AVERY

  Watching as Meylin and Senha pick out my clothes for today, I could not help but feel excited about going to town again.

  "Your Majesty. Today is still a bit cold. Would you like to wear this one?" Senha asked, holding up a light pink dress. It had long sleeves and with white lace on the wrists. It looked warm and easy to move on. I smiled, nodding.

  "That looks lovely, Senha. I would like that one." I said softly.

  Meylin grabbed a cape, white with fur lining the edges, "You should wear this one, too, Your Majesty. Just in case it gets colder."

  "Yes. I should. Thank you, Meylin." I smiled at her.

  I got up from my seat and looked out the window. I sighed softly.

  I wonder how the mission is going.

  Senha and Meylin helped me get ready for today. I wore the dress and Meylin applied a tiny bit of color on my face since I looked pale, according to her. Just as Senha was doing my hair, there was a knock on my door. I glanced at it.

  "Would you please get the door for me, Meylin?" I said and Meylin did as told.

  She opened the door and revealed Grimore. He entered then bowed to me. I smiled at him.

  "Good morning, Your Majesty." He greeted.

  I smiled, "What is it, Grimore?"

  "I have prepared the carriage and... well, I have news about His Majesty." He said the last words quietly.

  "What news?" I asked, looking at him through the mirror and tried my best not to move since Senha was doing my hair.

  "He told me that... the mission became more difficult because the monster was hiding somewhere. They could not find it so... it might take long for them to return." Grimore said, sighing at the end.

  "I see. Well, do you mind if I send a reply?" I clasped my hands on my lap.

  "Of course, Your Majesty. I shall deliver it along with my own reply and report!" He said excitedly. I chuckled.

  "You're all set, Your Majesty." Senha chimed. I looked at her work, tilting my head from side to side.

  "It's so pretty, Senha. Thank you." I complimented her.

  "Shall we get going, Your Majesty?" Meylin asked. I looked at her with a smile and nodded.

  "Yes. Let us go."

  But before I could leave the room, I walked towards my vase of roses and sniffed the flowers. I caressed its petals gently.

  I hope Typhone gets home safe. He better hurry and give me more roses, too.

  **********

  As we made our way to town, I noticed that the snow was disappearing a little. I watched more people strolling and walking around the streets. I smiled, feeling more relaxed than I was before.

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  "Shall we visit other dessert shops, Your Majesty?" Senha asked, excited.

  "Senha, don't spoil Her Majesty too much with sweets. It's not good for her." Meylin reprimanded her gently.

  "Aww. But I want Her Majesty to taste other desserts." Senha huffed, pouting a little.

  I giggled, "Why not? We could always just look and taste a few."

  Meylin sighed and Senha cheered. I smiled. I looked out the window and suddenly, the carriage stopped.

  "Are we here already?" I asked. The door opened and Sir Richtan bowed. He extended his hand and I took it, getting out of the carriage.

  I inhaled the scent of the town which were a mix of freshly baked breads, flowers, food, and other things.

  "So... Grimore. Please, lead the way." I said.

  Grimore whipped his head to look at me. He gasped, "Me? Why... What... Me?"

  "Why not? I think it's time for you to give me a tour, don't you think?" I smiled brightly.

  "Fine. If it's your wish, Your Majesty." He grumbled then cleared his throat. He excitedly stood straight and asked us to follow him.

  I giggled at his enthusiasm.

  I wonder where he'll take us.

  **********

  "We've got a big library in the castle. Why did you have to bring Her Majesty here?!" Senha exclaimed at Grimore.

  I giggled as I placed a book back on the shelf. It was a big library, but not as big as the one back in the castle. The lights were bright despite the big windows being open. There was a second floor and had several desks and chairs in the middle. The first floor was mostly shelves and just a few desks and chairs.

  "It's fine, Senha. I want to see how the library in town looks like." I said. Just as I looked away, I saw a new book displayed by at the middle of the room.

  I walked towards it and took the book, reading the title. The Dragon's Queen. The title piqued my interest. Immediately, I walked to Meylin and looked at her excitedly.

  "I will buy this book." I said, determined.

  Meylin chuckled, "As you wish, Your Majesty."

  After a while, we went to a different shop. This time, it was a tea shop and according to Grimore, this was where he bought the coffee that Typhone requested.

  "So this shop is more... of the high quality products, right?" I scanned the shop. My eyes landed on a woman who was maybe 30 or 40 years old.

  "Good morning, Your Majesty. I am the store owner, Eldira Thorne. It's an honor to have Her Majesty's presence in my shop."

  "It's a pleasure. Your shop is very nice and comforting." I mused, smiling.

  "Well, if it weren't for my stubborn so here, the shop wouldn't be this nice." The woman glared at Grimore.

  For a moment, all of us were stunned with the woman's words. There was silence and before I could even utter a word, Senha reacted.

  "HUH?! This guy is your son?!" She exclaimed.

  I giggled sheepishly as Meylin covered Senha's mouth. The woman, Eldira smiled brightly.

  "Yes. This is my stubborn and annoying son, Grimore." She proudly said.

  "I'm not stubborn! I just... really wanted to serve His Majesty." Grimore sulked.

  "That is the same thing. Instead of helping your father and I, you decided to work at the castle. I was so embarrassed when he got on his knees in front of His Majesty." Eldira rubbed her temple.

  "You didn't have to tell Her Majesty that, Mom!" Grimore exclaimed in embarrassment.

  Eldira ignored him and gently guided me to the back of the shop, "Come, Your Majesty. I shall offer you some of the highest quality tea leaves in here."

  I followed her and chuckled at Grimore's antics. Eldira opened the door and revealed an elegant room. Light brown walls, marble white floors, and gold marbled tables in front of white plush couches decorated the room.

  I gasped in awe at how elegant and comforting the room looked.

  I don't regret bringing Grimore with me now.

  "Please, have a seat, Your Majesty. Let me prepare you some tea and snacks." Eldira said and I did. I sat down on the soft couch and gasped at the amount of comfort I felt.

  It's so soft and smooth! I'd like to have one of these in my room.

  Eldira left while the rest of my company entered the room. Senha gasped and walked around the room. I looked around, noting a few paintings and flowers decoratng the room, bringing it more color and life.

  "The shop looked so small so I did not expect a room like this." Senha chimed. I nodded in agreement.

  "It's a very lovely shop with an elegant room inside." I said.

  After a few minutes, Eldira and Grimore walked in the room, setting a few varieties of tea and snacks on the table. The tea set looked so sophisticated and adorable.

  "This is a very nice shop. I did not expect this room, though." I said, taking the teacup and sipping on my tea.

  "It was all thanks to my stubborn son for helping us upgrade it. His Majesty loves it here, too." She chuckled, handing me a cookie.

  I accepted and took a bite. It was sweet and perfect contrast to the slightly bitter taste of the tea.

  I wonder if Typhone would want to spend some time with me here sometime.