Ch 3: Twists and Turns

                                    

                                          
[ REVISED ]
                          
2 Days Later
                          
"I'm quite glad that this village hasn't seen the likes of him." I sighed, feeling fatigued from my journey here. Alfred had also appeared fatigued as well, and nodded in utter agreement.
                          
The town was fortunately peaceful and quiet, excluding the sound of the descending gushes of water from a nearby water supply. It was small, but it seemed to emit a lot of noise; the sound of the water was soothing and was the only sound that seemed to break the silence in this village.
                          
Alfred seemed to be looking at me, expressing an untroubled appearance. When I shared the same expression in return, all he did was avert his eyes and focus on something else. As if whatever he seemed to he staring at was the most interesting thing in the world. It wasn't like I minded or anything, but I whenever he did such, I wondered even more in-depth of what was in his mind.
                          
I suppressed a short laugh. I knew by then that it was just Alfred in his natural habitat. As I focused my gaze towards another small house, I felt different. My stomach made a drop; my heart skipped a beat. This immediately shifted my reality, making me think as though I was in some sort of different world -- some sort of trance. Alfred seemed to notice my unusual daze and stared towards the house I was to be looking at.
                          
Nostalgia. A feeling that caused me to try and reach out for the past, and for some unusual reason.
                          
When I felt my heart beating almost right out of my chest, I heard children giggling.
                          
"Now, now, (Name), my child. Settle down, we will be here only a while..."
                          
I was highly befuddled by the familiar voice. Obviously someone that I heard quite often. And upon hearing that voice, it gave me a tinge of curiosity that had pushed me towards that nostalgic home.
                          
However, I only scowled when I found that very home empty.
                          
I concluded that it was just some audible memory. It wasn't like I pictured anything vivid, it wasn't like I saw anyone who could have clearly belonged to that voice. It was simply an illusion.
                          
"Are you alright?" Alfred asked me softly as he looked into the home. "There's no one in here...did you perhaps hear something odd? I can go see into it if you'd like-"

                          
"No...no, you'd need no bidding to do so. I'm alright. I'm fine." I sighed, gently laying the palm of my hand on the door frame.
                          
Alfred smiled lightly, and said, "Was it one of those memories again?"
                          
I paused. "Yes. And unfortunately for me, I had been utterly fooled by the voices - thinking they were real. Isn't it sad, thinking that you would someday meet your parents? However, only see them by manipulating the only thing you had with them?"

"And what would that be?"

"Your precious memories. Something that everyone should cherish, no matter how hard you try to forget."
                          
A simple, bitter tone should easily comprehend my hurt, anger, and impatience towards that simple, sweet memory. They can mix, shouldn't it?
                          
"I can guarantee that we can search for them soon. For now, let us look for a place to accustom into."
                          
I let go of the door frame. "Alright." And then I walked passed him, not batting an eye.
                          
Before we went to this village, we attempted to look as if we were not from the Royal family. Looking much poorer, I suppose. The irony in allowing myself to be considered a peasant or serf. Sad, is it not?
                          
I kept the crown I had worn in my bag and changed my hairstyle. Luckily I had managed to snatch up some clothes that were more suited for peasants from Elizaveta, for whenever we would disguise ourselves in public for sheer fun. I wore that too.