Back here again

There she was, the reincarnated queen. Cecete walked down the usual path. She had the usual flowery scent and the typical high heeled boots. They clicked against the pathway in a consistent pattern. The whole experience felt eerie; nothing about this woman was dissimilar to his wife. Her eyes were focused on the sides. She even beamed brightly whenever there was a bird that showed up.

She didn't notice Alex until she turned her attention away from the gleeful bluebird. The moment her eyes fell upon him, she froze. A brief flash happened. In her mind, Cecete witnessed the man land on the ground with visible draconic wings. She herself seemed to have just landed. She could fly back then too? He held a stoic expression, yet she could read his smile. She knew that he was both happy and a little fatigued. The flash stopped as she was about to touch him.

Outside, the blonde had one hand to her temples, trying to rub out the headache. Once out of her trance, she blinked and stared at the man once more.

"...who are you?"

Blunt and straightforward. Tears lightly bubbled from her green eyes. They held a sense of vague recognition, but her brain would not do anything else to the memory block. Why did she feel like this?

Why did she miss him?

@Max!!

Cecete reached over to take the handkerchief from his hand. As their hands touched, another flashback happened. She was reaching out to hold his hand. The park around them was a beautiful snowy wonderland. She herself was dressed both formally and fairly warm. His grasp felt equivalent to a lit fireplace; it radiated heat and protection. Their arms intertwined after their hands connected. He was leading her somewhere on foot.

Tears bubbled from both eyes. After a shudder, she managed to take the handkerchief and wiped her eyes.

"Alexander Drakenhardt....so you are related to Titus, Kenrick, Xarrah....why have most of the people I have met been Drakenhardts? Is that why I keep having these flashes? Who is Cami and why does that name pain me so?"

The queen was rapidly losing her composure. Her words were getting faster and faster. Sobs joined in the emotional rollercoaster. She began to hyperventilate. After the last question, the angel became aware of this and forced herself to breathe. Her head throbbed as another image of them walking appeared in her mind. It was from the same scene based on the environment.

"...Where did you take me that winter night?"

If he could understand her vague wording, then he would likely recall the night of the proposal. They had a date that ended with the king escorting his beloved to a beautiful bird display and proposing to her in front of it. She kept having flashbacks of the moments that led up to the important event. Though overwhelmed, Cecete looked like she could use a hug and some answers.

@Max!!

Cecete was led to a bench. His arm gave her comforting warmth that led to her leaning onto him. She kept on crying, unable to hold back her feelings.

"I...have a daughter? I left my daughter behind?"

This implication opened up a floodgate. Now a bunch of little moments flooded her head. Various different times she embraced her husband. The angel quivered in his grasp. The headache worsened. The most notable example she could pick up was her being positioned like so but with a large belly. His hand and her hand rested on it. She felt a weird sensation. It was...it was like something was hitting her stomach. An arrhythmic pounding from inside echoed out to their hands. They could feel it moving. Something about it made them smile.

"My baby....my baby..."

This launched her into full freakout mode. Her panic escalated into an anxiety attack. She visibly twitched as her sobs got cut off by desperate gasps for air. Regret choked her as loss tied her down. Deeper and deeper she sank into the waters. It kept drowning her until all she could croak out was a whispered plea.

"...I miss...you...."

Her hands grasped into Alex for dear life. She didn't want to fall.

Please don't let her go.

@Max!!

"I recall....being pregnant.....I felt our child in my womb. I could feel her kicking, and so could you."

A bitter smile crossed her lips.

"It was beautiful....what is her full name? When can I see my baby?"

Her eyes widen in eagerness. The tears slowly drained from her eyes. The idea of seeing her child....holding her daughter in her arms....the thought delighted her. But then worry set in; would her daughter remember her mommy? Would she be frightened by the strange woman hugging her tightly? That would break her heart...still, she had to at least try.

"I married a great man."

@Max!!

Cecete reached out to take her husband's hand. Her heart fluttered as they made contact. Nerves would not stop her from seeing her child. She was ready for this moment.

"Well, I am here now, and not even death will take me away."

She allowed him to lead the way. With the current state of her memories, it'd be a bad idea to try and find the place herself. As they moved, she wondered how everyone would react to her. How would they feel about this?

...how many Drakenhardts were there even?

@Max!!