The cart jolted over the cobblestone streets, each bump sending a shiver through Althea. She peeked out from the wooden slats, her gaze drawn to the vibrant city beyond. The bustling marketplace was alive with color and movement. Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of freshly baked bread. Smiles stretched across the faces of passersby, their joy almost palpable.
A serene river wound its way through the city, glistening under the sun. Boats floated lazily along the water, their sails billowing gently. On either side of the river, grand buildings and ornate bridges connected the two halves of the kingdom, a testament to its prosperity and harmony.
But as Althea's eyes lingered on the cityscape, her mind was overtaken by darker memories. The city she now saw was a stark contrast to the landscape she remembered. In her past, the kingdom had been a war-torn wasteland. Streets once lively and full of life were now strewn with debris and the remnants of destruction. Buildings had crumbled, their remains a grim testament to the violence that had ravaged the land.
The air had been thick with the stench of decay, mingling with the pungent scent of gray blood that stained the ground. Fallen bodies lay in heaps, their once vibrant lives extinguished. The cries of the dying and the wails of the mourning filled the air, creating a symphony of despair and suffering. The kingdom had been a place of unrelenting chaos, a dark memory etched deeply into Althea's mind.
As she stood there silently, grappling with the contrast between her memories and the present, a sudden sensation jolted her. A small hand, warm and comforting, grasped her arm. The touch was familiar, stirring memories of her childhood. She turned, her eyes wide with shock, but before she could react, the vision of the past faded. The world around her shifted, and Althea found herself standing before the grand entrance of the castle. The imposing doors, intricately carved and majestic, awaited her, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her journey.
I watched as the little girl beside me bounced on her toes, her eyes wide with delight. "Madam, your basket smells delicious!" she beamed. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself smiling at her innocent curiosity.
Before I could respond, her expression shifted to one of confusion. I chuckled and tried to lighten the mood. "Is it? Do you want to know what's inside it?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I began to open the basket to show her the contents, but before I could, a voice called out from behind us. A woman came running toward us, her face etched with concern. She grabbed the little girl's hand gently but firmly. "Hey, I told you not to wander off," she chided softly.
The girl pouted and pointed at the basket. "But it smelled so good," she protested.
The woman's gaze softened as she looked at me, her eyes apologetic. "I'm so sorry for causing you trouble," she said, her tone sincere.
I waved it off with a smile, trying to reassure her. "Oh, no trouble at all. I was actually going to offer her some cookies. There's nothing harmful in the basket, I assure you."
The woman looked at me with a touch of confusion, clearly puzzled by my insistence on justifying myself. But she smiled kindly and addressed the girl. "It's alright, sweetie. You should thank the lady for the kind offer, but it's probably meant for someone else."
"Oh, no, it's really fine," I said, picking out a cookie and extending it toward the girl. "I just enjoy cooking."
The girl eagerly took the cookie and took a big bite. Her eyes lit up with delight. "They're delicious!" she declared, her voice full of genuine joy.
"Hey! Eat slowly," her mother scolded gently, though her tone held a hint of amusement.
I then turned to the woman, still holding a cookie. "Would you like to try one as well?" I offered.
YOU ARE READING
Assassinating The Princes
FantasyAlthea was known throughout the kingdom as a compassionate doctor and skilled herbalist, her generous heart matched only by the warmth of her ever-present smile. She was the last person anyone would suspect of being Vespera, the elusive assassin who...