Chapter 1: Prologue

Another tiring day passed within the Winston Bakery.

Everything was clean and everyone had left the store. The windows were barred, and some of the lights were dimmed as two people remained inside.

She was too immersed in scrubbing the wooden floors. They had already been cleaned by her workmates, but for some reason, she felt compelled to do it again. Perhaps, it was her way of ignoring what had happened when she took a letter to Robert's home without him knowing.

***

As the cockerel greeted the morning with its powerful crow, Laura finished writing a letter for Robert. After their bitter separation, Laura couldn't help but feel guilty for how they parted ways.

It was a decision that only one was willing to make. She knew it was for the better. But she also knew that she didn't think about Robert's feelings before making it absolute. When they ended their conversation on such a sour note, she was uneasy about everything.

Because of that, she did what she thought she could do: write a final letter to Robert—a person she had just met, but who had a certain impact on her life. She folded her letter and carefully snuck out of her room. She didn't know if she could still get past the barrier to the Immortal realm, but she would do her best to get through.

And it seemed as if the gods were on her side.

On her way up the mountain, an Immortal was headed back to his realm with a cart full of barrels. The barrel had a familiar emblem: the Western Wind emblem that she had seen countless times on Robert's saddle. She quickly hid in between the barrels when the Immortal stopped to chat with the portal keeper.

When they arrived at the castle, she slowly made her way to the stables, hoping to find Nana Olsa. And it was just her luck—Nana Olsa was there, attending to the horses.

Nana's eyes widened in horror as she saw the woman. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she approached her.

"I know I shouldn't be here," Laura quickly replied.

"Well, if you know that, then why risk your life to be here?" Nana said. "And didn't I already tell you and Robert to stop seeing each other for the greater good of everybody?"

"I'm not here for Robert. I came here for you," Laura replied, keeping a polite tone despite the cold treatment towards her.

"And why would you be looking for me?"

Without saying another word, Laura handed a letter to the old lady. As Nana received her letter, Laura explained, "I never got the chance to fully explain my decision to Robert. You witnessed how we treated our last conversation together. I didn't want our final meeting to end on that kind of note. This letter will help him understand why I had to choose that decision. And I hope you'd be able to give this to him."

Nana looked at the woman before her. To her surprise, she wasn't desperate to have Robert back by her side. She was willing to let him go, just for him to have peace. Nana marveled at how strong-willed she was and was amazed at her willingness to do what was right.

Nana simply nodded and Laura turned around. But before Laura could go far, Nana suddenly remarked, "He raised you well. I couldn't be prouder."

Laura stopped in her tracks. She turned around with her brows furrowed. "What did you say?"

Nana hid the letter in her apron before saying, "He raised you after his own heart. And with that, I'm satisfied with what you are as a person."

Laura stood in shock. 'What is she talking about? Who is she talking about? Does she mean…Grandpa Ben?' Questions swirled in her mind.

Laura walked back a few steps. "What do you mean? What are you saying?"

Nana gave a brief smile before heading back inside.

***

"Laura? Laura?" Grandpa Ben's faded voice became clearer as Laura returned to reality. Grandpa Ben sat beside her, helping her put away the bucket and the brush. "The floor's already been cleaned. Are you trying to make us slip tomorrow?" he smirked.

"Grandpa Ben, may I ask you a question?" She turned to him.

Grandpa Ben stopped and looked towards his beloved Laura. "This seems to be different. What's on your mind?" he asked.

"Do you know anyone by the name of Nana Olsa, by any chance?"

Grandpa Ben sat before her, frozen. He didn't blink. His eyes were wide open upon hearing Laura's question. His fears and his worries quickly overpowered his ability to think clearly. He didn't expect such a question to come from Laura.

Not during this time.

"Grandpa Ben?" Laura's soft touch on the old man's arm was enough to calm him down. Grandpa Ben looked at her hand and back to her face as she asked another question, "Do you know her?"

'Perhaps, the time has come,' he thought to himself.