Where Flowers Bloom

2. Iris

Dahlia sat there for hours, absorbed into the world within the book, a welcome escape from her current reality. But was abruptly brought back by a knock at the door.

Startled she placed the book down next to her.

"Come in!" She called out, and watched as a young woman peered her head out from behind the door.

"Your Highness," The woman said shyly, "I'm afraid I have yet to introduce myself."

She curtseyed before her, "My name is Sara, I'm going to serve as your maid for the time before your wedding, and possibly afterwards."

Dahlia looked at her curiously, she was far younger than any maid she had seen at her residence, and looked to be in her early 20's, slightly older than her but much younger than she would expect. Her cheeks were freckled and rosy, with long pale blonde hair tied back into a loose plait, glasses highlighting her blue eyes.

"Nice to meet you," Dahlia smiled at her, "I assume you're here to prepare me for dinner."

Sara nodded, "I'd recommend wearing something red instead of..." She looked over Dahlia's outfit.

She bristled slightly and replied, "Should I not wear my kingdom's colours? This is supposed to be an alliance, I'm sure the king will learn to manage."

Surprised at her bluntness the maid stuttered slightly, "Of course, you don't have to... it's just first impressions are important."

"The first impression doesn't matter, we'll be married either way," Dahlia said moving to the mirror to fix her hair, "Everyone has made that clear."

"Well... I've heard there are other options."

Dahlia's head whipped around "You can't mean he's still considering my sister. It was agreed that I would be married instead."

"Of course that would be ideal, but the king doesn't take kindly to disrespect. It would be wise to act with caution."

Her words reminded her of her younger sister. Her smart, loyal, well-mannered younger sister. She had a future ahead of her. She couldn't- she wouldn't let.

She grit her teeth and said bitterly, "Tell me what to wear."

She hated it. She hated everything.

The red and gold dress covering her was too tight and too loose in all the wrong places.

It made her skin crawl.

Her hair had been let down, the length disguised by her curls, with a golden hair piece holding up half of it. The skirt was too long, the red was too harsh on her eyes. It wasn't right, nothing was right.

She walked down the hallway desperately fighting the urge to turn around and change out of these miserable clothes.

Dahlia didn't blame Sara, she appreciated the warning, she just wished she could maintain some semblance of her home while in this house.

Lucas was right on her tail, escorting her to the dining hall.

"Do you need to follow me everywhere?" Dahlia said more bitterly than she intended.

"At least until the marriage takes place yes. I'm sure the prince will make sure I'm gone after that don't you worry." Lucas didn't seem super bothered by her comment, strolling alongside her with an ease that she envied.