Flora had hoped the rest of her day would go uneventful, but unfortunately Disen - the lion goddess of fate - had other plans. To be fair, it had started out well. After letting Spot out of the bathroom, who was very glad to make himself known by howling his excitement, Flora had decided to soak in the bath.
The bathroom itself was very pleasant, not too large or too small. The floors were of a clean white and gentle blue tile with a matching patterned wallpaper. The bathtub was made of a pristine white ceramic with smooth wooden handles and even one of the new shower heads was attached to the front. The toilet and sink matched the tub, full equipped with modern amenities.
Flora let out a relieved sigh as she dipped into the warm water of the tub, letting the steam wash over her. Her racing mind finally settled, but her heart did not. The ramifications of the last hour had finally settled like a great boulder on her shoulders, and her heart strained with the weight of it.
When she had first been employed at the castle, being anything but the least experienced farm hand was all she dreamed of. As she progressed, being the Beast Master had occupied her whole life.
Now she got the job. So why don't I feel… Done? Flora's mind turned this over and over as she processed the events of the last few weeks. Maybe I just need more time to settle in. Would that be hard with Erick? Her thoughts drifted to what exactly her king wanted. Well, she knew a little bit more about that now, but the thought of being with the King romantically left a lot of… Questions.
Flora had slowly been going through the many thoughts plaguing her mind when she heard a knock on her door. Before she could say anything, Spot jumped up and ran to the door with his signature hound bark-howl.
"Just a moment!" Flora had to practically howl herself as she spoke over the dog. Rushing out of the tub she felt the tug and pull of her healing injury, causing Flora to double over as she rushed to dry off and throw some clothes on.
Whoever was at the door was not patient enough as Flora heard the opening creak and slamming shut of the door to her main room. Flora hurried to make herself presentable. Who could even be here in the middle of the day? I mean, anyone I guess, but to come in unannounced like that… Flora was just tying her hair up when she opened the bathroom door to her entry room.
In the main room of her housing, Flora found a very flustered Healer Ethel and a rather cantankerous Lady Martha. Flora hurriedly brushed herself down in a failed attempt to look put together as her face heated up with embarrassment. "Please forgive my appearance, I wasn't expecting any visitors." Flora said quietly as Spot came to sit beside her.
"And you shouldn't have." Healer Ethel shot a glare in Lady Martha's direction. Martha simply sniffed in disdain before looking down her nose at Flora.
"I have come to confirm a few things, Miss Acker." Lady Martha had a way of making Flora's name sound like someone to be dismissed upon arrival, something that no one could give a care for. Flora tried not to let it show how much it disheartened her.
"Ah, well, let me show you a seat then." Flora did her best not to look Lady Martha in the eye. She had a feeling she might be turned into stone if she did. Flora led the two women to the seating area by the large fire at the end of the room.
As they sat down Flora asked, "What exactly is it you wanted to know?" Politeness decreed that she look at the people she spoke to, but to her understanding it also spoke of never looking directly at your betters. Flora worried over the conflicting social standards as she looked between both of the women seated before her.
"I heard your injury was most grievous." Lady Martha said in her flat tone.
"Well, yes-" Flora was cut off as Healer Ethel spoke over her.
"I have already told you of this, you even looked over the poor girl's medical charts." Ethel informed in a very exasperated tone. Flora couldn't help the look of shock as she processed that tidbit of information.
"Regardless," Lady Martha continued. "I want proof. I want a good reason for my nephew to shirk his duties and ignore his family." With that last bit she gave Flora an especially demeaning glare, and it was hard not to shrink under it.
"I… suppose. Most of it has healed now." Flora informed Lady Martha as she slowly unbuttoned her jacket. If I just show her the scar maybe she'll be happy and leave. Flora's hands were shaky with uncertainty. She hadn't really looked at the injury herself, choosing to willfully ignore the long stretch across her abdomen. The thought of it - and how she got - still made her sick.
"Really Martha," Healer Esther started with an exasperated sigh. "You saw the condition Erick was in, leave the poor girl alone." The healer leveled a stare at Martha, who returned an equally withering stare of her own.
Flora hurried to open up the rest of her buttons to show the women her scar. Please leave, please don't stay here. Flora's anxiety had strengthened it's grip on her heart as she pulled away the layers of clothing and saw her scar for the first time.
The wound had mostly healed, that much was certain. There was a long and wicked line that cut the entire width and length of Flora's ribs and stomach. The skin was still red and angry in many parts, the center of it raised as the body tried to knit itself back together. Flora felt her stomach flip and her face go pale as she quickly looked away. I shouldn't have looked. Flora thought miserably as she held on to whatever contents remained in her stomach.
Ethel quietly got up and went to Flora's side, giving Lady Martha yet another glare. "Are you satisfied?" She asked sourly, quickly applying some of her healing magic to ease Flora's discomfort.
Lady Martha sniffed in contempt as she looked Flora up and down. "Not yet." The King's Aunt said with a flick of her wrist.
In one small gesture, Flora was doubled over in pain. It felt as if her healing wound was slowly ripping itself apart and the pain of it chased out all other thoughts as Flora gasped in pain.
"Martha!" The Healer exclaimed, making to move towards Lady Martha. However, Ethel froze, looking as if she were fighting some invisible restraint. If Flora hadn't already been warned of the fearsome power held by the shifters and their magic, now was a good reminder.
"I don't believe my nephew would bond with a worm like this." Lady Martha's voice was dripping with venom as she got up from her seat, standing over Flora's hunched-over form. "You don't deserve this job, let alone a place next to my nephew." The dragon shifter leaned closed to Flora's face as she said this, the pain in Flora's stomach increasing as she did so.
With a click of her tongue, Lady Martha swept out of the room. Healer Ethel fell to the floor as if released from an invisible grip. Flora felt herself slipping off her chair as she hunched over herself, clutching with both arms as the pain washed over her.
The next few moments were a blur as Flora focused on breathing and not panicking. Spot came up to her side, letting out a small whine as he watched her. Healer Ethel had gone out as well, but Flora stopped caring as she narrowed her attention on just gritting through the pain. She felt the wet drip of blood slick her hands, and tucked that information to the furthest back of her mind.
Then Ethel was back, and there were others with her. Flora quietly followed the Healer's instructions as she helped Flora back to her room. Ethel quickly guided the others around her and in what felt like moments, Flora was cleaned up, wrapped up, and her wound had stopped bleeding.
"What… What was that?" Flora's voice was groggy as Spot jumped onto the bed to lie beside her. She absentmindedly rested a hand on his head, letting the warmth of him comfort her.
Ethel didn't answer right away, instead she cleaned up her tools and equipment. "A magic not often seen, and used much less than that." Ethel finally said in a quiet voice, not looking directly at Flora.
Flora's eyebrows scrunched in consternation. "What do you mean?" Flora asked this, despite feeling her body slowly drift to sleep.
"Lady Martha is gifted with blood magic, the darker side of the Dusk-Dawn alignment." The healer sounded almost defeated, and Flora couldn't help but feel bad for her. She wasn't quite sure why though, after all it wasn't Ethel's fault.
"You should get some rest, and I need to check on the King." Healer Ethel said in a clipped voice as she picked up her healer's bag and moved to leave.
Flora couldn't help but ask one more question before she slipped into oblivion. "Why?"
Ethel turned to look over at Flora. "Because he's your selfrund." She informed Flora before leaving.
Flora woke back up some time later. Her brain felt fogged over as she turned to read the clock on her nightstand. She strained to see the hour when she heard a knocking on her door. Much like last time, Spot jumped off the bed and ran howling to the door.
Flora groaned as she forced herself to sit up. "Just a moment!" She called out over the dog's noise. This time, she did not rush to get dressed, and neither did the visitor force themselves in.
Flora moved slower than before, the freshly scabbed wound burning as she pulled on some more formal clothes. Maybe I should just take the rest of the month off at this rate. She thought bitterly as she made her way to the door.
Flora opened to find Leon standing there, his usual grouchy expression plastered on his face. Spot went from guard dog to puppy dog like the flip of a switch, wagging his tail and painting happily at the sight of the Old Beast Master.
"Don't think we've become bust buds or nothing." The old lion shifter told the dog as he bent down to give Spot a scratch on the chin. After giving Spot a hearty pat on the head, Leon stood back up with a small disgruntled groan.
"I just came by to check on ya'." Leon said with his grizzled voice. "I can't have ya' resting on the job so soon." It sounded very similar to how he would speak to her when she had first started working at the castle grounds, and for some reason it made her smile. It reminded her of a much simpler time when her only goal was to take care of the animals.
"Oh, thanks, I think?" Flora couldn't help but tease Leon a little. She had gotten to know him well enough over the years, and she was glad to see a familiar face after the chaotic events of the day.
"Don't thank me yet." Leon replied gruffly. "I was asked to see if yer well enough for dinner with guests." The crease in his brow told her that either he didn't think she should go, or that he himself didn't want to go. Either way, Flora wasn't sure she could really say no.
Flora took a brief moment to really assess how she felt. Leon didn't say anything but he kept up his sour expression. I'm not terribly hungry, but I'm not all that sore anymore. At least, not as much as I would expect to be. Flora considered her options.
If she went, she would risk insulting those around her if she didn't eat anything. If she didn't go, that would also insult whoever was visiting and may be expecting her, especially after telling King Erick she would go. However, he must have heard of what his Aunt had done and probably wasn't expecting her.
Leon rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Maybe I'll just tell them you were sleeping." Leon suggested. Flora shook her head at the idea of the response that would garner.
"No, I can make it." Flora replied. She would just have to play her cards right and make it through the night.
"Alrighty then, let's get going." Leon said with a much less enthusiastic tune than the line would imply. Flora looked over at the clock in her room to realize that it was, in fact, dinner time. She had managed to sleep through most of the day again.
Flora made sure to leave Spot in the bathroom - where he couldn't destroy anything - before hurrying after Leon. It took more effort than it should have, seeing as he walked at an elderly leisurely pace, and yet she was still tired from the effort.
By the time they made it to the dining hall, Flora was in no better shape. She stopped before entering to take a moment to breathe and settle her clothes back into place. Leon gave her a look that was far too sympathetic for someone like him. She gave him a wary smile before they went in.
The dining hall was much more jubilant than it usually was. All the lights were on, their little glass orbs glowing like miniature suns, and candles were lit on decorative candelabras that had been placed along the table. The table itself was full of guests, including nearly all of the various masters of the realm as well as several visiting dignitaries from the kingdom of Vygilslan from the North. That included their king, Balder, draped over his chair at one end of the table.
Leon took his seat beside the Crop Master, who looked pleased to see the old Beast Master. Flora moved in the same direction when she realized the table was nearly full, save for one seat on the end. So not only was she late, Flora was also seated directly next to King Erick.
Flora tried her best to hide her flush as she made her way next to him. She could feel the eyes of everyone at her back, especially Lady Martha's as Flora passed her chair. Flora sat to the left of Erick with a quiet apology.
"Don't fret over it." Erick said with a wave of his hand. His face was controlled into it's usual passive expression, but Flora could see the mix of emotions dancing behind his eyes. A little part of her could swear she almost shared those emotions as he looked at her then, but it all swept away when he turned back to those assembled.
To Erick's right was Captain Dante Anderson, and next to Flora were Erick's sisters. Interspersed between them all were several dragons, unicorns, and what Flora assumed to be King Balder's bear shifter relatives. There were very few humans at the table, none of which were without magic. Flora had never brought this to the forefront of her mind until now, after everything that had happened. Maybe there really is a reason for change if so many people are being born without magic. Flora felt almost treacherous for having such a thought as the people around her got ready to eat.
Servants quickly brought out large silver platters and set them on the table, opening them to reveal steaming hot food. The platters were full of rich hot food like duck, goose, steaming vegetables, and even a pig. Flora couldn't help but be amazed as they swiftly began cutting and serving to the guests around them.
"I'm glad you could make it." Lady Esther's voice comes from next to her, and Flora turns to see the princess smiling at her. "I'm sure you're also glad to finally be out of that stuffy room, am I right?" Esther asked with a smile.
Flora couldn't help but relax in her presence, there was something comforting about the way Esther spoke with her, rather than to her. "Yeah, it's nice to stretch my legs a little." Flora replied with an equal smile of her own.
Esther nodded approvingly. "Very good." She replied before turning to her plate of food, now filled with various cuts of meat and hot vegetables.
Flora turned to her own plate, filled rather generously. While the smell of it enticed her to eat, there was still a stiffness that refused to leave. She did her best to eat as those around her dove in, quickly moving into easy conversations with those around them.
The night started off easy. Conversations picked around various topics from the new automobile, to new sources of magically enhanced engineering, onto more mundane things such as trade and commerce.
It seemed all well and good, but Flora couldn't help but notice the uneasy glances shared between the dragon and unicorn shifters, some of which turned downright hostile. Erick seemed well trained in keeping the two contained as he guided the conversations around him as if speaking were a magical skill unto itself.
That was when his Aunt Martha spoke up. Can't she just let well enough alone? Fora caught herself thinking, realizing belatedly that there might be more than one person in the room gifted with Night Magic.
"Erick," She started, foregoing his formal title. "Don't you have an announcement to make?" The question was pointed, and caused several of the guests to look around in confusion as the conversation died down.
"Well, now that you mention it dear Aunt," Erick's voice was that lethal calm as he cleaned his hands on a towel. "There is something I would like to say." Erick looked up at the table before him, the picture of regal grace as his face set into hard lines and the light glinted off his golden horns and accompanying crown.
"I think it's time for a new ambassador from the dragon clan." Erick said in a voice that reached the whole table. Flora could see his brother Balder smirking on the other end. Lady Martha looked flabbergasted. "I think it would be best to have one that's more… agreeable." He shot a glare at his aunt.
"One that doesn't interrupt me as I'm speaking." His voice turned to a near growl as he cut off whatever his aunt had been about to say. "I'm sure Grandmother would find someone suitable." Erick finished, looking down at the most elderly dragon shifter there. That must be his grandmother, the matriarch of the dragon clan. Flora thought with a shiver. The woman simply bowed her head, and the guests resumed their dinner from there.
Flora returned to her own plate when she saw that Lady Martha was practically shooting daggers at her with a malevolent stare. Flora barely had a moment to say anything before she felt that familiar ripping of her skin. Erick flinched in his seat before looking over at his aunt.
"Is there another matter you wished to discuss?" Lady Martha said in an all too sweet voice. The table had gone silent as Flora bent over herself, one hand clutching the table and the other wrapped around her side. She squeezed her eyes shut and grit her teeth as she breathed through the pain.
Can this really be happening again? All on the same day? Flora's heart sunk into despair as the pain worsened, and she could feel the wetness of blood oozing through her shirt. Lights flickered and candles guttered as King Erick rose to address the table.
"I don't know why you think this is in any way appropriate," The King started, his hands fisting on the table so hard his knuckles turned white. As he spoke, several candles went out and the lights dimmed. Panic rose not just in Flora but in those around her as their worried expressions turned into something more like fear.
"But attempting to kill a member of my court is punishable by law." Erick's voice was laced with ice, his eyes looking like a dark lake that had frosted over. As he spoke, his sister Grace quietly got up and knelt beside Flora. Her healing magic took away the sting of the pain, but Lady Martha was clearly combating it as her body stiffened with the focus.
"I want you to admit to it." Martha ground out between clenched teeth. "You've been courting a peasant girl with no magic-"
"You have no say in the matter." Erick cut her off. Several of the party members shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. Flora could swear she heard one of the unicorns make a comment about "typical dragons." Grace was still working hard by her side, but Flora noted that blood still flowed freely, soaking her shirt and jacket. That was when she felt a small tug as dark shadows pulled around her midsection, staunching the blood as best as materialized darkness could. Maybe this is just all one bad dream. Flora thought miserably.
"Admit that this girl is your selfrund, that you won't deny her and marry someone proper of your station." Martha's voice came loud and clear, and yet Flora felt as if she were somewhere far away. Selfrund? Marry? What is she talking about? Flora's mind raced through the conversations she had had today. She had never thought Erick's intentions had gone so far, but to be fair she hadn't even considered it going that far. The idea of such a thing, mixed with the events of the day, became a crushing weight so heavy it became hard to breathe.
"And what exactly does that accomplish right now?" Erick's voice turned into a low growl as he snarled at his aunt. More candles snuffed out and the guests looked torn between panicking and staying out of a curiosity too strong to ignore.
"And don't bring up your past miseries." Erick curled his lip in disgust as he looked down on his aunt. "I will not live my life by your fears." That statement seemed to break her, as Lady Martha leaped up from her seat to face her nephew.
"How dare you!" Lady Martha practically yelled from where she stood. "I have done nothing but stop you from making a grave mistake!" As her anger boiled, Flora felt the tear in her gut go wider, and she nearly fell from her seat as she clutched at the pain.
Esther made it a point to noisily stand up from her chair and turn to help Flora. More comments fluttered down the table as Esther gently put her arms under Flora and helped her up, her sister Grace assisting on the other side. Alice sat in her seat, hands clasped tightly together and worry etched across her face.
"I want you gone by morning." Erick said very quietly, his face pale and eyes sharp. Flora almost didn't hear him despite being right next to him. Lady Martha's face became indignant as she gasped at the statement. "You're dismissed, now." Erick told her before she could say anything else.
Lady Martha didn't say a word, but the muscles of her face ticked as she clearly had much more that she wanted to say. Flora didn't see much of the rest as Esther and Grace helped her out of the room, Alice following closely behind. The pain of her wound had gone down, but she couldn't tell if the bleeding had stopped wrapped in darkness as it was.
It felt like both ages and just moments that Flora traveled down the hallway with the two women helping her. Then they were in her room, Spot making his usual calls from the other side of the bathroom door. Esther made a snort that Flora assumed was a laugh as Alice let the dog out, who immediately rushed to Flora's side. Flora gave the dog a weak smile before heading to her bedroom.
No one said anything as Esther and Grace helped Flora, the band of shadows disappearing with a touch of a hand. Flora let herself relax as Grace healed her wound. Grace seemed to strain under the effort, a bead of sweat building on her brow as she swiftly knitted Flora's skin and flesh back together. Perhaps that's why they took so long. Flora thought as Grace seemed to be losing strength in the speed of her work.
"Is this what it's like? The court?" Flora asked quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper. Esther looked to Grace, who was still focused on Flora's wound, before replying.
"It wasn't usually like this." Esther's voice was solemn as she replied. "Not until our parents passed." She said quietly, not giving any more of an explanation. Flora could feel tears swell as she began to process the emotions she had pushed down this entire day.
"I want to go home." Flora said quietly. She knew that there wasn't much of a home to go back to, but she missed the simplicity of it. This new world she found herself in was much more than she had expected, and the events of today had practically swept her away by this point. She yearned for a time when her father was home, her mother was home, and felt like she was truly home. Like she had somewhere she belonged, with people she loved and who loved her back.
Esther put a gentle hand on Flora's arm. "I know." She said quietly, giving a gentle squeeze of affirmation before stepping back. Grace gave a heavy sigh as she finished working on Flora's wound, taking a heavy seat in one of the chairs in Flora's room. Alice took a seat beside her sister, and Spot came up to lie down at the foot of Flora's bed. Esther gave a shake of her head before speaking to her sisters.
"If we're going to stay here, it would be better if we stayed in the guest room." Esther emphasized. Alice gave a quiet nod, her eyes distant, as she got up and followed her older sister. Grace slowly got out of her chair, clearly exhausted, and followed the two out of Flora's room.
Flora could almost feel the silence bearing down on her, her mind pressing in with all of her unasked questions that only lead to more problems. What was her father's fate? What about her brother Ben? Would court life be like this all the time? Was it worth it? Flora felt her heart race as her fears mounted. That was when Erick came in.
The King gently rapped the frame of her door with his knuckles, an apologetic look on his face. Flora gave a small welcome as she sat up, disrupting Spot as she did so. Erick gave her a small dismissive wave.
"Don't get up on my account." He said with a wry smile. Flora wasn't entirely sure how to react. She returned a small smile of her own, but it didn't feel genuine. Erick seemed to notice as his own smile fell back to a sympathetic apology. He sat at the foot of her bed, looking down at his clasped hands.
"I wanted to apologize for today. For everything." Erick said very quietly, not looking away from his hands. Flora got the feeling that he was clutching them much tighter than he needed to, but maybe that was the point. Erick took a deep breath before continuing. "I realize it was a lot, especially in such a short time." He gave her a guilty side eye as he waited for a response.
Flora swallowed hard before responding. "I… I don't know if I want to do this anymore." She said very quietly. When he gave her a pained look, she explained. "This job I mean, it's just been… a lot." Flora finished quietly. Erick looked away for a moment.
"Why don't you take some time off tomorrow?" Erick suggested, turning to face Flora. "I'll make sure you have some money on hand and you can go out?" Flora wasn't quite sure how to answer at first. There was something hopeful in Erick's eyes as he looked at her. On one hand, it was a very wonderful prospect. On the other hand, was this an overly generous offer?
Flora didn't answer right away, rather she asked a question. "What will happen to my father?" Her voice wavered and puttered out by the end, and she wasn't sure if Erick even heard her until he answered a moment later. He looked down at his hands again when he finally answered her.
"The masters of the court have decided, based on the evidence, that he must be executed, and the farm destroyed." Erick's voice was quiet and solemn, and Flora wanted to believe that she simply misheard him. When he looked at her with eyes glassy with unshed tears, she knew it was true.
"He's- He's going to die?" Flora fought back tears as she spoke. "On… Evidence of what, exactly?" Flora's heart raced at the thought of her father dead and her home gone. Erick sighed, a sound that was heavy and laced with hard emotions.
"A lot has happened in three years, Flora." He looked back at her again, remorse written across the lines of his face. "I tried Flora, I really did." His voice was thick with emotion, his throat bobbing as he swallowed them back.
Flora on the other hand, did not hold them back. She felt the cold sting as hot tears streamed down her face. A few tears turned into many as Flora couldn't hold it back anymore. She tried to choke back her cries when Erick moved closer, drawing her into his arms. Something snapped in her as she let go into full sobs, her body shaking with it. Erick pulled her tighter against his chest, her tears wetting the front of his shirt.
Eventually, Flora quieted down. Erick was gently rubbing her head and shoulders in comforting patterns, easing her pain. "Could you stay tonight?" She asked, not wanting to be let go. She felt his warm breath as he held her closer, his chin resting on the top of her head.
"I'll stay." Was all he said. Flora soon fell asleep like that, tears soaking her face and shoulder as Erick held her in his arms. Erick gently put Flora to bed, quietly settling in beside her. Despite the trials of the day, or maybe because of them, Flora slept well at Erick's side that night.