Red Strings

First Twine - The Festival

It was still early in the morning, but the sound of people talking, horses' neighs while pulling the carriages, shouts from the seller could be heard everywhere. It's a normal morning for Nethva town, one of the town in the Crania Region of Fellenan Kingdom. The town already get busy and wouldn't stop until late at night.

Same thing with a small bakery, Frazier Bakery, that owned by a young lady. She's Alicia Frazier, the only child of the Frazier couple, who also the only person left in her family. Alicia, or like what people called her, Liz, was an orphan. Her parents were killed when they went to another region when she was 10 years old. People said that it was the bandits who killed them, some said the beasts in the forest, and some said it was the enemy from another Kingdom.

Whoever was the culprit, it didn't change the fact that Liz was left alone. Thankfully the Grimsted Family kind enough to take her in. The two families are good friends and that was inherited to the children because Liz's best friend is the second child of that family, Kenneth Grimsted.

"Morning, Liz."

When the girl turned around, she could see her best friend standing right in front of the bakery's door. She just opened the store a few minutes ago and he already here. Liz laughed and gave Ken a sign to approach her. "Morning Ken." She answered before giving him a bag of breads and some cakes. The Grimsted Family is her loyal costumer. They always paid in the usual price, but Liz always sneaked some extra cakes in the bag. She won't forget the kindness when they took them in for 6 whole years until Liz was big enough to take care of herself alone. And that's already 4 years ago.

"Busy with the orders?" Ken took the bag while glancing over the cashier, where Liz put her notes filled with list of cakes orders from the neighborhood. The girl nodded. Many people celebrate their 20th birthday this year and the order of birthday cakes pilled up just like that.

Well, the 20th birthday is the most important of someone's life. On age 20, your Bashert will show up. Bashert is the name for a unique sign that will show up in one's arm's skin on the last day of the year. That unique sign has a special pattern that only exist on two Bashert in the world; yours and your soulmate's.

"Didn't you need to help out in the store?" Liz stared at the male, who still stood still in front of her. Ken laughed and said his goodbye before leaving the bakery. The Grimsted owned a large grocery store and of course Ken helped his parents on managing the store.

This year, both Liz and Ken got 20 years old. Before, she never really gave it a thought, about who is her soulmate. But now, when it finally right in front of her face, she couldn't help but always thinking about it.

The sound of bell ringing snapped her from her daydream. "Welcome." Liz automatically said that since the ringing sound only could mean that a costumer came into her bakery.

"Hey, Liz."

"Oh, hey Will."

Another Liz's best friend just walked through the door, William Jeovin, the smartest person Liz knew. His family owned a library and a bookstore so it's not weird at all that the oldest child of the family being this smart. Will could easily get a job in the Capital Area, but the lad never seemed to be interested in it. Their region is famous for the advanced knowledge and technology in the Kingdom after all.

Their Kingdom, Fellenan Kingdom, divided to five big parts. The Capital Area, where the Royal Family live and the center of the kingdom as well. Then there are 4 big regions : Ospein in the north, Fibora in the west, Qatish in the east and Crania in the south. Each region had their own specialties.

Will approached the cashier with the breads he chose. "Ken already dropped by?" He asked while Liz counting his purchase.

"Yeah. Not long before you came."