In the Temple… ⛩️
Kristen entered the temple and carefully scanned the surroundings, searching for the old man the villagers had mentioned.
Kristen: "Ohh… there he is. 😒"
In one corner sat an old man who looked more like a scruffy beggar than a respected temple elder. His clothes were worn, his hair was messy, and his expression was impossible to read.
Kristen approached him cautiously.
Kristen: "Grandpa! ☺️"
The old man slowly lifted his head.
And then something unbelievable happened.
The man, who apparently hadn't smiled in his entire life, suddenly broke into a warm smile.
Grandpa: "Finally… I found Mother. ☺️"
Kristen froze.
Kristen: "Huh? 😶"
She squinted at him suspiciously.
Kristen: "Mother? No… Grandpa! Actually, can you tell me about Queen Elda? ☺️"
The old man continued smiling as though she hadn't asked anything unusual.
Grandpa: "Why are you asking, Mother? Better than you, no one will know about her. ☺️"
Kristen's smile twitched.
Kristen (thinking, muttering): "WHAT THE…? Why the hell is this old man calling me Mother? Did he lose his mind or something? 😤"
She looked around to make sure nobody else was listening.
Unfortunately, the old man seemed perfectly comfortable with his strange behaviour.
Grandpa (smiling mysteriously): "Finally… you've realized the importance of your birth, Mother. ☺️"
Kristen stared at him.
Kristen: "Grandpa… are you answering my question or creating three more mysteries? 😑"
The old man merely smiled.
Kristen (thinking): "Wonderful. The librarian hides information, the villagers are terrified, and now this grandpa thinks I'm his mother. What kind of kingdom is this? 😤"
She folded her arms, determined not to leave without answers.
But the old man's mysterious smile suggested that he knew far more about her than she could possibly imagine.
---
Meanwhile, on the Other Side… 🌳
Laura was walking through the village when she noticed a handsome young man standing beneath a tree.
He looked troubled, staring at the ground with a worried expression.
Laura immediately approached him.
Laura (sweetly): "Excuse me… may I know if you need something? 🥰"
The man lifted his head.
His jaw practically dropped.
Man: "OH MY… GOD! 😱"
Laura blinked.
Laura: "What happened? Am I scary? 😶"
Man: "No, no! I've just never seen a woman this beautiful before! 🥰"
Laura tilted her head innocently.
Laura: "Really? ☺️"
The man immediately looked away, horrified by his own words.
Man (thinking): "WHAT THE HECK?! MY MOUTH JUST STARTED FLIRTING ON ITS OWN! 😱"
He had approached the village looking for his missing brother, not planning to fall into a romantic disaster!
Laura: "Do you need anything? 🥰"
The man hurriedly cleared his throat and tried to regain his composure.
Man: "Oh… actually, I'm searching for my brother. He's been missing since yesterday. If my father finds out, I'm… DOOMED! 😱"
Laura's expression immediately became serious.
Laura: "Your brother is missing? 😟"
Man: "Yes! I've searched everywhere, but I still can't find him!"
Laura brightened again, determined to help.
Laura: "May I know what your brother looks like? It'll be easier to search for him if I know his appearance. 🥰"
The man blinked, completely flustered by her kindness.
Man (thinking): "She's beautiful, polite, and helpful. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE THIS CONVERSATION?! 😭"
Man: "R-right! His name is…"
He paused, finally remembering that he had yet to introduce himself.
Man: "Wait! I haven't even told you my name! 😱"
Laura: "Then tell me! ☺️"
The man took a deep breath.
His search for his brother had suddenly become much more complicated.
And Laura, completely unaware of the effect she was having on him, smiled sweetly.
Laura: "Come on. Let's find your brother! 😎"
The man silently followed her, wondering how one stranger could make his terrible day feel so much brighter. 🥰
To be continued...