Hey, people. Thanks everyone for the reviews! Here we have the last chapter of Flora's backstory, we'll get back to the present in the next one. I'll let you know that there will be more flashbacks as the story moves forwards, there are some things that still need to be explained.
IMPORTANT: I'm sure many of you are wondering what those characters I introduced look like, so I made a college with the most important ones. Since I didn't figure out how to post it here, I posted it on my tumblr page. You can find me there with the same name: SweetMemories1998. You should check it out once you're done with this chapter.
So, let's get to the shoutouts:
winxkate: Yeah, last chapter was pretty sad. Wow, that's such a great theory and so crazy. I so hadn't thought of that. The answer is in this chapter. I love them too, though this isn't a happy chapter when it comes to them.
zezily: Maybe I do, subconsciously. I actually wasn't planning on killing so many characters, I guess things just went this way. But there will be some happier times in the next few chapters. Truthfully, they did see that she was dead, but they were still suffering from Isabella's death, so they were in denial. They didn't want to believe that it was true.
AlexisPeaney: I sent you a message about your theories. Here I'll be answering the 2 questions you asked on chapter 14. Hope you'll be able to understand what's happening. If not, feel free to message me.
July, 25th of 1543...
"Oh, Mary, you look so beautiful!" Flora gushed as she looked at her future sister-in-law. The young queen wore a long white dress that flowed behind her. It had long sleeves, but the material of the sleeves was so soft that she wouldn't suffer with the hot weather. Her hair was tied up in a bun and she wore a crown that held the white veil.
"Thanks, Flo. I'm just not sure about this dress anymore." Mary replied with a smile as she looked at herself in the mirror a bit unsure. Greer quickly put a hand on her shoulder and cast her a reassuring smile.
"Hey, I think this dress is just perfect for you. Remember when I got married?" Greer recalled the day she had married Leith, who was now a lord thanks to Will. After Leith saved his life during an attack on the castle by vengeful italians, Will had granted him the title of Lord Bayard as a reward. With his new title, it wasn't so hard to convince Greer's extremely rigorous parents that the marriage between the two lovers was a great idea. They had gotten married earlier that month and were happily living in a chateau near the palace.
"Oh, I do. You were so nervous that you almost spilled wine on my dress." An unhappy Kenna recalled. She sat in a chair near them and she wore the same lilac dress as Flora, Greer and Lola.
"That was an accident. After Lola didn't let me drink it, I was taking it to the table when you came out of nowhere." Greer replied with a frown.
"Girls, please, don't start." Lola attempted to break up their argument. The two immediately stopped, not wanting to stress their pregnant friend. "Thank you." Lola responded while rubbing her stomach. About a month earlier she discovered that she was pregnant with her sweetheart, Colin's child and the two of them had gotten married as well because Lola's parents demanded it. Colin had been planning on proposing to hear anyways, so he was happy. They were still deciding whether they would remain in France like Greer or move back to Scotland.
Due to Mary's marriage to Will, the young queen had suggested that they stayed in Paris, reassuring Lola that she and Will would make sure that they lived well. After two months of knowing the prince she had come to like him and the feeling was returned. Some might even say they were in love, though it might take more time for that to become true. Flora couldn't be happier that her brother had found someone he loved and who made him happy and she was glad that she had made friendship with Mary and her ladies. It was a nice change after spending her childhood with only Will as a friend.
"Okay, I guess this is it then." Mary said and she turned back to her friends with a nervous smile.
"I bet Will won't be able to take his eyes off you." Flora told her with a smirk and she blushed.
"I hope not, then he will make me even more nervous." Mary replied and they all laughed.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine. And after today you'll become queen of France, how great is that?" Kenna said excitedly and Lola glared at her.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. I wish I could have more time until I got married, like Stella did." Mary replied and she looked at the book resting on the dressing table. The five girls had read that book many times ever since the night Greer had found it.
"Yeah, Stella and Bloom were so lucky! They only got married when they were 20." Greer added as she thought about her favorite character from "Tales of the Winx". There were 5 main characters, five girls who weren't normal because they had magic, they were fairies. Mary and her friends had found the book silly and crazy at first, but Flora hadn't been as shocked as them. After all, she had grown up with the presence of Nostradamus, someone who 'was able to see the future', as her mother put it. So she didn't find the idea of girls with magical powers so crazy.
"Only Aisha wasn't so lucky, though she did love Nabu when they got married." Flora said and Mary nodded.
"Just like me and Will." She said with a dreamy smile as she thought about her soon to be husband.
"Well, I still think that this book's full of crap." Kenna disturbed the girl's joy. She had never liked reading the book and she was sick of her friends talking about it all the time.
"I'm sorry, Kenna. I know you don't like talking about "Tales of the Winx." It's just such an amazing book and it brings so much news, like a world with magic. I mean, that's so cool." Flora said and Kenna had a sad look on her face.
"If such a thing as magic ever existed, then Aylee would be here with us." Silence followed her comment as they recalled how Aylee had left them two weeks previously. It had come as a surprise when she died, having got ill all of sudden. Though, they had been warned that something like that might happen. On the first night Mary and her ladies had arrived in Paris, Nostradamus had told them of something that would happen in the future, as per King Henry's request. His words to Aylee still reverberated in each of her friends' minds as they wondered how he had been so right. "You're never coming home." He had said and so it had been.
"Well, I'd better check out how Will's doing." Flora broke the silence as she cast a smile at her friends. Then she left the room and walked towards tent where Will was getting ready. She knocked on the door and entered after she heard a nervous "Come in."
"Wow, don't you look very handsome today." She playfully told Will and he cast her a desperate look. She immediately realized that he was in no mood for joking.
"I'm glad you came here, princess." Henry told her as he walked her way and they shared a hug.
"Yeah, after making sure that everything's okay with the bride, I came here to check out how Will's doing." She replied and Will looked at her so desperately that she had to hold back a laugh.
"Is it truly okay? Is Mary sure about this? Hasn't she given up on the wedding?" He started asking really fast and Flora laughed.
"Ah, mon petit chat, calm down. Everything's fine, Mary can't wait to marry you." Flora told him with a radiant smile. He stopped pacing as she said those words.
"Truly?" He asked, brown eyes shining with excitement and Flora nodded.
"Yes. She was a bit nervous too, but she's alright now. I'm so happy for you two, love birds." She told him and moved in for a hug that he easily returned. She patted his back comfortingly and Will started relaxing. Once they pulled apart, his nervousness was almost gone and instead determination was clear on his face.
"Father, Flora, let's get this wedding going." He said firmly, a huge smile on his face. Flora nodded and she went to warn the bride as Will and Henry left for the place where the wedding would be held.
Two hours later...
The wedding ceremony had gone smoothly, there were no major problems except for Will nearly dropping the ring he was supposed to give to Mary. The young couple had exchanged their vows and, although she would never admit it, even Kenna had shed a tear. Flora hadn't been able to cry, she had been overcome with joy at seeing her brother so happy. She also had been a bit distracted when they were exchanging rings due to a young man looking at her. It's not as if men never looked at her, Flora knew that she wasn't ugly and being the king's child made people look at her, some with despise and others with interest.
The difference this time was that the man who was staring at her so intensely had a crown on his head. Now, there was a huge difference at a lord or a servant looking at her that way and a prince. She wondered if he knew who she was, if he was aware that she wasn't truly a princess, but in that moment, as she watched her brother get married, she wished that the man didn't know who she was. She wished that he would approach her later and they could have fun without caring about titles. Somewhere deep in her heart, she knew that wouldn't happen, though. It was just as crazy and impossible as a world where there were fairies and witches.
After the ceremony, the party had been held in the ballroom. Mary, Greer and Lola had quickly started dancing with their sweethearts while Flora and Kenna sat down near the food table. It didn't take long for Kenna to get herself a dance partner, though, she was a beautiful young woman and she always found herself someone to spend the parties with. She hadn't been looking for love, so she had her fun playing with the counts and lords. That night she danced with Lord Sebastian, a young nobleman that was surprisingly single.
Flora was then left alone. She watched the people dancing and having fun for a few minutes, a faraway look on her face, until she decided that she'd better occupy her time with something less depressing. So she picked her favorite book and reread it for the millionth time. She was just getting to the second chapter, the one where the Winx would fight their first battle against the Trix as the trio would attack Bloom in an attempt to take her dragon flame when someone sat down by her side. She payed them no mind and didn't even lift up her eyes until he spoke.
"You know, it's not everyday you see a beautiful lady sitting by herself with only a book to keep her company." The man spoke and so she turned to look at him. She was surprised to find the same gentleman who had looked at her before and she wasn't angry at the interruption. After all, he was quite handsome. He had short light brown hair and light green eyes. The crown on his head glowed under the lights of the room and Flora found herself staring at it.
"Did you like it?" He asked and she stared at him in confusion.
"Like what?" She asked and he laughed.
"The crown. Most people cannot take their eyes off it. It's as if they don't see me, only the crown." He replied a bit sadly and Flora felt sorry for him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, it's just so shiny." She apologized and a smile grew on his face.
"That's okay. But how about we pretend that we're not royalty, just for tonight?" He asked her and she was surprised. What he was proposing was absurd and unexpected.
"I don't have to pretend, I'm not really a princess." She replied after a few seconds and his smile enlarged.
"I don't care. From now on, I'm no longer a prince. You can call me James." He said and Flora smiled at him.
"Okay, then. My name is Flora." She told him and James extended his hand.
"Well then, Flora, would you do the honor of dancing with me?" He asked formally and she laughed and shook her head.
"To tell the truth, I'm not such a dancer myself." She said while blushing as she recalled how afraid she was to dance in public. He gave her an understanding look.
"I see. So, you like books, right?" He asked while pointing towards "Tales of the Winx." Flora thought he sounded like he didn't think that was a good thing, but she was so over the moon by the fact that he was talking to her that she put that thought aside.
"Yes, I do. That one's my favorite." She responded and James picked it up.
"What's Winx?" He questioned, a confused look on his face.
"It's rather complicated. You'd have to read it to fully understand." She told him and he smiled appreciatively.
"Then how about we make a little agreement?" He proposed and she raised her eyebrows.
"What kind of agreement?" She questioned and James smiled brightly.
"I'll read this book if you share a dance with me. Only one dance." He said and Flora laughed. This man was completely different from what she would expect of a prince and she liked it.
"I guess we have an agreement then." She said and she stood up and extended her hand. He gave her a surprised look before he took her hand and lead her to the dance floor. A new song started, played by the famous musician, Nicolas Gombert, and they danced and laughed. Across the room, a couple watched them with serious expressions on their faces.
"So, what do you think?" Catherine asked Henry. They had been watching Flora's interaction with the mysterious man for a few minutes now.
"Well, he doesn't have blue hair." Henry simply said and she shook her head.
"There's something strange about him, I get the feeling that he cannot be trusted." Henry cast her a look.
"I think you're exaggerating, Catherine. He doesn't seem like much of a threat." He told her and her suspicious expression didn't leave. "Besides, he's clearly a prince and he's dancing with our daughter. We should be glad." Catherine's expression turned to anger at his words.
"That's precisely what's strange, he's a prince. Why is he dancing with her when she clearly doesn't look like a princess?" Henry was taken aback at her words as he looked at his daughter again. She was laughing as James led her through the dance floor. "I'm sure that he's playing with her." Catherine added and he sighed.
"Well, we can't tell it right now. What we should do now is trust Flora to be smart enough not to take this much further." He told Catherine determinately and she nodded.
"We taught her well, he has no chance if he's playing her." She said, but the frown didn't leave her face. Henry smiled before he extended his hand.
"Well, now that we've settled on this, how about we show them how it's done?" He asked her with a grin and she laughed. She knew that she could always count on him to try to make her laugh. She gladly took his hand and they headed for the dance floor. They missed the man who watched them from a distance, a frown on his face and a knife securely hidden inside his pocket.
Later that night it was time for the newlyweds to leave for their honeymoon in Sweden, where they would be staying for 10 days. The king and queen had arranged for them to have their own chateau as they had invited the young couple as a way to show that the alliance between France and Sweden, though no longer a political one, still existed. Mary and Will came to the palace gates as the guests of the party followed them while throwing white roses at the young couple. They reached their carriage a few minutes later and they turned back to cast smiles at the people who had come to celebrate this happy day with them.
Flora, Greer, Lola and Kenna walked towards them for a group hug with Mary, while Will watched from a distance. The four friends gave their best wished to the young queen and told her to have fun at her trip with her husband. Once they broke apart, Mary's ladies returned to where they were standing while Flora hugged her brother. It was a tight hug, one that showed how they cared about each other.
"Have a nice trip, Will. I hope you'll come back soon, cause I'll miss you, mon petit chat." Flora whispered on his ear and he smiled.
"I'll miss you too, bouquineuse. Have fun here as well, though not too much. And don't get married while I'm away, when you do so I want to meet him so I can give him a piece of my mind." Flora laughed at his words and she gave him another tight hug. After they pulled apart, she went back to Greer, Kenna and Lola while Henry and Catherine had their turns hugging him as well. After everyone said their farewells, it was time for Will and Mary to go. Smiles were on their families' and close friend's faces for they had no idea that this would be the last time they would see the two lovers as happy and peaceful as they were that day.
July, 30 of 1543...
"I don't believe this!" A young man screamed as he stared at the girl with green eyes and tanned skin with widened eyes. Both were laughing like they were mad.
"I swear, it happened." Flora told him between laughs. It had been 5 days since Will and Mary had left for their honeymoon and the palace looked empty without them. Greer, Lola and Kenna were gone too as they had gone back to Scotland to visit their families.
Flora was sure that she would be stuck in the library, alone and rereading her books if it wasn't for James. He had been a perfect gentleman and had kept her company for the past few days. The two of them had connected over their mutual love for the palace gardens and they had spent most of their time talking and getting to know each other.
They were nowhere near learning each other's identities, though. James had insisted that they kept their families and last names a secret, which made Flora sure that he didn't mean for their relationship to go much further. She didn't care, though, she was having fun and it was good to have someone to keep her company until Will got back. Besides, it's not as if she was falling for James or anything, they were just friends. Though she felt like maybe he wanted something more, which was weird. There were times when he would lean in as if he wished to kiss her and others when he would make compliments and insist that any man would be lucky to marry her. She was confused by his actions, but she chose not to bring it up. After all, they were having fun and she didn't wish to ruin that.
"So you actually almost killed your brother once?" James asked and Flora was brought back to reality. She had just told him of the time she had nearly killed her brother when they were playing sword fight. The young prince had been impressed by that fact that she knew how to use a sword, buy he was learning that everything was surprising when it came to her. She was different from other ladies and he was glad for that.
"It was an unfortunate accident that he insists on bringing up every time I mention something bad about him." Flora told him as she rolled her eyes before her expression softened. " It's kind of annoying, really. But I still love him." She said with a smile and James smiled as well.
"I love the way you talk about your brother, it seems as if you two are really close." He commented and Flora's smile enlarged.
"We really are, which is why I'm glad that you're here to keep me company. If you weren't, I'm sure I'd be spending all my days at the library." James laughed at her comment.
"I'm happy to be the one to stop you from reading that crazy book for the millionth time." He told her and she pouted.
"Hey, what part of not saying anything bad about "Tales of the Winx" did you not understand?" She told him with raised eyebrows and he put his hands in front of him in a sign of surrender.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. But seriously, I don't know where the writer came up with the idea of a world filled with magical creatures. It's just so crazy and unbelievable." James told her and Flora was about to respond when a maid came to them. She told them it was time for Flora to head home for dinner so the young girl said goodbye to her companion before she walked towards her chateau. James watched her go with a distant look as he thought of how she would react when she figured out who he truly was and why he was there.
August, 5th of 1543...
Flora walked around the palace corridors, her head was down as she avoided everyone, wanting to be left alone. She wore a long black dress that was meant as a signal of her mourning. Her green eyes were filled with unshed tears as she attempted to hold herself, she couldn't cry right now.
A few days earlier she would have loved to be in her friend's company, but now all she wanted was to be alone. And Greer, Lola and Kenna understood that. Ever since they had gotten the terrible news that changed everything, they had let her be alone after she demanded it and she hadn't see them since. It had only been a few hours, though. 5 slow, terrible hours since her whole life changed. It's not as if nothing horrible had happened to her, as if she was a stranger to pain, but this was different. This time, it had hit her much harder.
The young girl quietly knocked on the door of the throne room and a shot "come in" followed. She would have preferred to be in her chateau, by herself, but her father had requested a meeting only a few hours after he said those words that changed everything. As grief-stricken and sad as she was, Flora knew that it was much worse for him and so she had unwillingly come to meet him. She was sure that he wanted to discuss what was to be done about the funeral.
Funeral. Will's funeral. This time it was extremely harder to conceal her sadness and hide her tears. Why should she even have to do so, after she had lost her brother? Her dear, wonderful brother who had been her companion for most of her life. Her best friend, her only friend and one of the only people who actually cared about her. Why did he have to go? Why was fate so cruel?
"Come in." The voice said, a bit louder and Flora realized that she had been standing outside the throne room, so she entered it. She spotted her father sitting on his throne and his royal advisor, Charles Bonnaire by his side. What truly shocked her was the third person on the room.
"James?" She questioned as she stared dumbfoundedly at her new friend, who stood in front of her father wearing the same golden crown from the first time she had met him and an expensive looking green suit that matched his eyes.
"Hello, Flora." His tone was serious and he cast her a nervous look that confused her greatly.
"What are you doing here? What is going on?" Her eyes went from her beloved father to James as fear grew within her.
"Princess, I know the timing is terrible, but there are some things that need to be discussed." Henry told her firmly, a small smile on his face that was able to conceal his pain from anyone that wasn't close to him. Flora could see it clearly, though. She wanted to comfort him, but first she needed answers.
"Father, you called me here for a meeting. Might I know what this is about?" She politely asked and looked at him expectantly. Henry remained silent, though. It was James who answered her question.
"Flora, first of all I must apologize to you." Now she was even more surprised. Before she could question him, he continued. "I deceived you and I know I shouldn't have done so. However, this is an urgent situation, so what I did was necessary." He told her and there was determination and hope in his eyes. She gave him a confused look.
"I don't understand. What have you lied to me about?" He sighed deeply before answering.
"I knew who you were when we met. To tell the truth, you were the main reason why I came to France." She turned to him with raised eyebrows.
"And why would you come here for me? What did you want?" She feared the answer for that question.
"James came to visit us because his country is in need of our help." Henry told her and her eyes turned to him.
"Yes, Ireland's facing a terrible danger that threatens us all." James added and Flora was sure now of what the problem was, but there was still something unclear.
"So you're the prince of Ireland. I don't know much about the situation there, but what does it have to do with me? How exactly could I help you and your family?" James and Henry shared a cautious look that made her angry and desperate.
"Flora, my princess, do you remember the reason why we made an alliance with Scotland and Will married Mary?" Henry asked her and she didn't miss the way his voice trembled at Will's name. She nodded her head.
"Yes, we made the alliance because England was threatening Scotland and us too. Is that what's happening, they're threatening Ireland now?" She asked, her heart hammering in her chest and her desperation rising as she understood where this was going.
"What a smart lady. That's right." Charles Bonnaire spoke for the first time as he cast Flora a proud smile.
"I'll make it clear that I never meant to hurt you, Flora. After the english king threatened to kill my father and take Ireland, I was told to seek an alliance with the most powerful country: France. I decided to come here and make you fall in love with me so that you'd be more willing to accept an arranged marriage." James said and she gasped as she stared at them with widened eyes.
"You tricked me! All this time, you told me you weren't searching for a wife, that you just wished for us to be friends." She screamed at him and James recoiled at her tone and her words. Henry stepped in front of him and looked at his daughter firmly.
"Flora, as upset as I am that James tricked you, we can use that as an advantage." She stared at her father in confusion.
"How?" She asked, upset that he wasn't as outraged as she was. Henry smiled at her.
"An alliance with Ireland will not only strengthen France, but it will give us a chance to surround England They won't be able to hurt us anymore." He attempted to convince her and it didn't work.
"No! I am not getting married to anyone now!" She said firmly and Henry sighed.
"This isn't really your choice to make, princess." Her eyes widened in surprise and shock.
"So you're willing to break your promise?" She asked her father, her tone unusually cold and harsh and Henry bowed his head as if he was ashamed of himself.
"I'm so sorry, princess. You know that I'd never wish to hurt you, but this is important. The fate of France is at stake." Flora scoffed and the three men stared at her in surprise.
"So you want me to put France above everything, just like you did." She accused and Henry recoiled, regret an sadness clear on his face as he recalled his decision of years before. "I won't do that, I don't want to be miserable for the rest of my life like you, father. I want to be happy and marry someone I love. No offence to you, James. You're truly a wonderful man, but I feel that way about you." She turned to her friend, who smiled at her.
"It's okay, I don't either. But marriage isn't always about love, sometimes it's about something much bigger." He told her determinately and she shook her head. She wouldn't give in, she wouldn't do what they wanted.
"Flora, you're too young to understand now, but I sure hope that someday you will accept my decision." Henry said, having regained his confidence and posture, before he turned to James. "Tell your messenger to send a message to your father confirming the alliance and the marriage between you and my dear daughter. You two will be wed in five days." Flora gave him an incredulous look that he ignored as he kept looking at James.
"I will do so, your majesty. Thank you." James bowed down in respect before he left the room and Flora was alone with her father, well except for the presence of Mr. Bonnaire. Silence filled the room as she was too lost in shock and anger to be able to formulate words and Henry thought he'd better not say anything.
"I can't believe that you did this." She looked at him, angry tears cascading on her face and he gave her a desperate look.
"I'm sorry, but we must think of the fate of our country before our own happiness. I hope that you'll be able to forgive me someday." He told her and Flora vigorously shook her head.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to do so. And if Will were here, neither would he." With those piercing and cold words, she left the room and ran back to her chateau as she hoped to find some comfort in her mother. Henry watched her go with a broken look as he hoped that she would be able to forgive him someday. He had already lost a son, he couldn't bear the thought that Flora might be lost too.
August, 10th of 1543...
Flora stood in front of the same large mirror that Mary had only a few weeks before. She wore a beautiful wedding dress with white roses decorating the bodice and the end of the skirt. Her bouquet of the same flowers rested on Greer's lap as she sat down in chair as well as Lola. Both wore sad looks as they knew this wasn't a happy day.
"The dress is beautiful." Mary said from her spot behind Flora as she helped her sister-in-law put on a small tiara that was supposed to hold the veil. Flora sighed after Mary's comment.
"I wish I would be wearing it in a truly happy occasion." She said and Mary put a comforting hand on her shoulder. After Will's death their relationship had grown even more as they both comforted and understood each other. It was too bad that Mary would be returning to Scotland soon as her mother had called her back there.
"You need to think positive now, maybe being married to James won't be so bad after all." Greer attempted to lighten her mood and Kenna shook her head.
"I doubt it will be good. I've been hearing a lot about him and not good things." The brunette told them with a wary look as she looked around the room to make sure they were alone. "Some people are even saying that he was the one who killed his first wife, Diana. Rumor has it that he was abusive to her and one time, when she tried to fight back, he killed her." Flora looked terrified after hearing this and Mary cast Kenna a warning look.
"Thanks, Kenna. You've been such a help." Greer sarcastically said and Kenna looked ready to fight back. Always the peace maker, Lola spoke up.
"Girls, don't even start! You've done enough fighting during Mary's wedding day, let's leave Flora alone. She needs us today." Flora cast her pregnant friend a grateful smile that Lola returned. There was a knock on the door and they turned their attention to their guest.
"Come in." Mary said and the door opened to reveal Will and Colin, both dressed in black suits. The girls gave them smiles as Greer and Lola stood up and greeted their husbands.
"Hey, love. How's our little one doing?" Colin asked Lola and she laughed before caressing her swollen stomach.
"Shes doing great, kicking like I need any signs that she's still there." The brunette responded and both parents laughed as Colin touched her stomach too.
"Oh, little one. Let mommy have her rest today, okay? We've had such a long trip coming back from Scotland." He told their unborn child as he recalled how him and Lola had only gotten back from Scotland the night before, almost losing Flora's wedding.
"That's right. So, have you decided where you'll be staying?" Greer asked them curiously while Leith had his arms wrapped around her. Lola shook her head in response.
"Not really. We decided to leave it for after the wedding." She told her friends and they nodded.
"Well, the real reason why we came here, besides saying hello to our beautiful wives, is because the ceremony is about to start." Leith said while he cast a smile at Greer and then Flora. The green eyed beauty sent back a sad smile as she sighed.
"Guess it's time to do this." She said determinately. "But could you please go ahead? I guess I need a few minutes alone before I go through with this wedding." They nodded their heads and Leith hugged her before they all left the room. Once she was alone, Flora turned back to look at the red book that had been her safe haven, her only way to escape all of the horrible things that were happening in her life. She sat down on the chair previously occupied by Kenna and started flowing through the book. Pictures flew before her eyes and she smiled as she thought about the characters she loved so much.
Bloom, the fairy of the dragon flame and princess of Domino. Well, queen at the end of the book, after she married her sweetheart, Sky, a noble from her own realm. There was also Stella, fairy of light, who reminded her so much of Greer. She had also married a boy that used to be a servant, Brandon, and they lived happily as king and queen of Solaria.
Then there was Musa, princess of Melody and fairy of music. She eventually married Riven, a young man from her own realm who had lost his mother at a young age. Her parents weren't worried about her marrying a prince because she wouldn't have to take the throne since that was reserved for her older sister, Galatea, who became queen after she married prince Thoren of Eraklyon. Although he did have an affair with Daphne, Bloom's older sister and they had a child together, but he chose to be with Galatea.
Aisha and Tecna were the other two members of the group. The first one lived in Andros and she was forced into an arranged marriage to a man she had never met, much like Will and Mary. Also like the young queen and prince, Aisha and Nabu fell in love after they met and were happy to get married later. Tecna was the only one of her friends who wasn't a princess, since her home planet didn't know monarchy. That fact surprised Flora greatly for she couldn't imagine a world where there were no kings and queens. That was just how she had always known it. Though she knew there were some countries, like Italy, where there wasn't really a monarchy, but it was really different in Tecna's home planet. Said fairy worked with technology, so it was only logical that she would end up with Timmy, the technology master.
There was also a young man who was friends with this group of fairies who called themselves the Winx. His name was Helia and Flora admired him because of his gentle nature. He was also the peacemaker in the group, just like Lola was in Flora's own and he was also a magical creature, a wizard. By the end of the book he married Princess Krystal, from his home planet, Limphea, and they lived happily ever after. That was just how the book worked, everyone got a happy ending.
"I wonder if I'll get a happy ending." Flora wondered as she stared at the picture of Bloom and Sky in their wedding day. "Unfortunately, reality doesn't work like that. How many people have I known who deserved to happiness, but did not achieve it? Like Mary, and Will." She mused and she was overcome with sadness at the memory of her brother.
It had only been 6 days since his death and it still pained her greatly every time she thought about it. Flora closed her eyes as she recalled the last time she had seen him, when they had said their goodbyes. She didn't notice that she had started glowing green or that the book had too. "What?" She asked herself after she opened her eyes and noticed the glowing. It scared her, but she recalled how panicking wasn't good in this kind of situation so she breathed in a couple times. Soon the glow enveloped her wholly and she disappeared, as well as "Tales of the Winx."
A few minutes later...
A beeping sound made Flora wake up after being unconscious for a while. She touched her aching forehead as she slowly opened her eyes. Panic started building inside her as she realized that the place she was in was unfamiliar. Desperately, she sat up quickly and looked around the room. It was green with flowers painted and there was a small closet, a desk and two doors. She was confused about where she was and even more confused as she stared at a picture in the nightstand.
It showed a family of 4, a mother with dark brown hair and brown eyes, a father with light brown hair and green eyes, and a young girl with her father's hair and eyes. What surprised Flora about the picture was the 4th member, it was her. How the hell did she end up in a picture with a strange family? She massaged her aching head as everything became more clear. This wasn't a strange family, this was her family. She remembered how that woman had sang for her to sleep and the man had taught her everything she knew about flowers. And the little girl, that was her sister, Miele. But how was this possible? Weren't Catherine and Henry her parents? Wasn't Will her older brother?
There was another beeping sound and Flora found the source of it. It was a device she didn't know well, something she had only seen in "Tales of Winx". She recalled it was called a cell phone and it allowed one to make calls between different countries and cities. She picked it up and pressed a button and sighed in relief after the beeping stopped. She set it back on the table and looked around the room once again.
Soon she spotted the red book that she had been thinking of just a few minutes before. She picked it up and opened it while sitting on the bed. As she opened it, she was shocked to find out that most of the book was now blank. There was no more on the Winx's story, as if they had never even existed. Flora started panicking as she searched the book for any clues on how to get back home. As she turned back to the first few pages, she realized that there were pictures of the family she had seen and she was there too. As she read through it she realized what had happened.
"This is so crazy." She muttered to herself. "It's as if I'm actually in the book. Maybe I am dreaming." She thought about what was happening. But what if she wasn't dreaming, what if what she read was true and she had somehow become a part of the book. She laughed at how ridiculous that was. "No, it's obviously not real. This kind of thing just doesn't happen." She attempted to convince herself when there was a knock on the door all of sudden. She was startled and even more shocked when the person didn't await for her to allow them to come in and they just barged in.
"Good morning, sweetheart." The woman with dark brown hair entered the room while she carried a tray filled with different foods. She smiled brightly at the confused girl and walked towards her.
"Good morning." Flora replied politely and the woman laughed before kissing her on the forehead and leaving the tray by her nightside.
"Here, I've brought you breakfast in bed like you asked." She pointed at the table while smiling at Flora. "Now come on, you need to be ready in thirty minutes or else you won't get to Alfea in time." Flora was super confused but upon hearing that word things got clearer.
"Alfea? As in the magical school for fairies?" She questioned and the woman gave her a strange look.
"Yes. Did you forget that you'll be starting your first year there today?" Flora was surprised by that as she recalled that the Winx had already finished Alfea by the end of the book. But then she remembered that their story had been erased.
"Oh, right. I could never forget." She smiled brightly at her mother and Alyssa raised her eyebrows before giving her another kiss and leaving the room. Flora was alone once again and she sighed.
"Okay, this is probably a dream and I'll wake up soon and I'll still be getting married to James." She told herself. "But what if it isn't? What if this is real and magic does exist? I could be inside the book, I could have become a character." She considered the possibility carefully and easily decided. "Well, if that's true, then maybe this is my second chance. Maybe I can find happiness here and I won't have to lose anyone I love." She gripped the necklace that her father had given her on her 3rd birthday and she stared at the pictures of Henry and Will. "I love you both, but this is about me. My chance at being happy for once. France can survive without me, I'm sure of it." It was settled then, she would stay there and see what happened. If she woke up the next day with only memories of a dream, that was okay. If she never woke up, if this wasn't just a dream, even more okay. Not many get a second chance in life, so she was glad that she had gotten one.
So, what did you think of the wedding scenes with Will and Mary freaking out? What about James, what did you think of his character?
And what about Tales of Winx? Were you able to understand it? I'm sure many people are wondering who wrote it, but I'll let you know that it won't be relevant to to the story and I won't delve much into it. What matters is what the book means.
Also, what did you think of Henry forcing Flora to marry James? Was it the right decision? Do you recall when someone convinced him to do something similar?
Next chapter we'll get back to where I left off on chapter 10. It will be coming only by Friday or Saturday because I have a one shot planned that I will be posting on Thursday. Hope you'll enjoy it, it will be based on one of my fav movies: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.
REALLY IMPORTANT: Remember to check out the picture on tumblr.
Also, since we've had many important things happening on the last few chapters, here is what I want you to hold onto:
1-Catherine's family was murdered by orders of Henry's father.
2-Catherine and Henry were in love and their relationship was real.
3-Nostradamus: a wizard that had the ability to see the future. Remember the vision he had of Flora's death, because it will be mentioned again.
4-Flora and Will were best friends, but there was nothing romantic going on between them. Will loved Mary before he died.
5-Greer, Leith, Lola and James will be important characters for the rest of the story, so you better remember who they are.
6-"Tales of the Winx" is a magical book, written by unknown and the Winx are actually characters of the book. The book works as a sort of portal between two different worlds.When Flora entered the book due to her magic, she changed the entire story and she became a character herself. That's why we have Alyssa and Rollos claiming to be her parents and Miele as her sister.