moving towards the strap of my yellow dress.

"I support you Arianne! Go for it!"

"Shut up Kiran!" Ivan growled at Kiran who shot me a wink behind his brother's back.

I arched my brow up at Ivan who finally let out a tired sigh before he turned to face the crowd, a fake smile on his lips.

"People of Egralon! We are honoured to have received your invitation to celebrate the summer festival with you!" Ivan started the crowds watching us, "May Aestas bless us with a summer full of good harvests, now let's make merry!" Ivan said and at that the crowd erupted in cheers.

I looked up at Ivan smiling at him. "That was very nice of you!"

"Glad you approve now can will you please keep your clothes on?" Ivan requested in a bored look.

I pretended to think. "Hmmm, I don't know about that. Maybe I'll take it off_" I whispered and moved closer to Ivan. "But only for you to see." I whispered the last part in his ear causing his grip on my waist to tighten.

"Arianne." Ivan growled softly in my ear as he gripped my waist.

I leaned back to smirk at him and he was about to say something but we were suddenly interrupted.

"Your majesties."

I turned only to find Dorothy and the children standing in front of us. In their hands were wheat sheaves.

"We are so glad you could make it." Dorothy stated with a sheepish look and I smiled encouragingly at her, "Even though it's not a shiny jeweled crown we hope that you will accept these wheat sheaves crown as a token of our gratitude." She ushered the children's forward who raised the wheat sheaves to put on our hair.

I turned to look at Ivan who had a wheat sheaves pinned to his hair and I stifled a laughter while he just smiled at the children but it looked a lot more like a grimace. Aurora smiled at the boy who had pinned the sheaves to her hair and she bent down to give him a kiss.

"I don't know about you guys but I am loving my look." Kiran said flicking his hair and I laughed same with the girl who Kiran swooped up to carry her in his arms. I watched as he placed the girl on the shoulder then he went to join the rest of the crowd who were already dancing.

I was still laughing when I felt a slight tug on my skirt. I looked down only to find Arnold looking at me with a sheepish look on his face.

"Would you...would you like to dance with me?" He asked shifting nervously from one foot to another.

Ivan leaned in to whisper in my ears. "He knows you are married right?"

"He's six Ivan." I told him dryly before I turned to look at Arnold who was staring at me with green eyes filled with exception. I reach down to grab his hands with mine to give him my reply, "Lead the way my dear man."

With that said, I left Ivan's side and allowed Arnold to pull me to the dance floor where we danced to the music. I could see Aurora was already dancing with a boy just her age, I smiled at her and she shot me a wink. Ivan was twirling the girl on his shoulder around with a cup of mead in his hand.

Someone soon handed me my own cup of mead and I drank it while still swaying to the beat with Arnold. The whole time I was dancing I could feel Ivan's hot gaze on me. I turned only to find him looking at me with an intoxicating look in his grey eyes as he folded his arms across his chest. Arnold had already left me alone to go take some pies on the food stand leaving me alone with Ivan.

Feeling bold, I changed the way I danced. I swayed my hips in a seductive manner. Not to fast and not to slow. I closed my eyes and lifted my hands in the air as I moved my body to the music, allowing the music to caress my skin. I opened my eyes only to find Ivan already in front of me.

I smirked as I wound my arms around his neck pressing my body to his rock hard body.

"You little vixen." Ivan growled softly against my neck and I let out a soft moan as I turned my neck to the side giving him more access.

"Want to get out of here?"

I looked up to see Ivan looking at me with desire shining in his gaze and I'm pretty sure my own eyes mirrored his. I nodded my head at him with a small smile and that was all the confirmation Ivan needed because he took my hand and together we headed off to the castle.