"Thea." I look up to my father who sighed deeply and stoke my hair gently.
"Where did you learn about the flower offering from?" he mumbled as I look down fidgeting my hands feeling anxious.
"Book, I saw dad and mom's portrait last night, Thea wants to give mom a flower." I said in a hush which only made my father sighed deeply and I can see his aura turning a little blue.
"Let's offer flower's to mom then?" he said it like it's our secret as a smile pulled up my lips and nod.
Just in time, the high priestess comeback after the lunch to fetch me but dad stand up and go along with us while still carrying me, I look behind and saw my brother watching.
I wave my hand motioning for him to come with us and he excuse himself to the people then walk his way quick to follow.
He just walk silently from behind, motioning for me to hush as I lean on my father's shoulder while looking down at my brother who now have a yellow aura, not worrying anymore.
"This way, I figured the Grand Duke and heir apparent will do the offering too." the high priestess spoke which made my eyes widen and my brother looks visibly shaken, even father hum.
Of course they can sense him sneaking behind.
I giggled while my brother sulk a little but chuckle too, as he look at me with an amuse expression.
We made it to a wide open area of the temple, hearing the water streaming, I look and saw a huge white marble statue of a veiled goddess at the very middle of the fountain, holding up a clear giant ball of crystal quartz on it's hands and water pouring from the hands under the ball, streaming down on the water reservior, and there's a small white marble altar on the front.
The water looks so beautiful, it's crystal clear and the sun shine makes it sparkle beautifully like crystals, the aura of the place feels so light even just standing next to the fountain.
"I thought you'll join the lady so I prepared these." the high priestess held out 3 beautiful white lilies to me as I hold it carefully and my father put me down on my own feet.
"Place it on the top of the altar and whisper your message to the receiver, Lady Althea." the high priestess instructed, I put the flowers as told and clasp my hands together, while father and my brother followed.
I can only wish my mom to be back but that would never happen, if I can turn back the time before she pass I would.
I could only hope for her to rest at ease and watch for our family, even without meeting her in the past, previous modern life, and in this life where I came back, I genuinely wish she was the one who came back and live happily with father and brother, instead of me who caused her to weaken and die.
I look up to my father who sighed deeply and pushing his hair back and my brother clenching his fists, their blue auras intensifying.
The high priestess take out a piece of seraphinite stone and an empty palm size glass bottle.
She put the stone in the middle of altar along the lilies and open the glass bottle to fill it with the crystal clear water from the fountain.
She whisper a prayer and pour the water on the altar over the stone and lilies which made it glow a bit and crumble like crystal dust flying up the sky, leaving only the stone on the altar, causing my eyes to widen while the high priestess refill the bottle full and close it with cork cap that has a silver church insignia on top.
"I'm sure the late grand duchess must be very delighted to receive the flowers, here." the high priestess hand me the bottle of crystal clear water which made me clutch it tightly.
"It's holy water, Lady Althea, keep it as a reminder of your mother who always look after you from above, you see, it can heal minor wounds too, and if you travel back to Wisteria using the gateway, make sure to take a sip of it, it works best with the protection magic." the high priestess added as I nod looking up to her.
"Thank you, your holiness." I sincerely thanked her as she smiled brightly and stroke my hair.
"If any trouble you encounter, I'll always be a call away to help you and the Grand Duchy." she said kindly and I know she wasn't lying, she was always the one to help my father heal me and never failed to do so.
"Thank you, high priestess." my brother said as the priestess stoke his hair too with a warm smile as my father nod his head a bit.
"We'll be on the way now, then." my father said dismissively as the high priestess hummed.
"May the God and Goddess of Light guide you." she said then turn around and left us three, watching the high priestess walk away peacefully and enter the temple.
"Let's move before the dawn catches us." my father said as he round his arm on my brother casually, who seem surprised but calm down as we head back to the Gazebo where everybody is waiting.
"Move." dad motion for the people to start moving in just one word, everyone scramble off their seats and go, walking our way out of the temple and stop at the entrance where the carriage and horses are waiting.
"Wendy, take the children with you in the carriage, I brought my horse here, I'll lead the way to the capital." father handed me to Wendy who carried me carefully and bow a bit then motion for my brother, Paul and I to get in the carriage with her.
I saw father take the black horse with jet black saddle, it's really majestic with the sunshine making it's mane and tail shines gorgeously.
"His grace will lead the way." Wendy called as I hum and the door was closed Paul and the coachman started driving when dad lead the way.
I look down at the bottle of holy water, quickly searching for my bag which is on the edge of my seat as I grab it and open it, placing the bottle inside securely and close the bag shut.
"Is my lady feeling alright now?" Wendy asked as I turn to her and nod smiling reassuringly and she caress my cheek with a relief sigh.
"I didn't know her stature was this bad, right when I saw her back home I knew she's too fragile to be left by herself, I have to improve my water affinity then, enough that will help her in the long run while there's still no permanent solution." my brother said and breathed out while Paul nodded in agreement.
"Especially when she's entrusted with us whenever the lord is not around and can be a great help to Miss Wendy too, I'll research more about my wind affinity to see if I can provide help." Paul said as my brother lean against the side of the carriage with his arm cross.
I just realize I'm wearing his cloak.
"Thea's not cold anymore." I mumbled taking the cloak off and handed it to my brother who stared at me doubtfully as he take the cloak back, their auras turning pink.
"If my lady started to get cold just tell me, I have your cloak on my purse." Wendy said gently and stroke my hair as I nod at Wendy with a bright smile and peak at the window, greeted by the sight of blooming of roses in various colors making then field appear wonderful and pleasing without blinding the eye from the variety of it.
'It's beautiful.'
"We're not that far, we're at the entrance of the capital now, my lady." Wendy said while I blink looking at the massive gate made out of gold steel with the pure gold and red ruby insignia of the imperial family on top with imperial knights inspecting.
The knights showing deep courtesy and fear seeing my father who stop in front of the close gate, reminding me that my dad is a Grand Duke with Grand Master and Warlock attach on his very existence.
The imperial knights approach our carriage and Paul open the door, allowing the knight to check, the poor knight is only doing his job yet his aura turning grey and purple in fear and respect was no exaggeration.
He show courtesy and close the door, Paul locking it so casually the knight motion for the gate to open and let us go in.
Dad lead the way, as we were welcomed with a boisterous city, which I've never seen before, some are busy adorning the place with a trail of white and yellow roses on the lamp posts, seeing the people show courtesy seeing my father and our carriage that turn east, my brother and Paul suddenly shut the curtains making me frown and stare at them a bit disheartened.
"You can't recklessly expose your face in public's eye until the trade day, Thea. We're trying to lessen the attention for now, you need to rest before the bad snakes starts showing up." My brother explained as I sighed and lean against Wendy who by instinct held me and stroke my hair.
"Just a couple minutes my lady." she mumbled while my mind went to another.
'The red camellia, that's the only thing I need, or else I'll have to wait till next year for another first full moon.'