CHAPTER 35: Aren't You Quite Arrogant

"I am happy to see you have grown up a lot."

Saphira smiled, "And I am happy to see you once again. After seeing your store being close. I thought I'll never get the chance to taste this again."

She raised the bun she was holding.

The old woman smiled, "I was waiting for you. But that place was already too deserted, I could only wait for another place."

She tilted her head to the side.

The old woman extended her hand and held Saphira's hand.

"Condolence. For the death of your sister. I feel pained that you have to say goodbye to her at such an early age."

Saphira's eyes went wide.

No one.

No one had told her that before.

Hunter may not refer to Raynisha as a traitor but he was too busy back then.

He had missed speaking of these words.

Most of the people just spoke ill of her and her family.

They throw insults, after insults.

"You two, were like grandchildren to me. It really is sad she had to leave so early."

Saphira took a deep breath before slowly shaking her head, "Thank you so much for everything."

The grandma let go of her and took a deep breath.

"I guess I can finally go and retire at a country side."

This shock Saphira once again, "You are leaving?"

She chuckled, "I am already too old for this business. I just wished I'd meet you again to see how you are doing before I die."

"Just to tell... me this?"

Saphira was lost for words.

She had waited for eight long years just to tell Saphira about this.

The old woman simply smiled, "Not just. But instead it IS to tell you this. Because you child are surely worn out."

"I'm quite energetic though, grandma," she answered even pumping her arms up and down.

The old woman shook her head, "Not there. But here..."

She pointed at Saphira's left chest.

"You may think you are fine. But all of us need it, someone who will tell us that it is fine to be sad. That you aren't at fault. And that you don't have to be strong just to keep going."

She smiled again, "I hope my words will help you even just for a bit."

Saphira's confusion disappeared and she smiled very sweetly.

"It is more than enough to keep me going."

"Ah there it is, that sweet smile of yours. I had wished to see that before I leave," she laughed.

Saphira helped her pack up and close her shop.

"I wish for you to have a wondeful journey ahead," the old woman told her.

"I do for you too," Saphira replied.

They bid each other one last goodbye and gave each other a hug.

A request from Saphira.

Then the old woman finally left for her own journey.

As Saphira watched her retreating back.

'I am happy that I get to meet her after eight long years. For her encouragement was enough to give my already tired heart a boost to keep going.'

With a deep breath, she started walking towards her destination for the day.

Towards the palace.

She once again ignored the looks she was receiving and walked with her head held high.

Her vigor was renewed and her heart was stronger, she can handle more of these looks than ever before.

The old woman was genuine with her words, Saphira could tell that much.

And this genuineness gave her hope that there will come a time that the people of the Empire will stop seeing their whole family as a traitor.

She no longer wish for Raynisha's name to change but she deeply wishes for her family to have a better life in the future.

Without the scrutinizing eyes, as if waiting for them to do something that they can blame.

The insulting words, even though they haven't done anything more.

She wished for such a time.

She didn't need their ranks to do something about it.

Because that only means that the hearts of the people will remain the same.

Instead, she wanted them to accept their family whole heartedly.

'Darkness is such a tricky thing,' she sighed.

Soon she arrived at the palace gates.

The guards looked at her with disdain before stopping her from going further.

'Geez, my rank is surely being looked down upon.'

"What is your business here?" one asked with a bit of insult in his tone.

She opened her mouth only to be stopped by someone who butted in.

More like, someone who helped her.

"I say, aren't you quite arrogant towards the future Empress? The crown princess?"

The three of them looked towards the one who owned the voice.

"We greet his royal highness, Prince Gideon."

He has long hair tied in a ponytail with it hanging on his shoulder.

He was wearing a formal attire, seemingly he just came out from a meeting.

He was Hunter's older brother, Gideon Orabella.

He received the power of his mother, Water Element.

And he also has an inborn beast, a white water snake.

His hair color was blue with a tinge of gold, while his eyes were a light blue one.

If he and Hunter were to be placed together, you'll only see the resemblance at the shape of their face, their eyes and lips.

But if they weren't together, barely anyone could see the resemblance.

Especially because of the difference in their hair and eye color.

But this is to be understood, the hosts of the mythological beasts will receive the color of their beasts.

"And? What right do you have to stop the crown princess from entering the palace?" Gideon asked with seriousness.

"That is..."

The two guards couldn't lift their heads because there is no such thing as stopping Saphira Fiamma from entering.

They were just against her, that's all.

Gideon sighed before nodding his head, "From this moment onwards, you are no longer part of the palace guards."

The two guards wanted to try and speak up but Gideon's personal guards came and dragged them away.

Saphira remained looking at him all this time, 'No pretense at all, he seriously is the most pure person I have ever seen.'