The smell of freshly baked bread immediately filled Melody's nostrils, as that exquisite aroma tempted her to buy a loaf of that delicious bread for herself and Bastian.
"Melody, I know what you're thinking, sister. I have the same thing in mind."
"Well, come on, little brother, what are you waiting for? The bread will run out. The last one there pays."
She started running toward the bakery, without looking back and dodging some people who got in her way. She only had to cross one more corner to get there, but she didn't see someone who got in her way and, due to the impact, she fell flat on her backside on the cobbled street. She didn't want to complain, but honestly, that fall really hurt.
"Well, well, look who we have here! If I'm not mistaken, it's the feisty lady. Did you get yourself into trouble again, sweetheart?"
That voice, that hoarse but irritatingly mocking voice, she knew it well. It was that guy from the bar. "Oh, gods, what did I do to deserve running into that jerk again?" she thought.
The guy looked at the girl sitting on the ground.
"Well...? Did the mice eat your tongue?"
"I'm not in any trouble, and secondly, you were the one who caused the commotion that time. I was just defending myself from long-handed thugs like you, you crafty bastard."
That fool, even when sober, was reasonably polite.
"Aside from being confrontational, you're also cynical, gypsy girl. You're full of surprises, beautiful. Come on, let me help you up."
He bent down and offered his hand to the haughty gypsy girl to help her up from the ground. The girl looked at him hesitantly, but still accepted his help to get back on her feet.
"Thank you."
She immediately let go of his hand. There was no reason to prolong the contact between them.
"Tell me, girl, if you're not running away from anyone, why were you running around like a scared fawn? Normal people usually walk to buy bread."
The redhead commented in a mocking tone, putting aside the hostility of their first encounter in the past.
"You're not funny. Am I supposed to laugh? I'll go buy bread however I want: running, jumping, or crawling. It's none of your business, and my name isn't girl, gypsy, or little warrior. I'm Melody, you hear? MELODY!" she exclaimed, exasperated by the attitude of the young man with striking turquoise eyes.
"Your name is very harmonious, Melody, although it doesn't contrast with your lack of balance and coordination when you walk around knocking over anyone in your path..."
Damien couldn't help but laugh at Melody's indignant expression, which made her even angrier.
"Sis, I'm here. I got a little sidetracked, but I'm here now, and, well, apparently, it's my turn to pay for the bread, right, Mel?" said Bastian, exhausted from his run.
Noticing the boy's presence next to the gypsy girl, Damien decided to leave. He had already had his fill of fun teasing the girl and had more important things to do.
"Yes, of course. Besides, I don't have any way to pay. I gave you all my money last night, so you don't have much choice. After all, you have to pay, Bastian."
Melody looked again and saw that the boy had taken advantage of her distraction to leave. She was secretly grateful for this, as Bastian was very protective and would surely ask questions if he saw her with that boy.
They entered the premises with pleasure, as the smell of bread was truly delicious. The bakery was bustling with activity, with people coming and going, and the heat from the ovens filled the air with the welcoming aroma of freshly baked bread. Bastian divided the loaf of bread in two and they began to eat the delicacy with gusto.
"It's delicious, Mel. That baker's hands are blessed, sister. Don't you think so?" said Bastian, taking a bite of the delicious bread.
"I agree with you, brother. His hands are blessed. It's the most delicious bread I've ever tasted," she said, also taking a bite.
"Mel, who was that guy with you before I got here?"
"Who do you mean, Bastian? The guy in front of me was asking me for directions, but I told him I didn't know this place. Then he left, I guess."
Melody felt a knot in her stomach as she lied to her brother, but she couldn't risk losing the opportunity to return to the city. She didn't know if her brother believed her or not, but she had to act natural. Bastian mustn't find out that she went to that bar, or they definitely wouldn't let her return to the city. It had taken her a lot to convince her parents to let her go, and that boy could ruin her chance.
"Okay, fine. Look at what I want to show you. Some farmers gave it to me. I saw them yesterday at the tavern."
What Bastian showed her was a scroll, slightly bent from having been in his pocket while he was running. The scroll was an invitation to a party at the tavern where the gypsies were performing. Melody paused for a moment, wondering if she could go to the tavern. Bastian didn't want her to be there, but on the other hand, he didn't want to upset her by insisting.
"Mel, tonight will be our last night in Aldremir. Tomorrow we'll leave for home. I want you to go to the tavern tonight. Many people will come to celebrate, including many nobles, sister. That's a lot of money. I'll come for you earlier today."
Melody set out to go back to the square where she played her violin. For her, music was more than a job; it was her escape. Delighting people with notes that came from her soul was like opening her heart, without fear or shame in front of others.
She began to play a tune that was one of Melibeth's favorites. Melibeth was the joy of her home, a beautiful fairy when it came to dancing. Her delicate and graceful movements, and the ribbons that seemed to be part of her body, made her look as if she were flying. To many, it was as if her feet did not touch the ground. Melibeth was unique, ethereal, a true forest nymph.
Although they were twins, Melibeth and Melody were as different as night and day. Melibeth was calm, delicate, and kind to everyone; she exuded sweetness. Melody was pained to see her sister spend her days and nights in bed. It didn't seem fair to her that her sister should spend her days like that. She would do anything to restore Melibeth's health.
Time passed and more people came to hear her music, some leaving coins and others just rewarding her with their applause. She thanked them all equally. She went from sad melodies to happier ones; she wanted to show the people of Alkarya that her people were noble, upright, and honest. They were not the savages that many people believed them to be.
After a while, she went to drink some water and rest a little. She walked towards a large tree to take advantage of the shade it offered. At that time of day, that shade was more than necessary and very welcome. She sat down at the foot of the great grandfather, as they called the tree. She took her canteen and drank a few sips. After a few minutes, among some bushes, a golden head with a blue bow was watching her.
"Come out of there, little Odette. What are you doing crouching there like a little animal stalking its prey?"
Melody laughed at the little girl's expression. Even so, Odette came over and sat down beside her.
"Hello, Miss Melody. I was looking for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. I brought you something, I hope you like it. I loved them. Yesterday my father gave me these chocolate bonbons. My favorites are the butterfly-shaped ones with hazelnut filling."
Odette offered her a white silk wrapper, showing her the chocolates. As she unwrapped the piece of cloth, Melody's mouth watered. If the aroma was delicious, the taste would surely be even better.
"Little one, thank you for the gesture. I've never eaten anything so fine. Are you sure your father won't be upset if he finds out you gave me your chocolates?"
"No, miss. On the contrary, he wouldn't be angry. He always tells me to be generous and kind to everyone. According to him, that makes me a better princess... p-person. I mean, the chocolates are delicious, right?"
The girl laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck.
"Actually, they are delicious. Thank you very much, little Odette. Your mother must be very proud of such a beautiful daughter. You are a very sweet and good girl."
Suddenly, the little blue-eyed girl's gaze darkened, and the joy she had been radiating disappeared in an instant.
"My mother passed away, Miss Melody. My father says she gave everything for me and my brother. She was very pretty. I've only seen her in pictures, but she was also a kind and sweet woman to everyone. My father says I look just like her," said the girl, smiling again.
"Oh, I'm sorry, little one. Me and my big mouth. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."
"No, Miss Melody, don't worry. It happened a long time ago. I didn't know her, but I still love her very much and remember her fondly. My father and brother tell me a lot about her. You know, I wish you were my brother's girlfriend and not that annoying girl he's courting. Her name is Estella. She's pretty, but very shallow and obnoxious. You're prettier and nicer. Besides, your name is very pretty, it's so harmonious. I'd never met anyone with your name before."
Odette spoke excitedly, taking Melody's hand. The little girl's remarks made it difficult for Melody not to laugh. The girl was direct, without beating around the bush.
"You know, little Odette, your name is very pretty. It's ironic, but you're the second person today to tell me I have a pretty and harmonious name. Hahaha, I'm going to end up believing it, dear," she said, laughing. She didn't know how uncommon her name was.
"It's true, miss, believe me. It's the truth."
"Okay, little one, I believe you. But I have to get back to work. Today is my last day at Aldremir, and I have to work to help my family."
The little girl's blue eyes filled with tears, and that broke Melody's heart. The blue-eyed girl took off her bow and placed her blue silk ribbon in Melody's hands.
"Here, this is a promise. I'll see you again. I'll give you my ribbon so you won't forget me."
Melody took the ribbon and removed the pink bow that held her hair in place to give it to her, just as she had done.
"It's a promise, Odette. We'll see each other again, little one. That's how it will be, as soon as the gods will it."
Each went their separate ways after saying goodbye. That little girl and her antics were a breath of joy, a ray of sunshine on a gray day. She was unique. Hopefully, she would maintain that authenticity as she grew up.
As the hours passed, a few more people came and more coins fell into the leather bag where her violin rested. The colors orange, pink, and violet began to bathe the sky with their beautiful watercolors. It was quite a sight to behold. That's why sunset was her favorite part of the day. She put away her violin and bow and took her ocarina, the instrument her mother had given her, out of the same leather bag. According to her, it was a family heirloom. She gave it to her on the condition that she take good care of it.
Melody decided to play a lullaby that her mother used to play for her and her siblings when they were little. The little song was so sweet and warm that it awakened the most beautiful feelings in people's hearts. That's what her mother said, and for Melody, that was more than true. She moved her body to the rhythm of the song. There were few people left; surely the rest were already getting ready to go to the tavern party. According to her brother, tonight promised to be a good night, and she eagerly awaited it.
The tune rose from sadness to joy. From one moment to the next, every time she played it, the emotion was always the same, never diminishing, always like the first time. She was almost out of breath, but one more breath to finish that beautiful melody and the song would be over. She ended up a little tired from the lack of air, but she heard an elderly woman a few feet away taking a few steps toward her. The woman then threw three coins into her leather bag. To thank her for her gesture, Melody nodded her head in gratitude.
"Beautiful melody, little one. It's been a long time since I've heard something from my country. Thank you, child," said the woman with a mysterious look.
"Your country...? Where are you from, ma'am? This is a lullaby that my mother used to play for me and my siblings," she said, confused by the woman's words.
"Oh, little one, I am from Azrrahen, land of eternal spring!"
"Azrrahen, you say?! That's very far away, ma'am..."
"Arella, that's my name. And you, little one, what's your name?"
"My name is Melody."
She didn't know how to hide her feelings from that little girl with the ocarina in her hands. She reminded her of her beloved Rosella. She knew nothing about her little fairy, whether that bastard had killed her or if she had managed to escape.
"Ma'am, are you okay? Would you like some water? The color has gone from your cheeks," said Melody, worried, thinking that something was wrong with the lady.
"Nothing, little one, I'm fine. You know, you have a beautiful ocarina. I've never seen one like it. Take good care of it and be careful where you play it. The melody of that instrument is very special."
Melody nodded, grateful for the woman's words, although she still didn't fully understand the connection between them. She carefully put away the ocarina and prepared for the rest of the day, promising to see her little friend Odette again and hoping that things would get better for her sister Melibeth.