Finally Free!

Seafood Festival

The very next day, the beautiful view shines through the watery depths as I dress for a festive occasion. I was told about it yesterday.

Once I am ready, dressed in a red flowy dress as I make my way down to eat breakfast.

I see an array of fruits on the table.

"I apologize to anyone who is hungry," Duchess Akira says kindly, "the festival we are attending requires that you taste the foods to prepare to replicate or reinvent these dishes later on so that we can give back to the community."

Everyone nods their heads as they enjoy the rare fruits that sit on the table.

Queen Hesperia makes her way over to Radley and I. She sits down and starts eating some of the fruits.

"How are you enjoying the season?" she asks me politely. "It has been eventful," I say honestly as I eat the array of fruits as well, "and you?" "Same," she says kindly, "always something that is hidden comes out and at the end, someone gets married or something of that sort." I laugh at the way she says it, "Do you have something similar in Freesia?" She shakes her head, "There isn't a noble family really because of the history in Freesia." I nod slowly and we continue eating until it is time to go to the festival.

As soon as we arrive at the festival, I see stalls, pots, fires, grills, decorations and more. All of it is on the green grassy areas that is lined with a rocky path.

Radley, Cosmos, Hesperia and I are walking along as well as trying all the dishes.

"Can't I help you?" Radley asks as I try to think about which one I want to make, "I am not good at replicating from just seeing and tasting." I laugh, "You can't help me. It's part of the rules." I look over at Cosmos to see him talking with Hesperia kindly and she smiles lovingly at him. It's the most happiness I have ever seen in her eyes and I see how much they both love each other.

After a long day of eating and figuring out what to cook as well as how to cook it, we head home to rest for the day.

Everyone seems to be resting at the beach for the day.

"This is the most time we have been able to spend together," Radley says as he holds my hand. I nod, "It's a busy life, but it's nice to get to see so many people and cultures." At that moment, I see Ivory making her way over with Magnolia as they join us while we sit near the waves.

"Ivory was wondering if you remember all the nonsense we used to make when we came over here," Magnolia asks me and I shake my head. "I don't remember much from my time here," I say sadly, "but I am sure it was great." "I miss running around and playing in the Sable," Ivory says with a smile, "we used to steal your mother's jewellery and have our fashion shows." I smile at their memories that have been locked away but are resurfacing now, "Wow, that helped me remember." "Oh no," Magnolia says with concern, "I hope it doesn't bring back any bad memories." I shrug, "That's more of what I have so thanks for giving me some good ones." They both smile and run off like little children.

My father shakes his head, then he catches me looking at his reaction. I always wondered why Magnolia and him never got along but I never said anything. He smiles at me and, then my mother makes her way over to him. He doesn't seem happy about whatever she tells him but he still puts on a smile.

I sigh and Radley looks over at what I am looking at.

"Something wrong?" he asks me with concern. I shrug, "Seems like it but I don't know what. Anyways, what is your favorite place so far?" "Oof, that's hard," he says as he thinks about it, "I have to say Ponceau. It's my home after all." I shake my head and then Solis comes over, "What's up?" "Can we talk, Radley?" Solis asks and I see the pain in his eyes, but I know deep down that Radley doesn't remember much about what happened to his parents. Radley nods, "What do you need to talk about?" "About the things I haven't told you guys," Solis says with fear in his eyes, "I know I told you I was taken by a military and they kept me a live only then I was rescued but it really wasn't what happened." My eyes widen and then soften, "You weren't ready?" He sighs and nods, "And a lot of gaps were filled when I found where I was from." I get up and everyone else does the same, "Let's go to your room, Solis." He smiles sadly and we make our way to his room, then we sit down on the bed and look at him.