Even in the middle of winter, the flower beds could not be dulled by lifelessness because of all the vibrant colors. They were flowers that blossomed in the cold, fitted specifically for this time of year. They even complimented the light frost that clung onto the grass.
The stone pavement had frost markings of its own, but it only made the flat rocks stand out more. Evergreens were placed strategically along the garden so that even the leafless trees weren't out of place. Old-timey lanterns bordered the path and edges of the gardens.
As Mor stepped onto the frosted path, she felt a wave of feeling overcoming her. It was peaceful, it was welcoming.
And she welcomed it as she walked with her mother, friend, and three strangers.
"There's a lot of flowers that blossom in the winter rather than summer, which is wonderful because the gardens can still look so lively even in this dreary weather," one of the ladies told Mor.
"What...what kinds of flowers are they?"
"Those white ones there," Camille pointed out, "are called Snowdrops. The pink ones next to them are Grandma Drayce's favorite. They're called Hellebores."
"What about those?" Ivelle pointed shyly to some yellowy-white flowers nearby.
"English Primroses," Kova's mother explained.
"They're pretty."
Mor nodded in agreement.
"The purple-white ones over there," Camille pointed across the lawn, "are my favorites. They're called Glory of the Snow. They really only blossom in really cold temperatures. Which ones do you like?"
Mor silently pointed to purple and blue ones a few garden beds away.
"Pansies," Lady Iridesa explained in a gentle tone. "They're my favorites too."
"I, personally, like the evergreens best," Lady Evolet butted in. "They blossom every season."
"Evergreens don't blossom, Eve," Lady Vela sighed. "It's more like they grow pinecones every season."
"Pinecones aren't bad either."
"Shut up, you two," Lady Iridesa chided. When they apologised, she rolled her eyes. Mor fought a smile. "I'm sorry, my lady, despite the noble upbringing we all had, it seems some of us are still a bit-" she elbowed Lady Vela in the ribs "-immature."
This time, she didn't fight her smile. Mor giggled and bowed her head.
"Here, my lady, would you like to check out the gardens in the greenhouse?" Lady Iridesa pointed to a glass building on the other side of the gardens.
She nodded. "Yes please, ma'am."
Lady Iridesa turned to the queen. "If it's alright, Your Majesty, I can take her myself. It might be better to acquaint myself, as her leading lady." She winked at the princess, who looked down in embarrassment.
"Of course. Kove, are you okay with that?" Camille looked down at her.
She nodded.
"Okay. Here, Ivelle," she took her hand, "how about we go see the pool?"
Ivelle perked up. "There's a pool?"
"Mhm." Camille kissed Kova's head. "You alright?" She waited for her to nod. "Okay. I'll be right over there if you need anything. And Iridesa can show you where to go, okay?"
"Okay, ma'am." Mor followed Lady Iridesa towards the large glass building.
"So," Lady Iridesa looked down, staring at the way her yellow dress dragged over the gravel. "Let me tell you a little about myself."
YOU ARE READING
The Fire Inside
Fantasia"Sometimes not knowing can be more of a blessing than a curse." Kova Crymsin Lucille Amila Drayce wasn't anything more than a myth. After her birth, a terrible crime was committed and since then she'd been nothing more than a symbol of a dark past...
