A Sudden Meeting II

The woman's question echoed in her ears as Emelia continued to stay shocked. She didn't understand how a citizen of this empire knew her mother. Like all, she knew her mother came from the other empire. But Emelia made her mind up. Even if the woman knew her mother, it didn't mean she would trust her immediately.

"Please answer my question first. How do you know her?" Emelia asked politely as she could sound. The woman touched her face and sighed out loud. From top to bottom, Emelia looked the exact copy of her mother. One thing that was different is the way she acts. How could she not recognize her one long lost friend?

"I am your mother's friend since birth. We were inseparable not until her coming of age," The woman said as she took a step closer towards Emelia, who took a step back. "How can I believe your words?" Asked Emelia as she uncousinly wrapped her hand onto the pendant her mother gave her.

The woman's eyes onto the pendant Emelia was clenching and her mouth slightly opened. "May I see that pendant?" The woman asked as she slowly reached her hand out to touch the necklace. At first, Emelia didn't want the woman to touch the pendant, but then the woman looked as if she really knew her mother.

Still not fully trusting the woman, Emelia removed the pendant off her neck and gave it to the woman. Not even a minute, tears poured out of the woman's eyes, and she started weeping out loud. She couldn't believe what she was touching. Emelia stood baffled by the sudden cry of the woman as she didn't know what to do.

"A-are you alright?" Emelia stuttered as she reached a hand out to comfort the woman. The woman nodded her head with a small smile. She wiped her tears before introducing herself, "My name is Maria Navida. I don't know if your mother ever mentioned me, but I'm her childhood friend."

"Childhood friend?" Emelia muttered as she tried recalling if her mother ever told her about Maria. But nothing came into mind, and she asked, "How can I believe you?" Emelia asked.

Maria took something out of her small purse and showed it to Emelia. The necklace she had was the exact replica of her mother's necklace. But who knows, this necklace could be bought anywhere in this place. Maria smiled, but her eyes weren't. She looked at the pendant then said, "I made this. Before your mother left, I gave this to her. As a sign of our friendship."

As Maria was about to say more, she was called out by one of her servants, saying they needed to depart. Maria nodded her head and held Emelia's hand, "If you want to know more, please visit me in the Deltrat estate. It would be nice to have a talk. Please tell your mother I miss her and wish to see her soon." Though her mother is already gone.

Emelia walked out of the narrow alley while wearing her hood, and before she could decide to go. She was forcefully pulled and bumped her forehead onto something soft. She looked up to see who pulled her, and there was a concerned and angered face on Enoch.

"Where did you go? Don't you know how dangerous it is to move around alone? Just because you lost us doesn't mean you could wander around," Enoch grit his teeth while Emelia flinched as she felt her wrist being squished by the man's strength. "Calm down, Enoch," Ayfara said, patting his shoulder. She walked in between the two and removed his hand off Emelia's wrist. "Don't use your strength. You're hurting her," Ayfara continued.

"You're too soft on her, Ayfara," Enoch glared at her and said, "Even if His Imperial Majesty allowed her to stay in the palace. It doesn't mean she isn't our enemy." Ayfara sighed out loud, and while raising her brows, she answered him, "But what can she do? Not only that, but she isn't the type of person to run away without reason."

Though it has just been a month since then, Ayfara observed many things about Emelia. She knew one or two things about Emelia, but there are some complicated ones she couldn't decipher. Emelia rubbed her wrist as she sees a red mark and agreed with Ayfara. What can she do in this place? If she were to run away, the loyal servants of the Emperor would go after her. Just by strength, she isn't even as strong as them.

Enoch cleared his throat, realizing he got angry at Emelia for the first time. But Emelia didn't seem to care about it at all. She thinks every person in this world gets angry once in a while. Even the kindest person would get mad.

"Anyway, I saw another person going out of that alley. She didn't look like a commoner. A noble perhaps?" Enoch suspiciously asked Emelia but received no answer from her. Now, this is something he should report to Elliot. "We should head back to the palace," Ayfara said as she looked at her watch. "His Imperial Majesty wouldn't like it if we're late, especially the Princess."

Emelia turned her back as if she was looking for Maria, but she was nowhere to be found. The story earlier didn't make sense to her, but then at least she was sure there is something her mother was hiding. It's strange because her mother could have written about it to her. Or is there another letter that she had not received?