Chapter 23 - Restless

"We can decorate the hall in the theme of winter!" I said.

"Hah winter theme???" Both the princes asked in a confused tone.

Maybe it never occurred here before, umm how I do explain this....Oh, there is one thing!!

"It is like a masquerade ball but instead of wearing a mask we can decorate the hall with items that resemble winter or gives us the feel of winter," I said.

"But sister what item will give out a winter feeling??" Ash asked.

"Umm, some white flowers like dusty Miller, ground cover, and candles in the colour of white and blue, with some whitish ribbons and snowflakes like items. I guess that much will work." I said as I counted those times in my hands.

"Hmm, it sounds really good the royal party organizers can decorate it just like the way Lady winter said but what about the products??" Crown prince asked as he looked towards me.

"Yes, most of the products especially the flowers aren't available in our empire." The second prince said.

"Yeah there are only found in the northern kingdom and it takes almost a month for items to transport from there to here, and furthermore there is only a week of time on our hands." Ash said in a worried voice.

"I know that and I also know someone who can bring them to us within a day." I said as I smiled.

"Huh really and who is that??" the Second prince asked.

"It's Lady Molly Smith," I said.

"Lady Smith...oh right they are the best merchants of our empire..." Crown Prince said.

"....And right now count Smith is the northern kingdom," I said.

"Yeah, that's right but can they really spend us the materials in one day...." The second prince asked.

"Yes, they can!" I said as I smiled.

"But how?" Crown prince asked.

"About that, it's a business secret," I said.

"But sister how do you know about all this?" Ash asked.

"I....I just heard it from Lady Smith." I said as I laughed awkwardly.

"Hah Really??" Ash asked in doubt.

"Yes!! And yeah they will only place that one-day delivery if a person with higher rank places it." I said as I looked at the Princes with a smile.

"Higher rank if both me and Alferd ask for it they may refuse but if father asks for it they will never be able to refuse it." Crown Prince said.

"Yes, that's what I mean!!" I said as I smiled.

"That great I should tell father about it!!!" The second prince said as he jumped in the air. "I agree Lady winter you always amaze us." Crown Prince said as he smiled towards me.

"I am glad to know that his highnesses like it," I said as I smiled.

I was laughing with the princes when suddenly I felt as if someone was watching me, I looked around but saw no one, that's weird.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Ash Asked.

"OH, I felt as if like someone was watching me," I said as I looked around.

"But Except us, no one is here," Ash said.

"Yeah, maybe you are right," I said.

"Then Lady Winter we will talk with father about this matter right now !" The second prince said.

"Yes please do so. As for us, we would like to return back now." I said as I bowed.

"You are leaving so soon?" Crown prince asked.

"Yes, we are," I said.

"But why..." He said as his face became gloomy.

"Brother Alan I am sad too for the fact that they leaving so soon but don't make it obvious so obvious with that face of yours. They will feel troubled." The second prince said as he put his arms over the crown prince shoulders.

"OH...Yeah, that's right.." Crown Prince said as he looked towards us.

"I apologize for my behaviour." Crown Prince said as he bowed. That panicked both me and Ash.

"No No Crown Prince please don't apologize for something like that. We are returning early today since our mother is going to visit her hometown today..." I said.

"...And she might not return for a month so we want to bid her farewell," Ash said.

"OH, so it's like that, aren't you guys sad since your mother is leaving?" The second prince asked.

"We are but we know she will return back and furthermore mother has been working hard for so long, So this vacation must be a good thing for her," I said as I smiled.

"Hmm, it must be a good thing." Crown Prince said as he looked at us.

"Then please excuse us." Both me and Ash said.

On our way back,

"Sister, what is the Smith household business secret? Can't you even tell me about it?" Ash asked as he looked at me.

"Ash Something isn't to be shared, so don't ask for it again," I said in a serious tone.

"Okay~~~~," Ash said as he became sulky.

Sorry, Ash but this time I can't tell you about the fact that they use magic scroll for that one-day delivery.

And also the fact that Molly never told me about it I know it thanks to the novel since in the novel to help Violet molly used that teleportation scroll...but that scroll can only carry one person or one item at a time because of which....Molly wasn't able to escape with violet.

Hah, such a tragedy....but it has nothing to do with me. It's fine as long as my family is safe.....right.....

"Mother are you leaving now!!" Ash said as he ran towards mother who was getting ready to leave.

"Yes, I am." Mother said as she smiled towards Ash.

"Mother please return soon," Ash said as he hugged her.

"Ash mother didn't even leave yet and you are telling her to return soon," I said as I laughed.

"Irene let him be, he is still a child." Mother said as she smiled.

"Okay Okay!" I said as I patted his head.

"Did you guys forget about me??" Father said as he looked towards us.

"No, we didn't!" Three of us said as we looked at him.

"That great!" Father said as he came towards us.

"Now I don't really want to leave!" Mother said as she looked at us.

"Mother doesn't worry about us we will be fine, you should go and have some fun on your vacation," I said.

"Yes Freya, you have been working so hard just go and enjoy yourself now," Father said to mother.

Mother looked at us with teary eyes as she smiled.

Seeing her like that suddenly a vision came in my head but it was all foggy so I wasn't able to see it clearly and it only lasted for few seconds. I shake my head.

"Irene, what's wrong?" Mother asked.

"No...Nothing I am just low on sugar I guess!" I said as I smiled.

"My child, you should take care of yourself." Mother said as she stroked my hair.

"Yes, I will," I said as I held her hand gently.

After that, we talked for few more minutes and then it was time for the mother to leave.

"Then I will be leaving now!" Mother said as she looked at us.

"Yes, safe journey mother." Both Ash and I said.

"Freya, Return safely," Father said as he escorted mother towards her carriage.

"I will!" Saying that the carriage started moving.

And that the image of mother waving her hands towards us got farther and farther from us until it could no longer be seen.

"Sister why does my heart feel so restless...Will the mother be okay..." Ash asked me as he held my hand gently.

"Ash she will be fine...mother is going to visit her hometown nothing will happen," I said that to Ash.

But...Why does my heart feel so restless (not able to sleep even though it's 1 in the morning.)

Is it because of what happened in the past that I am afraid of her leaving like this..... Furthermore, mother never left our side for the last 8 years so I must not be used to it....yeah it must be like that....

Right.....