Not a word

“Go on?” Maria said.

“How do you mean?”

“Exactly what I meant. You said something about how these smell different in ‘my’ world. As though assuming I come from a different world.”

“You do not?”

“I don’t recall ever stating I was.”

A faint smile. The woman sat down, giving the flowers a smell.

Golden dress, with quite the design, and though she appeared to be fairly beautiful- something about her, something just put Maria on edge.

But yet, she didn’t let it show.

‘Did she figure it out or…’ Either way- the woman was dangerous, or so Maria concluded.

“Princess-” A familiar voice-

The hero- Jay.

“And Lady Maria too…” He said, making his way offering a small standing bow.

“How many times do I have to tell you, just call me Ermi?” The woman said, springing back up.

“But-”

“No buts, mister.” She giggled. “Oh, and I forgot to introduce myself,” Tilting the hem of her skirt- “ Ermilanya Ji Norcava (II). Call me Ermi.”