An inconspicuous carriage is driving past the dark and hidden alleyways of the Capital City, a potato head took a peek as it was its first time outside the high walls. However, the potato soon retracted its head as it saw the dark, wet, dirty surroundings, and the rough looking lads outside.
The carriage soon stopped at one of the Capital City's gate.
A guard knocked on the carriage and begun inspecting the carriage before they were allowed to go out the city.
From the dark cold grey walls, the surroundings change into bright gold and light blue colors.
Inside the carriage, Ling Mei leaned on the opening, taking in the flashing scenery before her eyes.
The gloom from before was replaced with curiosity of the outside world. Although the scenery outside was just the same, she couldn't help getting excited.
She thought that the golden fields and occasional trees they encountered are beautiful, even the cows were cute in her opinion.
But when she glanced at its belly, she was a little ashamed.
However, the taste of cow milk won her heart and a ridiculous thought popped into her childish mind. 'I wonder if we could steal one into the palace?'
Tiffany and the Dengel saw her changing emotions.
'Too easy to forget.' Ferr whispered, unbelief on his face.
Lucy covered their mouth... 'Shhh. Be quiet.'
Tiffany also saw her curiously looking out. "Does Your Highness like it?"
Ling Mei didn't turn her head but nodded. "En! Vivi likes it."
"Then Her Highness, would definitely like the scenery of Delphin Town."
"Dolphin?"
"It's Delphin, princess. It's the town on the East." Tiffany reiterated then continued as she saw that this topic piqued Ling Mei's interest. "Dahlie is popular to its dairy and grain products, as this is what they mostly produces. What Your Highness just saw on the road was just a gist of its vast grain fields and other agricultural land. While Delphin on the other hand, is popular on their various flower fields and scenic lakes. Most of their flowers bloom in Autumn and Summer, but it's late summer now."
Ling Mei looked down and muttered. "It's a shame I won't be able to see it."
Tiffany wanted to say 'Of course, you can Your Higness.' but choked it back her throat remembering His Majesty. A flash of pity appeared in her eyes, her hand patted the child's head not knowing how to comfort her.
Seeing their princess pouting with her eyes wet, she sighed. She couldn't help but be rude by putting their princess on her lap and embrace her. 'It's still a child afterall.'
Soon, the golden fields were replaced with wood and stone buildings as soon as they reached Dahlie Town.
"Look Princess, we are now at Dahlie Town." Tiffany pointed as she comforted their princess.
Ling Mei slowly looked up. Her eyes glancing at the fruit and food stores, clothe stores, to those who sell trinkets. It's bustling inside the town, there were people listening to a bard, and some children playing on the side of the road. So far, this is the first time she saw a lot of people and heard this much noise, for a moment she couldn't adapt.
The carriage went to a less populated street and stopped infront of a bakery. The smell inside is wafting on the whole street. The clean, slightly sweet, and warm scent was so enticing that Ling Mei couldn't help but swallow her saliva.
Tiffany went out of the carriage with Ling Mei and a basket on her otherhand, walking towards the bakery. "Princess, this is my brother-in-law's shop and we're here to give my sister her medicine."
A man welcomed them after they walked in, looking surprised. "Elder Sister!" then wonderingly looked at Ling Mei who was next to Tiffany. "this is?"
"Oh. This one is Vivi, a child of a fellow maid." Tiffany lied without even blinking. The man didn't doubt after another look at Ling Mei's rustic clothes and handed her a newly cooked bread.
Smelling the delicious cinnamony scent from the warm bread, her eyes shined brightly, eager to take a bite. 'This opportunity doesn't come ever so often!'
"Thanks! It's weri dewicious." She said as she took another munch, pleased.
She has tasted this kind of bread before but couldn't even enjoy it because that bas...bastward was looking at her. Thinking of that person who was on her 'Worst Person' List, she grinded her teeth.
A poor princess like her, she must savor this bread and by the way.... maybe asked for more?
She glanced around the variety of fluffy breads inside the shop. 'or maybe try another bread?'
Looking back at the man, she decided to put him in her 'Good Person' List if he gave her more.
Tiffany handed the basket of medicine and talked with him for awhile. After talking, the man fetch a basket and put in some warm breads in it.
How could he not? When the child have been staring at him and the breads on the shelves.
He patted the child's head and handed her the basket. "Here kid, take this."
Ling Mei's eyes twinkled brightly as she quickly grabbed the basket and grinned at the man, already writing his name at the top list.
The man laughed at the funny child. 'Her eyes were obviously asking for these breads.'
Tiffany was helpless. 'Your Highness can't you be so obvious?'
"Your H-- Vivi, it's heavy. I'll carry it for you." Tiffany took the basket and said goodbye to her in-law. Ling Mei also waved her hand to the man. 'Til we meet again, mister!'
-
Back in the carriage, they decided to go to the center of the town.
"Does Your Highness want to walk around the streets?" Tiffany saw Ling Mei sighed and thought she was sad because she wasn't free to roam and couldn't get close to those shops and all.
But in fact, what Ling Mei thought was... 'Pity... I should have scraped off some of the gold embellishment on the walls. I could have made some money, and buy more food or books.'
Ling Mei turned to Tiffany, a little bit of dismay still visible on her face. Tiffany couldn't help but get soft, "Then.... should we walk starting from here? Promise that you'll never let go of my hand and won't part from me?"
Ling Mei promised, nodding her head like a hen pecking on the ground.
They went to the shops that caught Ling Mei's eyes and listened to the bards singing at the fountain. At the center, the crowd became more populated.
Ling Mei saw a bookstore and shook Tiffany's clothes. "Ani! Ani! There! Let's go there!"
Ling Mei turned her head when Tiffany hadn't responded to her.
Shocked, she looked at the unknown woman she was holding. 'Who?'
----
Just to fill your imagination:
The Capital is called 'Astrantia City', this is where their Palace is.
There are 4 towns around or near the Capital City called Rosa (North), Delphin (East), Dahlie (West), and Strose (South).