I know that this story seems to be moving along really slow and this chapter is no exception. Not a lot happens but we get a little more information about Helia and the King. However, now that I unfortunately don't have my cat, I won't have to wrestle a cat off of my computer every time that I want to write. So, I am deciding to update this story every Tuesday and Friday.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram at starrynights513 for little previews of future chapters. Chapter 8 promises to have some drama. And I think you all will hate what I do with Helia in Chapter 8. Hmmm…should I do another double chapter week? Or do I make you suffer until Tuesday?
The sun rose over the horizon and peeked through the valleys of the Dearil Mountains as Flora got dressed to join Saladin on his early morning trip to the market. She put on the most comfortable dress that she owned, a simple baby blue gown that flowed down her body, hanging low by two thin straps on her shoulders. She grabbed her green cloak and tied it around her neck.
She climbed up the stairs and stood at the back door, waiting for Saladin. He appeared at the door, dressed in his usual tan tunic and white pants. He carried a staff, something that he was usually without.
He reached up to a peg by the door and took down a fur-lined cloak and gave Flora a smile.
"I suggest that you grab a warmer cloak, my dear." Saladin remarked as he looked at Flora's light dress and cloak. '
"I should be fine."
"The mornings in Hademort can be particularly cold," Saladin chuckled, "please reconsider. I wouldn't want you to become ill."
"An ill servant is a useless servant." Flora rolled her eyes as she repeated what Helia told her on their journey back to the palace a little over a month ago.
"His Highness can be a bit..." Saladin searched for the best word to use.
"Insensitive?" Flora sighed as she grabbed an extra fur-lined cloak by the door. She took off her green cloak and wrapped the dark furs around her shoulder. She still wasn't sure how she felt wearing furs, but she had to admit that it did feel nice to have her body warm up right away. She suddenly felt more comfortable, but she felt bad for the animal who did not give up their fur in the most comfortable way. Maybe she could buy a wool cloak in the market. She didn't think that Krystal would mind. Plus, she wouldn't have to keep borrowing other cloaks that she found around the palace.
"Not insensitive," Saladin continued to search for the word or phrase, "just conflicted."
"Conflicted?"
Saladin chuckled as opened the door, the cold wind hitting Flora's face and bringing up a warm blush to her cheeks. Her hair blew back and her green eyes squinted at the assault of the crisp air on her face.
"I am glad that you told me to put on a warmer cloak."
Saladin grabbed Flora's hand and led her outside, guiding her through the thick snow at the back of the palace, his staff clearing a small path in front of them. They continued to walk hand-in-hand as they made their way to the main path that would lead them to the market. Once they reached the path, Saladin let go of her hand, Flora sad to feel the warmth leave her skin.
"I am surprised, my dear," Saladin said as the pair got their footing on the smooth path, "that you would ask to accompany me to the market. Surely Her Highness will miss you this morning."
"Princess Krystal will be spending the morning in her room, writing back to her parents."
"I hope that she won't be too hard on her report back to her parents." Saladin replied as he helped Flora through a deep patch of snow that had accumulated on the path from the winds overnight.
"I don't think that she will want her parents to worry." Flora sighed.
"I suppose not, there is nothing that her parents would be able to do anyways. Prince Helia and the princess are betrothed, to end the betrothal would be akin to a declaration of war. A slight to everyone involved."
"I keep trying to tell the princess to remain positive but given the attitudes shown towards the princess this past month by the royal family, I am surprised that her parents would even agree to the arrangement. Surely they would have known how...difficult...the king and his son could be. Had they not heard the rumors?" Flora asked. She never paid attention to the rumors that people would whisper in the palace of Linphea but if she had a child, she would not have chanced their marriage on someone with such a reputation.
"His Majesty hasn't always been so difficult, my dear." Saladin let out a light chuckle as he and Flora continued walking.
"He hasn't?"
"No," Saladin inhaled, the cold air rushing through his body, "King Azrael was a much kinder and gentler man in the past. He ruled over Hademort with a warmth that could warm even the coldest winters. He was absolutely devoted to the late Queen Viviana, may she rest in peace."
Flora looked on as Saladin talked so fondly about the man who had just earlier that month had forced her to tell him riddles as he sipped on vodka.
"His Majesty and King Titus of Linphea were friends at that time and for years before that. Helia was just a toddler when Queen Rachel fell pregnant. King Titus wrote to King Azrael when Queen Rachel was in labor with the princess and requested that their families be joined together if the baby were to be a girl. The stars shined on all of us and Princess Krystal was born and King Azrael signed the betrothal contract. However, at the same time, King Azrael's heart slowly became hardened as Queen Viviana lost baby after baby in the hopes of providing another child for the king. He could see that with each pregnancy that she was becoming weaker and weaker."
"I thought that the queen had become barren?" Flora asked.
"No, not barren, just unable to sustain life within her. Soon, her own life gave out, the last miscarriage causing too much strain on her body as she lost too much blood. After her death, His Majesty became the man that you see today. Bitter, vengeful, and...difficult."
"Then why does he treat Prince Helia the way that he does? I have seen the way His Majesty treats his son, his only son." Flora stressed at the end for good measure, hoping to show her disdain for the aging king.
"I cannot say for certain but some say that His Majesty blames Prince Helia for Queen Viviana's medical complications as she had had some difficulties during Helia's birth. But I think that it is because Prince Helia has her eyes. He might look like the spitting image of his father everywhere else, but His Highness's eyes...just like his mother's. His Majesty would always talk fondly about Queen Viviana's eyes, the way that they sparkled like sapphires or how their deep blue could only be matched by the depths of the ocean. He was so happy when Prince Helia had been born with her eyes, but now all he sees is the constant reminder of what he lost."
Flora wanted to respond, to tell Saladin how she still didn't think that it was right that King Azrael treated Helia in the way that he did. But she knew that Saladin would simply agree and say that there was nothing that either of them could do. What could they do being just common servants? Instead, Flora took in the information and used what she had learned to add details to the painting of her head of the prince and his father. The painting becoming more clear but muddier at the same time. It all made sense but a relationship like the one between Helia and his father was complicated. Everything in Hademort just seemed to be one big puzzle that Flora wasn't sure that she really wanted to solve.
The pair continued to walk on the path, the sun rising higher in the sky. The wind continued to blow through the mountains, picking up light layers of snow that swirled around the feet of the two travelers.
"We should be arriving at the market soon," Saladin announced as he reached out for Flora's hand as a gust of wind and snow momentarily clouded their vision.
"I am excited to see what produce the Hademort market will have to offer." Flora smiled.
"I saw a merchant from Solaria arrive earlier this week when I went into town for more fabric. Perhaps they will be selling fruit at the market today."
"Solaria?" Flora beamed, "How splendid! Her Highness will be glad to have some fruit. She is partial to the mangoes of Solaria. I will have to get a whole bunch if I see any."
"They will be expensive, my dear." Saladin chuckled.
Flora smiled as she tapped the side of her leg, the sack of coins wrapped around her thigh under her gown, "I don't think that Princess Krystal will be opposed to such a purchase."
"Very well," Saladin simply nodded, "you know the princess better than anyone at the palace."
The market was filled with people dressed in dark and warm clothes. If it had not been for the cloak, Flora would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Not like she didn't already with her tan skin and light hair that contrasted against the pale features and dark hair of the people of Hademort. She stuck close to Saladin as they wove through the crowded market, stopping at vendors that they needed and avoiding the ones that they didn't.
"Stay close to me, my dear," Saladin instructed as they made their way through the market, "I don't want to lose you. Efficiency is key at the market."
Flora swallowed and nodded as she reached out and grabbed the hem of Saladin's long tunic. He let out a soft chuckle, her behavior like a child gripping onto the back of their mother's dress.
They arrived at a stall selling spices and Saladin was greeted by a tall old man.
"Good morning, Sal." the old man greeted Saladin with a jovial familiarity.
"Good morning, Coakley," Saladin smiled as he looked up at the old man, "has the ship from Andros come in?"
"Ah," the old man held up a finger and turned around, pulling out a medium-sized sack from underneath a sheet, "it did and I have what you ordered."
"Excellent!" Saladin beamed as Coakley turned back around and placed the sack on the wooden stall. Coakley untied the string that kept the sack closed and Saladin peeked inside and the strong smell of cinnamon filled the air. Flora took a deep breath and the warm smell invaded her nostrils, a most welcome invasion.
"His Highness will be glad to have cinnamon back in the palace. It has been too long." Saladin remarked as he tied the sack of cinnamon sticks close.
"Our apologies to the prince," Coakley placed his hand over his heart and gave a shallow bow, "after the hurricane hit Andros last fall, it had wiped out all of their crop. Thankfully they have been blessed this year and the cinnamon trees grew better than they have before."
"We are expecting another shipment in the coming months," Coakley smiled, "hopefully before the prince's birthday."
Flora perked up at hearing the mentioning of the prince's birthday. A birthday ball would be the perfect way for Krystal and Helia to become closer. Krystal always loved a celebration and she always was the most beautiful and radiant person there. Hopefully, Helia would have warmed up to Krystal in that amount of time but now Flora had an event and even more motivation to push the two together. She would see to it that the prince and princess form some kind of positive relationship.
"When is the prince's birthday?" Flora asked no one in particular.
"The second day of September," Saladin answered with a smile before turning back to Coakley, "and he would be thrilled at another shipment just in time for his birthday."
"Does the prince like cinnamon?" Flora questioned.
"Oh yes, it is his favorite spice. He especially loves spiced cinnamon tea." Saladin grabbed the bag of cinnamon sticks. "We will have to grind some of this to be put into other desserts and meals for the prince."
Saladin pulled out a sizable stack of coins and placed them onto the counter of the stall. Coakley smiled as he grabbed the stack of coins and put them in a small coin pouch.
"Great as always doing business with you, Sal." Coakley gave the old servant a small salute.
"Let me know when that shipment comes in and also notify me when the spices from Domino arrive."
"Sure thing, Sal." Coakley waved to Saladin as Saladin turned to walk away from the stand, "I'll see you next weekend."
"See you next weekend," Saladin waved back, "tell Laela that I said hello."
"I will!"
Saladin and Flora resumed their weaving in and out of stalls and people in the market. They stopped at a stall that carried the usual root vegetables and Flora had enough of looking at tubers and other root vegetables for long enough. They stopped by a stand that sold roasted nuts, Flora and Saladin sneaking in a bag, sharing the nuts as they continued their way through the market.
"Ah, here we are," Saladin announced as they approached a stall filled with brightly colored fruits and vegetables. The pouch of coins tied to her leg felt like it was on fire as the coins burned to be spent on anything that Flora could get her hands on.
"Good morning, Lucian," Saladin greeted a man shorter and slightly younger than Coakley. This man had olive-toned skin and bright blonde hair, leading Flora to assume that this man was the merchant from Solaria. "The sun always seems to shine brighter when you are in our country."
Lucian chuckled as he set down a crate carrying bananas, "Saladin, always the charmer. You aren't getting more of a discount than I already give you so don't try it."
"Eh, worth a try."
Flora giggled at the men's exchange, a warm welcome from the usual exchanges that she would see in the palace between a certain father and son.
"What can I do for you, Saladin?" Lucian asked as he placed his hands on his hips.
"Princess Krystal arrived from Linphea last month and I am afraid that she has had quite enough of what Hademort has to offer in terms of produce."
"Oh yes, the Linpheans are known for being vegetarians." Lucian remarked before turning around and picking up a crate of mangos, "And I hear that the princess is fond of mangos after Princess Stella introduced them to her."
"Yes," Flora interjected, "yes she is."
Lucian turned to look at Flora and smiled, "Judging by your appearance and dress, you are also Linphean but I assume that the lack of a guard means that you are not Princess Krystal."
"How observant," Flora nodded her head as she looked at the blonde man, "I am Her Highness's handmaiden."
"And a beautiful one at that."
Flora blushed and Saladin rolled his eyes, a teasing grin on his face. "Now who is charming whom?"
Lucian shrugged, "Touché, my friend." Lucian turned his attention back to Flora, "How about you have a look around and let me know what Her Highness would like."
Flora nodded before she walked away from the two men and began to look through Lucian's stock.
Flora and Saladin left Lucian's stand, both of them placing their order with the Solarian man and him ensuring that their orders would be delivered promptly at the service door of the palace by the end of the weekend. They all said their farewells and Flora and Saladin made their way back to the entrance of the market, done with their shopping for the day.
Upon leaving the market, Flora spied a small stall, hidden by the hustle and bustle of the market around them. There sat an old woman, surrounded by piles of cloth. A bright blue caught Flora's attention and she pulled on Saladin's tunic to grab his attention and motioned with her head to the stall.
"My dear, our palace seamstress usually handles the buying of the cloth," Saladin said as he looked at the stall covered in cloth.
"You said that Prince Helia's birthday would be here in a few months' time?" Flora asked, knowing the answer, "My eye caught sight of a beautiful blue fabric that would make an excellent gown for Her Highness to wear at his birthday ball."
"That won't be necessary, my dear."
"And why not?" Flora questioned as she and the older man approached the stall.
"The palace hasn't had a ball since the day that Prince Helia came of age and that was merely for tradition. Prince Helia doesn't like to celebrate his birthdays." Saladin shrugged as he ran his hands over a stack of tan fabric.
Flora turned her head to the old man, her green eyes widened in shock, "What do you mean that the prince doesn't like to celebrate his birthdays? I have always dreamed of having a ball thrown in my honor."
"His Highness doesn't enjoy the attention and His Majesty doesn't enjoy the frivolous attention that it brings to the palace and the royal court when his time and efforts could be spent in war meetings."
Flora sighed as she looked over the blue fabric. Her pouty lips formed a thin line as her face contorted into an expression of deep thought; her eyebrows furrowed, and her nostrils flared. She then smiled and looked up at the older woman.
"Excuse me?" Flora called out. The older woman at the stall made her way over to Flora and greeted her with a matching smile.
"Yes, may I help you?" the woman asked.
"I would like to purchase ten yards of this fine blue fabric," Flora set her hand on the same bright blue fabric that caught her attention, "and fifteen yards of your finest and softest white chiffon."
"Right away, dear."
The old woman turned away, grabbing the bright blue fabric and a beautiful roll of white chiffon. She began cutting as Flora pulled out the pouch of coins from under her dress and began counting out her coins.
"My dear," Saladin whispered as Flora continued to count the coins, "I am telling you that making a dress for the princess would be futile. There is to be no ball. His Highness nor His Majesty would like it."
"Well," Flora replied as she counted her coins, "my princess would love a new dress and one never needs an excuse for a new gown."
Saladin grumbled lightly under his breath, Flora only catching how he thought that she was wasting the princess's money, but Flora paid the old servant no attention. The woman returned with Flora's fabrics and Flora gave the woman her payment. Collecting the fabric in her hands, Flora turned around to face Saladin, giving him a bright smile.
"The prince won't be able to deny the princess any longer when he sees her in the gown that I have planned. She will be the great beauty of Hademort, looking the part of the queen."
Saladin chuckled and shook his head at the optimism of the young woman. If only she knew that it would take more than a gown to change the minds and hearts of the king and prince of Hademort. If only she knew that there was already a great beauty in the palace that she had been so blind to see.