Birthright: The Contested Seat

Genna

Trigger warning: Mention of Domestic Violence

Genna watched Levi explain the several different types of plants in front of them. She was furiously writing down the information in her journal, struggling to keep up with him. She had been having trouble lately, as her lessons had become more complex. There were a lot of different plants that were used in healing, but the wrong combination or the slightest mismeasurement could cost someone their life.

She had been spending a lot of her time observing Levi lately, rather than helping. This was especially true when the healing required skilled hands. There was a beauty in his work. He was gentle with the sick, but thorough. His hands seemed to dance as he worked, attesting to his masterful ability.

She hoped she could achieve this level of mastery. It would surely be of great use to Kyran and Lord Galia. She had been thinking of Kyran and wondering how he'd been fairing in Galenport. She assumed he was tucked away, being taught how to rule. In a way, she felt close to him there. She was in lessons of her own, and they were both doing so to be of use.

"Genna, are you listening," asked Levi, both hands holding up sprigs of different plants.

"I am, sorry I'm having trouble keeping up," she said apologetically.

Levi offered her a soft smile and set down the sprigs.

"Perhaps we should stop for the day. I know it's been getting more difficult, but you've been improving quite well."

"I am glad to hear that. There is so much to remember, and I don't want to hurt anyone because I made a mistake. It's quite stressful," said Genna, scanning over her notes.

Levi moved around the table and took her in his arms. He was warm and soft, despite him being quite muscular. He kissed her gently then, his lips as warm and as soft as his touch. She melted into him, kissing him back softly. He pulled away and offered another smile.

"You are doing wonderfully. You are bright and gifted; of that I have no doubt."

As she made to answer, a knock came to the door, interrupting their embrace.

A servant from the castle stood there, breathing heavily as if he had just run the length of the city.

"My lord, you must come quickly! Your father is seizing, and Lord Rohan has sent me to fetch you!"

The color drained from Levi's face as the three of them rushed from the cottage. Levi had hold of her hand, not realizing quite how hard he was squeezing as they tore through the crowds of people in the market plaza. For having been abused quite extensively as a boy, he still cared so deeply for his father. Genna thought it really spoke to Levi's character, to insist on loving someone despite how horribly they may have treated him.

The crowds quickly started to notice the urgency and began to part for them. It was obvious that something was wrong, and Genna could see concern on their faces. If something caused Levi pain, then it caused the people pain. Even if they didn't know he was the lord's son and heir, they still loved him. She knew they would love him as their lord one day.

Barreling through the gates, Genna could not help but marvel at Lord Maverly's castle. It was covered in so many vines and different colored flowers that one would think it was made from them. The inside of the castle smelled like a garden in the throes of spring. Plants of all kinds hung from the rafters and decorated the walls. Genna remembered what Samantha had said, that Lord Maverly smelled so badly that he showered his castle and the city in flowers. She had thought it a crude joke then but was soon to find out if it held any truth.