My Dearest Lady Cotton

One Lucky Woman

  Choosing flowers was always difficult for Cotton. They were all so beautiful, and they smelt so wondrous too! Cupping her hands over a row of daisies, the lavender lass inhaled the sweet scents happily.

   This would go perfectly with my garden! She decides, taking the group of giddy plants and handing coins to the merchant.

   Picking up a few more items, the young wife hurried home for a quick nap. Reaching the steps to her apartment, Cotton's blue hues widened at the lovely rare sight. Beaming, she raced up the creaky stairs, soliciting a surprise gawk from the man. 

    "Louis, you're home!" The lavender haired lass greeted, squeezing him firmly to her body.

   "Hello my darling," The Knight chuckled from the affection and wrapped his arms around her lithe form. "I'm sorry." He sighs sadly, "I've only come to retrieve old Rosa from her chest."

   She slacked at the response, her eyes shone somberly. "Oh, right..." Clutching her basket of daisies, her heart thumped in a slow melancholy tune.

   "My Honeydew, do not look so tearful. A frown does not suit you." Her scooped her chin and smiled with encouragement. "I'll be home for the Summer Festival and the Winter Ball." The silver haired man winks playfully and easily plucked the lithe woman into his arms, twirling her around with a happy laugh.

   The two giggled and flushed as the cool air whisked around them. Holding each other close in the spin, Louis pressed her to his hard chest. "Besides," He whispers tenderly into her ear as he sets her down. "You can have me all to yourself during those nights."

   Not even waiting for a response, he sweetly pecked her on the cheek and jumped from the porch steps, dashing towards the Castle looming over the distance. A wide grin painted his lips the whole way.

   Holding a hand to her cheek, Cotton smiled and clutched her fist close to her chest, only to blink at the crinkling feeling within her hands. Unclenching her fingers, she noticed a letter crumbled into a ball within her grasps.

   "He's quite strong, isn't he~?"

   She gasped, snapping her neck up towards the enchanting voice. "You--!" She breathes, pointing a shaking finger at the woman and ignoring the passing folks giving her strange glances. Cotton frowned upon the voluptuous woman resentfully, clutching the basket of flowers tighter. Her heart sputtered angrily at the mere sight of her.

   What does she want? To make her feel bad for 'stealing' Louis away? Why was she so adamant on lingering in their lives? She thought the beautiful woman had already accepted defeat. So why was she here now? Fists tightening over the letter, her dark conscious reared it's ugly head upon the thorn, viciously snarling at the trouble loitering on her door steps.

   "What are you doing here, Miss Ivory?" She seethed, her knuckles turning white. "Hasn't Louis made it clear that he does not want you near him or I?"

   "Oh dear~," Ivory yawns, waving her slender hand over her face. Acting as if she had not caused a strife. "I've given up on that delicious man."

   At her words, the lilac haired woman narrowed her usually warm eyes over the prostitute, clearly distrustful of her lips. Golden eyes shifting towards the young wife, the ginger seductress laughed and stood, lifting her hands in the air in a goodbye. "Oh Sweet Cotton, I won't take him. Not anymore." She says, pressing her lips to a thin line. Pulling her green hood over her head, Ivory hummed amusedly upon her bristling reaction, her teasing face faltering into a pained smile. "He made it crystal clear that I am not wanted."

   Turning her sensual hues away, Ivory lightly walked back to the market stalls and took one last jealous glance towards the lilac haired woman. "I'm envious of you. Such a rare man he is. You're one lucky woman, little Miss Honeydew~"

   With that, she sped off like a fox, a provocative smile painted her red lips as she disappeared from the busy bodies walking back and forth.

   Good riddance. We better not see that witch again. Her shoulder devil hissed, sticking its tongue out at Ivory's leave.

   She ignored her conscious, her eyes softening to a gentle blue. Cotton sighs, turning on her heel and heading inside. She was right. She was one lucky lass to have Louis in her arms, perhaps she was, well, quite rash towards the prostitute.

   It's a good thing Lia had not been around to see that. For sure, her childhood friend would be spitting a frenzy just glancing at the foxy woman. 

   Forcing the heavy door open, she set her freshly bought flowers onto the wooden counter. Noting how different Ivory's appearance was compared to usual.

   Granted, Cotton had not seen the seductive woman for years; She and Louis weren't very fond of the lass, but she's never seen her so sleepless in her life. Scars covered Ivory's neck while bruises decorated her lips and temple. Her voice sounded so weak compared to her confident strides. She seemed so... Depressed. Like she had nothing left to live for.

   Suits her right! Cackled her negative side, dusting their hands off as if she landed in the dirt. The seductress has been wooing Louis even after we married him!

   But what if it was because he was the reason she kept living? Cotton's shoulder angel reasoned in response.

   Her mind wouldn't stop trying to bring goodness upon the orange haired woman. She just seemed, seemed so... So morose. It wasn't like her at all, or was she just trying to get on her good side?

   Cotton shakes her head and arranges the plants. Taking the daisies, she sets them in a cute little pattern upon her wooden counter, pondering with a serious look on her face.

   Perhaps the next time she meets Ivory, she'll invite her for tea. The enticing woman created all sorts of problems for them, but it doesn't mean she won't give her another chance. Besides, she barely even knew her personally.

   Everyone deserves a second chance after all... The lilac haired woman mussed, shifting her blue orbs to the letter grasped in her hand.

   Right?

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My Dearest Lady Cotton,

   Not a day goes by where I cannot think of your sweet voice and wonderful smile. How I wish to hold you close to my heart and listen to you speak all day.

   Yet again, me and my patrol have been given another task that requires our experience. Tonight, I have another mission in the Sudlands. Her Majesty has grown worried for her friend, the Queen of Ignis.

   She has asked us to protect the messenger who is delivering a missive to the Queen. I can only hope we will all be safe on this journey.

  Do not fret. I will return safely.

Forever Yours,

Your Handsome Husband in Shining Armor,

Louis.