Chapter 121 Little Miss

Walking through the outskrits of the Sun region, an old woman with long, pure white hair walked on a lonely path.

Although her eyes were covered by her white hair, one could easily see that she was looking for something.

After walking a few hundred steps, she stopped. Her head aimed to her left side.

Beside her, a river ran around a hill. And, atop the hill, a modest home is built.

The old woman opened her mouth, but no words came out.

As the wind blew down on her face, she covered her eyes, making sure that the wind doesn't take control.

After the breeze stopped, with her eyes still covered with her white hair, she continued her walk.

But, instead of following the path, she instead traversed up the hill.

Walking through the vaguely laid out path through the meadow of flowers, crossing over the mold infested bridge, the old woman walked ever closer to the house atop the hill.

Just as she was at the front door, she stopped.

Not only did her movement stop, but also her breathing and her clothes that flowed in the air.

Then, she took a deep breath, saying. "I'm coming in."

After opening the door, she was greeted with a rather neat room.

The shelves only have a little amount of dust on them, the table and chairs are neatly kept away, and the wooden beams are free from damage.

Allowing herself in, the old woman walked around the room.

After ducking down under a low hanging beam, she saw something that caught her attention.

At the edge of the room, a table is set.

Nothing is placed on the table, just a bowl of rocks with two sticks stuck on it and a wooden frame faced down onto the table.

The old woman then proceeded to walk over, kneeling just before the table.

She remained in this position for a few minutes, just slowly breathing in and breathing out.

Finally, she reached over. Picking up the wooden frame before looking at it.

Due to her hair being in the way, her facial expression was unable to be seen.

But after a while of just looking at it, she decided to place it back to the table, standing up this time.

The wooden frame held a portrait in place. It depicted an aged woman with horns at the top of her head.

Then, the old woman kneeling before the table reached for one of the cabinets.

Almost immediately, she found a match.

Igniting it on the rough piece of paper with it, the old woman then proceed to light up the sticks on the rock-filled bowl.

And after igniting it, the woman left the table as the incense continued to burn.

Walking through the empty, cramped halls, the old woman found herself looking into what looks to be a kitchen.

And after a bit of a pause, she entered.

Dragging her hands on the doorframe, then onto the table in the middle, to the two chairs that sat alongside it, and finally, making her way to the counter.

She then proceeded to just stand there, marvelling at the counter top that shows it's age.

After dipping her hands into the fire pit, covering her fingertips with the little coal dust that remained, she noticed a little stool off to the side.

After dragging the stool closer to her, she stood atop it. Easily towering over the counter with ease.

And with a deep breath, the old woman oversaw the entire kitchen room.

"*tap* *tap*"

Hearing a tapping noise, the old woman turned her head, leading her to the door leading into the kitchen that she was in.

Standing there with a friendly smile, a middle-aged woman stood, and atop her head, a pair of cat ears sat.

And with a friendly tone, the cat woman said. "Hello, can I ask you to step down the stool?"

With a bit of hesitation, the old woman nodded nervously before stepping down the stool.

Seeing at how the old woman acted, the cat woman couldn't help but smile brightly as she asked. "Are you interested in talking with me? Outside?"

After receiving a handful of nods, the cat woman led the way.

And after making their way outside, they sat down on the balcony, over looking the bridge over the river and the meadow of flowers.

The cat woman sat before the old woman with a bright smile, while the old woman sat infront of her with her hair hiding most of her face.

Then, the cat woman spoke in a soothing manner. "Hello, my name is Nekonna. What is yours?"

With a bit of delay, the old woman replied. "Li...Li...A..."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Lilia." Said Nekonna with a smile.

"Nice to meet you aswell... Nekonna."

"Yes. I am Nekonna, the caretaker of this place."

"Care...taker?"

"Yes, until the rightful owner returns."

"I see..."

"Miss Lilia, can I ask you what you were doing here?"

"... I was just passing by... It seems my... curiosity got the better of me... this time..."

"This time? Has this happened before?" Nekonna asked with a smile.

"...Yes."

"Well, everyone makes mistakes, right, Miss Lilia?"

"Yes... that is correct."

"Actually, do you want to here about my biggest mistake, Miss Lilia?"

"Umm, sure..."

"It was leaving someone behind."

"..."

"A good few years back, I was a servant for one of the families in the Sun Capital."

"..."

"I was born in a rather good family. We were and still are quite well off on the money situation."

"..."

"I wanted to become a servant for a noble for a few years as thanks for letting my family stay in their peaceful lands. And then..."

"..."

"I met this little... lady."

"..."

"A quite adorable child she was, and probably still is."

"..."

"Let me be honest for a second. I just want to say, that girl was a pain."

"...ah."

"You see, everytime there was something she didn't like, she would run over to me and complain."

"..."

"Whether it was a soup too hot for her to eat, a lesson she didn't like, or a person she hated. She would always run up to me and tell me about it."

"..."

"The Little Miss was quite a problematic child."

"..."

"But even though she was like this, I still cherished every moment I spent with her. Every. Single. Moment."

"..."

"That's why... I was saddened when I had to leave her side."

"..."

"But deep down... even though she was a bit of a cry baby..."

"..."

"She was and always will be... a strong person."

"..."

"Even though I know she would cry the moment she realizes I left for good... I also know that she isn't the type to give up, even though she might need a little push to do it."

"..."

"I just hope... she could here me right now, right, Miss Lilia?"

Still hiding behind her hair, the old woman then replied after a little bit of silence. "Yes, I think she would appreciate every word you just said. Every. Single. Word."

With the irremovable, blinding smile on her face, Nekonna said. "Thank you, Miss Lilia. If only Lilly was here to it."

"Yes, if only..."

"..."

"..."

"Miss Lilia, I heard that there was an incident that happened in the factory, causing it to burn to the ground."

"...Yes, I heard about it aswell."

With a smile still on her face, Nekonna continued. "I suggest staying away from the Capital for the time being, Miss Lilia."

"...Yes, that would be wise."

After a bit of a giggle, Nekonna stated. "But just incase some unwise person decided to stay, I think they should atleast know that a meeting was called by Her Highness, calling over all of the noble family heads."

"..."

"I think you can guess what the meeting is about, but my opinion still stands... Please, stay away from the Capital."

"..."

"..."

"I'm sorry, I can't."

"I see... Well, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to me, Miss Lilia."

"No problem, Nekonna. I think it is best if I take my leave."

"Yes, take care."

Nekonna remained sitted on the balcony, following the old woman, who did not make eye contact with her once, with her smiling gaze.

As the old woman was about to halfway across the bridge, she slipped on some moss. Luckly, she grabbed onto the guardrail in time.

"Be careful, Little Miss. It's quite slippery."

After giving Nekonna a quick nod, the old woman successfully crossed the bridge.

The old woman then began walking back towards the city via the path, but suddenly, she stopped.

Turning her head slightly to look backwards, she was met with Nekonna, still smiling on the balcony.

Then, without saying a word, the old woman ran. Faster than what you would expect from someone that looks like an old woman.

Seeing this, Nekonna couldn't help but giggle to herself.

And with a smile on her face, the brightest it has ever been, Nekonna looked on from the balcony as she observed the flowers dance in the sunlight.