A Sudden Meeting I

A new day started, but unlike any other day, Emelia was granted to leave the palace and go sight seeing. Though she wouldn't be going alone. Standing few meters behind her were Ayfara and Enoch. Even she hoped not to be escorted with knight since they'll be capturing the eyes of the people. She couldn't do anything and go along with it.

Emelia pulled her hood down when a bunch of people walked in her direction. Despite not looking like it but there are times where she gets uncomfortable, especially in an unfamiliar area. Vanessa notices Emelia's discomfort, and not thinking twice, she walked towards her.

"Are you alright, Princess?" Vanessa asked in a soft tone, knowing Emelia didn't want the two knights to notice. Emelia nodded her head and assured, "I'm alright. It's just been a while." Vanessa hesitantly nodded her head and gripped onto the strap of her bag. "If you feel unwell, please tell me, and I'll distract those two knights."

Emelia started at Vanessa for awhile. Why does this person go so far for a person like her? Is it because she's a princess But again, having someone who could do these types of things is assuring. "Don't worry," Emelia said and continued keeping her eyes straight.

Before entering the main town, there was a huge board laid in an arch saying, "Welcome to Celestia." Assuming this is the name of the main town or the capital. Celestia or Celestia meaning heavenly.

The houses were all painted either with light gray or anything that was light-colored. Maybe the reason why they names this town Celestia is because of how bright the colors are. Not only were the buildings nicely done, but the aesthetics of how and where everything was places were perfect.

The vendors called out, promoting their items, and there was one thing that caught Emelia's eyes. She stopped walking and walked under the curtain of the stall, then asked, "Who made this?" The vendor had a flash on his face then answered, "Young Miss, you asked the right person."

Emelia lowered her head when the vendor tried taking a look at her face but gave up when he felt a weird atmosphere behind her. He gulped upon seeing Ayfara's punk look, and she even raised her brow to intimidate the vendor even more.

"Sir?" Emelia called, wanting to hear more since he stopped talking all of a sudden. The vendor wiped his forehead and rubbed his hand together. "For how many generations, my family has been crafting these kinds of ornaments. This one you choose is special. We call it the 'do not forget me' hair ornament."

Emelia traced the hair ornament with her finger and pondered onto something. It looks familiar, but where? She was sure her memory isn't wrong since this was something related to her mother. "Would you like to buy one? I'm sure it's going to look nice on you," The vendor kept asking, but then Emelia retreated her hand back then said, "No, I was just curious."

Now that she thought about it, her mother was a huge mystery to her. From the books, she read there isn't any valuable information about her. Emelia felt her mother was hiding something from her.

"Princess?" Vanessa called, but Emelia didn't answer as she was in a daze. Vanessa called out once more, but then Emelia didn't realize it. The only time she snapped out of her own world was when she got startled by Enoch's low voice. She turned her back in instinct then asked, "I-is there a problem?"

"Are you alright, Princess? You were in your own world," Ayfara said while Emelia realized what she had done. She hid her face out of embarrassment and apologized to them. Never had she thought to space out in this kind of place?

"Is there a problem? You looked so into the hair ornament earlier. If you wanted to buy it, then use the money His Imperial Majesty gave you," Enoch bluntly said, not knowing he triggered Emelia. The last thing she wanted help from was the man, Elliot. Ayfara slapped Enoch's arm and gave him a look, 'read the mood, you idiot.'

Not saying a word Emelia continued walking but at a faster pace than usual. While Ayfara rolled her eyes at Enoch and matched Emelia's pace. The man called, Enoch was still left confused. He hissed out loud, rubbed his chin, and asked, "Did I do something wrong? But really, what face was Ayfara showing?"

Emelia was busy looking around the stalls, and she didn't notice there was a person right in front of her. Before she could stop herself, she bumped into a woman, and her hood fell off. The woman's eyes widen as if something valuable of hers broke. While Emelia calmly wore her hood on, hoping no one saw her face.

When Emelia was about to walk away, she was stopped midway, pulled towards the woman who had incredible strength. Emelia gasped softly, then asked, "Is there a problem?" At the same time, Emelia hoped this woman didn't question her identity.

"You…look exactly like her," The woman said as she releases her hand of Emelia's wrist. Like her? Emelia didn't want expectations to come but then when the woman said in an unsure tone, "Alia? Alia, right?"

Emelia looked side to side and notices she lost Vanessa and the two knights. What great timing, but then how does this woman know her mother's name? Not only that, but the woman didn't look like a commoner as she was wearing a nice quality dress.

"How do you know her?" Emelia asked as she removed her hood after they moved to a remote area. The woman didn't answer her because she was distracted by Emelia's appearance. Her eyes couldn't believe it. The person she wanted to see the most was right in front of her. But something was wrong the Alia she knew looked younger when they were the same age.

"Are you perhaps her daughter?"