Flora stared at the fire and what had happened. How could Cassandra and Krystal be so cruel? How could she become so violent towards Krystal? Did she even deserve Helia? Flora knew that she could never be the wife that Helia wanted or needed. He was better off marrying Krystal, someone with a higher social standing and an actual lady. Krystal would become queen of Linphea and Flora would stay at the manor with the other servants. Flora liked this idea better, she would be able to read her father's books all that she wanted and tend to the garden.
Flora's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a slam of the door and Musa and Riven walk into the sitting room. Flora turned around and looked at the two.
"I thought Cassandra kicked you out?" Flora said through a broken voice.
"She did, and she has kicked me out thousand of other times. Has that ever stopped me before? Besides she and Krystal just left." Riven said.
"Were they the ones who slammed the door?" Flora asked.
"Yes, I snuck Riven in through the kitchen window. I think that he was waiting for you." Musa explained.
"Oh." Flora quietly said and turned her face back to the fire.
"Come now, Flora. You should cheer up a bit. I know that this is hard but I am sure that the prince would not want to see a sad face." Musa said.
"I am not going to see the prince anymore. I can't see him. It is all too much. I will tell him that." Flora replied looking up at Musa with tear stained cheeks.
"That is crazy, Flora!" Riven exclaimed. "You love him and if the prince has spent this long around you, then I am certain that he has fallen in love with you."
"He has fallen in love with someone that I am not. He has fallen in love with Alyssa, my mother." Flora sighed.
"I don't see your mother anywhere. He loves you, Flora." Riven said as he knelt down next to Flora.
"He will find out the truth about me and I will go back to be dirty orphan Flora. He deserves someone so much more than that. I need to tell him so that we may both get on with our lives." Flora said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Riven sighed and stood up when there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Musa said as she walked over to the door.
Musa sighed and opened the door to reveal Prince Helia.
"Your highness, what do we owe this pleasure? I am sorry to say that Krystal has gone off for the evening." Musa said.
"I am not here for Krystal. I request an audience with Alyssa." Helia stated.
"I will go and tell her that you are here. Please wait right here, your highness." Musa smiled and closed the door. Musa ran back into the sitting room where Flora still knelt by the fire.
"Who was it?" Riven asked.
"It's Prince Helia looking for Flora, well Alyssa." Musa said.
Flora's eyes widened and she quickly stood up and brushed the dirt off of her brown tattered dress.
"Flora, you can't see him like that. Come on, let's get you changed." Musa grabbed Flora's hand and led her to her room.
In Musa's room, Musa placed Flora in an almost sheer loose red dress and left her hair down. Flora walked out of Musa's room and down the stairs to the door. She took a deep breath in and opened the door.
"Good afternoon, Prince Helia." Flora said through a fake smile.
"Good afternoon, Alyssa. Is there something the matter?" Helia asked with concern. Helia walked up to Flora and placed his hands on her cheeks. He noticed the tear stain cheeks and her red eyes and his heart broke seeing her like this.
"I am fine. But there is something I must tell you." Flora smiled.
"I have come here to tell you something as well but I would much rather do so in private." Helia looked into Flora's bright green eyes.
Flora nodded and took Helia's hand in hers and followed him into the carriage.
After a carriage ride in silence, Flora and Helia arrived in a meadow with the ruins of an old church covered in wildflowers resided. Helia stepped outside of the carriage and walked to the other side to help Flora out. Helia stretched out his hand and Flora placed her small hand in his. She stepped down and stumbled over Musa's dress and tripped and fell into Helia's arms. Flora blushed as she looked up at Helia who was smiling down at her.
"I am sorry. I should have watched my step." Flora whispered.
"You are quite alright. No need to apologize. I will always catch you." Helia looked down in Flora's bright green eyes.
Flora smiled and made her way out of Helia's arms much to Helia's dismay.
"What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Flora asked with sorrow.
"Alyssa, I know that we have just met but I..."
"Please, don't." Flora sadly sighed and walked away from Helia.
"Wait," Helia called out chasing Flora through the ruins, "I love you."
Flora stopped in her tracks and shut her eyes tightly knowing that the words that would come out of her mouth would not make him happy.
"Helia, you can't love me." Flora sighed.
"What do you mean that I can't? I can't help who I love and I love you. Do you not love me?" Helia asked as he grabbed Flora's hands in his.
"I do love you but we cannot be together."
"Are you betrothed to someone else? If we are in love then I want to be with you." Helia placed one of his hands on Flora's cheek.
"I can't. I am sorry. I love you but I know that this will not work."
"Alyssa, please think about this. I want to be with you and will wait for you. If you change your mind, please attend the ball and when I see you, I will announce that you are the one for me." Helia said leaning his forehead on Flora's.
Helia's breath was intoxicating to Flora and the sweet smell of cinnamon flowed through her nose. She loved the way that Helia's presence made her feel. He was the first person to show her any kind of love since her father. Griselda and Faragonda were like family to Flora but nothing compared to the soft and strong arms of Helia.
Flora lifted her head as tears flowed from her eyes, she could not imagine her life without Helia in it but she knew that she had to. She looked into Helia's blue eyes and saw peace. Without hesitation, Flora brought her lips up to Helia's and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Helia's mind raced as Flora's soft lips met his and he knew that he had to show her all of the love that he had for her. Helia had to come to terms that this was the last time that he may ever hold Flora in his arms and the last time that their lips might meet. Helia placed every ounce of passion in the kiss, bringing Flora closer to him and running his hands through her long caramel hair.
Flora quickly pulled away knowing that she could not go any further. She loved Helia but if they were not meant to be, she could not let him think that there was still a chance.
"Alyssa, please." Helia lightly begged catching his breath.
"I am sorry, I can't. Just know that I love you and I wish you happiness. I know that you will be an amazing king." Flora sighed through tears.
Flora did not wait any longer before kissing Helia on the cheek and briskly walking away, leaving both of them with broken hearts.
Again, sorry that this is super short but I wanted to end this scene here. I hope that you enjoyed it. It is almost time for the ball! I can't wait to write that and the scenes after.