1 Aster Tataricus: Remembrance

"Anne? Anne! Where are you!!!!"

He was breathing heavily as sweat slowly formed on his forehead, making its way onto the wrinkles between his brows. The stray strands were stuck to the side of his face as it continuously dripped.

The man panicked as he searches for someone on the streets. 'Where has this woman gone to again? The party is today, and she's running out and about.'

She was always like that even when they first met. So carefree.

Unable to find her, he was on his way back to the palace when he unexpectedly came across a white, arched bridge that splits a small waterway. It was located on the far east of the country near the bay of the ocean, leading inwards — a tranquil, timeless place where the only sound of nature is present.

Below the bridge was filled with water that bathed in a beautiful teal. Vibrant but translucent enough to see the bottom where it sparkled due to the jewel-like rocks. It was breathtaking enough for anyone to stop what they were doing and admire the view.

'Anne would definitely love this place.'

He mused as he gripped the handle of the bridge with a vague expression.

"Beautiful, isn't it? This place puts me at ease."

A woman's voice suddenly interrupted his daydreaming.

Her soft, soothing, honey-like voice filled the atmosphere. It was very pleasing to the ear like she's singing a lullaby to him.

The man froze on the spot.

He had assumed that he was the only one on the bridge. It's a few miles away from the palace, heavily guarded by soldiers. People rarely come near this area aside from being summoned.

Realizing that there was a person next to him, he turned to the right to see who dared enter. But when he did, his eyes had widened, leaving him utterly speechless.

Silky hair with a hint of blue as dark as the night sky flowed down below her waist and swayed with the wind.

Her large round eyes, small nose, and vibrant cherry red lips embodied innocence. Three red flower petals printed on her forehead reflected in his eyes. She had appeared as if she belonged to a part of nature itself, in a painting.

Her overall appearance did not look like she was from this kingdom.

With such an exotic look, Is she of noble blood? His mind was jumbled by her sudden presence, but her voice once again snapped him back to reality.

"Goodness, I realized that it's quite a deserted place! I guess people don't appreciate such a wonderful landscape, don't you think?" Her delicate hands covered part of her mouth as she giggled.

What a lovely smile.

Noticing his burning stare, she finally turned to him, and their eyes met.

"Yeah. It is a hidden treasure," The man quickly replied as he wandered his eyes down towards the handle of the bridge. Blood slowly rushed up immediately to his ears, turning it a soft rosy red.

"Y-yes, like a rendezvous place between lovers." The woman shyly looked towards the sea. An awkward silence soon followed these two until she finally asked him a question. "By any chance, do you know where the castle of this country is?"

"Yes, and what business do you have there?"

His face was instantly cold like he was ice itself.

Does she not know this place is close to what she was asking? Is she an enemy? Anything regarding his job was alarming to him.

"I...I have an invitation sent to me for a special occasion." She said carefully as she studied his expression.

Special occasion? Does she mean today's event?

"Do you mean today's party?" He asked.

She parted her lips to answer, but a high pitched voice suddenly screamed in the opposite direction, "Li!!!!"

Feeling slightly agitated, his brows creased as he shifted to see behind the girl. The voice had been highly defined due to the tranquility of their surroundings. Who was so absurdly loud?

After taking a closer look, he realized the person looked familiar and shouted at the direction, "Anne! There you are!" Despite his angry tone, there was a hint of gentleness in it.

"Anne! Goodness, be careful, or you'll fall!" The woman next to him quickly intercepted.

She jogged a few feet towards the small built girl and opened her arms wide. Anne slowly stopped running and leaped into the woman's embrace.

"Li! You came! I was so scared you wouldn't come, I received no confirmation if you would attend!" She wept.

"Deary, it's one of the most important events of your life. How could I not as a friend?" Li helplessly smiled.

The man walked towards their direction before he hastily interjected, "Anne, where have you been?! I've been looking for you everywhere! Hurry we must return to the palace and get you ready. There's so much to do in a short amount of time."

He checked every inch of her body and after seeing that there was nothing wrong with her did he finally let out a small sigh.

The girl was slightly perplexed to see how fragile the guy next to her treated Anne.

Do they know each other? Li thought. Was he the one Anne talked about? He had a grave expression on his face like he had just escaped death when he saw her.

"Heh heh, Chen, you worry too much. I wanted to get some fresh air because it's always so stuffy in the palace." Anne brushed aside Chen's nagging and continued to bombard Li with questions.

"How have you been? Why did you disappear every time I take my eyes off of you? I've invited you to so many events, but you never show up and what about those brui—"

"I-I'm fine! Hahaha... You sound like my boyfriend. I'm here now aren't I? It's your biggest day!" Li answered as she waved her hands.

"Oh silly, it's 'one' of my biggest days. The wedding isn't until next week!"

"Oh my...then it looks like I might have to come back the following week then—" she slowly turned around.

Anne frantically hugged one of her arms and quickly asked. "W-Wait where are you going?" QAQ

"Home?"

"You're not going to attend my engagement party?"

Li gave her a conflicted look. "I'm afraid I can't."

"Why? Is it about those disgusting people? Are you not allowed to go out again? Your body—" Anne realized what she was about to say and stopped. She started to get teary ad grabbed both of Li's arm to gently rock her, "Why?! You're already here! It's already so hard to even see you!"

Upon seeing this heartbreaking scene, Chen couldn't help but soften his look at Anne and turned to Li. "Is it possible to stay for a couple of hours? The party would be starting very soon it wouldn't be too bad, would it?"

"Well, I suppose but--I only made enough time to attend her wedding as it's hard too...I just.." Li didn't know how to answer. It was already tricky getting here; she doesn't know if there would be a second chance to do the same thing again.

"Please! I'll send you someone trustworthy to personally escort you back on time! I give you my word!" Anne pleaded, "It's quite an important day."

Looking at the two people in front of her who deliberately showed a disappointed expression, she, in the end, gave in. "Very well. I'll send a letter to someone first."

"Yay!" Anne jumped up and down. "We must get you ready! Oh my goodness, finally! And we can't let you wear that thin table cloth either!"

Her mood turned 180 degrees as she skipped towards the palace. She was too excited to dress Li up! Anne couldn't understand why a beautiful person such as this doesn't pay more attention to herself.

Actually...

she knows.

The poor girl is trapped in her home all this time, so how could she do anything even if she wanted to.

Chen, on the other hand sighed at the sight and followed behind Anne.

Li quietly stared at both for their backs blankly before slowly walking.