Promise

After Selina and Art finished go around all snack stalls that draw their attention, they decided to go back to the Union Guild of Seraphina City branch's building as the sky has begun to darken. But when they will go there, by chance they met the performance of street music players who are surrounded by a crowd. The performance of street music players is common in the outer section of Seraphina City. They playing music so people who watched them can give them money as a sense of appreciation for their music. This time Selina and Art met the performance of three street music players. Each of them playing the violin, trumpet, and drum as their instrument.

"Let's stay for a bit longer. I want to watch the performance," said Art.

"Okay." Selina's granted Art's request. They still have an hour before the sky completely darkens.

Not long after they watched the performance, Selina suddenly goes to the direction of street music players and request a folk song. This folk song is about a princess who was lost as a baby and finally returned to meet her true parents as an adult thanks to the help of a brave man. Selina often heard this song as a child when her mother sang this song as a lullaby. As the street music players playing the song, Selina opened her mouth and sing the song's lyrics.

"I'm still standing here with my eyes closed

Lost in my thought on how long will I be stuck here

Crying loudly in silence but no sound was heard

No one comes to help me out from here."

Selina began dancing after the first verse of the song. Her movement is energetic and smooth at the same time. As a teenage girl that has dancing and singing as her hobby in her previous life, this kind of folk song is no big deal for her.

"Then one day a brave man came to this tower

He saved me and give me the freedom that I desire

His voice full of confidence and hope, but lower

He asked me, 'Do you want to get out from here?'"

As the second and last verse of the song ended, the crowd exploded in applause. Art was also in the crowd, stared at Selina's face with a look full of amazement. Selina looked back at Art shyly then walking toward her.

"Do you like it?" Selina asked Art.

"En! That's an amazing performance." Art said still with a look full of amazement at Selina's performance.

"Let's go back to Union Guild as I'm sure your mother must be worried," Selina said as she looked into the dark sky.

Afterward, Selina and Art walked back to Union Guild of Seraphina City branch. There, already waiting for them is a beautiful woman with bright golden hair and light brown eyes. She is wearing a plain but high-quality dress.

"Hello my name is Eliana, you must be Selina, right? Thanks for taking care of Art," said the beautiful woman with bright golden hair.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Eliana. My name is Selina Hua." Selina introduces herself while doing a curtsy.

"Hua? Are you the daughter of Zhihao Hua? And please just call me Eliana," Eliana suddenly asked Selina.

"Do you know my father?" Selina asked confused.

Selina is confused because not many people know about an adventurer's child's name.

"I can't say I know him directly, but my husband knows your father. Oh yes, this is for you as payment for guiding Art around." She said while giving Selina one platinum coin. It was clear to Selina that Eliana was trying to change the subject.

'I'll ask Dad later,' Selina decided.

"You don't have to, Mrs. Eliana. It is my own decision to guide Art around so I don't need any payment from you." Selina declines the coin politely.

Eliana smiled then said, "Okay then, Art say goodbye to Selina as we have to go home now."

Art then walking toward Selina.

"I have to go home now." Art started.

"Mm…" Selina nodded her head meaning she is listening to Art's words.

"How about we make a promise to each other?" she asked Selina. Her blue eyes shining with anticipation.

"Promise? What promise?" Selina tilting her head to the left.

"Both of us will be together forever even if we are in a healthy state or even sick."

'Did she means become her friends forever? Maybe she doesn't have many friends, to begin with. I guess it's all right. She doesn't have an ill intention,' thought Selina.

"Okay, I promise." Then both of them linking their pinky fingers together to make a promise only between both of them.

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Selina walked into the area of her house. A gardener called Uncle John saw Selina.

"Miss Selina ... Miss Selina is back!" he shouted loudly until he was heard by other workers at Selina's house.

"Uncle John, shush... Mom will know I'm not at home." Selina's right index finger is in front of her lips.

"Who isn't at home, hm?"

Diana's voice that held back her anger was heard from behind Selina. Selina turned around. She looked at Diana who has the expression of a hannya mask, looking at her angrily.

*Gulp* Selina could only swallow her saliva nervously.

"Mo… Mom…" Selina stutteringly called her mother.

As all the workers at Selina's house had guessed, Selina got a tirade about how worried Diana was when she found out that her only daughter was not at home and no one knew of her whereabouts. The tirade is accompanied by spanking on Selina's buttocks by Diana.

"Mom, forgive me!" Selina said in tears.

"Are you going to repeat your deeds?" Diana asked in a stern tone.

"I won't repeat it..." Selina said quietly.

"I didn't hear that," Diana said sharply.

"I will not repeat it! Mom, forgive me... my butt hurts," Selina cried.

'I won't make Mom mad at me again...' Selina promised in her heart.

That night Selina could only sleep while enduring the pain in her butt that was red and swollen after being spanked by Diana.