Homecoming

The whole Starlight kingdom roared and cheered victorious. The Venus kingdom has lost half of their country as proposed in the peace treaty. Of course the officials of Venus didn't want to lose half of their land and wanted to negotiate, but had no choice but to agree as their necks were kissing with the sword of the knights'. Suffering from a big lost of lands, deaths and humiliation, Venus was on verge of self-destruction. Ironically they were the ones who started this war, but they tried to eat more than they can chew.

(Author: should've just sat there and drink your tea)

The Starlight and Hong Jin kingdom both split the lands of Venus from the treaty, with Starlight having more land because it was their battle from the start. With Hong Jin's aid, Starlight has gained more lands, resources and a new friend. The two kingdoms are on very good terms and decided to start a national commerce between themselves.

Life went back to normal as the stress of being targeted during the war faded. With the opening of the national commerce, business between the two kingdoms boomed...especially a certain bakery in the capital of Starlight Kingdom.

*************

"Megan! I need you to go to Central Market and get some sugar, eggs, and flour. I forgot to buy it yesterday" Mrs. Vinnesia yelled out as she inspect the storage of ingredients.

In the kitchen there stood a slender figure. The young lady had her long black hair tied in a bun clipped by a hairpin engraved with rubies. Her face is delicate and beautiful with her rosy lips and cheeks. One can see her lovely facial features even through its covered with flour. Megan was kneading dough when she heard her mother yelled out.

"Okay mother!" Megan yelled back. She gave the dough to her brother for him to keep kneading it.

"Be careful, and take your shawl with you it's sunny outside. Also the big basket is in the storage room not in the back yard." Said the tall handsome man next to her. He had his sleeves rolled up revealing his big biceps that he gained from kneading dough and sword practice.

"Yes, I know Theodore. You nag more than mother" Megan rolled her eyes as she leave through the back door.

Seven years ago, the war started between the Starlight kingdom and Venus kingdom. The news of victory had spread around the capital for the past two weeks now.

Megan walked to the Central Market and would hear rumors and stories about the battles that took place during the war.

"Have you heard? There's a new General and he was the one who fought in the last battle and won victoriously."

"General? I heard it was Commander"

"No, the person went from Commander to General as a promotion because he predicted where the enemies were coming from in one of the battle!"

"Apparently, the other Commanders didn't believe him, and thought they would lose this one battle if the listened to him, but General Kav believed him. Turns out General Kav was right as the enemies went to the abandoned underground tunnels and left the hills as decoys!"

"That's amazing! How did that person know?"

"I've heard rumors about the General being a young handsome hunk!"

"You're crazy if you think a young person can be promoted to General"

Megan listened to this chatters as she made her way to the "Kindest Shares" shop. She opened the door to the small shop as she made eye contact with a foreign man with a big belly.

"Megan! Welcome! What do you need today sweetie" said the merchant. After buying the sugars from this merchant, the Vinnesia family became a regular customer. From a stall to a small shop, the merchant upgraded his business.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Williston!" Said Megan with a bright smile showing her dimples. "I need sugar, flour, and uhhhh.... eggs! Please"

"Alright let me see what I have in the storage" said Mr. Williston standing up to go to his storage room.

Megan stood there and waited as she dust off flour from her dress, face, hands and hair.

"Well Megan, I only have flour and sugar, no eggs" said Mr. Williston holding out a big glass jar full of sugar and a big bag containing flour.

"Alright then thank you" said Megan giving Mr. Williston her coins for the products. She carefully placed the flour and sugar into her big basket and waved the merchant good day. Megan went to look for eggs and saw a stand with chicken eggs and even duck eggs. She went to buy the eggs when she overheard a conversation.

"Are you going to the ball in the castle?"

"Of course! Are you kidding?! They finally opened a ball for the public to come in and celebrate the victory!"

"Okay if you go then I'll go. Oh my goodness, do you think we will see the emperor, empress, and the crown prince? I mean everyone will attend the ball since the royals were so generous to let us commoners in the castle!"

"I'm sure everyone in the Starlight kingdom will come, even the ones in the countryside! Who would miss such a historic event?! I'm going to there to woo some rich and handsome lads"

"AHAHA let see who hits the jackpot that night"

'The castle is open for the public?!' Megan thought that was ridiculous as the royals never let commoners in the castle, unless they were given permission, in this case they were given permission to attend!

'Would he attend the ball?' Megan thought as she walked home with a heavy basket in hand.