War of the Heart

Emilee

The Blossom Festival had always been Emilee's favourite celebrations. The deciduous trees in the greenhouses lost their bare appearance and took on a beautiful pink coat. Animals that had disappeared over the winter scurried through the grounds again while gardeners hollered after them. Spring had truly arrived.

Apart from being a celebration of spring, it was also a festival of love. A painful reminder of Lavia. The girl Emilee had once loved with all her heart was now in a private prison. Everytime she thought that, life felt surreal.

In the morning, they'd all received some letters from admirers. When Sabrina had noticed how out of sorts she was, the Rindea had suggested one of them could be her future true love. Both Emilee and Merari had been appalled by the idea.

'Too much like last time...' Emilee had said.

'All those people are fanatics,' Merari had said.

By the evening, all the grand romantic gestures of the day had built up and Emilee was ready to snap at anyone who serenaded their lover. Since nobody obliged, she was forced to direct that anger at Princess Indra. After her initial refusal to see anyone, she'd quickly warmed to the idea of showing herself at any form of celebration, 'as a Cinean Queen should' in her words. She wore a pale red gown that accentuated her slender build and was decked in jewels. She contently chatted with anybody who would pay her compliments and thrived off those who called her a saviour.

Sutoku rose to his feet, tapping a teaspoon against his wineglass. A pointless gesture since any chatter has ceased the moment he'd risen to his feet.

'May this year's harvests fill baskets across the land. May no-one ever want for fresh food, may the crops be so plentiful they can fill up our livestock and produce content cattle and sheep. May the weather be kind and forgiving.'

Emilee had last heard that little speech years ago, although it was held every year. It was strange to think that although she was the court's darling now, she'd been slipping out before. It was a reminder of how self-serving everyone was. People that had never given her a second glance then now worshipped her in the hope that she'd elevate their family. She realised she needed to cut down on her circles. Limit it to those who were genuine.

The Chèr briefly rose and requested the spirits granted Cines prosperity, but everybody's eyes rested on Sutoku. Normally, after that short speech, he would sink back down but the King remained tall. Something more was coming.

'As you all know, the festival is also seen as one of romance. It seems only fitting then, that I announce the date of the up-coming royal wedding.'

It was to be in a week. Indra and Sutoku gave each other sweet smiles which made Emilee sick. Everybody knew they didn't love each other, so could people stop acting like they were some dream couple? They were just using each other. She supposed mutual using was preferable to them being unaware of it, but Emilee feared Indra had genuine ties with Detruienn. People constantly commented she was saving the Cines-Kraspos axis, that she was exactly what the country needed. Though people had liked Allard, people adored Indra, though admittedly some girls were gutted to not have been chosen themselves.

The feast ended. Indra was the first to go, her hands clasped in front of her. Guards accompanied her. Emilee was quick to rise herself and followed the princess from a distance.

The princess walked quickly—her pace was average but her legs long. Emilee had to hurry somewhat to stay behind her. Triumph as well as dread seized her when the princess headed away from her quarters. Where was she going?

Within a few turns, the answer became clear. With an order to the guards to not let her be disturbed, Indra entered the royal library. Warning bells rang in Emilee's mind. While Indra might claim it was for modesty's sake, the night's display laid her lie bare. She was up to something. The next dilemma was figuring out what.