Golden Flower

Chapter Three

Present Day

Sometimes I wonder if I'm brave, things will go my way

If I make that leap of faith, then all will be okay.

There's no telling of the future, how tragic.

It is unfair as a war; people die no matter which way you stand.

But why oh why, do I not speak!?

It's it like the air robs me of my words instantly,

Or an enemy with its arrow aimed at me indefinitely.

Adara swiftly read another handwritten letter then rushed back into the bathing room, set herself down at the wood carved vanity, and placed the letter into one of the compartments. She truly felt bad to ever throw one away, so she figured the floorboards and walls should work as good hiding spaces-if it ever came down to it.

It had been 11 years, and not once had the dove missed a day with its cryptic poems. Calculated to be... over 4,000 letters. Good thing paper is thin, though she had already filled up every box and drawer within the room.

As a young girl, Adara perceived the mystery writer was just out of fun, like a prank. But as she grew older, some of them felt way too personal. Like they watched every move she made. She wasn't scared, considering nothing alarming had occurred in the past 11 years, and the personality of the writer did not seem harmful.

Except for the letters sometimes feeling like deadweight.

But most times like summer flowers blossoming through her fingertips and intertwining throughout her entire body.

She liked to think it was a guardian. A blessed being who watched over her from the Gods. One from Prodotis who was still protecting the folk, reminding them that it was going to be alright someday. Promising the light would rise again and life would thrive like before.

    Adara took a deep breath and gathered herself. She reminded her head to keep the wandering off-or at least to a minimum today. She knew if she focused real hard, she could stay in reality. Enjoy the moment, and most of all be happy for someone Adara loved. Though, she was finding it hard to keep her composure, since Adara had never been in the ballroom before. Or really any of the kingdom for that matter. She had been off with Daimon once when she was younger, but that was it. Her parents always told her, "Do not go out into the kingdom without one of us. The nobles do not like to be bothered." But she never asked nor did Timeo or Danae take her out.

    They had their reasons, and Adara was willing to obey them.

    Unlike the charming Prince, Daimon Stelc, who was to be married off.

    She got the news about a month ago before all of Daimons big preparations. The prince snuck into her room and couldn't quit rambling about how he was too young to even think about marrying someone. He wanted to be free from his duties, and I think somewhere in both Adara and Daimons heart they knew their friendship would come to an end.

    Because sneaking around and visiting another woman while newly married would be highly frowned upon, even if they just considered themselves friends.

    Adara wasn't sure how she felt about the marriage. For him, she knew if he could choose, he'd run away. And for her-well, she couldn't ignore the drop in her chest when the invite for the first ball really showed up. She loved him-not in a romantic way but in a way that he knew her. And she knew him. They had years of figuring out their likes and dislikes, and they had always truly gotten along.