Elestria and the Expedition

The first snow fell on the dawn horizon. A gust of too-cool wind has spread.

Elestria had just put beef jerky into her bag. She tied the large bag again to avoid tearing it. She was proud of her work.

As the shy sun began to come out, Elestria found Lusi in the study. For two weeks, Lusi had been coming early and leaving late. Elestria was sorry for the bags under her eyes.

"Good morning, Lulu!"

Elestria wore her best smile. She took small steps as she approached Lusi. Clothes designs were scattered on the work table.

"It's already winter. How are you feeling?"

Lusi chuckled. She put the porcelain cup on top of the notebook. "Excited. I got a lot of gold coins from the autumn girl dress design. I'll be making winter girl dress designs soon. You should be the model."

For a brief second, Elestria felt a void in her chest. Lusi was so happy. She hesitated to say goodbye.

"Happy to hear that, but I can't be your model."

"Oh... it's your job."

Elestria nodded slightly.

"You have packed your stuff?" Lusi asked, "I don't wanna hear you get a fever because don't have warm clothes."

She smiled while nodding. She looked into Lusi's eyes. "I have everything I need. No need to worry."

Lusi walked to a huge cupboard. Her hands roamed inside it. When she finished, she handed a coat to Elestria. "Take this. I've heard the palace is colder because it's near the ice mountain."

At once she was shocked, then she smiled and almost poured her tears. "Thank you very much." She took the coat. The surface is soft. She would survive with it.

"Hope you are always healthy and happy... and meet your mate soon. You should introduce him to me first... before Dante."

They giggled. It felt like their many memories replayed. At that second, they felt sad and joyful.

***

The sun hid more often. The stained glass diorama of Alpha and Luna's journey protecting the pack became meaningless. That was how Luna felt at that moment.

She stood alone in a thick emerald dress before the roof-to-floor stained glass. She remembered the feeling of awe the first time she came to the palace.

She was such a naive girl. The palace life as a queen was described as lively in the story. She had many luxurious gowns, jewelry of all kinds, obedient servants, and a heavenly home. However, those great rights must be paid for with obligations.

She wasn't strong enough to watch the deadly palace intrigues. Life in this place was also brutal. She missed her monotonous life in the city.

"Luna?"

Alpha approached her. "Why here alone? It's not warm enough in this place."

"I'm curious."

"About what?" He held up both hands. His well-built body bent down for her. Alpha flashed a smile. His grey-green eyes stared intently.

"The Cold War. I don't wanna see someone die."

"I know your feelings. We're trying to maintain the peace. There will be an expedition. Let's pray they succeed and we can make peace in the world. What do you say?"

Luna nodded like she was relieved to hear it. However, she couldn't lie that she was anxious. It had been a long time since this promise was made, and peace had yet to come. There were more and more rumors of a great war to come.

Besides, what will they do on an expedition?

***

Keir stood upright like a statue. Under the sprinkling snow, his black and gold uniform looked beautiful. He was overseeing the final preparations for the expedition. 

Indeed, his head was full of Elestria. He couldn't look at the girl's desperate face so filed it in consideration of the newspaper that ran the news about her. Keir felt strange. He had never gone so far just for the sake of one person.

"Isn't she my mate?" He muttered softly. His hair was damp from the snow. "I can't look away."

Keir looked up. He thought this was just a form of empathy. He took a deep breath.

A cart passed in front of him. It was filled with spices bought from a spice-selling nobleman. The quality of their spices was good but not as expensive as importing.

Keir scanned the other. He remembered well that each cart had enough provisions for a hundred people. This expedition would be conducted under the guise of merchants to Seraphim.

The group would be divided into two. The first group would stand guard in the lowlands, while the second group would mingle with the population. Keir was confident that the disguise would last.

***

Over the past week, Madam Rachell had spotted Alfafa Boutique on her way home. This morning, she again passed in front of it and found out something else happened today. Elestria boarded Lusi's carriage with a large bag.

She immediately thought the girl was expelled. Then, she realized that wasn't the case. The carriage was leaving for the palace. 

"Follow the carriage slowly," she ordered the coachman.

Lusi's carriage drove on a cobblestone road. A few meters behind was Madam Rachell's carriage.

When Elestria reached the palace gate, Madam Rachell's carriage stopped not far away. She frowned. What was that lame girl going to do in the palace?

She eyed the palace gates. She thought hard to remember if she had ever seen a job offer in the palace or something. However, there was none.

Madam Rachell unfurled her fan with its twin Padda on a tree branch. She was fanning her face. The hair on her head swayed slightly.