"Millie..!Martin promised he'd take me to the town today but he went by himself again!"
A little girl barely the age of ten, whimpered as she held the skirt of the young woman. The woman with her brown eyes gazed dotingly over the little girl. Her appearance was so beautiful and innocent that on first look someone could easily mistake her as an ice fairy.
'Ice fairy' as she had long silver hair resembling the snowflakes and clear turquoise eyes that revealed their enormous curiosity about the world. But the more innocent she looked, she was a very mischievous child.
Millie took a deep breath,
"My lady, please be patient. Sir Martin has said he will bring a present for you"
"A present?" the girl's eyes shone with excitement and curiosity.
She ran to the little balcony of the room and from there she could see the vast fields and faraway forests and lake beneath.
"Is he bringing me the sweets from the city behind that forest?" pointing towards the vast wilderness she looked somewhat vague but mesmerized.
It was difficult to decipher what the expression was on her face at the time.
Can a ten-year-old even make such an expression?" Millie thought to herself.
Meanwhile on the other side of the forest was a small yet bustling town. The chatter of people, the merchants yelling "Fresh tomatoes" and the little alleys were the typical sight of a small town marketplace.
There in the corner, a very suspicious-looking hooded man was intensely staring at the different types of candies put on the display of a small store. He seemed greatly troubled.
"What will the young lady like? Strawberries or wild gooseberries?" while he was in deep thought people around him continued their usual gossip.
The woman selling apples next to him was talking about something that seemingly gathered everyone's attention around. The hooded man couldn't help but be curious too. He got closer to them and tried listening to what the woman was saying in a very nonchalant but amused tone.
"...And they seemed like they came a long way from the royal capital. Can you believe it? They continued asking about Begonia Castle as if it really existed!" she had a hint of disbelief in her voice and scoffed a bit.
"Begonia Castle? Isn't it just a myth?" the old man from inside the candy shop said loudly.
"Who knows? They even say it's a royal secret."
The young boy across the street shrugged, throwing a full bucket of water on the street.
"Hush kid, you don't talk carelessly about the lords." the woman tried reprimanding the boy. But he ignored the woman and went in.
By this time the hooded man seemed strangely agitated. He quickly grabbed a bag of dried strawberry candy and paid the old man and hastily prepared to leave. The sun was starting to set.
"My lady, Sir Martin must be on his way now. Are you excited?"
Millie said, combing down the beautiful silver hair shining under the fading golden light of the setting sun. The little girl didn't reply but stood up and went to the mirror. She had something else on her mind. Again she had an expression that seemed as if it belonged to someone who had already spent decades of her life experiencing everything the world has to offer.
"Millie, who gave Elissa her name?" still looking at the mirror she had so many questions within her.
"Do you not like your name, my lady?" Mille tried staying calm but she could feel the tension building in her whole body. She thought to herself,
"Has the time finally come? How should I tell her?" a bitter feeling filled her chest.
"I read a book in the library. There was a giant bear who lived with his mother and father and two sisters. But Elissa lives with you so is Millie my mom, and Martin my dad?" She turned around flashing her curious and pure eyes at Millie.
There was a sharp heartache that engulfed Millie. She took a deep sigh and bent down on the floor to reach Elissa's height and gently grabbed her arm and finally answered after a long pause of never-ending silence.
"Milady is the child of the sun and moon. Your mother is as calm and gentle as the moon while your father is firm like the sun. We are your protectors, me and Sir Martin just want you to grow up healthy and bright just like how Milady's mother wanted." the corner of her eyes were already wet yet she looked straight to Elissa's eyes as if they were conveying a message of endless loyalty and belief.
Elissa was an exceptionally smart child, Despite being still very young something inside her screamed that she shouldn't ask anymore. She didn't speak a word and just as if it was all planned the sound of footsteps approaching the room got louder. As the door slowly opened both of them got broken from the intriguing mystery unveil and gazed at the familiar figure.
"Martin!" Elissa ran into his arm as the hooded man removed his hood and took out a small bag of strawberry candy.
"Milady." he smiled warmly, throwing a reassuring glance to the worried Millie over the corner watching with slightly sorrowful eyes.
The hectic day finally ended as Millie put Elissa to sleep. Martin checked the room and shut the windows one last time and they slowly walked out and closed the door behind leaving the peacefully asleep Elissa wishing her a warm goodnight.
As they both walked down the long corridor, a dreadful silence filled the castle. Millie holding the lamp and Martin follows her closely. They were both filled with great thoughts and didn't speak a word until they reached a dimly lit reception room. Millie entered and Martin followed her, closing the door behind them slowly. Not letting a single soul outside know the gravity of the troubles that were on their doors.
"Sir Martin, you look greatly troubled. Has the town been abnormal?" Millie asked, putting the lamp down and pouring down some tea from the kettle to an old ceramic teacup.
Martin took the teacup and staring at the bottom of the tea he let out a small sigh.
"There have been inquiries about Begonia Castle from the capital."
Millie clenched the handle of the teacup slowly but maintained the calmness.
"Seems like the time is nearing, we must begin the preparations and speed up milady's lessons." Millie sipped some tea regaining her composure.
"We must keep an eye on the town for a while but limit our actions and exposure."
He said directly staring at Millie with the eyes filled with unspeakable agitation. They both stayed silent drinking the rest of their tea as the battle was finally beginning.