No pov
When Flora, Heila, Sky, Bloom, Julian, Geoff, and Logan come back to the palace, Linus is waiting on the steps. He stands up and looks at Logan, his father. Linus runs down the stairs and jumps in his father's arms. Tears flow down both their eyes along with Flora.
"Hi dad." Linus whispers with a sob.
"Hey son." Logan whispers as he picks his son up.
Linus squeezes his legs around his father's waist. It has been 3 whole years since tehy have seen each other physically. After his mother died it was just the two of them. When Linus said goodbye to Logan, he feared it would be the last time. Flora and the other quietly leave the lawn and let them have their moment. The girls along with Flora's uncles and the guys are in the small den wear a tall portrait of Flora in full unfirom with her hand on her hip and her arm placed at her side.
Heila's pov
I look at the portrait of Flora and it is a side of her which I have never seen. She has a bold proud smile on her face. I have never actually seen her in full uniform.
"You found my third greatest achievement." Flora says as she wraps an arm around my waist.
"Flora you look-" I start to say but Musa interprets me.
"Badass!" Musa says with a chuckle.
"That and very beautiful." I continue as I kiss her temple.
"Thank you. This was painted when I was honored with the title "First Commander of the Limphean army." It was a spectacle to say the least. Everyone was proud of me. Except my aunties and Sky's father." Flora explains.
"Why not my father?" Sky asks.
"He believes that women should not be involved in war affairs. When Flora became commander he wasn't happy that a women could be his job better than him. No offense." Julian explains.
"None taken." Sky says.
"Where is she!? Where is my princess Flora?!" An older man's voice shouts at the door.
"Gramps!" Flora says as she runs out of the room and down stairs.
We follow he to she her hugging the exact opposite of what I picture her grandparents to look like. Her grandfather is a tall male and slightly grey hair mixing with his dark brown hair and to a certain degree is muscular. He look youthful at his face along with his wife. She is a couple inches shorter than he is with light brown hair and dark brown eyes.
"Helia come here." Flora says excitedly.
I walk down the stair though still trying not to look panicked. I stand next to her and try to remember to breath.
"This is my grandpa Moore and my grandma Dahlia. This is Helia." Flora introduces.
"Posuit pluvias eorum fortis. Is se in schola?" (He looks strong. Is he is school?) Dahlia asks in her native tounge.
"Die incepti Red Fountain. Vestibulum ut est turpis. Abiit itque in schola enim ars." (He attends Red Fountain. It is a school for Specialist. For a time he went to an art school.) Flora replies.
The fact that they are not speaking English and I can't understand them is making me nervous.
"Etait-il toujours un spécialiste" (Was he always a specialist?) Moore asks.
"Non erat pacificus collocavit ante." (No, he was a pacifist until he transferred) Flora responds.
"You were a pacifist and yet you attend a fighting school. Now I have seen it all." Moore asks.
"Gramps!" Flora scolds him lightly.
"It's ok Flora. Yes I was. Flora made me change. I wanted to protected her but I needed to fight to do that." I explain.
"He is a keeper Flora." Dahila says gently.
"I know." Flora says as she snuggles closer to me.
"We will talk more at dinner. Where is your mother and father?" Moore asks.
"In the den." Flora says.
They head upstairs as Flora takes my hand and walks with my upstairs.
"Are you less scared now?" Flora teases me.
"Yes. They seem cool." I explain.
"They are the best. They're like my mom actually. After all, they never let crown get to their heads" Flora says with a light giggle.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Well-" Flora starts to say but the door opens.
"Hello Flora." An older woman says at the door.
"Hello grandmother Willow." Flora says properly.
I'm so confused. The second that her grandmother came in, her whole attitude changed. She stands up completely straight, she curtsies slightly, and her expression turns cold. She walks down the stairs gracefully and bows before her grandparents.
"Helia, these are my grandparents. My grandfather Jay and my grandmother Willow." Flora says as I quickly make my down the stairs and bow before them.
"Who is he again?" Willow asks sharply.
"The talent artists specialist I told you about." Flora explains.
"What about the man you were suppose to marry." Jay asks.
"He beat my ass so I left him." Flora explains sharply.
I think in my head about her last boyfriend. Drake. She was engaged to him!
"You never told me that-" I start to say but Jay interrupts.
"Silence. Where is my son?" Willow asks.
"He is in the den. You know, with the rest of the family. If you would like to join the rest of us peasants we will be there." Flora says as she curtsies again and takes my hand.
"Pater, ex inferno sunt avis!" (Dad, the granparents from hell are here!) Flora shouts as she walks me upstairs.
"Are you going to explain anything to me about what just happened.?" I asks.
"I will. When we're alone. I'm sorry in advance sweetie." Flora says sadly as she kisses my cheek.
We go into the den and I can see that Flora is not comfortable. Her second set of grandparents walk into the room and her whole body tenses. I try to calm her down but she slightly fights against me.
"Dinner will be served in half an hour." Linus announces.
"Girls, go get changed for dinner." Sharon says.
"Yes mother." Flora says as she gives me a quick kiss and leaves with the girls.
"As for you boys, you can change as well. I know you boys brought your uniforms." Sharon says.
"Of course." Sky says as we leave to get changed.
10 minutes later
The guys and I wait downstairs as the girls soon walk down the stairs. (WARNING: HORRIBLE AT FASHION. I WILL UNDERSTAND IF WHAT I PICKED OUT SUCKS. READ THIS PART AT YOUR OWN RISK FASHIONISTAS) Stella a yellow dress with white at the bottom, star stud earrings, and high heels. Bloom is also wearing a formal red dress with white at the bottom, the new earrings Sky bought, and heels. Layla is wearing a formal blue dress as well along with the white at the bottom, a small seashell necklace and heels. Techna is also wearing a formal white dress with a bracelet Timmy bought her today and heels. Musa is wearing a formal purple dress , her hair completely down, small music note earrings and heels. Finally my princess is wearing a formal light green dress that mixes in with the white at the top, the necklace I got her for her birthday, flower studs, and a pair of silver semi heels, with her hair in a long braid. I can't stop looking at how the dress hugs her hips perfectly. She looks like the daughter of Adonis. She looks at me weirdly and I remember I didn't say anything.
"Helia, come back to me please." Flora says softly.
"I'm sorry. You just look so beautiful. Not that you don't look beautiful without the dress but," I start to explain as she kisses me sweetly.
"It's fine. I'm not used to seeing you flustered." Flora says as he takes my hand as walks with me to the dinning hall.
We sit down and chat among ourselves as we wait for dinner. Flora looks comfortable now than several minutes ago. I'm about to ask her if she is ok when one of her aunts interrupts.
"Helia, we never really didn't get the chance to introduce ourselves. I am Poppy, Sharon's younger sister, and my sister Ally is the one in the pink dress. She also is the oldest." Poppy introduces with a smile.
"I'm Lillian, I'm Zeo's wife." Lillian says in a brown dress.
"I'm Edna and my husband is Geoff." Edna says in the white blouse.
"I'm Stacy. Mark's wife." Stacy says in the black dress.
"It is lovely to meet all of you." I reply honestly.
"So Helia, have you ever had a girlfriend." Willow asks.
"Grandmother." Flora says in a warning voice.
"Don't use that tone with me. I'm just curious." Willow explains.
"No." I answer.
"Why art?" Jay asks.
"My father was an artist when he came home from war." I answer as I look away.
"You're father was a military man?" Julian asks.
"Helia you don't have to say anything." Flora says softly knowing I don't like to talk about it.
"It's ok. Yes he was. He came back a hero. He suffers PTDS and he is not completely here. Sometimes his mind is back on the battle field. My mom understood what he was going through I did not. I was a child at the time. He soon expressed himself through art. He said it took away some of the pain and fear. I remember being seated in his lap and watching the canvas coming to life. I enjoyed that image so much that I decided to go to art school. Even after I joined Red Fountain I still painted and drew. When I met Flora, I finally the perfect muse to guide my hand. So you see sir, painting was not just a hobby for me, it was and still is a connection for me and my family." I explain as I look at Flora lovingly.
She takes my hand into her soft palm and squuezes it tightly. I kiss her cheek softly as she hugges me loosely.
"Heila, thank you for sharing." Sharon says.
"I do not talk about it much." I reply with a small tint on my cheek.
"He is an amazing artist mom. He just makes the painting come to life." Flora says.
"I have to see one someday." Julian says as he sips his water.
"Flora told me that your were a paficist." Moore says.
"Grampa!" Flora snaps quietly to him.
"Yes I was." I answer will looking at Flora reassuringly.
"So you go from a artist paficist to an artist specialist." Jay summarizes.
"Yes." I amswer.
"Dinner is served." Linus announces.
"Thank god." Flora whispers in relife.
Linus and his father sit on the other side of the table as the chef comes with our meal. It's tilapia and a salda. Flora's unlces have a steak instead. Flora looks at it longingly but lightly shakes her head.
"Flo, you ok?" Zeo asks.
"I'm fine." Flora says with her voice lightly shaking.
"It's the steak. Isn't it?" Julian asks.
Flora nods softly with her eyes glued to her handing that's holding mine.
"Did you finish?" Sharon asks.
"No." Flora says as she starts eating her fish.
"Flora?" Bloom says looking at her worriedly.
"I'm fine. I just need a small pick me up." She says as she looks at Linus.
"I'll be back." Linus says as he leaves the room.
The room falls silent and Flora's hand starts shaking. Linus comes back a minute later and brings her a glass of red juice. She quickly takes it and
takes a big gulp. Her faces turns pale for just a second and then goes back to it's natural tan color.
"Much better." She mumbles.
"What happened?" I ask worriedly.
"If I don't feed for a long period of time, I start to get a little off my square." Flora explain with a chuckle.
"So is that?" Riven starts to asks.
"Blood? Yes. B- to be more specific." Flora says.
"Typical Flora. Can't even act like a normal girl for one dinner." Willow says as she sips her water.
"Mother!" Julian scolds.
"What? It's true. How she has stayed in a relationship this long baffles me." Willow explains with a chuckle.
"Leave my love life out of this." Flora says with a growl.
"No growling at the table." Stacy orders.
"Enough. Let's try to have a nice meal." Sharon says.
We eat through the rest of the meal in silence. I see Flora happily eating her fish. I smile at how happy and comfortable she looks. When we finish eating we go back to the den and Linus goes to the piano.
"Linus, how long has it been since you played?" Flora asks.
"About a year." Linus answers.
"Do you remember 'This Lullaby to You.'?" Flora asks.
"It's one of my favorites." Linus says as Flora sits next to him.
"Play it." Flora says.
"Come on Linus. Please." Sharon says.
"Alright your highness. Only if Flora sings." Linus says as he starts to play.
Flora's pov
This Lullaby to You
Flora
Close your eyes
Listen to this melody
As I sing this lullaby to you
As I strum my violin
As I whisper soothing words
Let your mind be at ease
Linus and Flora
As I sing this lullaby to you
Linus
Listen quietly to the piano
Flora
Listen quietly, drift off peacefully
Both
As we sing this lullaby to you
Flora
And as we end this lullaby
Please remember this my dear
I will be here in the night to protect thee
Rest sweet dear, close your eyes
As I end this lullaby to you
End of song
I giggle and hug Linus as everyone claps for us. I see Heila smile at me and I blow him a small kiss.
"Linus, no one will ever be good enough for you." I tell him with a giggle.
"I aggree with that." Logan aggrees.
"Flora, please tell me you're not wearing this ugly uniform at the ceremony." Auntie Lillian says while looking at the picture on the wall.
"Well I have to. It is part of the cermony. I go up the stairs in my uniform then I say my oath." I answer.
"You still want to be like this?" Auntie Edna asks in shock.
"I want to be myself." I explain bluntly as I stand up.
"Does he want you to be like this?" Auntie Stacy asks looking at Helia.
"Heila has nothing to do with my descion." I agrue as my blood starts to boil.
"How are you going to have children? How will they act if their mother is a rebel?" Grandmother Willow asks.
"I will the proudest mother in the dimension if my daughter wants to be a hybrid." I answer honestly.
"Julian, what are you going to about this?" Jay demands of his son.
"Me and Sharon support Flora and her decision." Julian explains.
"I will not have my legacy ruined by a rebel." Grandmother Willow says.
"Your legacy. Is that all you care about?" I ask.
"I want Lily to take the throne. She is the only one that has any respect for the throne." Grandmother Willow demands.
"She would destroy the planet in a week." I laugh to her.
"If anything Flora should have the throne. She has a connect to Mother Nature. She speaks to Flora. Lily or Rose have never heard her voice."Grandpa Moore explains.
"She deserves to be locked up like the animal she is." Lily says.
I feel her fear wash over me like a wave. I let her have a small part of control and she lashes.
"Oh I'll give you an animal." I growl angrily as I quick transform to my half panther form.
I growl and snarl at her and my uncles hold me back. I feel a familiar hand on my shoulder and I whip my head around to see. I instantly stop when I realize it's Helia.
"Flora, calm down sweetie. Come back to me." He says quietly.
I deform myself back to normal and nearly collapse to the ground. I look up when I feel a soft hand on my cheek. Helia kisses my softly. I start to cry due to how I acted in front of him.
"Flora, don't cry sweetie. You know I hate seeing you cry." He says as he wipes my tears.
"I really am I monster." I sob to him.
"No you're not. You just got angry. It's normal." He says as he tries to comfort me.
I know that he's lying. Why would he ever love a minster like me. I get up and run to the garden. I make sure that I'm not being followed. I even tune out the person calling my name.
Heila's pov
I watch Flora run off. I shoot daggers at her sister.
"How dare you?" I demand of her.
"Me. What about her? She could have killed me." Lily explains.
"Be her sister for a day. That's all she ever wanted!" Layla shouts to her.
"What your tone young lady?" Willow orders.
"She is your family. You are suppose to support her." Bloom says.
"And how dare you bring up locking her up!" Musa shouts.
"She deserves it!" Rose shouts.
"Did you not learn from the last time you tried?" Zeo asks.
"What happened the last time?" Brandon asks.
"Her inner panther almost killed her." Julian says.
"Her panther hates being locked up. She fought against the chains and tried to escape. The guards were ordered to harm her if she tried to escape." Sharon explains.
"That's why she hated confined spaces." Techna says.
"After that, she was depressed for a year. She was only 13." Julian says.
"I'm going to look for her." I annouce as I rush to the door.
"No leave her!" Lily orders.
"You deserve a real princess. No some hybrid who can't control herself." Rose says while giving me look of lust.
"I would rather have a hybrid with a heart then spoiled princess who don't have one." I answer honestly as I leave.
I go to the one place where she normally goes when she is upset on Alfea. The garden. I see her on the ground crying as Romeo tries to comfort her. I rush to her side and hold her close to me.
"Flora, don't cry. It's okay." I whisper to her softly.
"Why are you still here? Didn't Lily or Rose try to take you?" Flora asks wetly.
"They did. But I already have a princess." I answer.
"You have a monster." Flora whispers.
"I have a beautiful princess who is not afraid to fight for what she believes in. That is the only princess I will ever love." I explain as I kiss her deeply.
"I didn't mean to lash out like that. She freaked out when the words ' locked in a cage.' I could feel her fear." Flora explains as her voice trembles.
"It's okay. As long as I'm here, no one is taking for me." I swear to her as I kiss her.
We sit there quietly as she starts to calm down. After about 5 minutes she stands up and I take her inside. We walk to the den hand in hand and watch as the room falls silent.
"You ok Flora." Linus asks.
"I will be. I am sorry for my behavior." Flora apologizes.
"If anything, they should be apologizign to you." Mark mutters.
"It's ok. I want you to know that it wasn't me. She was afraid mom. I haven't felt, seen, heard her so scared since.." Flora starts to explain as she looks at me with painc.
"It's fine. We understand. Why don't you all head to your rooms. I will show everyone else to their rooms." Sharon says.
"Night mom. Night dad." Flora says as they kiss her on the cheek.
"Sweet dreams my princess." Julian says.
The girls and the guys head off to their respected rooms.