Walking down the corridors, Elestria's eyes fell on the walls to her right side, which were engraved with different stones and designs.
Everything was in blue with a mixture of red, be it walls or floors. "That's weird," she muttered under her breath, but Prince Marcellus heard her words and just smiled knowingly.
To her left were the majestic pillars, at regular intervals adorned with different ornate carvings. Beyond those pillars lay a breathtaking sight: the palace garden. It was known for its variety of flowers from different countries.
The flowers danced in the morning sunlight as the wind blew lightly, causing Elestria's hair to sway gently and fall in front of her face. The long, shimmering silver colour of her hair shone in the sun's rays.
Elestria's gaze shifted towards Prince Marcellus as she heard him clearing his throat. He questioned her, momentarily glancing towards her, "Do you by chance know if any family member, from your mother or father side, used to possess some sort of power?" His voice came out as a soft hush, as if he himself were pondering over the possibility.
"Not that I remember anything. Why would you ask, Prince?" Elestria questioned, her words dripping with suspicion. Did he notice the change in her appearance?
'But then again, no one saw me that night, or did they?' She thought to herself. Nervously, she pushed her hair back, fixing it to the sides of her ears.
"Hm, I see," Prince Marcellus hummed. After a few minutes, he turned his head towards Elestria, stopping his feet. He began, "Do you know anyone from your family other than your mother?" His eyes bore into hers, searching for an answer.
Elestria's heart pounded against her chest at the sudden question.
"No, I don't," Elestria responded, her eyes dropping to the ground.
'Do I really not know anyone other than my mother? Why didn't I ever ask her about her family?' She was overwhelmed with loneliness in that moment, realising that there was no one waiting for her at home. Now she would have to live all alone.
Matilda's arrival interrupted Elestria's train of thought. As Matilda approached where Elestria and Prince Marcellus were standing, her eyes fell upon Elestria's sad expression, and her own face contorted in concern. She bowed her head respectfully at the prince, waiting for his permission to speak.
Prince nodded his head and then excused himself with a smile. "We will meet again, Miss Elestria." With that, he walked away, leaving both of the ladies to talk.
Matilda approached Elestria and hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you, my child," she said, her voice rushing as she gasped for breath after the short walk, considering her back pain.
Elestria's body stiffened momentarily, but then she remembered the motherly figure Matilda had always been to her. She realised she wasn't truly alone as long as she had this elderly woman in her life. Her eyes, which moments ago were clouded with sadness and feelings of being left alone, now shone with brightness.
Returning the hug, Elestria said, "I'll miss you too, Aunt Matilda. Don't worry, I'll come to meet you. I hope this palace won't stop me, at least for that."
"Yes, my child, you can come whenever you want. No one will stop you," Matilda assured her, planting a soft kiss on Elestria's forehead.
Elestria nodded slightly, smiling as she held Matilda's hand. She walked towards the carriage, waiting for her to climb aboard.
Matilda held Elestria's hand to stop her from walking further, then she raised her hand, handling the cotton bag. Elestria looked towards her with a questioning gaze. Matilda smiled. "These are cookies, which your mother and I used to eat after our work got over. I have made some for you to take," she explained.
Elestria smiled. "Thank you, Aunt Matilda," she said, her lips forming a small smile that reached her eyes.
The coachman, who was waiting for her, walked towards elestria. He bowed a little and then guided her to the stool, which was kept just below the wooden door of the carriage.
Elestria sat inside the carriage and then waved her hand in the direction of Matilda. As the carriage started rolling on the smooth ground, her eyes noticed how Matilda was on the verge of breaking down. She smiled a little, trying to reassure Matilda.
Looking around her surroundings, her eyes fell on a black figure standing on the top of the royal palace's window, looking down at her. Shivers ran down her spine as she suddenly felt a familiar sensation, reminiscent of what she felt in those slave quarters.