55. Something was amiss

Aakifahlynn took the time to go through her list and grab each item off of it. Soon, she handed the sweet old lady named Ann a few gold coins for her purchases and then left.

And lovely Ann could not stop giving her thanks.

Before returning, Aakifahlynn wanted to pop into the bakery for some sweet cakes.

She enjoyed them to the moon and back.

On entering, she saw the lovely young woman she had met the last time. However, she looked distressed and a bit gloomy.

"Good evening, Dear." Aakifahlynn greeted gently and quickly glanced around for the sweet, active, and friendly redhead little girl seen at the bakery.

She had warmed Aakifahkynn's heart on her last visit, but when Aakifahkynn did not see the sweet girl, Aakifahlynn's chest tightened.

Pauline answered, but her voice was hoarse, almost a whisper: "Good evening, Queen Luna…how may I assist you this afternoon?"

"Pauline, where is Paula?" Aakifahlynn's intuitions told her something was off about this woman today.

She did not know