Upon hearing her question, Clesti's eyes widen slightly watching as the smile she had always seen on his face vanished. His expression growing dim as he turned away. His eyes staring into the far off distance as if he was experiencing a distant memory.
"It's best not to speak of the late Empress. Unless his majesty decides to open out himself."
Sensing she had stepped somewhere she should have. Celesti nodded her head with an apologetic expression.
"I understand, I'm sorry."
Silence stood between the two of them before Juvel let out a small smile turning to the princess.
"If I may, your name Celesti is that your birth name?"
Not seeming the question strange at all Celesti was rather relieved with the icebreaker.
"It's a tradition for those in the royal family to be named after the stars they were born under. We call them seedling names once we reach a certain age if beloved the silver doe grants us a soul name. That name is sacred to us and is only uttered to bind the bond between ourselves and our familiars as well to life partners."
"Your seedling name, it isn't a star is it?" Juvel questioned curiously as he tried to recall the names of the stars. Recalling how Celestia's sky seemed to have many more stars than Soleil.
"No, it was the silver doe who granted me my seedling name as an offering."
Feeling a heavy subject in her words Juvel stayed silent only growing more curious of the princess before him. In the books he had read the princess's birth was a rather blank one. It was only stated that the Empress had given birth to the young princess. All records before and after were blank in the girl's childhood. The first record of the princess was two years before the wars. With a mental sigh, Juvel shook his head not wanting to prey more than he should. It was only when he looked up ahead that he smiled.
Following his gaze, her eyes widen in awe as the borders of Celestia grew up ahead. Surrounded by beautiful white mountains streams of cold water rushes down the mountainsides. White trees growing on the winter land. All seemed so beautiful but none more than the beautiful Arora that stood above the surrounding mountains. The colors shifting as its long body curled on top of the mountains, providing a shield through the Celestia border.
"I was only a child the last time I saw this close," Celesti muttered in awe clenching the necklace around her neck.
"It's truly beautiful." Juvel smiled gazing up at the Arora before noticing the smile on Celesti's face shift.
"I suppose Soleil will be different."
"If I may, Soleil can also be a very beautiful warm place, your highness."
Turning to Juvel she smiled at his kind words nodding her head.
" I suppose it will be."
Crossing the border Celesti let out a shiver at the strange sensation she could only describe as walking through a cold mist. Only after passing through the other end of the mountain border did she feel a difference. While Celestia carried a comforting cold climate Celesti felt a warmth in the air around her almost instantly. Like the warm embrace of a mother. It wasn't overwhelming but rather comforting as well. Something she hadn't expected. In her mind, Soleil felt like it would be rather scorching with miles and miles of empty desert land space.
As they continued on she couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the lands. Soleil wasn't as she had believed. It was rather rich green. Trees and streams filling the lands as the sun seemed to bless a few crop fields they passed. It all seemed so bright and beautiful.
"I thought it was once all dessert?" Celesti wonders to Juvel who still traveled beside her on house.
"It was, the lands were barren for a very long time after the former Emperor took hold of the crown. It was said it was because our land God was not pleased with how the former emperor was taking his lands in vain. Each Emperor before had always sworn once taking the crown that they would continue to protect this land and its people. In return, the fire Phoenix granted this land warmth, protection, and allowed our crops to flourish and our rivers not to wither."
Frowning Celesti gazed out up at the cloud-free sky.
"And the former emperor broke his promise?"
"He never gave it, instead he tried to drain our land guardian of his power. "