A Court of Radiant Darkness

Twenty-One: Of Sunflowers and Vigor

The next day, Thalia found herself sitting in the rose gardens alone. She had just set aside the watering can by her feet, soaking in the sun as she rested among the newly rejuvenated rose bushes.

The Queen was still asleep in her room by the time Thalia had woken up to replace the bandages on her arm, and when she had completed her task, she had sought out breakfast with Julian.

Julian had made himself scarce since last night, perhaps because of Thalia's insistence of personally overseeing the Queen's recovery. He'd had agreed, but only because the Queen's life was not at stake, and she was sure to heal properly by this morning.

Ortho had joined Thalia at some point, warming the grass beside her while he rested his large head against her lap – his head easily stretching across her thighs protectively. He spent his time soaking in the sunlight that broke through the thick clouds, content to like to Thalia's murmuring.

Thalia scratched behind his ears and the helhound's short tail flicked back and forth enthusiastic about the new attention he was receiving.

"I'd hate to have seen you fight in someone else's war," Thalia said to him.

Ortho tipped his head at the term. War.

"In order to stop the blight... We have to have balanced power... Does that mean if I accept the bond, then everything will be okay? Hybern could send her power through the bond ... It could stabilize the power. How did she get this much power anyway? Does it have to do with what happened to her family?"

Ortho whined at her question, pawing over his head as if to tell her something.

"There you are, Lady Thalia." Thalia looked up to see Julian. His pair of round sunglasses reflected the cloudy sky above them and he had donned his usual suit and tie. "I've brought refreshments for you."

Julian held up a glass of lemonade with a smile, "The Queen told me that you liked sweet drinks. When life gives you lemons..."

Thalia chuckled, accepting the glass. "Were you just trying to make a joke there, Jules?"

"All the servants in the castle think that I am the funniest." He crossed his arms and struck a winning pose as if he had to work hard to get that title, as he let out a smile.

Julian seemed to be in a chipper mood today, better than he had been last night after Thalia had exited the dungeons.

He had only stepped out of the cellblock and closed the door, but he had loyally waited with Mera stationed at his side. When Thalia had pulled the door open and stumbled out with weak knees, he was there to catch her as she violently let her food go from her stomach into a bucket in the hallway.

"What a crowd. You should talk to Vash, he might have you beat in that department."

"Perhaps I may have the privilege of seeing your Second in better conditions."

Thalia took a sip of her drink, "Care to join me?"

"I should head back to the Queen."

"I'm sure she can handle herself for ten minutes without our help."

Julian contemplated for a moment, before leaning back and nodding, "I suppose ten minutes can't hurt." He agreed, shifting to join her and Ortho on the blanket. He hadn't been sure why Thalia insisted on sitting on a blanket when there were patios and benches to use, but from this level, they were merged entirely with the garden.

Ants and bugs crawled across the leaves and grass, while a few butterflies landed on the tops of roses nearby. The bushes were high enough that they could only see the top of the Castle. The colourful tones that danced across the ground made them both forget about the murky sky, if not for just a moment.