Queens Lily

"The deep roots never doubt spring will come."

1ABY; Voaria Palace, Isora
12:59 . . .

Maids cleared crumb covered plates and three tier tea stands from a table near the centre of the garden. Sun glistened down, kissing their skin with its warmth. As they cleared the table, the Queen stood, watching over the blooming plants. "Such a wonderful day, isn't it?" She asked rhetorically to anyone listening. "I don't know what could make it any better." She smiled, taking in the smaller enjoyments.

⠀⠀⠀One of the three women perked her head up with a soft smile, nodding. "It's splendid, ma'am."

⠀⠀⠀The last phrase caught Skylar's attention, forcing her head to turn to the woman taking the silver tea cake stand. "You don't need to call me that." She reassured her, disliking how formal everyone was - despite their good reason. "I know I'm the Queen and . . . all the things that come with it." She shook her head, trailing herself off. "But this is my home. I don't expect you to treat me any different to how someone would treat you in your own home."

⠀⠀⠀The others lingered, nosily and curiously wanting to see how it panned out. They were newer than her but they'd all worked for the royal family for little over a year now.

⠀⠀⠀"As you wish, your highness." She winked with a playful smirk, making Skylar let out a short laugh of defeat. They finished clearing the table before taking everything inside, leaving Skylar to her thoughts.

Sighing in satisfaction with a soft smile, Skylar began her gradual paced walk back indoors from the far side of the garden. As much as she wanted to stay and lose herself in her thoughts, she had things to sign and prepare for. Just as she lifted her head to step past the pavilion, her eyes widened and hearts stopped. A smile slowly crept on her face as she stood in disbelief at the fountain. Surge of happiness and adrenaline rushed through her petite body, urging her to run through the hallways once she finally met the palace. Her heels clicked loudly, telling everyone who heard she was in a rush. She passed off her original plans, this was far more important than any other document that required royal ink. "It's bloomed!" She called out through the halls, dashing to the drawing room. The maid who encountered her before smiled, admiring her youthful spirit. In all the darker times of Isora, the palace affairs, or personal shadows, Skylar was a beacon of hope and a bright light. Among the chaos she wreaked, the older maid couldn't help but envy yet enjoy her spirit – much like most the palace staff.

There sat few of the residents in the palace; an ordinary occurrence. Bursting in the room, all the being gazed across at her in confusion. Panting and catching her breath, she announced: "the lily has bloomed."

⠀⠀⠀Both Celestar and Guinevere smiled in delight as Dunn furrowed his brows, having absolutely no idea what she was talking about.

⠀⠀⠀"That's wonderful!" Celestar cheered, glancing between the woman beside her and Skylar. "We must make preparations." She secured, unsure where to put herself from excitement.

⠀⠀⠀Guinevere nodded, agreeing with what she said, although, curiosity was getting the better of her. "Can I see it?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

⠀⠀⠀Confused, he looked between the three women discussing the flower. "Preparations?" He asked, leaving no room for an answer. "See what?"

⠀⠀⠀Skylar shook her head, exhaling as a laugh. "Of course," she answered her wife. "Come on, I'll show you." She gave Dunn his only response which allowed him some level of satisfaction to know he'd be seeing the mystery.

⠀⠀⠀Setting her teacup on the coaster, Celestar stood almost in sync with Guin, followed by Dunn. Skylar lead the hurried walk with everyone unable to hide their excitement of the marvel - everyone except the Mandalorian in his confusion.

Glimmering golden pollen gracefully came from the flowers, dancing around with its bioluminescence. They stood in awe, admiring the pastel lilac lily which seemingly became lighter pink as the minutes passed. They gleamed, attuned to Skylar's light aura with their connection to the Force; one of many Force sensitives of Isora's nature. Trickling water of the fountain filled the silence, adding to the serenity of the Royal Gardens.

He wasn't subtle about his confusion, despite no one looking at him. "It's spring," Skylar spoke out softly, deciding to elaborate more. "There was only one to begin with. It was plucked from Lake Solace . . . some say that lake is attuned to the Force." It was true, Solace was the heart of a Force nexus on Isora.

⠀⠀⠀He looked down at her as her words piqued his interest. "Only one?" He asked, looking back up to see multiple glowing flowers surrounding the fountain. "There's-" His guess interrupted by the Queen.

⠀⠀⠀"Sixteen." She gave the correct number. "Around 19,000BBY, a man found the lily and plucked it by the roots to gift to one of the old Queen's." Skylar used the year he'd understand rather than the Isoran calendar. "Throughout the centuries since it was placed here, they slowly grew. One became two, two became four." She paused for a moment, thinking. "Some people think it's the pollen replanting, some others say it's a miracle of the Force . . . or a gift of the stars." She chuckled lightly, other Isoran flowers coming to mind which have been described to be celestial blessings.

The information soaked in, serving as a humble reminder to the others and a soft tale to fill the silence. Both Celestar and Guin were fixated on the surreal flower, almost slack jawed in their fixation. The handmaiden was blessed to have seen this many years in a row, unlike her wife where it was her first time abloom. She knew about the lily from prior tellings and stories by Skylar, but had no quarrel with rehearing it; in a way, it felt comforting and intriguing.

⠀⠀⠀"Queens Lily . . . so it belongs to you?" He asked curiously from the name, gazing back up to the glowing purple flora.

⠀⠀⠀"Yes. It still belongs to the original owner, I like to think, but legally and by tradition it's mine. After, it will belong to the next Queen of Isora." Skylar nodded, thinking ahead to answer the loopholes she knew he was thinking of. "If there happens to be a period where there is no Queen, it goes to the princess . . . if there's no princess, it's protected by the palace until there is someone." She beamed, taming her laugh.

⠀⠀⠀Dunn rolled his eyes at her, returning the amused look. "Why spring? What's that got to do with it?" He inquired in his flurry of final questions.

⠀⠀⠀"By tradition, the flowers ring in the season. It blooms at the beginning of spring and ever since, we've kept it that way. Think of it as an official start . . ." She trailed off, allowing her hand to wrap around his metallic arm. "Are you ready for an Isoran celebration?" She grinned, tugging him back inside.

Everything began making sense; particularly the 'preparations' she spoke of earlier. He let her pull him, adjusting his arm to allow her to properly link.