✩₊˚.⋆☾𓃦☽⋆⁺₊✧

The weekend arrived and Aster woke up later than usual. There were no classes today, after all. As she lay in bed, she tried once more to recall the past.

Nothing.

The first memory she could grasp was from when she was seven—waking up beside Aunt Sally. She had no recollection of how she’d gotten there, no familiar faces from before. Only an overwhelming sense of loss, a sorrow too deep for a child to understand. She remembered crying until her chest ached, certain something terrible had happened. But Aunt Sally had been there, gentle and steady, whispering reassurances she clung to without knowing why.

“You’re safe now,” she had said.

From that day forward, even without her memories, Aster had trusted Aunt Sally with her life. She felt safe with her, yet every time she asked about her parents, Aunt Sally would avoid the question. All she had ever told her was, “We got separated because of an accident.”

This time, I’ll ask for sure.

✦•┈๑⋅⋯❀ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

Now, as they sat at the breakfast table, she saw the perfect opportunity.

“Aunt Sally, I know this might seem out of nowhere, but…” She hesitated, gathering her courage. “How did we manage to travel from Helios to Crescentis? I read in a book that such a journey costs a fortune in gold or else demands magic. We had neither.”

Aster exhaled, relieved to finally get the question off her chest.

Caught off guard, Aunt Sally stilled. “I had gold, remember?” she said, forcing a casual tone. “I was holding a pouch of gold at that time.” She looked away as if trying to piece together a story. 

“You see, I had a very wealthy client back then. She gave me a hefty sum and told me that life in Crescentis was easier. Since she was moving here herself, she made me a deal… gave me the gold and promised to introduce me to some nobles she knew. In return, she wanted me to follow her here so she could still rely on my work. Dresses, embroidery, fittings…you know how particular noblewomen can be. I suppose she thought it cheaper to bring her seamstress along than risk trusting someone new.”

Then, as if to steer Aster away from further questioning, she quickly added, “Why? Are you not happy here?”

“Of course, I am. As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter where we are,” Aster answered, dropping the topic.

Later that day, at Aunt Sally’s shop, she sat sewing, sighing as she replayed Aster’s question in her mind.

Deep inside, she was just as lost.

If only I knew the answers myself, I wouldn’t have to lie to you.

Her thoughts drifted to the past.

What happened to you, Luca? Why didn’t you fulfill your promise?

Just as she was lost in thought, the doorbell jingled, signaling a customer. Two maids, each serving different noble households, entered together by chance, already deep in conversation as they waited for their masters’ tailored dresses.

“Have you heard about the fortune teller’s shop at the festive town square?” One maid said excitedly.

“Oh! Celestial Link, right? It’s that newly opened shop here in the Emporium District, just a few stalls down, isn’t it? I’ve been hearing so much about it! They say she’s so accurate she can even help you find your destined half!”

“I know! A lady from the flower shop said she met her future husband because of the clues the fortune teller gave her!”

Aunt Sally, handing them their package, raised an eyebrow. “What’s the shop called again?”

“Celestial Link. They say she can answer any question…but only for a very high price.”

“Sounds like a scam,” Aunt Sally chuckled, though she couldn’t hide the intrigue in her eyes.

“I don’t know,” one of the maids shrugged. “People swear by her predictions.”

The other maid smirked. “Why? Thinking of finding yourself a husband?”

Aunt Sally laughed it off, but once the maids left, her smile faded.

She had already made up her mind.

She was going to Celestial Link, determined to find answers.

Aster just finished her bath and headed downstairs.

“Aunt Sally, I’m done. What can I help you with?”

“Nothing. You can rest or study. There’s just something I need to do, so I may have to close the shop early today.”

Before Aster could ask anything else, Aunt Sally grabbed her things and left.

But something about her behavior felt off.

⋆˖⁺₊⋆˖⁺₊☽◯☾₊⁺⋆₊⁺⋆

Aster stood in the shop, watching the door Aunt Sally had just walked out of. Her aunt had been acting strangely lately. Without thinking, she rummaged through the neatly folded garments until she found a simple boy’s outfit.

She quickly changed and braided her long wavy hair, coiling it tightly before tucking it beneath a newsboy cap. A careful adjustment made sure it sat flat without looking bulgy. One last glance in the mirror assured her… no one would mistake her for a girl. Her heart pounded as she stepped outside, trailing a careful distance behind Aunt Sally.

And now, here she was, standing in front of a shop with an old wooden sign that read

☽✮ Celestial Link ✮☾

Aster frowned. Why would Aunt Sally come to a place like this?

She took a step closer but hesitated. Maybe this isn’t my business. Maybe Aunt Sally had her own reasons for coming here.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

No.

If this place had anything to do with their past…if it could give her the answers she had been searching for…then she had to know.

So, she paced. Back and forth. Glancing at the entrance. Debating herself whether to go in or not.

Unbeknownst to her, someone was watching.

Across the street, a young man her age leaned against a pillar, his silver hair shimmering under the sunlight. A cloak rested over his shoulders, giving him a striking silhouette. His soft, silken strands framed his face, enhancing his ethereal yet melancholic aura. His deep blue eyes were icy and stoic, and his well-defined features gave him an almost otherworldly presence.

Beside him was his right-hand man, also around his age, with dark chestnut hair that was short, a little tousled, and parted with bangs falling loosely across his forehead. Broad-shouldered and alert, he carried the unmistakable air of loyalty, a shadow who never strayed far from his side.

They had only recently learned about Celestial Link, a shop rumored to provide answers to those who sought them.

But before they reached the shop, the silver-haired young man noticed Aster, whom he thought was a boy, pacing back and forth outside, too hesitant to go in. 

For some reason, he felt a flicker of intrigue.

Then… chaos erupted.

Aster was caught in the middle of a commotion. A blur of movement…a man running…then a sudden force shoved her forward.

She stumbled, crashing straight into a noblewoman passing by.

The lady gasped as she staggered back, landing in a muddy puddle that soiled her lavish dress.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd.

Aster barely had time to catch her breath before the noblewoman’s sharp voice sliced through the air.

“You-!” Her eyes flashed with fury. “Do you realize what you’ve done?!”

Aster took a step back, hands raised instinctively. “I-I’m so sorry, my lady. I didn’t mean to-” She kept her voice low, trying to sound like a boy.

Before she could explain, another voice rang out.

“Thief! My coin pouch—it’s gone!”

Heads turned toward the merchant who had spoken. And then… all eyes landed on Aster.

“Did you see that? He bumped into her on purpose!”

“He must have used the distraction to steal!”

Panic tightened in Aster’s chest. This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening.

Just as the situation turned dire, a calm, authoritative voice cut through the noise.

“It wasn’t him.”

The murmurs hushed instantly.

The silver-haired young man stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he turned his gaze toward Aster, then to the noblewoman.

“He was pushed from behind,” he stated calmly. “I saw what happened. It wasn’t his fault.”

The noblewoman hesitated, her anger faltering as her gaze met his.

His striking silver hair, the quiet confidence he carried, the intensity in his piercing blue eyes…it was mesmerizing.

She flushed instantly, suddenly unsure of what to say.

“I’ll let it go just this once,” she muttered, throwing one last glance at Aster before shifting her dreamy gaze back to the silver-haired nobleman.

Just a few steps away, the real thief who had shoved Aster was being restrained by another young man— the silver-haired boy’s right-hand companion. 

“I believe this is the one you’re looking for,” he announced, holding up the struggling thief. The stolen pouch dangled from his grasp.

The merchant huffed. “That’s him!”

With that, the tension dissolved. The thief was dragged away, and the crowd quickly lost interest.

The silver-haired man turned to Aster, his expression calm. He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

“You should be more careful next time.”

Aster flinched and swallowed, unsure of how to respond.

There was something unnerving about the way he looked at her. But before she could react further, she spotted Aunt Sally leaving the Celestial Link shop.

Her eyes widened in panic. If Aunt Sally saw her like this, she would be in trouble.

“Oh, drat!” She blurted, jolting upright.

“?” The silver-haired boy’s eyes widened slightly, confused by her reaction. His companion, however, misinterpreted it entirely.

“Hah, is that how you show gratitude, young man?” he scolded.

Aster panicked, unsure of what to do. Lowering her cap, she quickly bowed. “Thank you for saving me. I will never forget your kindness!”

Then, without another word, she ran.

The silver-haired boy chuckled under his breath.

“Interesting.”

‎₊˚✧[Later, inside Celestial Link]✧˚₊

The fortune teller peered at the silver-haired man with knowing eyes.

“I don’t know why you’re here looking for answers” she said cryptically, “but the answer you seek was already in front of you.”

The young man frowned and left the shop, pulling his hood up as he walked.

He turned to his right-hand companion. “I thought that fortune teller was supposed to be good?”

“Well, that’s what the rumors say.” His companion shrugged. “And yet, there are also rumors that she just takes people’s money.”

With a sigh, the silver-haired man muttered, “I shouldn’t have believed you.”

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