A Day of Preparations and Discovery

The announcement came during breakfast. 

Elara was stirring her tea absentmindedly, still half-asleep from the rigorous training the day before, when her father, Emperor Theron, set down his fork and cleared his throat. 

"As you all know," he began, his deep voice commanding attention, "the Festival of Liberation is approaching. This year, we will host a grand celebration at the palace, inviting nobles from all across the empire." 

Elara perked up at that. A festival? That sounded… fun. 

Her younger brother, Adrian, immediately brightened. "Will there be fireworks?" 

Theron chuckled. "Of course." 

Lyra, seated beside her husband, smiled. "And a feast. The best chefs will be preparing dishes from every region." 

Elara's interest piqued further. Fireworks and food? That was already a win in her book. 

"And," Theron continued, glancing toward Elara, "as the princess, you will need to be properly prepared for the occasion." 

Elara paused mid-sip of her tea. "Prepared?" 

"You will need a new gown, proper accessories, and, of course, you must look the part of the imperial princess." Your mother answered.

Ah. So that meant shopping. 

She wasn't opposed to it—back in her old life, she wasn't exactly a fashionista, but she did appreciate a good outfit. However, she had yet to truly explore the outside world of the empire. Most of her days had been spent in training, lessons, or the palace gardens. 

"Does this mean I get to go out into the city?" she asked, a flicker of excitement creeping into her voice. 

Lyra chuckled. "Yes, but you will have guards accompanying you." 

Elara expected that much. Even so, she was eager to see what lay beyond the palace walls. 

---------------------------------------------------

A few hours later, dressed in a simpler gown fit for an outing, Elara stepped out of the grand palace gates for the first time. 

The bustling streets of the capital spread before her in a whirlwind of color and sound. Stone-paved roads stretched in all directions, lined with rows of elegant boutiques, market stalls, and cafes, their signs swaying gently in the breeze. People—nobles and commoners alike—moved about, chatting and laughing as they went about their daily lives. 

Elara took a deep breath. The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, roasted meats, and something sweet—caramelized nuts, perhaps. It was nothing like the refined stillness of the palace. 

'So this is what the outside world is like.'

"Princess, where would you like to go first?" one of her attendants, Lady Marianne, asked. 

Elara considered for a moment. "The dress boutique." 

Lady Marianne nodded and led the way, weaving through the streets with practiced ease. Elara trailed behind, taking everything in—the street performers juggling flaming torches, the flower vendors arranging fresh bouquets, and the children running past with sticky fruit in their hands. 

It was lively. Real. 

They arrived at the boutique soon after, an elegant shop with crystal-clear windows displaying gowns of silk and embroidered lace. A bell chimed as they entered, and a well-dressed woman greeted them with a bow. 

"Your Highness, welcome," the seamstress said with a warm smile. "We have been expecting you." 

Elara blinked. 'That was fast.'

She was promptly led to a luxurious fitting area where rolls of fabric were unfurled before her. Deep sapphire blues, soft pastel pinks, rich crimson reds—all laid out for her to choose from. 

"I recommend a shade that complements your features," the seamstress suggested. "Perhaps a royal blue or an ivory white." 

Elara ran her fingers over the silk, contemplating. She wasn't used to wearing such extravagant dresses, but if she had to, she might as well pick something she liked. 

After some thought, she pointed to a deep midnight blue fabric with silver embroidery. "This one." 

The seamstress beamed. "An excellent choice, Your Highness. We will begin working on it immediately." 

Next came the jewelry shop. 

Rows of glittering gemstones lined the glass cases—diamonds, sapphires, emeralds. Elara had never worn much jewelry before, but she had to admit, some of these pieces were stunning. 

She picked out a delicate silver necklace with a sapphire pendant, matching earrings, and a bracelet to complete the set. 

By the time Elara finished her final round of shopping, her stomach had begun to protest. It wasn't a loud, demanding growl, but a soft, persistent reminder of just how long it had been since breakfast. 

Lady Marianne, walking just a step behind Elara, seemed to notice the slight frown on her face. With a soft smile, she leaned in, lowering her voice as though it were a secret between friends. "Shall we find a place to eat, Your Highness?" 

Elara's stomach gave another quiet protest, and her response was immediate. She nodded eagerly, almost too eagerly. "Yes, please," she said, her voice filled with relief. 

They didn't have far to go. As they turned the corner of a bustling street, a charming little café caught Elara's attention. It had an old-world feel, with wooden shutters painted in faded white, a few tables scattered on the cobblestone sidewalk, and a sign swaying gently in the breeze that read Le Petit Jardin. 

It was cozy, unassuming, and everything about it felt inviting. Soft golden light spilled from the open door, and the quiet murmur of conversation and clinking glassware drifted toward them. The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meat and sweet pastries wafted out, making Elara's mouth water in an instant. 

Lady Marianne led her inside, finding them a seat at one of the small outdoor tables under a flowering vine trellis. The air smelled of lavender and freshly cut grass, the gentle rustling of leaves a soothing backdrop to the sounds of the street. Elara sat back in the wicker chair, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on her face, but it was her stomach that had her full attention. She glanced at the menu, which was hand-written in delicate cursive, its parchment slightly curled at the edges. 

"Anything in particular you'd like to try, Your Highness?" Lady Marianne asked, her tone polite but casual. 

Elara scanned the menu quickly, her gaze lingering on a warm meat pastry filled with savory, spiced lamb. It sounded perfect. She was about to make her choice when her eyes flicked to the side, where a chilled fruit drink caught her attention. It looked so refreshing, its vibrant colors swirling together in the glass. Without thinking, she pointed to it. 

"I'll have the warm meat pastry and that drink," she said, her voice almost a little too eager. 

Lady Marianne raised an eyebrow in amusement but made the order for her. 

It wasn't long before a young waiter approached their table, carrying a tray with Elara's chosen dishes. The meat pastry was golden brown, the crust perfectly flaky, and steam rose from the filling, which smelled rich and savory. The fruit drink was a delicate blend of strawberries, citrus, and something she couldn't quite place, but the bright, almost jewel-like hue of the drink made her mouth water in anticipation. 

The waiter placed the dishes in front of them with a polite bow, and as soon as he left, Elara wasted no time. She picked up the meat pastry with both hands and took a generous bite. The warmth of the filling hit her first—the tender lamb, the spices that were neither too strong nor too mild, just the perfect balance. Then, the pastry's delicate, buttery crust melted in her mouth, making her eyes close in sheer delight. 

'Why does everything taste better here?'

She couldn't stop herself from taking another bite, her hands steady as she continued to savor the flavors. Every bite was like a revelation—a harmony of flavors she'd never known before, an orchestra of ingredients that made her stomach sigh in contentment. 

Lady Marianne, sitting across from her, smiled as she watched Elara devour her meal. "It seems you've been craving something truly delicious," she remarked, her tone light but knowing. 

Elara looked up from her meal, cheeks slightly flushed from the bite she'd just taken. "It's amazing," she murmured, her voice softer than usual, filled with genuine appreciation. "Everything here is so… different. But in a good way." 

The drink arrived a moment later, and Elara took a tentative sip. The cool, slightly tangy sweetness of the fruit blended with a refreshing hint of mint, instantly quenching her thirst. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the sensation of something so simple yet so perfect. 

For the first time since she'd arrived in this strange new world, she felt… normal. 

As she continued to eat, she glanced around at the world unfolding before her. The café was a small haven amid the chaos of the city, and through the open windows, she could see the street beyond. People bustled by, chatting with each other, and the sound of a musician playing a gentle melody floated in the distance. 

The vibrant, unhurried pace of life felt so alien to her, yet it was oddly comforting. She had spent so much time within the walls of the palace, training or caught up in the weight of her duties. But here, in this small café, surrounded by people who didn't know her name or her title, she felt… free. 

And for a brief moment, Elara allowed herself to forget about the looming responsibility of being the princess, about the knowledge of what was to come. She simply sat there, at ease, enjoying her meal and the company of Lady Marianne, her only thought on the present. 

The simple act of eating in peace, of being allowed to enjoy something without the expectation of perfection, was like a breath of fresh air. 

"Thank you," she said quietly to Lady Marianne, her voice carrying a quiet gratitude. "This has been… nice. I needed this." 

Lady Marianne smiled, nodding in understanding. "You deserve it, Your Highness. It's good for you to experience life outside the palace." 

Elara didn't know how long they sat there, but the warmth of the afternoon sun seemed to stretch on forever, and for a while, she was simply Elara—not the princess, not the one destined for a future fraught with danger and uncertainty, but a girl enjoying a peaceful moment in the world. 

As she finished the last of her pastry, the plate nearly empty now, she felt a quiet sense of contentment settle in her chest. It wasn't a grand feeling, but it was enough. For today, it was enough.