[Cassian went to grab the materials from the carriage and Caelia stood there with her face flushed, bread in hand, looking at him walk away.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

W-W-W-WHAT WAS THAT??!?

Did I just feed him??

[Cassian turns his head around as he’s walking towards the carriage. He slyly smiles at her.]

CASSIAN (to Caelia, teasing):

“Well? Aren’t you going to help?”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

He knows exactly what he did!!! So coy!!

CAELIA (sarcastically):

“Yes, yes, coming.”

[She puts the bread back in its package and then puts it back in the bag before going over to him. They make it to the carriage and start hauling the wooden slabs to Ulysses’ stand.]

CASSIAN:

“Where’s Ulysses?”

CAELIA:

“I told him to go home for the day! We went around the vendors and it seems like everyone on board is with the idea. He’s going to try and ask the previous owners if they would be open to selling again.”

CASSIAN:

“Do we have a set date yet for this?”

CAELIA:

“We were thinking about this weekend.”

CASSIAN (confirming):

“One week to fix 10 stands?”

CAELIA (confident):

“Yeah, do you think there’s an issue?”

CASSIAN:

“Nope, no issue, just confirming.”

[Cassian and Caelia make it to Ulysses’ stand and drop the wood in front of it.]

CAELIA:

“I’m not sure what kind of vendors Ulysses will be recruiting but I’m sure if we fix the basic stands, it’ll be okay. Let’s make this work to revive Kingsley!”

[Motivated, she kneels down to organize the dropped wood on the ground. Admiring her motivation, Cassian kneels down alongside her and helps her.]

───── ⋆⋅⊹⋅⋆ ─────

[After a couple of hours, Caelia and Cassian added the last finishing piece to Ulysses’ soup stand which was the top table, and his cart was all finished. She lightly applauds to celebrate its completion.]

CAELIA:

“It’s still not too late, should we try to fix another stand?”

CASSIAN (joking):

“Okay, Miss Empress engineer!”

CAELIA (disgust):

“Empress? Don’t call me that. I definitely don’t want to be the empress.”

[Cassian felt a sense of relief hearing her claim that she doesn’t want to be the empress.]

CASSIAN (relived):

“Really?”

CASSIAN - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Wait, why do I feel relieved? 

[The two of them start walking to the next stand and her demeanor becomes more casual.]

CAELIA (answering honestly):

“Yeah. I want to stay as far away from the palace as possible. Not really interested in those things. Honestly, I think I just want to continue building and helping people.

[She catches herself going off character compared to the original Caelia Ardent.]

Oh- I mean I’m not interested in those things anymore.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Why do I feel bad for not staying in character? Everyone can probably already tell I’m not like the original Caelia at all…

CAELIA (continues):

“A-Anyway, I feel as though I’m trying to find my own happiness and I am confident that it’s not through the palace. I’m finding a lot of joy building alongside you.”

[He could relate to what she said and sadly smiled to himself. They arrive at the other stand and stop in front of it.]

CASSIAN (mellow):

“Me too, Caelia. Me too.”

[Inspecting the other stand, it only had minor flaws so they didn’t have to do much other than reinforce some joints.]

[After a couple of hours, they finished restoring the stands that required minor fixes. Once they were done, they went back to the guest home for the night.]

───── ⋆⋅⊹⋅⋆ ─────

[The next day, the engineers arrived at Kingsley Central Square and met with Ulysses again who was in a good mood setting up his stand.]

CAELIA:

“Good morning, Ulysses!”

[Ulysses looks over.]

ULYSSES (jolly): 

“Oh, good morning engineers! This stand looks amazing, I can’t thank you enough! The old man will be so happy!”

CASSIAN:

“It’s no problem, Ulysses. We could’ve come here earlier to help you set up.”

ULYSSES:

“No, no! You guys do too much work already. Don’t worry about me! Anyway,

[Ulysses points to a stack of flyers on his stand.]

I’ve made flyers for the event! I’m gonna go around Kingsley at some point today to hang them up.”

CAELIA:

“That’s amazing! Thank you, Ulysses! Should we try to send letters to people’s doorsteps?”

ULYSSES:

“Actually, it might be better to have posters around communities. The lettering system in Kingsley is terrible.” 

CAELIA:

“What do you mean?”

[Ulysses awkwardly laughs.]

ULYSSES (sighs):

“I’m lucky that my letter got to you guys pretty quick, usually it’s a hit or miss if people actually receive their letters on time or not.”

CAELIA (curious):

“Why is that the case?”

ULYSSES:

“I’m not sure, maybe our mailing pigeons are just inferior.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Oh… Is that the case?

[Caelia keeps this thought for a second.]

CAELIA:

“Okay then! Let’s just post the flyers around town!”

───── ⋆⋅⊹⋅⋆ ─────

[For the rest of the morning, the engineers continued to work on fixing the other stands in preparation for the event. The stands that required more work mostly revolved around weak supports that had to be replaced.]

[Around lunchtime, Ulysses left Kingsley Center Square and started to go around east Kingsley to hang up the flyers. Along the way, he also went around asking different vendors from the past if they would be interested in doing a soft launch. Some agreed, some were hesitant, some didn’t because they were still weary of Caelia, but Ulysses tried his best to recruit new vendors as well. Everywhere he went, there were smiles given to him and jolly hellos. He went to the post office, the playground, the park, and the last place he stopped by was the Kingsley Library.]

[Ulysses enters the library. Ms. Poppy is working at her front desk. He looks around and marvels at the new bookshelves in the library.]

ULYSSES - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Woah… This library looks incredible.

[Once Ms. Poppy sees Ulysses enter, she audibly gasps.]

MS. POPPY (pleasantly surprised):

“Ulysses, my dear! It’s been too long!”

ULYSSES (jolly):

“I hope you’re doing good, Ms. Pops’! Hope young Jack is doing well too. How have you been??”

MS. POPPY (kind):

“I’ve been doing good, dear. How are you?”

ULYSSES:

“Ah, same old, same old. This library looks incredible though! The engineers did a good job.”

MS. POPPY:

“Thank you! They worked very hard but it wasn’t without hardships. They’re nice people, those two. I hear that they’re working for you now?”

ULYSSES:

“Yeah!

[He holds up a flyer to Ms. Poppy.]

They’re helping fix the abandoned stands in Kingsley Center Square so we can try to revive the market scene. We’re gonna try to do a soft launch this weekend. It actually was Lady Caelia’s idea. Could you hang this up somewhere in the library?”

[Hearing that the revival was Caelia’s idea, she smiles and looks intently at the flyer.]

MS. POPPY:

“Oh? This is great, dear! I’ll hang it up. Have you told Gerald?”

ULYSSES:

“No, I haven’t told the old man yet. I was planning on surprising him! You should come, too! There will be lots of vendors!” 

[Her smile fades as she looks down in front of her with a sad expression.]

MS. POPPY (sad):

“...I’m not sure if I’m ready yet, my dear. I’m sorry, I do hope Gerald is doing well.”

ULYSSES (understanding):

“I understand. He’s doing okay. It’s been tough since Ralph passed. I hope you’re doing okay too, Ms. Pops’.”

[She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, feeling somber.]

MS. POPPY:

“Rebuilding the bookshelves in this old library made me feel like I’m starting to live again. I do miss my husband but it was hindering me a lot from living my life. I hope Gerald is living his life too.”

ULYSSES (sad):

“He just retired and entrusted his soup stand to me. That old man has just been at home. It’s been hard for him since Ralph passed as well.”

MS. POPPY:

“Maybe it will be good for him to see Kingsley Center lively again. Those engineers work very hard.”

ULYSSES (jolly):

“Yup, that’s the plan!”

MS. POPPY:

“How are the engineers?”

ULYSSES:

“They’re amazing! I’m glad I reached out to them early. To be quite honest, I was a little bit concerned at first due to all the controversy that was happening but I’m glad I trusted my gut.”

[She smiles warmly at him.]

MS. POPPY:

“Caelia is very nice, isn’t she?”

[Ulysses recalls Caelia’s bright expression when she proposed reviving Kingsley and also her serious expression when she asked if he still found happiness after hardship.]

ULYSSES:

“Yes, she’s very nice.”

───── ⋆⋅⊹⋅⋆ ─────

[Back at Everhart palace, the royal knight was seen coming back from somewhere, holding a flyer in his hand. He makes his way over to Queen Valeria and kneels in front of her holding the flyer to her.]

ROYAL KNIGHT:

“Your Majesty, I’ve arrived back from Kingsley.” 

QUEEN VALERIA (questioning):

“And? Did you see anything interesting?”

ROYAL KNIGHT:

“It seems like Miss Ardent and Sir Welsh are trying to fix the abandoned stands at Kingsley Central Square.

[She briskly takes the flyer away from his hand.]

They’re having a soft launch this weekend.”

QUEEN VALERIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Kingsley Central Square? That area was an active war zone many years ago! Why are they trying to revive it?!?

QUEEN VALERIA (glare):

“Good. Thanks for the information. Can you please watch Caelia throughout the week? And actually watch her?”

ROYAL KNIGHT:

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

───── ⋆⋅⊹⋅⋆ ─────

[Throughout the week, Caelia and Cassian continued to fix the stands with little issue and they were all polished and refurbished two days before the event. Some of the vendors Ulysses recruited came over to check out the stands before opening day to set up.

Like a fabrics vendor:

FABRICS VENDOR (clapping her hands, looking at the stand with awe):

“WOW! This is absolutely perfect for all my fabrics! Thank you, Lady Ardent!”

A carrot farmer:

CARROT FARMER (looks around at the restored stands):

“This place is starting to look like how it did before the war!”

An antiques owner:

[The grumpy antiques owner wheeled a bunch of golden antiques in a wagon.]

ANTIQUES OWNER:

“Hopefully, a lot of people come this weekend…”

And even artists who were setting up their easels. Caelia and Cassian marveled at the sight of all the small businesses that came to set up before the event.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Looking at everyone believing in this makes me feel happy inside.

[As usual, her mind thinks pessimistically and she starts to feel melancholy.]

I didn’t find a purpose in my previous life.

And although coming into this world was hard, I feel like I’m more fulfilled. Maybe Ulysses was right. I’m just starting out to find my happiness, and just like Ms. Poppy, I’m starting new.

Maybe… I was put into this world for a reason after all.

[Changing her demeanor, she smiles as she looks up at Cassian next to her.]

CAELIA (bright):

“Isn’t this amazing?!”

CASSIAN:

“Yeah, it is. This was a great idea, Caelia. I’m not even sure if I could come up with a grand idea like this and make it work.”

CAELIA:

“Well, it’s not just me! You and Ulysses helped a lot! Thanks for believing in it! Hopefully a lot of people will come tomorrow. If this works out, it could be a great help for the people here.

[She noticed one of the artists was having a hard time setting up a large easel off in the distance. Caelia immediately runs over to go and help without hesitation.]

WAIT! I’M COMING TO HELP!”

[Cassian watches her run to help the artist without fear and chuckles to himself. Feeling inspired, he then goes to a different stand to help another owner set up.]

︶⊹︶︶✧︶︶⊹︶

[Off in the distance sitting at the benches, sat the royal knight, dressed as a commoner to disguise himself. He is stalking Caelia intently with a monotone expression but a warm gaze as he watches her be gentle towards the people of Kingsley.]

︶⊹︶︶✧︶︶⊹︶

───── ⋆⋅⊹⋅⋆ ─────

[On the day of the festival, it is a bright and sunny day. The vendors are all stationed at their stands as they wait for customers to arrive. Caelia and Cassian are sitting behind Ulysses’ stand, covering for him as he goes to pick up his old manager. People slowly trickle into the center, walking around to each of the stands. No one approached Ulysses’ stand- some people would look at Ulysses’ stand, glance at Caelia, and then instantly look away. After the fifth time it happens, Caelia sighs to herself and rests her head on her hand.]

CAELIA (defeated):

“Do you think some people are hesitant to come over because of me?”

CASSIAN (straightforward):

“They’re probably thinking: “Who would buy soup in the summer?” 

So it’s probably not just you.”

[He then sips on the cup of soup he has. She looks over at him with annoyance.]

CAELIA (sarcastically):

“Thanks for making me feel better. Should I leave, then?”

[A tall man with dark olive green hair, brown eyes, and a monotone expression arrives at the stand. It is the royal knight in disguise but no one could tell.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Yay! Our first customer!

[Caelia stands upright and full of energy as the man comes over to the stand, not recognizing him at all.]

ROYAL KNIGHT (requesting):

“Can I have a cup of soup, please?”

CAELIA (brightly):

“Yes, of course!

[She grabs a cup and then takes off the lid of a large pot. She then ladles the soup into the cup with a large smile on her face. The knight looks at her expression and compares it to her wicked expression in the past, noting how different they are. Kindly, she hands over the soup to the knight in disguise.]

Here! Enjoy!” 

ROYAL KNIGHT:

“Thank you.”

[The knight graciously takes the cup of soup from her. He starts going through his pockets to find money but Caelia stops him.]

CAELIA:

“Wait! Since you’re our first customer, you don’t have to pay us!”

[The knight looks at her with surprise. The girl who used to flaunt her wealth is now serving free food with a huge smile on her face. Cassian sits up from his chair and brings his face closer to Caelia’s ear.]

CASSIAN (worried, whispers to Caelia):

“Is this okay to do, Caelia?”

CAELIA (carefree, whispers back):

“It’s fine! I’ll just pay for it myself! We should be happy that someone came over! I’ll do it just this one time.”

[Overhearing this as the engineers couldn’t whisper for the life of them, the royal knight felt touched at her kindness.]

ROYAL KNIGHT:

“Thank you, Miss Ardent…”

CAELIA (egging):

“Try the soup!”

[The royal knight brings the cup up to his mouth and sips on the soup. The warm and complex flavors fill his tongue and he quietly enjoys it, almost smiling.]

CAELIA (warmly smiles):

“It’s good, isn’t it?”

[The royal knight continues to look at Caelia’s face, deciphering if there was any hint of malice. He couldn’t find any.]

???:

“Engineers!!”

[Everyone looked to where the yell came from. It is Ulysses who is waving his arm, accompanied by a hunched older man with graying hair. They make their way over to the soup stand.]

₊ . ⊹  ݁ ₊‧ . ‿⊱༻✶༺⊰‿ . ‧₊ ݁ ⊹ . ₊ . ⊹  ݁ ₊‧ . ‿⊱༻✶༺⊰‿ . ‧₊ ݁ ⊹ . ₊

[End of Chapter 7 Part 1]