Chapter Thirty-Four: A Brief Respite

It has been a week since the group ran from Mille Voix. Non-stop travelling as they stay away from the main path. Eventually reaching a small town named Jardin de Fleur. A place is well known for its flower meadows. As different coloured flowers can be seen as far as the eye can see. Iolene is excited as she sees such beauty of nature. The sun has almost set when they reached the town. Stein notified everyone they will sleep there for one night.

Queen Avery smiles as she mentions she orders her flowers for the palace here. Hundreds of gold went into the delivery of thousands of flowers each week. For the flowers die quickly and the palace could not have dying flowers to present to the senate and nobles. Avery then thought of the senate… she executed a few that night. Wealthy people who helped her reign for years. She wonders if the senate still has political power. Are they blindly following their new "Emperor"? Or are they fighting amongst themselves to be the new King or Queen? But her it did not matter anyway… She will never be queen again.

Duryss sneezes uncontrollably as the pollen reaches his nose. Suffering as he hates flowers.

Walking into the town they stay in the nearby inn. As every town in the country has one. Aaron tells his friends that he can sleep outside if need be to save money.

"Aaron… You deserve a good sleep." Iolene says forcing him to join them.

Lexi desperately wants to sleep from exhaustion as she pets Iymp on the head. "You did good boy," She said kindly. As her red dragon smiles in reply. His body still ached, but thanks to Iolene the worst injuries have healed.

The dragons stay inside the stables behind the inn. Beau collapses in exhaustion from fighting in the chaos and running almost twenty-four-seven. He lost his magical disguise for a time period. His metallic gold scales shone in the dull light. Iymp and Lexi cover the gold dragon with hay, making sure no pretty gold scales can be seen. It felt oddly warm to Beau like an itchy blanket. The once wild dragon no longer felt safe… Iolene has been exposed and her life will be in constant danger, to his relief that no one has knowledge of him. Accepting to follow everyone to Aquarius City. Thinking the good side is that he will tour around the world. It will be a great story to tell his sister one day…

Fred walks around drinking a large tankard of beer. He bought it from a stand outside. Spoiling himself as he desired a long alcoholic drink. Stein did not approve, but as Fred pointed out it is his own money. Walking into the inn he notices Stiletto sharpening her daggers, in the lobby. Her back faces him as she does not see the Prince as a threat. Fred whistles to try and get her attention as she ignores him. Sharpening the daggers faster as a spark can be seen in the night light.

"Hey… Sexy…" Fred finally says. Stiletto turns herself around fast. Her eyes glared at him from the other side of the room. "What?" She asks menacingly.

"Stiletto huh? What is your real name?" Fred asks. "Is it Scarlet? Giselle? Ginger? Rouge?"

"None of your business little prince." She sharply interrupts. "But I know who you are… Frederick Kaiser, son of Emperor Arman Kaiser XVII and Empress Arlene Kaiser. Brother to Grand Prince Arman Kaiser XVIII. You made it very obvious at the party. Be glad you're a Prince with low enough status that no one cares…"

Fred clenches his fists. He could not deny that hurt his feelings. Low Prince! A PRINCE IS STILL A PRINCE! "I am no low prince wench! I am worth shitloads of gold!" He shouts.

Murray tells Fred to quiet down as he and Marina are preparing their supplies. Both are hoping to leave early morning.

"You know…" Stiletto says to Fred. "Your brother Xavier is safe in the Blue Empire. Your younger sister Rayna is in Macdan serving as handmaiden to Princess Mantra. William has gone rogue and was last heard in the city of Chuma…"

Fred focuses his mind as he remembers the conversations about his brother Arman. His heart softened as he admitted in his mind he wanted to cry. He will do anything to reverse his fathers' death and resume the life he once lived. His personal maids, the food, social power... An element his mind trying hard to ignore. My family…

Fred gets up to leave the room as Stiletto remains quietly sharpening her daggers. Leaving the lobby as he remembers the gala he met so many familiar faces from the Green Empire… Yet they felt like strangers. They have already forgotten who ruled over them once. Overhearing that his eldest brother Arman is incarcerated in the palace, still alive. Fred felt an odd feeling of relief… But his home is forever changed by the Black Empire. I want to go home…

Fred walks upstairs in a huff to try and keep his mind busy. Just about to walk around the corner when he notices Iolene watching the city from the public balcony. He stops as he stares at her from afar. She looked as if she was daydreaming. He was just about to shout out Blondie when he notices Aaron walking from the opposite direction. The slave leaves his room as he looks refreshed and clean.

Aaron notices Iolene gazing at the town from the balcony. The world felt so different now that her secret is revealed to the world. Iolene scared for her future clutches her dress. It is dirty as Mali took the rest of her dresses to be washed.

"Hey…" Aaron says simply standing next to Iolene, leaning on the rail imitating her. The balcony is placed in direct view of the town. The flower meadows can be seen in the far distance. A scenic town of beauty and those who live here wanted to preserve it. She understood...

"How are you?" He says breaking the silence.

Iolene wipes her tears and sniffled as she didn't listen to Aarons's question. The children and innocent people, who are stuck in this country's mess… She thought. It is only going to get worse… The gala was meant to be a night of nights, where people celebrate the coming winter. Instead, parts of the city are in ruins as the Black Empire "legally" invaded, and her heart breaks for Avery and the people living here. Iolene knew she did her best to help the Queen. Using her magic to heal the bleeding and poison. Avery struggled to breathe the first few days of travelling. But Iolene managed to help heal and treat the injury.

Aaron wanted to kick himself. Dumb question…

"The gala was quite a night, You know…" Iolene said softly as she sighed, dreaming of the ball before the madness struck. Aaron leant closer to hear. "I always daydreamed of attending balls. Living in the temple I was never invited to such parties. Even when my family hosted them I was not allowed to attend. My grandmother and grandfather gave me dresses as gifts. But I could never wear such gowns, for it was not practical or allowed in priest guidelines. I could only see the balls from the eyes of my ancestors, and imagine or read about them from the books in the library. They all looked and sounded wonderful… My dream finally came true when the Queen invited me. After all Mille Voix is one of the best places to host a world ball." Iolene pauses. "It was not what I expected. Before the chaos, I really enjoyed myself. I danced with a Duke, impressed people when I played the harp and ate the golden misery."

"The golden misery?" Aaron asks looking confused.

"A gold leaf cupcake, one of the most beautiful looking cakes in the gala. It tasted so horrible, so sour and bitter, I had no idea what it was." Iolene giggles. "Constant told me they deliberately made it disgusting. I have no idea why they made such gross food!" Iolene continues to laugh, trying her hardest to shake the tears. "I saved you a cupcake, but… Then everything happened." Iolene turns to face Aaron her gold eyes glowing in the darkness of the night. "I did not want the fun to end. But now… All I feel is fear. They know… They all do. And now because of me we all have to flee as soon as possible. Poor Avery…" Iolenes' tears began to flow again, wiping them with a handkerchief.

Aaron bows as he reaches his right hand out to her. "Would you like a dance, me lady?" He asks playfully. Hoping to distract her momentarily.

Iolene takes a short moment to think and accepts. Grabbing his hand gently he takes her. She can feel his nervousness, she leans her head on his chest. Hearing his heartbeat eased her. Understanding that Aaron has never danced before. She grabs his waist and pulls him closer as she gives him a short lesson in dancing. Her tears stop flowing as she places Aaron into a dance position.

Fred watched on as the two danced. He scoffs playfully as he sees the slave being clumsy, looking down at every step he took. Losing his footing multiple times. Fred knowing how strong Aaron is on the battlefield is surprised at how Aaron has two left feet. Fred remembers when Aaron beat him in training combat. I am really not as good as I think I am… He felt disheartened as Lexi a woman can perform powerful magic without breaking much of a sweat. Lei even beat him up in the Hall of Love. Kindness is a sign of weakness Fred! He thought in his father's voice. Always cheat to get ahead in life! Beat this boy up! Beat your brother up! Drink till you drop! Fuck and impregnate any woman you want! Married or not it does not matter! Spread your seed! A woman's happiness does not matter! If anything no one else matters! What matters is yourself! You are a prince of the Green Empire act like one!

Scuffing can be heard as Fred can hear footsteps and Stein whispering. Fred quickly glanced back at Aaron and Blondie. Seeing their sweet faces made him feel odd. He never saw Blondie smile like that before… Fred turns around as he walks in the direction of Stein. Fred not really liking the old priest as he reminded him of his old tutor. Saying hello cheerfully to Steins' surprise as they meet on the second-storey floor, just at the end of the stairs. Fred concocted random conversations to distract him. As Iolene and Aaron dance together as the moon rose high in the dark sky.