02 - Wine city

The main street is made up of a long corridor of houses crafted from molded wood and stone, stretching all the way to the city center.

Helena and Secilia walk side by side among the houses.

"How about we go see Mrs. Ana?"

Helena asks her daughter with a slight smile, and Secilia agrees with a nod as they approach the city center.

The city center is lively; at its heart is a fountain with a statue shaped like a hooded angel with a spear. The statue divides the main street into a crossroads, with various buildings on each side and routes to other streets in the city. In the main area of the center were the founding shops of the city: the workshop, the flower shop, the blacksmith, and others, but what stood out the most was the Guild hall located on a corner parallel to the central tavern; in front of the blacksmith, a large stage was being set up.

As they walk through the center, Sicilia and her mother notice a different activity than the rest of the year, typical of this season; several mercenaries sign up for the tournament with high prizes given directly by the duke with collaboration from the merchants. Upon reaching the florist, they see Mrs. Ana preparing some rose bouquets and displaying them outside the shop.

"Hello Mrs Ana, how are you feeling?"

Secilia makes a brief curtsy with her hands on the side of the dress; the lady with red hair responds with the same courtesy and a wide smile. After that, she hands each of them a white rose.

"I'm well, Alina has been helping me take care of the shop, and with the arrival of the Kronblade festival, the inns are already full!"

The lady responds with a light laugh when talking about the inns.

The Kronblade festival, or White Petal festival, is an annual event that takes place for 20 days and brings people from all kingdoms, whether human or not. It serves as a celebration for the victory of the unnamed Hero, represented in the angel statue, over the Wizard possessed by the corruptor. Additionally, it serves as an annual meeting for various representatives from around the world, a festival where everyone is allowed to gather, although not all realms participate. It's a festival full of food, roses, and white fabrics scattered throughout the city. Stalls of delicacies from various corners of the world gather there and in the camps surrounding the city, turning Riou into a place almost as important as the capitals. The Laffrey Duchy is responsible for hosting and organizing the event since the city's foundation.

"Ah, Miss Helena, will Duke Bargosa be at the festival?"

The lady asks with a smile on her face while arranging a bouquet of white flowers. Helena, in turn, glanced at her daughter, who seemed distracted by a group of mercenaries entering the guild; she sighed and approached, whispering in Ana's ear.

"Better not to comment on him now, but yes... he's coming with his knights."

Secilia glances at her mother and the lady, then returns her gaze to the people in the city working on the festival organization.

"You talk as if I don't know anything... it's more like I can't do anything about it."

Aldery Aldena Bargosa, the second prince of the Kingdom of Aldena, had two choices due to his brother ascending to the throne: stay in his brother's shadow without political power and his own territories, or take responsibility for his mother's lands. Because of this, he became the Duke of the main port in Aldena, Sifx.

After a few seconds, Secilia turns to the two with a smile, observing how the lady appears serious.

"Did something happen, Mrs. Ana? Are you feeling okay?"

Secilia says, approaching her, but before she could embrace her, the lady shakes her head, grabbing a wooden watering can and starting to water the flowers.

"I'm fine, just a little tired. How about you go home and rest for a bit? The festival starts in two days, and you should enjoy it."

Ana suggests with a less open smile than before while watering the plants. Secilia nodded a bit, understanding that she must be tired from so much work.

"Don't overdo it! If you need anything, you can call me!"

The girl smiles openly, placing her right hand on her chest and the left on the hem of her dress, performing a simple bow.

Uttering those words made her mother cross her arms and open a devilish smile.

"You have other things to do, Secilia, don't forget you skipped history, dance, and music classes today."

Helena walked ahead of the girl, looking at the mansion further down the street with a somewhat serious expression and a distant look. For a moment, Secilia remembered her older brother, Teodor, and the day he joined the king's order, She has always felt lonely since he moved away.

"Come on, what do you think Katherine has this year? Maybe some trader brought something from other lands and sold it to her."

The mother turns to the girl, opening a smile and keeping her eyes slightly closed; shortly after, she returned her gaze to the crossroads, but to the other side of the fountain, where there was a two floors building that occupied a considerable space on the corner, although it did not occupy the entire block. In front of it, a facade with "Kattepels" written and a cat paw beside it.

The two women walk calmly to the other side of the sidewalk, greeting hunters and traders from various places passing by, including a group of elves dressed in white robes who were attentively looking at Secilia.

Helena opens the door for her daughter, who, for a moment, gets distracted looking in the direction of the elves.

"They are part of the diplomats; will meet up with your father and the others soon. Let's go in, It's not nice to stare at people"

Helena says with a calm voice, observing her daughter, who responds with a smile and a nod as she turns her face to her mom, following her.

Upon entering the shop, they find a reception room with two arches leading to other rooms, one without a door on the right side and other with a red door at the back behind the counter. Near the walls, some common clothes that people bought daily. In front of the counter, a young girl was storing traditional clothes and switching them for more delicate and beautiful models.

"Ah, welcome, Misses Laffrey! What do you desire today?"

The young blonde girl with a common white shirt and a dark blue vest turns to them with an open smile, making a brief bow.

"Hello Victoria, your mother is not here today?"

Helena asks with a slight smile, responding with a simple bow along with Secilia.

"No, ma'am, she went out to help Mr. Tales organize the visitor stands, but I can assist you today."

The girl returns to hang the yellow dress she was carrying and then points to the doorless arch. Helena and Secilia head towards the other side, observing a large collection of clothes, from common to more elegant attire.

"Has any merchant brought clothes from other regions?" 

Helena asks, looking at some clothes with a smile on her face, while running her fingers over a wine-colored dress.

"Yes, do you want to try something different this year?" 

The young girl stood near the door, observing the two women.

"No, as always, it's me who wants something different, you know how my mother is" 

Secilia replied with a cynical smile, and Victoria agreed with a low laugh.

"Maybe I'll take a chance this year, what do you have to show us?" 

Helena released the dress she was looking at and turned to the receptionist, who in turn, gestured for them to go towards the red door in the previous room.

After the three arrived at the location, it was possible to see some clothes, both for women and men, both sturdy and detailed.

"We haven't put them on display yet, so excuse me for bringing you to the warehouse," 

Victoria says, removing the seal from some boxes with distinct clothes in Western style (reminiscent of traditional Chinese and Japanese styles).

"No problem, we should have come tomorrow, but I took advantage of the fact that Secilia had gone out to... unwind," 

Helena replied with a slight chuckle, opening a smirk on her face. Victoria again let out a little smile while Secilia remained silent on the matter.

"This year, the five islands decided to join in the celebration; they're in a camp in the north area of the city. My mother took advantage of their confirmation and requested some traditional clothes."

While the girl spoke, Secilia picked up a white kimono with a fox design on the back.

"I noticed that many mercenaries from Bessua came this year, more curious to explore the rest and look for the so-called "Jade Statue"?"

Helena asks while observing her daughter's interest in the strange outfit.

"Probably. Merida mentioned overhearing a group talking about the legend of the statue... Honestly, where did they come up with the idea that there's a statue entirely made of jade lost in the southern region of the hero's rest? If there were, they would have found it by now."

Victoria puts her right hand to her forehead, releasing a sigh.

"At least that keeps the mercenaries coming and searching for the statue." 

Secilia says, returning the white outfit and picking up a red one with green and gold details.

"Anyway, I asked her to keep an eye on the trailblazers; I heard rumors about the emergence of a thieves' guild in Navali, as if mercenaries weren't enough, now thieves."

Helena takes out her fan and puts it in front of her face.

"Has the guard been notified? It would be good to place some guards near the south outer wall of the mansion; some trees are very close to it... it would be easy for someone to enter there."

Helena glances at Secilia when the girl says that. Upon realizing her mother's gaze, Secilia turns to her, holding the outfit just in front of her face, leaving only her eyes visible and looking down.

"It's not like I've ever worn this before... I just noticed it. Oh! I like this one, I'll take it."

Secilia lifts the outfit, covering her face completely. Behind the cloth, she lets out an audible sigh for both women. Victoria laughs, while Helena closes the fan and lightly taps Secilia's head with it.

"I'll need a special dress for the ceremony; this year it will be Secilia's turn to present herself."

"Sure! I'll prepare everything and send it to the mansion."

After making their decision, Secilia and Helena head towards the exit when Victoria appears on the counter calling for Helena.

"I almost forgot! I heard that some students from Kalamit Academy are coming, and they'll be accompanied by Professor Auderin."

Helena smiles happily and thanks with a nod before leaving with her daughter.

"Let's go, your dad must be anxious waiting for us."

Secilia sighs and walks alongside her mom, observing her happy smile, which leaves her with a question: Who is Auderin?

The two walk calmly towards the main street that leads from the gate directly to the mansion. The closer they get to the mansion, the more disheartened Secilia seems to be. She loves her home, but she hates the burden of being a Lafrey.