We stopped in the bakery and had one of the cheese sandwiches that I had read about. Sia was in the bakery, so I got to meet her, even though I couldn't act like I knew who she was. It was surreal! I had read about these people and knew a lot about them, but didn't actually know them.
I couldn't come across as too familiar, or it would be suspicious. After the bakery, we headed towards the library. Apparently, Katie and Abby had just left the bakery after eating lunch. They usually met at the bakery each day to eat lunch together. Afterwards, Abby would return to the school, and Katie would return to the Library for a few hours. I chose to meet Katie first since she was the first one in the novel and the Madam Clan Leader of Kanta.
I laughed in my head as I remembered how she made up that title while threatening King Franz to pressure him into restoring Kanta. Al had laughed at her, but the title stuck. Now, she was the Madam Clan Leader, Katie De Kanta, for the rest of her life. (Ha ha!)
They drew quite a few curious stares as they walked through the town of Ilmir. Alisa was too busy taking in all of the familiar yet unfamiliar sights. She remembered reading about them, and they looked almost identical to how she had imagined them. It was like being inside a lucid dream.
Kel and Zed walked in front and talked between themselves about the new army in Kanta. Zed was interested in signing up for the army, and all of his experience from his time as a protector and bodyguard would qualify him for a higher rank than most of their inexperienced warriors. They would need to discuss it with Blaise and Al, but he may be able to be the Captain for the new town of Vanagar.
They had been growing rapidly in the past years since they started to rebuild thier nation. It started with around one hundred and fifty people, between the two villages, but had grown to around five hundred. They had started Vanagar to utilize the mines that were closer to Rowenhilde. The Kanta Mountains were between Rowenhilde and Annalaias, and they had peace treaties and trade alliances with both kingdoms, thanks to Katie.
The big clock in the town center chimed once as they neared the library. It was a quaint little library, but Alisa fell in love. On Earth, she was an author of children's books and had spent many hours in libraries reading her books to the children. The smell of printed paper and ink was a welcome addition to this charming little library.
Katie had just put her daughter Aza down for her nap when they entered. She came out of her office and was surprised to see Kel with another silver-haired man and a young woman who looked vaguely familiar.
I saw Katie and she was just as angel-like as the novel had described her. I made an educated guess and introduced myself. "Katie, it's me. Elisabeth Blanchard, my mother, was Arabella Du Pont. I have read about you, and you look just as described." I smiled and offered Katie a hug.
She was momentarily confused, but accepted the hug. My words were cryptic enough that she may be able to catch the hidden meaning. She whispered, "Where are you from?" I replied in a hushed, but knowing tone, "California."
She hugged me tighter, and I could feel her excitement building! Another person from Earth. She was thrilled! When we released our hug, she remembered the men who escorted me. I introduced, "This is Zed from Shibatsu. He has protected me and escorted me from the Kingdom of Lancri."
Katie gave me a knowing look, but I subtly shook my head. This was not the same situation as Abby and Blaise. I had no interest in Zed romantically. We could be friends, but that was it. She seemed to understand my meaning and smiled a little sympathetically at Zed. "Thank you, Zed, for making sure my cousin reached Ilmir safely. We owe you for this family reunion."
Zed blushed a little at her gratitude, but politely declined, "No thanks necessary. I was merely doing my duty as a warrior and bodyguard. The Lady Alisa has already paid me, but if I may be so bold as to ask for a meeting with the Captains and the Clan Leader about potentially staying in Kanta. Your village is quite promising, and I believe that I can help with the security." He bowed to Katie as a show of respect.
Even though Al was the nominal leader of the clan, Katie was the real power behind the throne. Her genius political mind allowed Kanta to thrive as much as it currently does. Al had been a shut-in, unwanted Prince in Annalaias before she met him and motivated him to take a part in politics.
They worked well together and had a perfect marriage. Katie had the ideas, while Al had the spirit of the Kanta Clan. Katie saw the potential in Zed and nodded her approval. "Thank you for bringing my cousin and Zed to find me, Kel. Would it be too much to ask for you to take Zed to find Al? I can keep Alisa company until we meet up later. We have a lot to catch up on." She asked Kel quietly.
Kel nodded and led Zed out the door to look for Al. He would need to meet with Al and give him a status update anyway. Zed looked back towards Alisa and gave her a longing gaze, but she pretended not to notice and waved goodbye to him and Kel.
After they left, Katie took me to a secluded section and began rapidly asking me questions. The library was mostly empty, but we stayed quiet just in case we were overheard. "When did you come to this world? How did you end up here? Is this your original body? Are we really related, or is that your cover story?"
I laughed quietly and responded to her questions calmly, "The author of this novel came to visit me on my deathbed. She asked me if I had any regrets. I had written to her about how much I loved the story and how it changed from the original. I told her that I regretted not being able to live a more adventurous life due to my health conditions, and she asked if I wanted to have another adventure. She wrote in an old book as I took my last breath. I woke up in this body in Stanarussi and had to escape an arranged marriage in a hot air balloon." I summarised the events that led me here.
"I was lucky that this body was related to your original body. My mother and your father were cousins. Arrabella Du Pont was a lady-in-waiting for the Princess who went to Stanarussi. My father happened to be a Baron and an inventor. Arabella died while giving birth to this body, and her father died while testing out the hot air balloon last month. My 'brother' wanted to sell his sister to a vicious old count to finance his inventions, so I stole the balloon and a few other things that may come in handy for Kanta." I humbly bragged about my escape.
Katie absorbed all of the new information like she was watching an interesting television show. The drama in this world was on another level. It could be compared to those historical dramas or a telenovela. Finally, she decided that I was a blessing to her town and welcomed me with open arms. "Welcome home, cuz!"