Chapter 05: Reunited

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK* 

“Greetings, My lady. I made you tea with your favorite pastries." 

A maid entered my room as she greeted me properly, claiming she made my favorite.

‘Favorite?’ 

She placed the tray of chocolate cakes, two large creamy cookies and a refreshing ginger tea. My mouth watered as soon as I smelled the tea’s perfume, and the pastries' hot fogs.

 I immediately took a bite from each of them and savored the taste of this world’s fortunate life. 

“Hehehe" I looked at her and she seemed familiar. She has brown hair, black eyes, and a petite figure. “How did you know it's my favorite?" I suspiciously asked. 

"Hehe you might not remember me, My lady. But my name's Vail Glamore and…" she hesitated for a bit before speaking 

“We played together before when we were still 8 years old playing in the town’s square." 

‘8 years old…then, that means… When I was still a commoner?’ 

That's why she's so familiar. I immediately went towards the table’s cabinet and searched for Luziana's diary, looking for that one paper that I ignored . 

There I found it! A sketch of Luziana and an unknown girl in a town square! 

I formed a faint smile ...

“Its been a long time, Valgamore" 

She smiled brightly and before I knew it my body acted on its own. I went to her to hug her like it's been so long to see your long distance friend.

“You- you remembered!" She happily answered. I finally felt happiness ever since I came into this world. 

‘Valgamore’ is a name that can be mispronounced by an innocent child. Memories suddenly came rushing in…

[FLASHBACK] 

"Mama, wait for me!" Luziana's eight year old yelled , her little legs carrying her as fast as they could past the bustling market stalls. She wasn't looking where she was going, her eyes fixed on the bright red apples at the next stand.

*Smack*

Luziana tumbled backward onto the dusty stones, rubbing her forehead. "Ouch!"

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you!" a girl with ash-brown hair and muddy knees scrambled up, holding out a hand.

Luziana took it, brushing the dirt off her patched dress. 

"It's okay. I wasn't looking. I'm Luziana."

"I'm Vail. Vail Glamore." the girl beamed, puffing her chest out slightly.

Luziana tilted her head, her brow furrowing as she tried to sound out the unfamiliar, fancy-sounding name. "Val... Valgamore?"

The girl giggled, a bright, chiming sound that cut through the noise of the market. 

"No, silly! Vail. Glamore."

"Valgamore!" Luziana declared confidently.

"Well... close enough," the girl smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Do you want to play? My mom is working at the textile stall and said I have to stay out of trouble."

That afternoon became a blur of breathless laughter. "Valgamore" and Luziana chased each other around the grand stone fountain, played hide-and-seek behind barrels of salted fish, and tried to balance on the edge of the low brick walls until their legs shook.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, they were both exhausted, covered in dust, and sitting side-by-side on the steps of the town hall.

Luziana’s mother finally found them, carrying a small woven basket. "There you are, my little sunbeam! I brought you a treat to help me carry the laundry earlier."

Luziana’s eyes lit up as she eagerly unpacked the basket. She pulled out a thick slice of dense chocolate cake, a handful of sweet, creamy cookies, and a small thermos of hot ginger tea.

Vail watched in absolute fascination as Luziana took a massive bite of the chocolate cake, immediately shoved a creamy cookie into her mouth before swallowing, and then washed the whole chaotic mess down with a long gulp of the spicy, steaming ginger tea.

Vail's nose crinkled. "You eat all of that... together?"

Luziana let out a satisfied sigh, wiping a crumb from her cheek. "Uh-huh! It's the best! The chocolate is bitter, the cookies are super sweet, and the ginger tea burns just a little bit at the end. It's the perfect balance!"

"That sounds entirely made up," Vail said, looking horrified.

"Try it!" Luziana shoved the half-eaten cake, a cookie, and the thermos toward her new friend.

Hesitantly, Vail took a nibble of the cake, a tiny bite of the cookie, and a sip of the tea. She grimaced at first as the flavors clashed, but then her eyes widened. "Wait... it actually is good."

"Told you, Valgamore!" Luziana cheered, bumping her shoulder against the other girl's.

"It's Vail Glamore!"

"I know, Valgamore!"

[END OF FLASHBACK]

The memory faded, bringing the grand, silent room back into sharp focus. I stared at the maid standing before me, my heart pounding against my ribs as I looked at the paper I’m holding.

The maid still had her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed in a show of total submission, as was expected of the Duke's servants. But there was a slight, nervous tremor in her fingers.

I slowly walked towards her, my expensive silk dress rustling as she took a slow step forward.

"Vail Glamore," I  said softly, testing the name on my tongue.

The maid flinched slightly. "Yes, My Lady. I applogize—"

"It's been a long time," I interrupted, a warm, genuine smile breaking across her face. "...Valgamore."

Vail’s head snapped up, her black eyes wide with shock.

 The strict, professional facade cracked, and for a split second, she looked exactly like the muddy-kneed eight-year-old from the town square.

"You... you remember?" Vail whispered, momentarily forgetting to add 'My Lady'.

I let out a watery laugh, closing the distance between us and grabbing Vail's hands, entirely ignoring the rules of propriety. "Of course I remember! You were my best friend. I can't believe you're here."

A tentative, relieved smile pulled at the corners of Vail's mouth. The tension in her shoulders melted away. "I recognized you the moment the Head Housekeeper told me who I'd be serving. You've grown so elegant, Luziana... I mean, Lady Luziana."

"Just Luziana. Please, when it's just us, you have to call me Luziana." I squeezed Vail's hands. "I've missed the town square. I've missed you."

Vail’s smile widened into a full grin, her eyes crinkling just the way they used to. She gently pulled one of her hands free and reached into the deep pocket of her apron.

"Well, in that case," Vail said, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper, "I took the liberty of visiting the estate kitchens before I came up here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yes," Vail said, her eyes shining with quiet amusement. 

"I informed the head chef that the young Lady of the house requires a very specific, very strange afternoon snack. He thought I was insane, but I managed to secure a slice of dark chocolate cake, a plate of creamy cookies, and a freshly brewed pot of ginger tea."

I stared at her, tears prickling the corners of her eyes before she burst into a bright, joyous laugh that echoed off the grand walls.

"You really didn't forget." I beamed.

"I could never forget." Vail laughed softly, shaking her head. "Though I still say eating them all together is an absolute crime against food."

"Bring it in, Valgamore." I ordered playfully, as I  moved toward the small dining table in her room. "And sit with me. I have ten years of stories to tell you."

(⁠っ⁠.⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)⁠っ

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***