Ugh, I swear we are approaching the first...climax...of the story, the reason that a lot of you are probably waiting for. But you gotta have your vegetables before you can have dessert and the same applies to my stories so let's spend some time and eat some vegetables.
The familiar smell of salted meat and potatoes filled Helia's nose as he entered the large dining room, the same dining room that he had met his father in when Krystal had come to Hademort. It was the same dining room, the same food, and the same large king sitting at the other end of the table with the same disgruntled expression. Helia always thought that if his father was going to be in such a sour mood, why invite him to meals? Why not just have Saladin pass along the message to him? Nothing good ever came from these meetings with his father.
"Are you just going to stand there all day, boy?" Azrael looked up from his breakfast and up to Helia, "Or are you going to come sit and eat?"
Helia walked further into the dining room and made his way to the seat that he always sat in, the one on the opposite of the table so that he might be the furthest he could be from his father. The further they were from one another, the better.
As Helia took his seat, the light from the candles on the tables illuminated his appearance and Azrael frowned upon seeing Helia's face.
"What happened to your face, boy?"
Helia reached forward and grabbed a slice of bread and placed it on his table.
"Slipped on the obstacle course. Foot caught on some ice."
Helia always found it easy to lie to his father, he had been doing it most of his life. He didn't want his father to know his business. Helia had found out the hard way that when his father found out what was really going on in Helia's life, Azrael had a habit of ruining it. He took away his free time that Helia had set aside for reading, took away his art supplies when he became a teenager, and took away almost everything else that he had held dear.
If Azrael knew that Helia had gotten the cuts on his face because Flora had lost control when they were together, he would certainly take her away from him as well. He couldn't let that happen so he lied and he would continue to lie until he knew that it was safe for Flora to tell the truth.
"Clumsy idiot," Azrael grumbled as he took a bite of his salted pork.
Helia did his best not to react, he was used to it.
"You told Saladin that you wanted to see me, sir?" Helia brought the breakfast back to the subject at hand. He didn't want to be there anymore than he needed to be. He would find out what his father wanted to tell him, stuff his face, and then leave. He had things that he needed to do and spending time with his father was certainly not on his agenda.
"I'm promoting the captain," Azrael answered.
Helia clenched his jaw momentarily but soon relaxed, trying not to let his disdain for the captain show on his face.
"I am sure that the captain will be pleased to hear that, sir." Helia replied as he cut the potatoes that were on his plate. Perhaps a little too forcefully. Helia didn't know why his father was telling him this other than to piss him off. While he had never said anything directly, his father knew how much Helia hated the captain. He was arrogant and represented everything that Helia used to want.
"Yes, I do suppose he will be." Azrael smirked, "General Duncan of The Royal Hademort Army does seem to have a nice ring to it."
Helia didn't respond.
"With the captain's promotion, you will be taking over his duties when he is gone."
"Yes, I was told this nearly a month ago, sir." Helia was growing impatient with his father.
"With his promotion, Duncan will be moving to an estate in the capital but will still retain his property in the countryside until another captain is appointed."
Helia needed his father to get to the point. The main point that his father was making right now was a point to get under Helia's skin. Helia wouldn't be surprised if that was the main point. His father loved having meetings like this with the sole purpose of making Helia feel like absolute shit.
"And when the general returns from his victory in Koria, I have seen to it that he will be wed. A general would do well to have a woman by his side."
"Wed, sir?"
"Are you deaf, boy? Yes, wed." Azrael reached for his goblet and took a long sip of wine.
Helia wanted to laugh. Duncan? Married? Ridiculous! That arrogant piece of shit had been with nearly every woman in Hademort. Seeing Duncan tied down to a woman had never crossed Helia's mind, he felt sorry for the poor woman who had to be saddled with Duncan. Yet, Helia still wondered what it had to do with him.
"I suppose that congratulations are in order, but what does Duncan getting married have to do with me?" Helia asked.
"With the general being...indisposed...for what I can imagine being a long time, I need you to step up and take over his duties until the time comes where I find someone worthy enough to take his place as captain. Also, I need you to talk to Princess Krystal, try to assure her that she will be fine without her little friend."
Helia cocked his head to the side as he stared at his father. He wasn't sure if he wasn't understanding or that his brain had willed him not to understand. What was his father telling him exactly?
"Don't look at me like that, boy." Azrael rolled his eyes.
"And who exactly did you have in mind for Duncan to marry?" Helia asked, needing to hear it from his father's mouth.
"That girl from Linphea," Azrael answered, unaware of the fact that at that moment, Helia saw everything flash before his eyes and his heart drop to his stomach, "Krystal's little servant who walks around here with her tight little body on display for all to see. Duncan has been quite keen on her and I thought that for everything that he has done for king and country, he should have the woman that he wants and apparently he wants her. Though I can't blame him, that girl has been the finest looking woman to step in here since..." Azrael hurriedly took another sip of his wine before he said something that would bring up painful memories of his late wife, "She is obedient to a fault and would make the perfect bride for the perfect general. You will talk to Krystal, I have it on good authority that you two have become close with those stupid little tea times she drags you to."
Helia stared down at his plate, his mind blank, and full at the same time. His father didn't say what Helia had thought that he said. He couldn't look at his father as the words that Duncan uttered moments ago echoed through Helia's head.
"When I see something that my enemy wants, I take it."
The dull pain began to set in as he thought about Duncan and Flora. He hadn't even told anyone about his feelings for Flora save for Saladin and Flora herself and neither would have said anything to Duncan or his father. Was he really that obvious? Did Helia wear his love for Flora that clearly on his face? He hadn't even told his father about Flora and yet, he still told him that she would be taken away from him. Worse, she would be wed to the worst person that Helia had the misfortune of meeting. That evil, conniving son of a bitch had managed to figure out what Helia wanted more than anything and take it.
Duncan had his father's approval, a high ranking position second only to Helia himself. He had the affection of almost every woman in the palace, the respect of the men in the barracks, and inspired fear into the hearts of his enemies. Helia thought for sure that Duncan would have been after the crown next, it was the next logical step. But no, he found Helia's weakness and decided he would take that from him. That's all Duncan did, take.
Helia's mind then jumped to the Flora's secret. Would she be able to keep it hidden forever? She could never let Duncan or anyone else know until it was safe, until Helia was king and could grant her the protection that she needed. If she were married to Duncan, he would eventually find out and Helia did not even want to think about what he would do if and when he did.
"No..." Helia breathlessly replied.
"Would you like to elaborate on your sudden insubordination, boy?" Azrael placed his goblet on the table and his black eyes glared at Helia. Helia was brought out of his trance and had to think of something to say, another lie.
"I just mean that Princess Krystal would not allow it. Flora is her handmaiden and has been sworn as her handmaiden for the rest of her days. I don't think that-"
"Those Linpheans are in my country now and they will do as I say. What I say goes and I am showing them some sort of courtesy by having you talk to the princess. Duncan will wed the Linphean when he returns to Koria, tell that to your little bride."
Helia was silent as the wind was knocked out of him. His father really intended to marry Flora off to Duncan. He was going to be sick.
"That girl is beautiful and I don't for a second think that the general will be able to keep his hands off of her. I am sure that the general would be more than capable of filling the military with fine future commanders. Yes, she will be a good match for our general."
Helia rose to his feet, the wooden chair scraping against the stone floor. His hands were placed on the edge of the table as he struggled to catch his breath.
"What is it now, boy?" Azrael asked more out of annoyance for his son's sudden loss of breath rather than any kind of concern for his only son.
"Nothing." Helia glanced up at his father, "Nothing at all. Just lost my breath. Please excuse me, sir. I need some air."
"Fine. Get out." Azrael waved his hand to dismiss Helia, "I was done with you anyways."
Helia wasted no time in marching out of the dining room and out into the large and empty hallway. He sank down against the door and brought his knees up to his chest and placed his head in his hands. Helia did his best to control his breathing but found himself gasping for air, his chest heavy.
"FUCK!" Helia shouted as he threw his head back on the door, not caring if his father or anyone else heard.
Duncan took and his father had let him. If he couldn't have Flora, Helia did not want anything anymore. His father was the ultimate authority and what his father said went. Flora would be wed to Duncan when he returned from the campaign in Koria. Duncan would be a hero, be showered with gifts, and he would get what Helia wanted most.
"When I see something the enemy wants, I take it."
Helia gripped his hair in his hands and pulled. He needed to get away. He needed to leave the hallway and go back to his room so he could think. Think about what to do next. Think about how he could have Flora or at least find a way to keep Flora from being promised to the worst human that Helia had the misfortune of ever meeting. Helia just really needed a drink.
Standing up, Helia regained some sort of composure as he took a deep breath. His thoughts were racing through his head but on the outside, Helia did his best to seem calm and collected.
He should just tell her to run. To get out of the palace before any harm could come to her. Sneak away on a merchant's ship and go to Solaria or Andros or Eraklyon, anywhere but here. He would pay for her to live in luxury, to have the best life possible. He would send her anything that she wanted, anything to get her away from this cold and bleak country. She was too good for Duncan. Too good for his father. Too good for Hademort. Too good for him. But Helia knew that deep down, Flora wouldn't run.
It briefly occurred to Helia that maybe Flora would be happy with the captain, no, general. She would live a life in the good graces of the Hademort Court because she was Duncan's wife. Flora would have titles, a good fortune, and the respect of the entirety of Hademort. Her future and the future of her children would be set. Flora seemed like the woman who had just wanted something normal in her life ever since every normal aspect of her past had been ripped away from her. Helia could tell that Flora would make an excellent wife and mother, she certainly would make Duncan happy.
But Flora was so much more than that.
Ugh, Helia didn't know what to think at this moment. He had to make a decision. Was Flora worth fighting for? Was he really prepared to face his father and Duncan to keep Flora safe? He just loved her so much and that meant sacrifice. She didn't have to be his but Helia needed Flora to be safe and happy, that was all that mattered to him. But why couldn't he just be selfish?
Helia took a deep breath and focused his eyes in front of him, staring out of the wide window in the hallway. He had over a month before anything would become official. Hell, maybe Duncan would fall on the fields of Koria, but that was unlikely. He was the best swordsman that the world had ever known and his malice was second to none with the skills to accomplish whatever reign of terror he wanted. Helia needed to come up with a plan or else Flora would fall victim to that same malice and terror.
Helia had to do something.
Flora hummed to herself as she brushed gently through Krystal's long, lavender hair. Her mind was elsewhere as she thought about Helia. The corners of Flora's mouth turned up as she thought about Helia and his hands on her last night. It had been the first time anyone had touched her like that and it would be a long time until she forgot that feeling. His touch seemed to burn on her skin and in her memory. She longed for the next time that he would touch her like that and put his lips on her...well, she figured that Helia could put his lips anywhere on his body. Flora didn't like the taste of alcohol, she hadn't had a drop since the night the king forced her to drink the wine at dinner, and before then, she hadn't had any since the day she lost everything. Even then she hated the taste, but the whiskey on Helia's breath was spicy and added to the warmth that he left on her skin. It sent tingles up her spine as she brushed through Krystal's hair.
"What are you humming about?" Krystal asked. Flora looked down at the smirking princess through the mirror as she stared at Flora. "I swear if you kept brushing the same spot, my hair would soon fall out."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Flora set the brush down onto the vanity, "I have just been distracted about what happened last night."
It wasn't a complete lie but Flora tried to remain as vague as possible.
"Flora," Krystal turned in her chair and grabbed Flora's hands in her own, "I explained to Prince Helia what happened and I told him about your family. I know I shouldn't but once I did, he seemed to be very understanding. He even," Krystal brought her gaze down to the ground and her pale cheeks turned bright pink, "kissed me on the forehead. I think he finally might be starting to like me."
Flora gave the princess a soft smile but on the inside, she wanted to tell Krystal about her and the prince. She wanted to tell the princess that she had one of the best kisses, well only kiss, of her life last night with the prince. But Krystal looked so happy and Flora didn't want to ruin that. Flora knew that Helia had grown to enjoy the princess's presence but he had made it clear that he was in love with her, despite her being a handmaiden.
"I am glad to hear that, Your Highness," Flora removed her hands from Krystal's and grabbing the silver box of hairpins and began to put her hair up into a high bun, the style of choice for women in Hademort.
"I thought that you learned to control your powers back when you became a Guardian?" Krystal asked as she watched Flora place pins in her hair.
"I did, Your Highness," Flora sighed, "but last night I...lost control. I was just so upset."
"Why?"
"His Highness is a hard man to get along with and we have had choice words with one another. We haven't always seen eye to eye, Your Highness."
Again not a complete lie. Flora and Helia have had shared some less than pleasant interactions with one another and when he had told her that he loved her that night, Flora did disagree with the idea that they could be together and slammed the door in his face. She did suppose that she left the prince with more questions than answers that night, but that did not give him the right to barge into the princess's room. She just didn't want him to know the truth and now that he did, she was elated that it did not change his feelings for her.
"I was unaware that you two had such a hostile relationship." Krystal replied, "I didn't even know that you two had any kinds of conversations together."
"Just in passing, Your Highness. Usually just when I would pass on messages."
Not a complete lie. She had passed on messages to him but Krystal didn't need to know about their late-night reading sessions and how they had passed along more than messages with one another.
"Oh," Krystal shrugged, "I do hope that you and Helia will become closer. He is to be my husband and father of my future children. He will be family and I think of you as family, Flora."
Flora smiled, "Thank you, Your Highness. I will..." Flora inhaled, "I will try to get to know the prince a little better."
And that was definitely not a lie.
"Oh, Flora! This dress is beautiful!"
Krystal twirled in the large blue dress. The dress hung off of her shoulders, the tulle was ethereal and the silk underneath added to the vibrant color of the dress. The dress was covered in small, handmade, and hand-sewn flowers and small gems and crystals.
"Thank you, but I need you to stop moving, Your Highness. I need to place pins and I don't want to stick you. I don't think that bloodstains would compliment this dress, Your Highness."
"Oh yes, sorry."
Krystal stilled on the small wooden pedestal and Flora crouched down to begin placing pins in Krystal's gown. Flora was more than happy that Krystal was pleased with how the gown turned out. She had worked hard and it was nice to see the princess so happy. It was the first time in a long time that Flora had made a dress for the princess, much less a ball gown. Flora knew that Krystal would be the most beautiful person in attendance. Everyone would be talking about the princess for ages to come. She would be the envy of all she saw.
"You truly are a vision, Your Highness," Flora remarked as she rose to her feet.
"Do you think so?" Krystal looked straight into the mirror and smoothed her hands over the soft dress.
"I know so, Your Highness."
"And you think that Prince Helia will be pleased with me in this dress? I want his jaw to drop." Krystal turned and smiled a mischievous grin towards Flora.
"He would be a fool not to think so." Flora placed the leftover pins in a tin canister. Flora knew that Helia would think that Krystal was beautiful in the dress but she secretly hoped that his head would not be turned. However, Flora had no say in the matter. If he did become so enthralled by the princess, then the question of marriage would not be an issue and Flora would be left to get over her unrequited feelings for the prince.
"Oh, Flora," Krystal sighed as Flora began to remove the blue gown from Krystal's body, the pins all placed for Flora's final alterations, "you should come to the ball too."
Flora laughed, "While I appreciate the invitation, Your Highness, I am not allowed to go."
"Says who?" Krystal asked as the blue gown dropped off of her body, Krystal now standing in front of Flora in only her corset and soft undergarments.
"Your Highness, I am a handmaiden. I am not allowed to go. Only members of the court were invited and last time I checked, Your Highness, I am not a member of the court. Or have I been promoted without my knowledge or decree?"
Krystal giggled as Flora put away the beautiful royal blue dress and grabbed the green dress that Krystal had been wearing beforehand.
"No, but you are my best friend and a Guardian of Linphea. As the Princess Krystal, First of my Name, I am inviting you so now you may go. You must go."
Flora sighed, "I don't have a gown for the ball, Your Highness. I would certainly stand out and not for the right reasons. It would be best for me not to go."
"Please, Flora. While the prince and I have gotten closer, I still don't know anyone even after all of this time. I don't want to be alone at the ball. I want, no, I need you there, Flora. You may wear one of my own gowns. And don't say anything about not being able to wear a garment that was once worn by royalty because that is a Linphean rule and we are no longer in Linphea. Please please please?"
Flora sighed as she tied the ribbon together on Krystal's gown and smoothed the green fabric over Krystal's slender frame.
"Alright, Your Highness." Flora conceded, "But I will make my own gown, your gowns are too small for me anyways and I would have an easier time just making a new dress instead of altering one of yours. And I will stand at the side. I will not ruin your night by being the handmaiden at the ball. You are to be the center of attention, Your Highness."
Krystal beamed as she turned around and threw her arms around Flora's neck and placed an excited kiss on her cheek. "Oh thank you, thank you, Flora! You have made me so happy!"
"I am glad, Your Highness. Now," Flora grabbed Krystal's hand and helped her off of the wooden pedestal, "we have much to do and now, I have another dress to make."