"Kenji Tanaka and...Wren!"
Mei-Lin pushed her forward, grinning."Go!Kenji's fun!"
Kenji appeared, bowing elaborately."My lady of the pun farm.Shall we show them how it's done?"
They didn't win—Wren's bucket sloshed badly on the third beam—but they laughed the entire time, and Kenji made jokes about the underwear tree incident that had her gasping with laughter.
When they finished, soaking wet and grinning, someone handed Wren an elephant ear pastry."Here!Try one of yours, they're incredible!Best thing at the festival!"
She bit into it.Yum, magic pastry!It was still warm, still perfect.Around her, people were eating them, sharing them, praising them.
"The pun farm girl really delivered," someone said.
"Did you see those paper tigers she brought?Gorgeous!"
"I heard her silk is even better.Madame Lin can't keep it in stock."
The reputation was shifting.She could feel it.Not the cursed farm girl anymore.The pun farm girl.The one with magic plants and generous contributions and good trade goods.
It felt...good.Instead of being defined by the land, the land was defined by her.Actions beat circumstances every time.
The wheel spun again.Partner Dance
"Oh no," Wren said.
"Oh yes!"Mei-Lin laughed."This is the best one!"
The announcer drew names."Viktor Andersen and...Wren!"
The crowd murmured with interest.
Wren's stomach dropped.
Viktor crossed the space between them, smooth and confident, that charming smile in place.He offered his hand.
"May I have this dance?"
Wren hesitated, very aware of the crowd watching.Aware of Jin at the edge, his expression unreadable.Aware of Lyra somewhere in the crowd, probably seething.Refusing would cause a scene, and she had no real reason.She took Viktor's hand.
He led her to the cleared space where other pairs were gathering.The musicians shifted to a waltz—elegant, traditional, the kind of dance wealthy families taught their children.
"Do you know how?"Viktor asked quietly, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers.
"Basic steps.Childhood lessons."She was a little nervous.
"Then follow my lead.I'll make you look good."
He was an excellent dancer, smooth, confident, leading so clearly that she didn't have to think.They swept across the space with the other pairs, and Wren found herself relaxing slightly despite everything.
"You're doing well," Viktor said."Settling in.Making connections."
"I'm trying."
"You're succeeding."He spun her gently."The town likes you.That's not easy to achieve, especially for an outsider on cursed land."
"The pun farm," she corrected, and he laughed.
"The pun farm.Much better branding."His expression turned more serious."I meant what I said before, Wren.If you need anything—business advice, connections, resources—I'm here to help."
