Chapter 31 VOL II: That name.

Chapter 31 VOL II: That name.
VOL II: That Name

Days passed, and I had gotten used to my new home and environment.

Papa was a potter who delivered pottery to people.

I also heard that Lily and I sometimes helped deliver them too.

Papa had taught us how to make pots. At least, that’s what Lily told me.

I was tired of staying at home all day and begged Papa to let me follow Lily to deliver some pots down at the market.

He finally agreed after long hours of begging.

The market was busy. Everyone rushed from store to store, trying to get what they wanted before it ran out.

“Good morning, Mr. Leonhart,” Lily greeted as we entered a shop where a tall, chubby man stood carrying two trays.

“Good morning, Lily! Marcella! Marcella, child, I hope you’re doing better now,” he said.

“Yes, I am. Thank you.”

I didn’t remember him, but he seemed nice.

“Here are the pots,” Lily said, handing them over to him.

He held them up admiringly.

“Hmm. Still beautiful as ever,” he said with a grin.

“Here’s your money, girls.” He handed Lily a small sack of coins.

“Thank you!” we both said.

“Tell your dad I said hello!”

\~~~~~~

“We made a lot today, Marcella!”

“Yeah,” I said. The outside breeze was exactly what I needed.

“Oh, look! The king and queen of Eastall are coming through!”

“The king and queen?” I asked.

“Yes!” Lily said excitedly.

She dragged me toward the crowd that had already gathered to watch them.

Their silver carriage moved through the market road elegantly.

The window opened, and a woman waved to the people.

“Our sweet Queen Lavina!”

“Our gorgeous queen!”

A man also peered through the window and waved.

“It’s King Adolf!”

“Long live the king!”

“Long live the royal family!”

Comments and praises erupted from every corner of the crowd.

Suddenly, a little girl looked out the window too.

Her beautiful smile warmed the hearts of many.

“Our sweet Princess Seraphina!”

“Seraphina?”

Why did that name sound familiar? Where had I heard it before?

The little girl continued waving, then showered the crowd with beautiful rose petals.

“Princess Seraphina is such an angel!” Lily exclaimed.

I smiled. She looked happy.

Too bad I couldn’t remember anything important. I must have loved these kinds of things too.

As the carriage passed in front of us, I made eye contact with the princess.

She squinted her eyes, then widened them in surprise.

She waved at me with enthusiasm and excitement.

Had I known her before? Why was she looking at me like that?

I waved back and smiled.

Then something happened. Something strange.

Before the carriage disappeared down the road, she called out to me.

“Bye, Luana!”

That name again.

It was surprising. I had seen this Luana in my dream, and she resembled me a lot. Now a princess was referring to me by that same name.

Could it be a coincidence?

I turned to Lily.

“Did you hear what the princess said to me?” I asked.

“No. What did she say?” she asked.

“She called me by a different name. A name belonging to the person I’ve seen in my dream. And that person resembles me a lot,” I said.

She placed a hand on her chin thoughtfully.

“Let’s ask Papa when we get home. He might know.”

“That’s a great idea.”

We finished our sales and rushed home.

\~~~~~~

“Luana?”

“I’ve never heard of that name before,” Papa said as he prepared dinner for us.

“But Papa, do you know anyone who looks like me? Even a little resemblance?” I asked.

“No, darling. I don’t.”

“Could it be that the princess said something else, but you thought you heard Luana?” Lily asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“No. I know what I heard,” I said firmly.

“Then you heard wrong,” Papa replied.

I got a little angry.

“Why are you always pushing my questions aside? It’s like you’re hiding something from me! I know what I heard, and I know who I saw in my dream, and she looks a lot like me. I need answers, Papa!”

He sighed.

“I don’t have the answers you need, Cella,” he said softly.

“Okay.”

I ran out of the house.

I heard both of them call after me, but I ignored them.

I didn’t know why I felt this way. I should have believed Papa and taken his word for it, but for some reason, I couldn’t.

I stopped at a stream and sat on the rocks.

I wished there was someone I could talk to.

Someone like Mom.

I felt awful that I couldn’t even remember her.

As I stared into the stream, I saw a blue tail surface.

I gasped.

Then a face appeared.

It was a mermaid, and she was beautiful.

I moved back in fear.

She smiled at me.

“I finally found you, Luana.”