In the twilight hours preceding her wedding, May's curiosity led her to inquire about their destination as she followed her bridesmaids through the Kingdom's streets.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"The only place fit for a Princess on the eve of her wedding," Janine replied cryptically. Perplexed but intrigued, May followed Janine and Dawn as they ventured onward. Soon, they arrived at a charming establishment, and May's eyes widened in excitement. Ash had taken her here many times before and she remembered its ambiance as a blend of warmth and culinary allure. The aroma of freshly cooked pasta and succulent seafood wafted through the air, teasing May's senses.

"With a fully fresh buffet waiting for you," Dawn declared, unable to contain her excitement. May's astonishment was palpable.

"Seriously?!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening with delight.

"Like they wouldn't jump at the chance to serve the Princess," Dawn chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Janine's laughter bubbled forth as she embraced May.

"Happy Bachelorette party!" she proclaimed, her voice filled with affection. Overwhelmed with gratitude, May enveloped her friends in a heartfelt hug.

"You guys! Thank you!" she exclaimed, her heart brimming with joy. With shared laughter and camaraderie, they made their way inside the establishment, eager to indulge in the festivities that awaited them. May wasted no time in immersing herself in the culinary delights spread before her, her plate laden with an assortment of delectable treats. Observing May's voracious appetite with amusement, Janine couldn't help but smile.

"That's our May..." she remarked fondly, her eyes twinkling with affection. Dawn nodded in agreement, a playful grin adorning her features.

"At least her appetite is still intact," she remarked with a chuckle.

As the evening continued to unfold, May found herself dangling playfully from one of the roof support beams, her satisfaction evident in her relaxed demeanor even as she hung upside down.

"Satisfied?" Janine inquired, amusement lacing her tone as she observed May's antics.

"Oh yeah..." May replied with a grin, her voice tinged with contentment.

"Clearly," Janine remarked, her eyes dancing with mirth. Dawn, ever practical, voiced her concern.

"How are you not feeling nauseous doing that?" she questioned, her brow furrowing with genuine curiosity. May shrugged nonchalantly, her smile unwavering.

"It actually helps with digestion," she explained. "Always helped me anyway." Janine exchanged a knowing glance with Dawn, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

"Uh huh," she replied, her tone tinged with amusement.

"If it were anyone else I wouldn't believe it. But there's gotta be something different about you to eat the way you do," Dawn mused, her eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and amusement. May flashed them a playful smile.

"Is it food coma time?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. But Janine shook her head with a grin.

"Not yet," she teased, her voice filled with intrigue.

"My interest is peaked," she declared with a mischievous grin.

"The final event is going to be a lot more adventurous," Janine announced as May's eyes lit up with excitement.

"I love a good adventure," she proclaimed eagerly.

"It'll be fun," Dawn chimed in, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"I found a place in the woods that even you have never tracked down," Janine explained, her smile filled with pride. May's eyes widened in surprise, seeming to know what her sister was referring to.

"No way..." she breathed, her excitement palpable.

"Uh...?" Dawn looked on with curiosity.

"Even you never found Gardenia's Maze," Janine revealed, her voice tinged with satisfaction.

"How?!" May exclaimed, her mind racing with excitement. Glaceon perked up, sensing the adventure that lay ahead.

"Did you find her?" she inquired eagerly. Janine shook her head, her smile never faltering.

"I didn't go in. But that's where we're headed," she explained.

"And this place is...?" Dawn prompted, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Rumored to be the home of only dryad left in the area," May explained, her eyes shining with excitement.

"A what?" her lady-in-waiting questioned, her curiosity piqued.

"Dryad. They're rumored to be a nymph or some kind of nature spirit who live in trees and take the form of a beautiful young woman," May explained as Janine nodded in agreement.

"The boys of our village would go looking for her all the time," she recalled fondly.

"I see," Dawn nodded in understanding. May's excitement was palpable as she leaped down from her perch.

"This I gotta see!" she declared, her eyes shining with anticipation. Glaceon climbed onto May's shoulder, eager to join in the adventure.

"I'm in too," Dawn announced, her voice filled with excitement. With smiles exchanged and anticipation building, they made their way outside, ready to embark on their next adventure. Janine led the way, her steps confident as she ventured into the depths of the woods, her friends close behind, eager to uncover the mysteries that awaited them in Gardenia's Maze.

As they ventured deeper into the forest surrounding the Kingdom, Dawn couldn't shake off her apprehension.

"Are we sure this is a good idea? Seeking out some magical creature in a giant maze and all?" she voiced her concerns, her brow furrowing with worry.

"They aren't known to be violent or hostile. We should be fine," Janine assured her, her tone steady and reassuring. May, ever the optimist, chimed in with enthusiasm.

"And mazes are my expertise," she declared, her confidence unwavering.

"They better be. I don't want to get lost for all eternity," Dawn quipped, a hint of humor in her voice. Janine chuckled at Dawn's jest.

"Don't worry. We should be fine," she assured once more, her confidence unshaken.

"Absolutely! Got the best two ninjas around after all," May joked, a playful twinkle in her eye.

"No argument here," Dawn nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Not long after, Janine's keen eyes spotted their destination.

"There!" she exclaimed, pointing towards the entrance of the maze. May's eyes widened in awe at the sight of a towering hedge maze hidden deep in a forest clearing.

"Oh wow!" she breathed, her excitement palpable.

"Maze is right...wow," Dawn murmured, her voice filled with wonder.

"Ready to take the plunge?" Janine turned to her friends with a grin.

"Absolutely!" May nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Me too," Glaceon declared, her tail wagging eagerly.

"Me too. Dawn nodded. Before anyone could react further, May bolted in through the enetrance, surprising her bridesmaids. "Wait up!" Dawn called out, running after her friend as Janine did the same. As they navigated through the maze, May's excitement propelled her forward, her laughter echoing through the labyrinthine passages. Suddenly, May came to a halt as she reached a dead end, a triumphant smile gracing her lips. Dawn and Janine caught up to her, breathing heavily from the brisk pace.

"Dead end, Puzzle Master?" Janine quipped, a teasing glint in her eye. But May shook her head with a grin.

"Nope. Our first clue," she revealed, gesturing towards the pattern of flowers adorning the vines.

"What clue?" Dawn inquired, curiosity evident in her expression.

"The flowers," May began to explain. "Take a look down the other passages." Dawn and Janine peered down the adjacent passages, looking for the pattern or clue that May was referring to.

"The flowers are different colors?" Dawn observed, her curiosity piqued.

"Exactly." May nodded eagerly. "If we want to find a nature being, we have to follow the nature path," she explained.

"It's kind of all nature," Janine remarked, scanning their surroundings. May grinned, tracing a path of orange blossoms with her finger.

"But only one set leads us to the center," she declared triumphantly. "It's a map to our next clue."

"Why orange?" Dawn inquired, eager to understand. May pointed towards the entrance of the maze with a knowing smile.

"Same color as the ones on the entryway. It's the first third of the maze," she explained.

"We'll follow you then," Janine declared, her confidence unwavering. May flashed them a confident smile before dashing off, her friends close behind, eager to unravel the mysteries that awaited them in Gardenia's Maze.

As they followed the map's clues through the twisting passages of Gardenia's Maze, May's keen memory led them unerringly until they reached a point where the familiar path diverged.

"This is where the map left off... so there must be another clue somewhere in this hall," May observed, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Could always cheat with a May's eye view," Glaceon offered, her tail swaying with amusement.

"I don't want to do that unless we have to," May shook her head with determination. As they scanned the surroundings, Dawn's sharp eyes caught a subtle detail.

"Wait a second," she interjected, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the vines. Janine turned to her with curiosity.

"Spot something?" she inquired, her interest piqued.

"Most of the vines are just in random knots and ties," she explained, her voice tinged with excitement. "But I've made enough dresses over the years to know a cross-stitch pattern when I see it."

"These kinds of people are all about beauty and grace. Stands to reason they'd know the best clothing techniques too," May nodded in agreement.

"This must be our next path," Dawn declared confidently, her gaze fixed on the intricately woven vines. "I'll take the lead on this one," she promised, her confidence unwavering.

"Way to go, Dawn!" May exclaimed, her pride evident in her voice. Dawn nodded in acknowledgment and began to follow the path indicated by the intricate pattern of the vines. May followed closely behind as Janine also trailed behind them.

As Dawn followed the vine deeper into the maze, her hopes soared, only to plummet as the path grew just as chaotic as the rest.

"That's all for that one," she muttered in frustration, her disappointment evident in her voice.

"We gotta be close now," May remarked, her anticipation palpable. Suddenly, something brushed against her leg, and before she could react, two vines snaked around her ankles, lifting her into the air with a startled cry. "Ah!"

"May!" Dawn gasped, her eyes widening in shock. Glaceon gasped in horror as she tumbled from May's shoulder to the ground below. May struggled against her restraints, frustration evident in her movements.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with irritation.

"Hang on sis!" Janine reached for a knife to free May, only to find herself ensnared by the vines as well, her efforts thwarted.

"Janine!" Dawn gasped.

"Dawn behind you!" May called Dawn's attention. Dawn's eyes widened as she darted around in panic as the vines closed in and grabbed her and Glaceon as well. All three girls struggled as best they could, but before they could mount a successful escape, two formidable Pokémon emerged from the shadows.

"A Tangrowth and Serperior!" Janine gasped, realizing that they were responsible for the vine attack.

"Let us go!" May growled. She dug through her hidden skirt pockets for a shuriken and managed to slice through one of the vines holding her. Tangrowth cried out in pain as May managed to slice one of his restraining vines, prompting it to retaliate by extending more vines to immobilize her completely. "Ack!" Suddenly, a voice cut through the chaos, drawing their attention.

"What on earth is going on?" May's gaze snapped towards the source of the voice, her eyes widening in surprise as a barely clothed woman with short ginger hair emerged from the shadows with a curious gaze. Dawn's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the legendary dryad.

"A-Are you... Gardenia...?" May stammered, her voice filled with awe and apprehension.

"Yes." Gardenia nodded in confirmation, her voice gentle but firm. "Who are you?"

"M-My name is May... Princess of Hoenn... these are my friends, Dawn and my sister Janine," she explained, her words rushed. Gardenia's gaze softened at the mention of May's title.

"A Princess?" she echoed, her curiosity piqued. May nodded, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"We were just exploring for some fun... a party we were having. We really don't mean any harm," she assured, her tone pleading. Gardenia regarded them with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"You don't come wandering this far into my maze, not meaning to intrude," she remarked with a small chuckle.

"Well... sorry anyway," Janine offered an apologetic smile.

"You mentioned a party. What's the occasion?" Gardenia questioned, her curiosity evident.

"The Princess getting married in the morning," Dawn admitted. May blushed softly at the mention of her impending nuptials as Gardenia's eyes widened in delight.

"You're what in the morning!?" she exclaimed, her surprise evident. Gardenia's expression softened with warmth as she took May's hand, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. "My goodness, how wonderful! Come, you simply must look your best!" she insisted. As soon as the words had left her mouth, Tangrowth and Serperior released everyone from their holds, allowing them to land safely back on the ground. Leading May by the hand, Gardenia took them deeper into her lair as the girls followed, their curiosity piqued by the dryad's sudden hospitality.

As the last of the sun's rays left the sky, Gardenia led them to a majestic tree beside a tranquil pond, its waters shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. All three girls' eyes widened in awe at the sight.

"Whoa..." May breathed, her voice filled with wonder. Gardenia gestured towards the serene setting.

"You may all rest here for the night. The water will do wonders for your skin," she offered graciously. May hesitated, feeling touched by Gardenia's generosity.

"Is it really alright?" she asked, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Absolutely. It's the eve of your wedding!" Gardenia nodded with a warm smile. Dawn's eyes sparkled with gratitude.

"Wow. Thank you so much," she exclaimed, her voice filled with appreciation. Glaceon stepped forward eagerly, drawn to the tranquil waters of the pond. May knelt down on the bank of the pond, dipping her hand into the water curiously. As she felt the water's pristine purity, a sense of calm washed over her.

"It's quite mineral-rich," Gardenia explained.

"Wow... and I thought the secret pond was clean," May remarked with astonishment. Glaceon leaned forward and took a drink, her reaction one of sheer delight. May smiled and began to undress, unfazed by the lack of modesty, and slipped into the water with a contented sigh. Dawn couldn't help but sweatdrop at May's unabashed demeanor, while she and Janine followed suit, shedding their clothes and joining May in the rejuvenating waters. As they relaxed in the enchanted pond, Gardenia gathered fruits from the surrounding forest, her movements graceful and serene.

"Whoa... I didn't know water could be like this," Dawn remarked in awe.

"Ah... Amazing..." Janine echoed her sentiment, her expression one of pure bliss. Gardenia smiled softly at their wonderment.

"Isn't it?" she remarked, her voice filled with gentle affection. May sighed contentedly, the stress of the day melting away in the tranquil waters of the pond. Glaceon marveled at the serene atmosphere and its effect on her partner.

"I haven't heard you sigh like that in a while," she observed with a hint of amusement. May chuckled softly in response, her heart lightened by the peaceful surroundings. As they settled into the comforting embrace of the enchanted waters, May's curiosity got the better of her.

"Miss Gardenia?" she began tentatively, seeking to satisfy her curiosity about the legendary dryad.

"Yes, Princess?" Gardenia turned to her with a gentle smile. May blushed at the title.

"Just May is fine. But I'm just curious if you've always been here. Rumors about your presence have been a thing in my village for a long time," she explained, her tone filled with genuine interest.

"I have lived here for about two hundred years," Gardenia nodded in affirmation.

"Do you stay within the maze all the time?" Dawn's curiosity was piqued.

"Oh yes. The exit of the maze is as far as I can travel," Gardenia nodded once more.

"Does that ever get... boring?" May asked, her empathy evident in her voice. Gardenia considered the question thoughtfully for a moment before responding.

"Not typically, but it can. That's why I enjoy having my friends around," she confessed, her eyes shining with warmth as she gestured towards the Pokémon settled around the forest. She then made her way back over to the girls and gave them each a piece of the fruit she had been gathering. May accepted a piece of fruit from Gardenia, her curiosity piqued by its exotic appearance.

"What kind of fruit is this?" she inquired, examining it closely. Gardenia offered a smile as she explained.

"It's a fairy mango. You'll never find a juicier fruit." Dawn hesitated before accepting the fruit, her concern evident.

"It's not poisonous to humans, is it?" she asked cautiously.

"Not at all. Quite the opposite, really," Gardenia reassured her with a gentle laugh. "They're just about the healthiest thing you can ever eat that happens to be sweet,"

"Guess we've come all this way. Might as well go for it." Janine shrugged as took a bite and immediately squealed with delight, her eyes widening in surprise at the burst of flavor. Dawn accepted the fruit tentatively, her skepticism melting away as she tasted its sweetness. May also bit into the fruit, her taste buds tingling with delight as its flavor enveloped her senses.

"It melts in your mouth and tastes as though a spell has been cast on it to make it supernaturally sweet and juicy," May remarked in amazement. Gardenia giggled softly as she lightly massaged May's neck, her touch gentle and soothing.

"See?" she remarked with a smile. May looked over in surprise, touched by Gardenia's kindness.

"Oh, you don't have to do that. Really, you've already done more than enough for us," she protested, her cheeks flushing with gratitude.

"I won't hear of it. You all are in for a good pampering," she insisted, her tone firm but gentle.

"Well... thank you," May blushed softly at Gardenia's generosity. Gardenia's skilled hands worked diligently on May's tense muscles, her touch firm yet gentle as she kneaded away the knots that had formed from weeks of hunching over books.

"My goodness, what have you been doing? Your spine is all out of whack," she exclaimed with concern, her finger tracing down May's neck and back. May winced slightly at the pressure, her discomfort evident.

"Nothing..." she murmured sheepishly, though Dawn was quick to interject.

"Yeah, right. You've been hunkered down in the library for weeks on end," Dawn remarked teasingly, earning a wince from May. Gardenia gasped in dismay.

"You must take better heed to your posture! This simply won't do!" she insisted, her tone firm but caring.

"I was just reading intently..." May attempted to defend herself, but Gardenia was already focused on easing the tension in her muscles. As Gardenia worked on May's remaining knots, the princess couldn't help but relax into the soothing touch, her initial discomfort giving way to relief.

"There, there..." Gardenia murmured reassuringly as May's muscles began to unwind.

"Ah... thank you," May sighed gratefully, feeling the tension slowly melting away. Gardenia assessed the situation with a critical eye.

"I'm definitely going to need to spend a lot of time on you..." she remarked, prompting a blush from May.

"Well, if you insist... thank you," May responded, her gratitude evident. Meanwhile, Glaceon swam over to May, seeking comfort in her presence. May smiled fondly and began to pet her companion's head, enjoying the peaceful moment. As Glaceon nibbled on a piece of fruit, May chuckled softly, her heart warmed by the creature's contentment.

"Delicious." Glaceon purred.

"Just don't get too comfortable. I do need to be on time tomorrow," May reminded Glaceon playfully, earning a nuzzle in response.

"Tough..." Glaceon teased with a playful nudge. Their conversation was interrupted as Gardenia climbed into the water, taking a break from May's relaxation to tend to Dawn's lower back, her touch deft and soothing.

"How are you feeling?" Gardenia inquired, her tone gentle.

"Much better," Dawn admitted, her muscles loosening under Gardenia's skilled ministrations. Gardenia smiled appreciatively at Dawn's compliment. "Love your hair. Are you a natural blunette?" she asked curiously.

"I am, thank you. My mom's hair is the same color," Dawn nodded with a smile.

"Very cool," Gardenia nodded in understanding, continuing to massage Dawn's muscles with care. Dawn returned the question with interest.

"What about yours? I imagine with your powers, it could be almost any color you wanted," she speculated.

"Oh, my hair changes with the seasons," Gardenia chuckled softly., her tone filled with amusement.

"Whoa, really?" Dawn's eyes widened in fascination.

"Mhm. It's white during the winter, pink during the spring, green during summer, and ginger during autumn," Gardenia explained, her smile widening at Dawn's amazed expression.

"So technically, you are a natural redhead," Dawn concluded with a grin.

"Among other things," Gardenia nodded in agreement. As Gardenia finished working on Dawn, the young woman couldn't help but express her gratitude.

"That was amazing. Thank you," she said sincerely, her voice filled with appreciation. Gardenia returned her smile warmly.

"You're practically glowing!" she remarked, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Thank you so much for this. It means a lot to all of us," Dawn said earnestly, her voice tinged with emotion. Gardenia waved off her thanks with a gentle smile.

"It's no trouble. I haven't had any visitors in over a decade. I'm glad to be of assistance on an occasion like this," she explained, her tone tinged with nostalgia. Janine's curiosity was piqued by Gardenia's revelation.

"That long?" she inquired, surprised by the dryad's solitary existence. Gardenia nodded solemnly.

"Oh yes. I was quite bummed out at their parting, to be honest," she admitted, her voice tinged with wistfulness.

"Who were they?" May asked, her curiosity evident. Gardenia's gaze softened with fond remembrance.

"He actually. It was a young man who I saw last. He was quite the charmer," she recalled, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. Dawn's eyes widened in surprise.

"Over 10 years ago, someone made it all the way here?" she exclaimed, amazed by the thought.

"Yes," Gardenia affirmed simply.

"What was he like?" May's curiosity was piqued by Gardenia's recollection. Gardenia smiled softly as she remembered the young man

"Oh, quite handsome. Strong, too. A miner, I believe," she recounted, her voice tinged with fondness. May nodded in understanding, imagining the stranger's journey to Gardenia's secluded abode.

"A bit out of his element out here," Janine observed, noting the contrast between the miner's rugged occupation and Gardenia's tranquil sanctuary. Gardenia shrugged with a smile.

"Perhaps," she conceded, her tone light as she turned to her task of tending to Janine. As Gardenia worked on Janine's muscles, the group settled into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they enjoyed the serenity of Gardenia's magical sanctuary.

Later, as the evening was drawing to a close, Gardenia's gentle touch continued to work wonders on May's weary muscles, eliciting soft sighs of relief from the princess.

"Tough enough to get her to relax about anything," Janine remarked with a fond smile.

"You're one to talk..." May teased playfully, her eyes sparkling with affection. Gardenia interrupted their banter with a suggestion.

"May, why don't you go rinse your hair in the waterfall? I have a very special treatment for you," she proposed, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"Rinse my hair? What kind of treatment?" May inquired, her interest evident. Gardenia smiled warmly at May's question.

"Everything I have to offer. The bride-to-be should get the most pampering. After all, her beauty should shine so brightly the groom can't take his eyes off her," she explained, her words filled with reverence for the occasion. Dawn couldn't help but interject with a teasing remark.

"I don't think there's much concern about that," she quipped with a playful grin. May blushed at the compliment, her cheeks flushing with warmth.

"Nevertheless, I'm honored," she murmured gratefully, stepping out of the pond and making her way under the cascading waterfall. As May ran her fingers through her hair, allowing the cool water to rinse away the day's stresses. While she was busy, Gardenia turned to the bridesmaids and continued the conversation.

"So what's the wedding dress look like?"

"Dawn designed it. It's a beautiful two-piece silk with gold trim. She's the royal seamstress." Janine answered.

"I see. What inspired the one on the shore?" Gardenia wondered.

"May's a very...free spirit. She was never going to be confined to the ruffles and poof of a normal royal gown." Dawn explained. "So I designed that one with the goal of being regal, but still allowing her all the mobility and freedom she loves."

"Ah. Well, I would say you did a very good job. Are all her clothes similar?"

"All the ones she'll actually wear are anyway." the lady-in-waiting chuckled.

"Hm...give me your best description of the wedding dress. I need to know what we're working with to fully play my part." Gardenia instructed her.

"It's a unique dancer-style outfit. It has a pure white crop-top with a golden heart on it with a matching golden border on the sleeves and neck. There's also a translucent pearl veil with a turquoise gem on top, and a light off-white skirt with a piece of pure white fabric at the waist. Oh, also brown sandals and a gold heart necklace with a red gem," Dawn explained enthusiastically. Gardenia listened intently, her eyes alight with interest.

"Oooh, it sounds absolutely lovely," she remarked appreciatively, her admiration evident.

"That's why she's the best," Janine declared proudly, her voice filled with affection. Dawn smiled as May finally returned to the group, her hair and body fully rinsed as instructed.

"Alright. I'm rinsed," she announced.

"Perfect." Gardenia nodded before looking to the bridesmaids. "You two are done for today. By tomorrow morning you'll all be knock-outs."

"Thank you, Gardenia," Dawn said gratefully, her heart touched by the dryad's generosity.

"Thanks." Janine nodded.

"Alright, girls why don't you two get some rest? Time for some one-on-one with the bride-to-be." Gardenia announced.

"Sounds good to me. Good night May." Dawn yawned. As Gardenia ushered Dawn and Janine to rest, May bid them goodnight with a smile.

"Goodnight, girls. Thank you again," she said warmly, her gratitude evident. With a wave of her hand, Gardenia created soft spots for Dawn and Janine to rest on, their tired bodies sinking into the comfortable surface with contented sighs. As the night fell over Gardenia's enchanted sanctuary, May's friends drifted off to sleep, essentially leaving May alone with Gardenia.

"Now then," Gardenia said, walking over to May with a smile. "How do you feel?"

"Very relaxed," May replied, a contented sigh escaping her lips.

"You're about to feel a lot more relaxed," Gardenia promised, her smile widening. "Firstly, I'm gonna wash your hair with some beauty products courtesy of Mother Nature."

"Alright." May nodded in agreement, trusting Gardenia's expertise. Gardenia then proceeded to collect various oils and juices from plants and fruits, combining them into a luxurious concoction. As she began scrubbing the mixture into May's hair, May closed her eyes and leaned her head back, surrendering herself to the blissful sensation.

"You have beautiful hair," Gardenia remarked softly as she worked, her admiration genuine.

"Thank you," May replied, a small smile playing on her lips. After thoroughly massaging the mixture into May's hair, Gardenia instructed her to lean into the waterfall to rinse it out. As May complied, Gardenia washed the mixture out of her hair, leaving it feeling soft and rejuvenated.

"Marvelous," Gardenia declared, pleased with the results. "Now, what do you say to a little braiding?"

"By all means," May agreed, eager to see what Gardenia had in store. As Gardenia expertly braided a few strands of May's hair towards the front, the two engaged in conversation. "Gardenia forgive me for asking but...is marriage or being with someone something that you're looking for?"

"Oh absolutely. Not actively because I can only go so far, but I would love to have a lover of my own." the magical woman answered.

"Even with all your responsibilities here? And to your friends?"

"Oh, they protect me far more than I do them. But yes."

"I'm in a similar situation...I love my fiancé and I can't wait to marry him...but I'm worried that my responsibilities to my charges might hurt him one day…" May quietly admitted.

"It's best to try and live in the present," Gardenia advised, her words wise and comforting. "Flowers don't worry about whether or not the sun will shine tomorrow, and trees don't worry about who will eat their fruit next week. They grow it day by day, and they give it to those who need it, when they need it."

"I guess that makes sense…" May nodded, her worries momentarily eased by Gardenia's words of wisdom. "I'll try to remember that…"

"Speaking of your groom, what's he like?" Gardenia proded.

"He's wonderful...strong, intelligent, loyal, dedicated, kind. And just about the most handsome man alive," May declared with a smile, her love for her betrothed evident in her voice. "I decided shortly after we first met as kids that he was the one."

"Sounds dreamy." Gardenia chuckled at May's description.

"I love him with my whole heart and soul. And I'd go anywhere with him." May nodded enthusiastically.

"Well, he's going to love you a whole lot more when I'm through with you." Gardenia smiled slyly. May laughed, eager to see the results of Gardenia's efforts.

"Quite the interesting challenge to take on. I look forward to seeing it."

"You won't be disappointed," Gardenia assured her as she finished the hair styling session. "Alright, this should do it for your hair. Take a look at your reflection."

"Thanks so much. " May smiled, heading over to the pond to look at her reflection. As May admired the two long braids running down past her cheeks, she couldn't help but feel grateful for Gardenia's hospitality and expertise.

"Now then," Gardenia said, turning her attention to May's skin. "You're in for the best massage I've ever given."

"It won't mess up my hair?" she wondered. Gardenia shook her head with a reassuring smile.

"A tornado couldn't wreak your hair now. Now it's time to handle your skin, muscles, and bones." Gardenia assured her. May gave a small nod, feeling a sense of anticipation building within her.

"I still get to sleep, right?"

"Of course," Gardenia assured her. "But once I'm finished, tomorrow morning you'll wake up feeling so refreshed and relaxed, it'll be like you went to sleep early instead of late."

"Whoa," May exclaimed, impressed by Gardenia's promise.

"Come on out of the water and lay on this root here. Don't worry about getting dressed," Gardenia instructed, leading May to a comfortable spot where she could receive her massage. As May settled onto the root, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax completely, ready to experience Gardenia's expert touch. As Gardenia's gentle touch traced May's spine, she winced slightly, feeling the tension in her muscles release under the skilled fingers.

"Ah…"

"Oohhh yeah, you need me," Gardenia remarked, her hands working out a particularly stubborn kink. May couldn't help but emit a small yelp, prompting Gardenia to insist, "You really gotta promise to never let it get this bad again..."

"I'll do my best," May promised, feeling the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her, quite literally. As Gardenia rubbed lower, May's response was a relieved, feeling the tension seemed to melt away under the steady ministrations of the dryad.

"What's gotten you so worked up over books?" Gardenia inquired, her voice soft with genuine interest.

"My charges..." May began, explaining how she cared for Dragons, the legendary Tao Dragons, who had been suffering from frequent bouts of illness and pain.

"Hm…I might be able to help with that." Gardenia offered. May lifted her head in surprise, her eyes wide with hope.

"You know about dragons?"

"I don't know a thing about Dragons." Gardenia chuckled softly. "But I do know some things about healing." With a gentle touch, she traced May's spine, and suddenly, a massive cramp freed, eliciting a gasp of relief from May. "That was the biggest one," Gardenia remarked, her smile warm and reassuring. "Now for the part that's really gonna help you relax. And make your fiance drool."

"Which is?" May's curiosity was piqued.

"I'm going to give you another massage," Gardenia explained, "but this one is going to be more gentle and cover most of your body. And I'm going to be using special oils, nectars, and juices from these plants that will do heavenly wonders for your skin and complexion, with special attention to every inch of you that will be exposed on your wedding dress. They'll make your natural radiance shine like nothing else, and will even keep you clean from almost anything touching you for hours."

"Whoa…" May was taken aback by the generosity and potency of Gardenia's offer. "Are you really sure it's alright to use something that powerful...?"

"Oh, it'll be just fine, dear," Gardenia reassured her with a smile.

"Surely there's at least some compensation I can offer...?" the Princess requested.

"Your company is all I could ask for." Gardenia shook her head. May then smiled gratefully.

"Well then...maybe we can come back more often. So you won't be alone all the time?" she offered. The dryad considered for a moment before responding.

"Well, I do enjoy my privacy. But if you ever see a handsome bachelor, that seems trustworthy, send him my way."

"Deal." May chuckled softly. Gardenia's gentle touch then continued, now focusing on May's ears. As she sat on the root beside her, May shifted to lay her head in Gardenia's lap, where the woman began applying the solution to May's facial features. May closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh as Gardenia worked, caressing her entire face with care.

"Nice and rosy," Gardenia observed with a smile before delicately moving on to May's neck. As Gardenia stroked her neck, a faint sweet smell filling May's nostrils.

"Smells heavenly," May remarked softly, taking in the pleasant aroma.

"Everyone will smell this when you walk by." Gardenia smiled in response. Impressed, May could only murmur a word of awe.

"Wow..."

"I'll do one more coat before you leave tomorrow," Gardenia assured her as she continued her work on May's upper chest.

"Thank you, Gardenia," May expressed her gratitude sincerely.

"You're quite welcome," Gardenia replied, her voice gentle and warm. As May began to feel drowsy, Gardenia shifted the conversation to a former topic. "Now May about your dragons. Do they eat and drink like normal creatures?"

"They do…"

"If they drink from my water, it should help heal them. The pool contains strong curative properties as I'm sure you've noticed." she smiled.

"You'd let them come...?"

"Don't have that much room here. But I'll give you samples to take with you. They should save you or them from any injury or disease." Gardenia explained.

"That would be wonderful...thank you," May responded appreciatively. Gardenia smiled, continuing her soothing massage on May's arms.

"If there's anything else I can do, please let me know."

"Oh, please, you've done more than enough. I feel bad not repaying you," May insisted.

"Don't trouble yourself. Just shut your eyes," Gardenia instructed gently. May complied, allowing herself to sink into a state of deep relaxation, feeling grateful for the care and kindness she had received from Gardenia.

To be Continued...