King Erick Vincorne had spent the time he had in his rooms going through the many many documents left for him to review. From minor things such as formal complaints that really could be handled by someone else to the formal documents of land and estate. Worst of all was the letter from his half-brother Balder. It wasn't anything bad per se, just that he plans to host a very largeparty. Erick did not envy his brother's extroverted tendencies, but he struggled to keep up with them.
That was when he heard a knock on his door. With a sigh Erick set aside his current stack of papers and called whoever it was inside, not bothering to wait for the announcement that was sure to come. Either it's Aunt Martha coming to chastise me yet again, or Esther coming for dinner. One of the servants had brought in silver covered plates of food only a few moments before, but Erick had too many documents to go through for him to just sit and wait for his guests. Looking up, he saw that it was neither Aunt Martha nor Esther, but his Beast Master Flora Acker.
Flora nervously stepped into the room as the page opened for her, then hovered by the doorway, unsure of what to do with herself. King Erick had seemed surprised by her arrival, and it left her uneasy. Thankfully she didn't have to say much as the King's page came in.
"Your Majesty." The boy said with a bow. It occurred to Flora that she still hadn't learned his name despite seeing him so often. "I regret to inform you that your sister Lady Esther will not be able to make it to dinner tonight." There was a brief moment of what looked to be panic written across the King's face, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared, leaving Flora wondering if it actually happened. "I've also been told to inform you that your Aunt Martha will be joining you." The boy finished with an uncomfortable shift in standing. He obviously did not like being the bearer of bad news, and with good reason as King Erick became visibly upset at this statement.
"I did not invite her this evening." King Erick stated, implying more than he said. Flora looked nervously at the boy.
"She insisted the family always has dinner together." The boy's throat bobbed nervously, and Flora could see a slight tremble in his hands as he tried to keep still. I should say something, but I probably shouldn't. I don't want to risk his wrath, but this poor boy doesn't deserve being caught between two dragons like this. Flora glanced nervously between the two as King Erick chose his next words carefully.
"Then let the guards know that she is not to come in. I will have words with her later." The boy swiftly bowed and exited the room at the command, leaving Flora alone with him. She couldn't decide which was worse right now, having dinner with the King and his irritable Aunt, or or having dinner alone with the King in an irritable mood. She didn't move, she was unsure of what to do in the moment and decided on lingering by the door. King Erick sighed.
"Forgive me Flora, I had meant to give you a warmer introduction to the castle than this." He rose from the small table he was working at by the right side of the room and made for the larger table in the center of the room, positioned in front of the large hearth by the back wall. Flora noted that he walked with a slight limp, favoring his left leg. He must still be hurt from falling yesterday. Why hasn't he had a healer take care of it? Being the King, Flora figured that something like that would have been swiftly and easily cared for.
"I suppose you could sit anywhere then." King Erick waved a hand to the table, and Flora gave him a brisk thanks as she made her way over. It was larger than the table he was at but much smaller than the table in the dining hall, sitting only six people as opposed to the larger twenty.
King Erick eased into the seat on one end, and Flora briefly considered which seat to take. Too close would be awkward and presumptuous, but taking the seat on the other end might seem rude. I guess the same could be said about putting space between us. Why does this have to be so complicated? Flora fretted before finally choosing to sit in the seat to Erick's right, taking the risk of sitting close to him rather than offending him. He gave her a brief look before removing the silver covers on the food platters, revealing a dinner of cooked game bird and hearty vegetables. What was that look for? Why did he do that? Flora didn't have time to process the question as King Erick began to speak.
"I must apologize for my Aunt's behavior this morning. She can be…" Erick paused, wincing as he reached for a plate of food. "Disagreeable, at times." He finished, sitting back in his seat.
King Erick seemed to have released his anger, or at least most of it, and Flora finally felt safe enough to actually take in the room they were seated in. It was a much larger common room than her own, with a large marble fireplace in the back bracketed by two tall windows draped in midnight blue curtains. The mantle of the fireplace was decorated with intricate scenes of unicorns and dragons, looking almost playful on the right end and on the brink of war on the other end. A symbol of the end between the warring clans. Flora recalled. There was a second smaller fireplace to the left of the room, similarly decorated and lit.
There were doors to either side of the common room, and Flora assumed that the King had several chambers not unlike her own. The thought of his bedchambers did not come immediately, as she rather pictured how large his library must be compared to hers, but when the thought did come it was hard to shake. Don't be foolish, he's a king and you're just a glorified servant. Flora berated herself.
Flora loosed a breath, grateful for the release of tension. "It's really alright, Your Majesty, I don't mind terribly." Flora lied, trying her best to appease her King. While Lady Martha had made her feel unwelcome at best and despised at worst, the woman hadn't actually done much to harm Flora, and she was able to go about her day as fine as anything.
"It's really not, her poor manners get worse by the year." King Erick grimaced. "I'm just glad my Crop Master and Game Master weren't there." He sighed, closing his eyes as if exhausted by just the thought of his aunt. "Then she really would have unleashed hell on us." King Erick finished the statement with an unpleasant stab at his food, and Flora tried not to wince.
Flora didn't say anything, not knowing what to say. There was clear animosity between the two, but Flora didn't want to risk making it worse by asking questions. King Erick looked at her, and seemed to read all her questions from whatever expression she held before him.
"I'm sorry, Flora. She just…" He paused, taking a moment to collect himself. "She just doesn't like humans." He finished quietly, picking at the food on his plate. Oh. Well, that certainly explains a few things, but leaves so many more questions. Like, why? Flora remained quiet, her dinner plate still untouched.
Erick coughed, breaking the silence. "Perhaps we should change the topic?" He suggested, looking at her with an expression she couldn't read. He seemed uncomfortable, upset, and worried all at once. Flora simply nodded in response, and King Erick gave a sigh of relief, the tension in his shoulders seeming to lift almost imperceptibly. "How about you tell me more about yourself?" He asked, his face returning to the usual impassive expressions he held, but with a hint of curiosity.
So Flora told him about her life on the farm where she grew up. She told him of her mother and father, her brothers older and younger than her, and how illness had taken most of them three years ago save for her, her father, and her youngest brother. She told the King of how she left after that, not sharing too much of how the loss had affected her father and making it seem like she only wanted bigger and better things for herself. She told him of the farmstead before she left, how it had the most beautiful rolling hills and lovely sheep that dotted the hillside. Of the oxen that her father used to till the earth, of the chickens her younger brother trained to follow their oldest brother before he was lost to disease. King Erick said little aside from asking questions and giving polite responses. He asked her more about her time before she joined the castle's employment of animal handlers, mentioning his brief visits to her family farm during the Spring and Fall inspections.
Right, Flora reminded herself. As the oldest son, his father took him to many of the realm's dealings from a young age. Flora remembered the few times she had seen the young King Erick, always quiet and always distant. She even remembered her brothers inviting him to play in the yard while the adults did all the grown up work. Even with his father's approval he still refused. She hadn't brought it up, but King Erick mentioned it anyway.
"I'm sure you all thought me strange as a child. I suppose I'm not much better now." Erick told her with a wry smile, returning to poking at his half eaten food.
"Wha- I mean, no, Your Majesty." Flora quickly replied, trying to assure her king. I mean, perhaps strange isn't the right word. More like… Far away. Flora didn't voice this thought, and King Erick gave her a brief assessing look, as if weighing her words to his experience.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't change much." He stated, breaking eye contact and leaving Flora feeling almost… Empty, as if his stare had taken something from her. She swallowed nervously. "I've kept you here long enough, and I'm sure you're very busy tomorrow. You're dismissed for the night, unless there was anything else?" He gave her a questioning look from the side of his eye, pausing from his grabbing the silver lid for the dinner platter.
"Uh, no, Your Majesty. I'll see myself out." Flora got up and bowed to the King, and he politely waved her away. She turned and left the room, and noted just how late it was as she passed by the clock on the fireplace mantel.
Flora quietly closed the door behind her, passing the guards with a polite nod before finding herself face to face with Erick's Aunt, Lady Martha.
Lady Martha already seemed to be in a sour mood, sitting on one of the cushioned chairs in the hallway just outside of the King's rooms. When she spotted Flora, she went from sour to furious, and Flora nearly quaked at the look the woman gave her. Lady Martha rose, her movement looking predatory in every sense of the word. Flora could sense the guards behind her stiffen as Lady Martha prowled towards her.
"And what, exactly, are you doing in my nephew's room?" Lady Martha's voice was colder than ice, her gaze raking over Flora as she stared down her nose at the young Beast Master. Flora did not respond, nearly gaping as she looked for the words to say that would appease this woman. "Exactly as I thought, you're just another one of his passing fancies." The woman scoffed. Flora almost didn't know what she meant by the term, before it dawned on her exactly what Martha meant by it. Anger and embarrassment caused heat to flush to her face, and yet Flora still had nothing to say that wouldn't further the issue.
How dare she insinuate something like that? I would never! Even if he had asked- I mean, I shouldn't say no to my king but- No he wouldn't ask something like that. Flora's thoughts tumbled as she remembered that while the King had been known for entertaining women, nothing of the sort had been mentioned since his parents died. Either they were idle rumors, or he had at least put a pause on things to mourn his loss. Flora didn't really like the latter of the two options.
Lady Martha began to speak again, but was interrupted by a loud cough. Flora turned around to find King Erick had come out into the hall, and was standing much closer to her than she realized. How did he do that? How had I not noticed him? Flora nearly panicked at the sight of him staring down his Aunt, his eyes pure malice as he confronted her.
"I don't believe I called for you, Aunt." Erick's voice was colder than ice, and Flora inched just a touch to her left, out of the path of the two dragons. Lady Martha scoffed.
"It is tradition to eat dinner with your family, but I see you were too occupied with other things." Lady Martha threw the accusation at his feet, and King Erick bristled at it.
"I suppose dinner without you constitutes as a passing fancy then?" He retorted, making it clear that he had heard their conversation. Lady Martha began to speak but Erick held his hand up for silence, and she wisely obeyed. "I do not care for your recent behavior, and I care even less for your baseless accusations. It would seem I need tor remind you that your stay here is optional, and that I do not need to keep you here." King Erick's voice was harder than stone and colder than a winter storm as he stared down his aunt, shoulders squared and eyes full of fury.
The two stood like that for what seemed like an eternity, Flora and the guards saying nothing. Eventually, Lady Martha broke and bowed to her king. "As you wish, Your Majesty." She drawled out the last two words, keeping low in her bow until Erick dismissed her with a sharp flick of his head. He watched her leave, one predator assessing another, before returning to his room. He barely acknowledged Flora or the guards, and as the door shut behind him Flora was left with a pit in her stomach.
When Flora returned to her own rooms, the feeling hadn't gone away. Anxiety and worry ate away at her as she pulled off her clothes and got ready for bed. Spot was lounging on the corner of her bed, fast asleep. She had noticed the new teeth marks on the foot of the bed, and made a note to get some chew toys and rub spice on all the furniture before she left him unattended again.
With a sigh she fell into her bed, Spot lifting his head at the disturbance. He quickly made his way over to her and plopped down next to her, curling up in the crook of her armpit. Flora wrapped around him and fell into an uneasy sleep, dreaming of farms, fires, and dragons.
When Flora awoke the next day she was almost glad to see that she was not invited to breakfast again. Not that the food wasn't good, but she did not want to see the aftermath of last night's battle of the wills. She was sure that the whole castle must have heard by now, and Flora wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.
Pulling herself into a fresh pair of work clothes, she grabbed the rope she used as Spot's leash and brought the puppy with her as she got ready for the day. She found a back hall that lead to the kitchens where she quickly grabbed something for herself and Spot to eat before heading out for the day, getting an early start on evaluating the animals and training.
As she ate her biscuit, she examined her schedule for the day. Flora noted that scribbled in between the printed lines were times to meet with Leon about the upcoming Spring Inspection, and Flora felt dread in the pit of her stomach as she realized she was another day closer to having to go out for the long trip. She knew her family farm was usually the last to be visited, which gave her plenty of time to think of something to say to her father and brother, but so far nothing felt adequate enough.
With Spot happily following her, Flora led the puppy out of the castle and to the royal stables to tack up Condor and ride out for work today. On the way, she noted that several of the servants had given her suspicious glances, and a few of the younger girls even hid giggles behind their hands. By the gods, I hope Lady Martha hasn't said anything. Flora gritted her teeth, positively sure that the Lady had spread some rumor to tarnish Flora's image to the rest of the castle staff. Flora pushed through it, making her way to the barn and heading inside.
"You're here awful early." A voice called from inside, and Flora turned to see old Leon down the aisle, brushing his aging palomino stallion. The horse gave a gentle nicker as Flora walked over to Leon. "I wasn't expecting to see anyone out here at this time of day." He commented, returning to brushing his horse.
"I can say the same to you." Flora replied, and Leon nearly cackled a laugh.
"After yesterday I decided breakfast on my own is much preferred to that old crone." Flora nearly gasped at his insult towards Lady Martha. While she held a similar sentiment, she would never risk saying it lest someone overhear and punish her for it. Leon saw the panicked look on her face and only laughed harder. "What do you think she's gonna do to me? Hang me? I'd like to see the old hag try!" Leon fell into a barking laughter, and his horse merely snorted as if to say just another day for him. Flora made a small strangled noise at the thought of Leon being hanged for insulting a woman, but quickly shook her head clear of the thoughts.
"Ah, well seeing as 'yer here I might as well give you some instruction on the Spring Inspection." Leon returned to a more serious attitude, brushing his horse while speaking to Flora. "It's really not that hard. You go out, you talk to some cranky farmers, evaluate their animals, and go home." Leon said it with such frankness that Flora nearly believed it really was that easy, until he continued. "Usually you take a handful of farm hands with yah' to get an accurate accounting of everything, and it makes the overall evaluation quicker. I don't imagine you'll have many with you seeing as it's on such short notice, but I'm sure you'll get by." He finished, going around his horse to brush the stallion's other side.
Flora suddenly did not feel so sure. She could just imagine trekking along the countryside, alone, and having to deal with the cranky farmers and recording the livestock of the kingdom. She knew it was an important job, the kingdom relied heavily on its export of animal and farm goods, but the idea of doing it alone was no solace.
"Ah I see that look on your face." Leon said from over the back of the horse. Before Flora could deny it, he shook his head and continued. "Don't think that lonesome king of ours will let you go alone. It's too dangerous. Besides, he hasn't gone these last few years, so he might go with you himself." Leon said with a surety that both comforted and distressed Flora at the same time. Doing the tedious task of animal counting with someone was surely better than doing it alone, but being alone with the King for two weeks was not something she looked forward to. Nearly every moment with him had been a mixed bag, and Flora did not need the anxiety of what's gonna happen next on her shoulders for the arduous task ahead of her.
Flora breathed a sigh through her nose, trying to hide her feelings. "I suppose you're right. Thanks for the help." Was all she said before tying Spot to a post along the wall and getting Condor out of his stall.
"Of course I am." Leon said with a chuckle. "How else do you think I stayed here this long?" His chuckle turned into a laugh as he finished up caring for his horse. "But I'll let ya go now, I'm sure you have a very busy day, especially after such a long night." Leon left with a wink that left Flora confused and baffled. Is he referring to the fight between Lady Martha and King Erick? But he wouldn't wink unless he thought I had something to do with it. Unless… Flora's thoughts traded into waters she did not want to explore, and quickly tacked up Condor and got him ready for the day.
Flora spent the rest of her day much like the one before. She examined the progress of the dog training, this time taking the adults out for a short hunt in the King's game park. They made swift work of catching a large turkey, and Flora was glad to bring in something useful for a change. She still shivered at the thought of the fox pelt from her hunt only a few days ago, which now sat on the mantle of her fireplace. A part of her wished to burn it, but knew it would only be a waste.
Returning to the kitchens with the large turkey, the staff were delighted. Flora learned that the bird they had planned for the dinner tonight had mysteriously disappeared this morning, and Flora couldn't help but think of a possible puppy-dog who might have been responsible for it.
Flora also noted that some of the staff gave her similar looks to the ones she got this morning, and a feeling of dread and worry once again filled the pit of her stomach and squeezed her heart. She paid them no mind, returning to Condor and Spot outside to continue her work for the day.
Eventually it came time for her to fill in at the cow barn, as Barn Manager Irene still had not found someone to fill in for the third milking station. Flora tied both Condor and Spot outside, the puppy whining at being left alone. She gave him a hearty pat before entering the cow barn. Taking off her heavier work jacket, she grabbed a stool and bucket before getting to work.
She didn't notice it at first but the other two girls - Myrtle and Ida - were much more quiet than usual. Flora didn't mind, getting right to work and keeping to herself as she usually did. That is until the quiet settled in, and she could almost feel the girls staring at her. Flora paused, turning in her seat to address them.
"Is something the matter?" She asked, not nervous necessarily but certainly wary. The two gave each other a knowing look before smiling. Flora became nervous at hat.
"So what was it like?" Ida blurted, excitement fizzing across her entire being as she looked at Flora expectantly.
"I'm sorry?" Flora, at a loss, did not know how else to respond. Lost in her work as she was, she hadn't quite caught onto Ida's meaning just yet. Ida gave a knowing look to Myrtle.
"You know, last night?" Myrtle prompted, looking just as conspiratorial as Ida. Flora frowned, her thoughts going right to the argument between Lady Martha and King Erick.
"Well, I suppose it could have gone better." Flora muttered, her mood soured by the idea of running into Martha again. Living in the castle now, there was a very real possibility that Lady Martha could find her at any time of the day just to berate her. Ida and Myrtle looked taken aback, the two nearly gasping in unison.
"Really?" Ida exclaimed.
"Could have gone better? With the King?" Myrtle sounded equally shocked. It was only then that it dawned on Flora exactly what they meant. Her face turned beet red with flush as she realized what they were talking about, and how she hadn't caught on until just now.
"What? No! That's not- I mean, that didn't-" Flora knew her stuttering only made things worse, and by now her reputation would be forever marred by one rumor. One rumor spread by a salty old hag. Flora dropped her head into her hands, resigned to this new fate of hers. She would be getting side-eyed looks for months, she could already see it. The girls only laughed.
"So it was good then?" Myrtle asked with a mischievous grin. Ida giggled, and Flora only moaned in despair.
"I don't want to talk about it." Flora muttered, returning to her work. The girls laughed and giggled, until they abruptly stopped.
Flora turned to see that Irene had come into the barn. With her hands on her hips, and a foul expression, she asked "And what are we all giggling so much for?" Flora knew it was a rhetorical question, and kept to her work, but the two girls gaped and floundered for a response. "No! I don't want to hear it!" Irene held up her hands at the two girls and they quieted. Irene turned to Flora.
"And you!" Irene pointed her finger at Flora and she started, surprised at the way Irene addressed her. "I don't know what all this nonsense is I hear about you but don't think it makes you any better than the rest of us." Irene shook her finger at Flora like a parent scolding a child. Flora was at a loss for words. Her only response was to give a silent nod and go back to work, before realizing she technically held rank over Irene. At that point she didn't have the energy to care anymore, and continued to milk the rest of the cows in silence.
King Erick sat in silence at the dinner table that night. His two youngest sisters had arrived earlier this day, and so they held dinner in the dining hall that night. Several courtiers had joined them, none of whom Erick bothered to remember.
Esther was seated to his left, with Grace and Alice seated in a row next to her. The three looked like they were already conspiring something mischievous, casting glances at Dante who sat to Erick's right, who only smiled back. Erick sighed, knowing he should be glad for having most of his family with him but already tired of their games. They didn't play practical jokes like Dante, but rather pulled the strings of the court for more entertaining jokes.
Erick nearly grimaced at the thought of what had happened last time his sisters got together like this. Somehow, probably with a lot of help from Esther, the three had managed to not only set up a party in the castle without his parents' knowing, they had also crowned Erick the King of Fools. His parents got a good laugh from it, and Balder even more so. To this day they still won't let him forget it.
The dinner table around him was busy with chatter, and more than once he heard Flora's name brought up. He knew that it had first been brought up over the large turkey that the kitchen staff brought in. By now he knew something else was up, and had listened more carefully to what those around him had to say. He couldn't help but notice the smug look his Aunt had, and he had a fairly good idea of exactly what she had done to Flora by now.
He knew that deep down his care for Flora was more than a reasonable amount. It was definitely more than what a king should feel for anyone who worked under him, even if she was formally a part of his court now. He also knew that he had to put those feelings aside, knowing the damage that can be done to her reputation if he didn't. Erick mulled over this, quietly keeping to himself during his dinner, when Dante turned to speak to him.
"Is it true you fucked the stable girl?" Dante whispered with a sly grin.
Erick inhaled the food he was eating, throwing him into a coughing fit. Dante burst into laughter while the conversation at the table came to a halt. Erick's sisters and Aunt looked horror stricken, and the other guests mirrored their expressions. Erick went from coughing to choking, and the panic seized around him as memories from three months ago resurfaced.
Erick didn't hear or see when both Dante and Grace rushed to his side, the world going dark as the two came to help him. He wasn't fully aware when Dante pulled him out of his chair and began squeezing his chest, or when Grace used her healing magic to help him recover. All Erick remembered was choking one moment, and being on the floor the next moment. Erick glared at Dante, who rightfully shrunk beneath his gaze, guilt plastered his face and body.
Erick pulled himself up, looking at the dinner guests who bore a mixture of shock and relief, and possibly a little guilt. "I find I've lost my appetite." He grumbled before leaving the room, Dante following a step behind him. The room was silent, even after they left, and Erick took his time going down the hall before turning on Dante.
"Why would you say that?" He demanded in a tone that was lethally quiet. Erick knew the walls had ears, and he didn't want anyone to hear him fighting with the Captain of the Royal Guard.
"Erick, I didn't mean- I'm sorry, I was just playing. I didn't know." Dante was quiet in his response, his face pale and eyes sincere. Erick knew it was an accident, but the memory of being poisoned still haunted him and anger at the memory and fear still gripped his heart. When he didn't respond, Dante looked genuinely afraid, as if Erick would punish him.
Erick heavily sighed. "I know." Was all he said. What else could I say? His one joke nearly killed me. Perhaps he'll find a way to make it funny later but right now… Erick didn't want to think about it anymore, and changed the subject. "Nothing happened last night. I invited her for dinner to make up for breakfast. That was all." Erick schooled his expression and voice to remain neutral. Even though he knew it would hurt his friend to be so distant, the only other option right now was to be angry, and that would only make things worse.
"Really?" Erick couldn't tell if Dante was genuinely interested or teasing again, but he followed Erick as he continued down the halls to his room. "Esther told me she left you two alone intentionally. Said she had a 'good feeling' about you two." So she had bailed. Erick clenched his jaw in frustration.
"Did she now?" He replied through gritted teeth. Dante still looked nervous, but did smile at the implication of a sibling rivalry.
"I assumed she saw something in Flora's past, or maybe yours." Dante wiggled his eyebrows at Erick and Erick simply rolled his eyes in return. He knew that part of Esther's winter magic let her see into the past of others, but did not appreciate it when she looked into his own past. Some things were done privately for a reason.
Erick paused as the two reached the double doors to his room. He turned to Dante, giving him a hard look. "Whatever those girls are planning, I do not want to find out that you're in on it. Understand?" Dante feigned shock and hurt as he responded to Erick.
"What! Me? I would never!" Dante shook his head vigorously as if it would shake away and doubt that Erick had in him. Erick rolled his eyes so hard he thought his head would roll with them.
"Just, don't make it worse." Erick opened the door to his room, resignation already settling over his heart.
"Don't worry, I'll keep 'em in line." Dante mocked a solute towards a very grumpy looking King Erick before turning to leave.
Making his way to the washroom, Erick found himself exhausted but unable to calm his racing mind. Even after dipping into a tub of warm water, he couldn't stop thinking. He found that his thoughts kept circling back to his Beast Master. He couldn't stop thinking about Flora Acker.