Shady Royalty

Chapter 1 - How it all started

○●○ Annie's POV ○●○

It was another beautiful sunny day in the Nature kingdom. Annie smiles as she admires her mom's beautiful tulip garden. She always comes to tend to her mom's many guardians whenever she misses her mom's company. It's always bittersweet, spending time alone in the garden. It's a reminder of the woman her mom used to be, as well as a reminder that Annie can't use her powers properly to grow such beautiful flowers. Annie sighs sorrowfully. She decides to leave the garden before the bittersweet feeling turns into grief. She decides to go to an open space near the back of the castle. She aslways goes there to practice using her powers. The open space is more of an open field. Annie plans on making a garden of her own using nothing but her powers. She has been trying to do so for about a year and a half now.

Annie grunts in frustration as she continues trying to make a flower grow. At this point, she'll be grateful if she even grows a weed. Dandelions are her favorite plants after all. Like every other time she tries, no results are shown. Annie sighs in annoyance.

"Don't worry darling. You'll be able to grow the most beautiful flowers soon enough", a voice suddenly says from behind her. Annie turn to face the voice. Her eyes ligh up once she sees who's cheering her up.

"Thanks mom", Annie says with a smile. Her mom chuckles at the sight of Annie's renewed motivation.

"You never give up, no matter what happens. I admire your motivation and your bravery", her mom says lovingly.

"I try my best", Annie says while rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.

"I can tell", her mom answers.

"Come on. You must be exhausted after putting in all that effort. Let's have some tea together", her mom offers.

"Together?", Annie asks in shock.

"Of course! It's about time we spend some time together", her mom replies with a smile. Annie couldn't agree more. She happily skips along as the two of them make their way back inside the castle.

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Annie happily hums to herself as she makes her way to her room. The hallway leading to her room is filled with all kinds of plants from the floor to the ceiling. The scent of tulips dominating over the other flowers.

Some day, Dandelions will dominate this hallway! Annie thinks to herself. She giggles cheekily as she starts planning out how to change the esthetic of the hallway to match her liking.

Annie opens the door and finds Samantha dusting her bookshelf.

"Hi Samatha!", Annie says cheerfully.

"Hello princess. Your back earlier than usual", Samantha comments in her usual calm tone.

"Today was amazing! Sure, I didn't get to practice for that long, but I finally got some quality time with my mom!", Annie explains enthusiastically as she lets herself fall on her bed.

"That sounds amazing princess", Samantha says dryly.

Annie sits up and looks at Samantha with a raised eyebrow. Over the years that they have known each other, Annie has learned to pick up small details about Samantha's demeanor that others would otherwise not notice. Samatha always speaks calmly and her facial expression is always tranquil. However, Samantha usually speaks in a kind way to Annie. Wether it's because Annie's a princess or because they have a close relationship is something that Annie isn't so sure of.

"What's on your mind?", Annie asks curiously.

"Hmm? What do you mean?", Samantha asks innocently.

"I can tell that something is bothering you", Annie says playfully.