Flowers From Ylies
Elora woke up with a pounding headache. It was as if she’d been whipped in her sleep. It was nothing like the headaches she’d had in the past and she felt like her head had the intention of separating from her body. Plus the thought of the previous night worsened her headache even more.
It was one of those nightmares again. Those ones where she found a little girl who bore her name either crying, running, or mourning. It was terrifying. She didn’t know what to think anymore. What were those dreams? Was it just an ordinary nightmare or was it a fragment of the past she’d suddenly forgotten?
It was at this moment, Elora wished she were able to remember everything that took place before she turned 15, before exile. What could’ve possibly happened? How bad was it?
Before she could question herself further, the door of her bedchambers slowly pushed open and Lia walked in. In her hand was a platter with a small bowl on it.
“My Lady, here’s the soup.”
“Thank you, Lia.”
She picked up the medicinal soup and in a second, consumed it. Afterward, she returned the bowl to Lia and groaned. “This should work.”
“My Lady, do you need a physician?”
She threw the covers off her and slipped her foot into soft fluffy footwear. “I don’t.”
“Your bath has been prepared. Please come, My Lady.”
After soaking in the bath and letting the servants scrub her body like the experts that they probably were and letting them dress her up for the day, she was ready for breakfast. Although it was afternoon, she still regarded it as breakfast. Because well, living with vampires meant that she had to go to bed later than usual and wake up in the afternoons and sometimes, evenings.
“Come, My Lady.”
Elora’s mouth dropped to the floor as the door opened and her eyes fell to the floor. Her servants also had the same expression on their faces and their gasps filled the hallway.
“Wh…what is this?” Her eyes expanded. Thousands of flower bouquets lay on the floor. Her eyes widened even further as they skimmed through them. Roses, tulips, daisies, lilies. She lost count. Flowers in Elyria? It was impossible. It could only mean one thing- they were from Yvlies. But how? She took a step back when the guards brought in a few more bouquets and laid them amongst the ones on the floor.
“Your highness,” one greeted.
“How are these here?” She demanded.
“His highness asked that they be brought to your bedchamber,” with his head down, he replied. “His highness had gone all the way to Yvlies to get these flowers. He wishes that you accept them.”
“What?” Her jaw dropped even further to the floor. “He went to Yvlies? Himself?”
“Yes. His highness had plucked the flowers.”
Not knowing what to say or react, she ran back into the room and slammed the door against the guards and the numerous flowers before slamming her back on it, her breath suddenly increasing. The prince had gone to Yvlies himself just to pluck her flowers? She was finding it incredibly hard to process. Why all of a sudden? Was it perhaps to apologize for ruining the ones she got the previous day? But it wasn’t ruined, she said inwardly. The servants had picked and arranged them.
He went to Yvlies. The word rang in her head countless times, she knew it would be impossible to get rid of for the remaining part of the week. The man who’d refused to set foot in Yvlies on the day of their wedding had unexpectedly gone there himself to pluck her flowers.
It wasn’t adding up.
“Your highness, I think his highness is so considerate to pluck you flowers. I think he knows how well you like them.” She lifted her gaze when she heard Hula speak. Her servants had smiles on their faces and their cheeks were stained bright red.
Brenda agreed. “I agree. His highness is so thoughtful.”
“I heard people give this many flowers to those that they truly adore,” Lia added.
“Adore. You think that the Prince adores me?”
Lia gave a nod. Elora brushed it off with a laugh. “Can you all stop being dramatic? Rafael must’ve gotten the…the flowers because he…he thought he ruined mine.”
“I didn’t think his highness had a soft side to him. He was always angry and stoic. His highness must truly adore you,” Hula said.
“You’re just delusional.”
She stepped away from the door and gently opened it. The flowers are still laid there. Were her servants right? Did the prince truly adore her? Crouching a little, she picked up a bouquet and brought it to her nose, a smile instantly spreading across her lips. Only if they wouldn’t die after a few weeks, she thought.
And although she was aware that the flowers might die after a few weeks, she announced. “Regardless, we’re going to plant these in the courtyard.”
“My Lady, it’s not going to grow.”
“I know. It doesn’t matter. I don’t mind if the courtyard is beautiful only for a few days.”
The servants nodded in agreement. “You’re right, My Lady.”
“Hmm.” She hugged the bouquet to her chest and made a mental note to have that one for herself. She planned to keep it in a nice vase and place it on her bedside table
“Do you like them?”
Everyone’s eyes flew upward at the sound of the prince’s voice.
“Your highness.”