Chapter Text
- Meeting In A Faith-Forgotten Land
Flora couldn’t find it in herself to partake in the festivities around her; instead, she kept to the walls, her eyes watching over the ballroom.
Princess Bloom had turned 21, an age prompting a true royal affair from the rest of the Hannes Empire.
Dancing couples twirled each other around and around, lost in the melodious songs from the lively orchestra from Melody, led by the illustrious Musa Kai. The lights showing off the décor of the Dominian ballroom in the fairest ways. Lovely bouquets of marigolds and orchids dusted the tables. “Bloom’s favorites,” the bouquets had said to her.
Not to mention the rich food and the flowing drinks one could get from any number of waitstaff wandering the room.
The workings of a wonderful and glorious affair that the rest of the Empire and the next would be talking and buzzing about tomorrow.
And yet, Flora couldn’t bring herself to even feign enjoyment, not even for the sake of her friend.
No, her mind kept replaying the conversation she’d had earlier with her family and the King and Queen of Linphea. A responsibility she had to take on in the stead Princess Krystal due to the princess’s young age.
“Are you sure this is the only way? Surely there must be another way for the empires to find themselves on equal footing? Right? I… I’m not even royalty and-”
“He isn’t either. But you’re both of noble birth and you both serve one of the empires. This union could be the binding of the empires and bring about unity.”
“But does it have to be me? He’s twice my age!”
“You’ll do what is necessary.”
“Mind if I join you in this brooding corner? This whole affair is starting to grate on my nerves and this seems a great place to try and relax.” A voice pulled Flora back to the present. Feminine. Accented, though not from any place Flora could readily detect. (It had a drawl to it, perhaps from Magix?)
Flora gestured to the seat next to her, not yet seeing who had come to sit with her. “Be my guest.”
“Thank you.” She could hear the chair moving, her gaze finally turning to see her new companion.
Oh.
The voice did belong to a woman, though she was dressed vastly different from the other women in the ballroom.
Short purple hair that seemed to fall a bit more on the shaggier side. Pale skin with a hint of a green undertone. Ice blue eyes that seemed to house mischief in their irises, hidden by black-framed glasses.
She wore a suit instead of a ballgown. A suit.
A navy-blue coat that had been buttoned just enough to mostly cover her white undershirt. A matching tie tucked into the coat just so. Black trousers with what appeared to be silver trim. And boots that brought it together. “Something wrong?”
“No.” Flora flushed, realizing she’d been staring. “I just… Never knew women to wear men’s clothes to formal events.”
The woman laughed, shaking her head. “Oh dear. Clothes are just that. Clothes. They have no genders, they’re pieces of fabric and cloth and buttons and zippers all brought together to keep us from running around nude. There’s no ‘men’ or ‘women’s fashion. That’s just what tailors would have you believe to earn a few extra credits.”
Flora tilted her head, her face scrunching just a bit as she pushed back a few loose strands of her hair. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard an explanation like that.” She chanced a glance over to where Princess Stella was dancing with some dark-haired man. “But I don’t think you should say it too loudly. Some here may take offense.”
The woman followed Flora’s gaze to Stella, a smirk coming to her lips. “Princess Stella and I have already had this discussion.” She snickered. “Poor thing; I’ve never seen her get so red in the face before. Made me think of Empress Marion’s hair.”
That image made Flora try to stifle her laugh, her hands coming to try and hide her face. “Oh Dragons, I can only imagine.” She bit her lip, shaking her head.
The other woman smiled, about to speak when a waiter had come by. “I think I’d like a small glass of the Androsian Whiskey.” She glanced over to Flora, extending her hand. “What would you like? My treat.”
Flora felt herself flush, shaking her head and waving her hand. “None for me. I’m not much of a drinker.” The woman gave a nod, turning to the waiter.
“Water then, for her please.” The waiter gave a nod, walking off toward the kitchen.
“You didn’t need to do that.”
“I interrupted your moment of peace and quiet and shocked your entire world view on the clothing industry.” The woman grinned, her voice practically a purr. “Least I could do was get you a drink. Even if it’s non-alcoholic.”
Flora smiled. “Thank you. That’s… Very kind.”
“Don’t let it get out. I have a reputation to uphold.” The woman gestured to where Bloom was now dancing with the prince of Eraklyon, both looking as if they'd rather be anywhere else. “Particularly with her.”
Flora felt herself frown. Of course, a woman like this would know Bloom… Of course she had to be some sort of-
“You know Princess Bloom?” She found herself asking. The woman shrugged, giving a little tilt of her head in a sort of ‘eh’ movement.
“It’s complicated. Our families know one another and we’ve been in each other’s orbits.” The woman gave a more predatory smile. “Of course, others would say we’re diametrically opposed.”
Flora paused, giving the woman another once over. “Are… You from the Bellan Empire?”
The face the woman made… Her eyebrows cocked, her mouth becoming somewhat of a smirk. “I am. Is that an issue?”
“No.” Flora shook her head, her voice having become somewhat of a squeak. “I just didn’t know any of your people had been-”
“Invited to such a party?” The woman gave a shrug. “It does happen on occasion. We do need to save face. Keep up appearances. For the sake of ‘good faith’ and all.” The waiter had started approaching their table again, with their drinks. And as if she had had eyes in the back of her head, as if she had seen him come up from behind, she took their drinks without skipping a beat and setting them before Flora, taking something out of her coat pocket to hand to the young man.
“Thank you. That’ll be all for now. Please enjoy your evening.” She dismissed him, taking a sip of her glass. Another smile, this time showing teeth that almost appeared to be too-sharp. “I should have known coming here would require a bit of liquid encouragement.”
Flora found herself chuckling at the term, taking a sip from her water glass. “I thought it was ‘liquid courage’?”
“Oh no. I have plenty of that.” The woman paused, almost thoughtful. “In fact, my mother accuses me of being too brazen and bold sometimes. Traits she always blames my father for, though she doesn’t mean harm in it. Gets a few laughs out of him, though I feel as far gone as he is on her, he’d laugh at anything she’d say.” She gave a slight chuckle.
“Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that he’d believe her if she claimed the sky was green.”
Flora smiled.
How wonderful it must be to find and marry someone you loved. Someone you could trust so completely and be so vulnerable. To draw strength from. “Sounds like they have a loving relationship.”
The woman chuckled, giving another nod of her head. “One could argue they’re too-loving at times.” A pause as she took a drink. “But they do have their fair share of arguments. Though I feel that’s normal for any relationship… Assuming those in the relationship are willing to connect and try to work through them.”
Flora gave a nod. “None of us are perfect.”
“And isn’t that just the absolute truth?” She had glanced up to where Bloom had been dancing. “If only some people remembered that.”
Flora raised her hand to place on the other woman’s, only hesitating for a moment. Just a woman comforting another. That’s all.
And Dragons… She was warm to the touch. (Someone with fire magic?)
“You don’t really like Bloom, or any of us in the empire for that matter, do you?” The woman pulled her hand away, keeping her gaze to her glass of whiskey.
“I don’t have any qualms with you or the Hannes Empire. However, the Hannes Empire, and my own for that matter, seems to have problems with me.”
“I don’t.” Flora admitted. “You seem insightful. Honest.”
The woman laughed, almost a cackle. “You’d be the first to think so.” She downed the last of her drink, pausing as the music changed.
“Any chance you’d like to dance with me?”
No.
She shouldn’t.
What would the others say?
What would happen if news spread?
Then again… Women danced with each other often. Right? And it is a party…
“I’d love to.” Flora grinned as the woman took her by the hand and stood, leading toward the dance floor.
(Dragons the woman was smaller than she’d seemed. Inches smaller than Flora. But the confidence and aura she radiated…)
She placed a hand carefully on Flora’s waist and took her hand in the other, leading them in a Dominian Waltz. Graceful, poised, and making quiet comments of the others on the floor that had Flora trying not to laugh.
(Though she did notice the looks they were getting, the wink and grin from Layla, and a few disproving glances from Bloom and Stella. But at that moment, she couldn’t bring herself to care.)
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They’d danced off-and-on together throughout the party and had managed to avoid Flora’s more… Disapproving friends while they rested at their table.
Or at least, they had managed for a few hours…
“Flora, is she bothering you?” Bloom had managed to make her way to their table, gloved arms crossed as her blue eyes seemed to be attempting to cut through the other woman, her flames dancing behind them.
She gave a laugh, standing up and straightening up her coat and shirt. “Don’t fret, Princess. I’m about to leave the party.” She gestured to where four other women and three men were waiting by the door. (Two of the men dressed in what appeared to be decorative armor that knights used for attending parties. And the women all appeared to be giving her and the other woman these… Knowing smiles.)
An entourage?
“Not a moment too soon either.” Bloom spoke, her voice cross. Flora frowned, rising up from her chair.
“Why are you being so rude? She hasn’t done anything to warrant such behavior.” Flora intervened, bracing herself for Bloom’s anger.
She didn’t question Bloom often; Bloom was her future Empress and she was only a lesser noble, not to mention Bloom’s powers, or their friendship… But Dragons, manners needed to be abided by, especially due to the fragile state of the peace between Empires.
“Do you have any idea who she is?” Bloom asked, not even glancing to Flora as she kept her eyes on the other woman, her body threatening to ignite into flames. “She’s from Obsidian. Princess Valkyrie. And I use the term ‘princess’ lightly.”
Oh Dragons.
She was…
Oh no. Oh no.
This would be everywhere.
Her family would be so disappointed. The king angry.
And him… Oh Dragons.
Valkyrie merely gave a smile and a bow, acting as if Bloom’s digs didn’t matter to her. “I’m as much a princess as you are, dear Bloom.” She glanced to Flora, giving a smile. “I had a lovely time, perhaps we’ll meet again.” She turned back to Bloom, giving another bow. “Happy Birthday, Princess. Try not to drink yourself into a stupor.”
A cruel smile. “After all, if I’m not mistaken, that’s a fault that runs in your family… Correct?” And with that, Valkyrie had turned to leave, ushering out with the group she’d apparently come with.
Bloom’s fists were clenched, her face red, and Flora could hear the grinding of her teeth. “Are… You okay?”
The princess exhaled, her body seeming to force itself to relax. “I will be.” She turned her attention to Flora, looking her over. “Flora, you need to be careful around her.”
“She wasn’t doing anything to me. We were only keeping each other company for the party.” Flora tried to soothe Bloom’s worries. The redhead shook her head, her hands coming to grasp Flora’s.
“I mean it, Flora. You need to stay away from her if you can. From all of them. They’re not to be trusted.”
“I’m sure they say the same thing about us.”
Bloom shook her head, her hands wrapping around herself. “Flora, the Bellan family, their entire empire… It’s dangerous. They’re dangerous. You show any weakness around them, share any sort of confidences with them… And they’ll strike you when you’re at your lowest.”
Flora wanted to argue.
Valkyrie hadn’t given her a reason to doubt her. Hadn’t said or done anything that would make Flora question her motives. (Aside from the dance… But they were at a party for Dragons’s sake.)
Not to mention… Her future-husband (oh that thought made her want to be sick) was from the Bellan Empire. She’d have to trust them to a degree. There’d be no other choice.
Granted, Bloom likely had no idea just yet. The news hadn’t been announced, no one wanting to try and overshadow Bloom’s birthday… But still…
“Don’t worry, Bloom. I’m always careful.” Flora tried to appease Bloom, not willing to get into that right now.
Not while she was still feeling joy and laughter from earlier.
Another time, perhaps. But not now.
Bloom gave a nod, her smile returning. “Good. I’d hate to lose such a good friend to them.”
“So would I.” Flora found herself saying, a silent prayer entering her heart. “So would I.”