"Have you ever seen such a thing?" Amnicity whispered, walking into the garden.

"Not by my own eyes," Lady Elry responded. "There were drawings in one of the books."

"It is only carved ice in a garden," High General Lessure murmured.

"This is their art," Amnicity retorted in shock. "Do you not see the detail and imagination involved?"

High General Lessure put a hand to his chin.  "Sometimes, a gentleman should remain silent and let the ladies be."

"Ja-High General Lessure, you venture close to contemptuousness. Though, I will grant you some allowance for the wisdom your last speech showed."

"Thank you, Your Highness."  He bowed.

Princess Amnicity small exhale of air conveyed her amusement as the party ventured further into the garden.

Lady Toria smirked at High General Lessure's bowing form while walking to a statue carved in the form of a mother sheltering her child. The chilled eyes did little to hide the mother's fear as the child buried its face within the folds of her arm. Lady Toria knew better than to touch the piece, yet her fingers could not help but outline the cut of the woman's arm circling the child. After a moment's hesitation, Lady Toria followed the gaze of the mother across the garden.

"Oh my," Lady Toria whispered, gazing on the towering beast.

Her head tilted slightly at the sight of a dragon, choosing to ignore the snort from the High General's direction as he stoically kept guard at the entrance. Lady Toria had expected something a bit more logical for the festivities, like a bear or pack of wolves. Not something that relied so much upon imagination. Fortunately for the artist, Korak Fallyn did not judge the affair. She had little knowledge of legend and folklore.

"Oh, a dragon." Amnicity smiled. "Do you know of any stories to account for the dragon, Lady Elry?"

"Well, there is one story. It has been said that long ago before our ancestors set foot upon this land, dragons controlled it. They were always thought to be simple mythology until the grea--"

"Oh," Amnicity interrupted, earning a glare from Lady Elry. "This is the one where the wandering tribe moved to the island and slowly killed the dragons. Though, other stories say the dragons fell into a slumber forming the great mountains. No matter, the sons of the conquering king split into separate tribes to form Vetus, Preena, and Jude. However, the eldest son always remained king, and is the reason there will always only be a single king upon the island."

"Why must the Princess ask questions she knows the answer to?" Lady Elry whispered.

"I forget at times." Amnicity shrugged, walking closer to the dragon. "Though, the dragon story is more legend than fact. Do you think we are all ancient relations?"

"That is true, Princess," Lady Toria agreed. "It would be quite odd."

"And, unlikely, considering how the ruling families have changed in Preena and Jude," Lady Elry added.

"Do you think a hairless lion could beat a dragon?" Amnicity queried.

"That matters," Lady Elry responded, walking to stand beside Her Highness. "Is the dragon a baby or fully grown?"

"It would have to be a baby," Lady Toria commented. "And, would need to have wings."

"True," Amnicity agreed. "What do you think, Ja-High General Lessure?"

"He should have chiseled a bear," Korak Fallyn sighed from the doorway, ending the debate.

Lady Toria took a moment to close her eyes and press her lips together, suppressing any amused outbursts.

"Korak Fallyn." Amnicity smiled, bowing her head slightly in acknowledgment.

"Princess Amnicity," Korak Fallyn returned with a slightly smaller nod.

Korak Fallyn promised herself that she would curtsy only to Queens, not simply the ladies who are bestowed the honor by birth.

Princess Amnicity looked around the garden before bringing her hands together softly in front of herself.  "The display is stunning."

"Yes, it is always pleasing to show our progressive artistry. That is why this dragon is so troubling. The antediluvian work must be a complement to your family for finally making the journey to experience our festivities."

"What a lovely gesture. It is not often a person can gaze on two original dominions of this land together in some form."

Korak Fallyn's eye ticked slightly at Amnicity's comment.  "How insightful of the Princess to make such a connection. Have you had a chance to tour the rest of the gardens?"

"Not yet. We have only begun our tour."

Korak Fallyn nodded.  "Well, please do not let me deter your party from continuing. I am simply waiting for my family."

Amnicity did her best not to make a snide comment when Korak Fallyn turned her back to stare at the dragon.

"Of course, Korak Fallyn. High General Lessure, your reticence unnerves us. Which way do you think our party should journey?"  Amnicify turned her full attention to the High General.

High General James Lessure turned his head slightly, gazing between the paths.  "There seem to be fewer flowers to the left."

"Korak Fallyn, the path is circular, is it not?"  Amnicity asked, glancing at the Korak.

Korak Fallyn turned her slight frown from the dragon to the princess.

"Yes, it is," she acknowledged after a moment.

Amnicity nodded her head and smiled.  "Then it is best we end on flowers. Your judgment proves to be astute High General."

"Thank you, Princess."

"Thank you for your assistance Korak Fallyn," Amnicity smiled, tilting her head slightly in acknowledgment before leading her party away.

Fallyn held her smile in place until Princess Amnicity and her dreaded party of little taste became invisible, mute, and deaf. She enjoyed the prospect of Vetusians being as incognizant as possible when it came to her affairs. Fallyn had worked diligently to be sure the Judian party and her own would tour the gardens together. This alliance would need to be secured for her plans to move forward.

First, her brother needed to be enticed by the Suzera. This attachment would provide an alliance and her time to align the Suzerains where she wished them to be. If one so happened to find her attractive--well--Fallyn would find the company beneficial for her complexion. A little blush of intrigue always made a lady appear more appealing, and the Queen must always look pleasing, especially if she needs to retrain her acquired people's thoughts.

"Sister," Loren called. "Your spirits look high. Were you aware we were near?"

"With such a blinding aura of goodness, Loren, how could I not be? Oh, you found our friends! How pleasantly serendipitous!"  Fallyn clapped her hands together.

Fallyn took a moment to nod towards Suzerain Zakarus and Suzera Irina as they walked into the garden.

"Oh, look at the fierceness of this dragon," Irina gushed, removing one gloved hand from her muff.

Fallyn felt proud of herself for not scowling when she saw the Suzera wearing gloves and a muff.

"Yes, the face is quite fearsome. What is your opinion, Loren? Sorry, he always has a better understanding of these artists than I do,"  Fallyn replied, turning the attention to her brother.

"The piece is violent." Loren walked towards the mother and child. "However, the artist has always been fascinated by the violence of our shared histories, and his expression of emotions radiates from the ice."

"It would have been better if they were afforded some form of protection," Zakarus commented, walking to the mother and child.

Fallyn stood quietly for a moment, observing the conversation before moving slightly closer to Suzera Irina.

"Are your hands cold Suzera Irina?" Fallyn inquired. "If so, I could surely lend you some warmer gloves."

"Oh." Irina smiled, looking down at her muff before meeting Fallyn's gaze. "Actually, Lady Toria kindly let me borrow this muff after she heard I complemented Princess Amnicity's style to your mother. She even hand-delivered the muff to me early this morning. Is she not a generous soul?"

Fallyn pressed a smile to form upon her lips, turning to the gentlemen.

"You are insightful," Loren broke the silence between the two women. "Protective auras are usually a very light color due to the selflessness required and the resilience."

"Like a diamond," Zakarus added.

Loren placed a hand on Zakarus's shoulder, smiling.  "The perfection of any analogy ever heard! Would you mind me borrowing such brilliance when the prospect of educating others comes?"

"It is freely yours, my friend. Shall we continue?"  Zakarus motioned towards the paths while moving away from Loren's hand.

"Yes," Irina gushed. "Pardon, Konrik Loren, do you know anything about the rest of the pieces to be seen?"

"Ja-High General Lessure, you are too cruel!" Amnicity's laughter traveled from over a hedge.

"That is not the first time she has made that slip," Fallyn sighed in a mock whisper, shaking her head. "It is disgraceful what some ladies will do when away from the watchful gaze of their parents."

Zakarus observed Fallyn for a moment. She bestowed him with a startled smile.

"Is there something wrong, Suzerain Zakarus?"  Fallyn asked.

"Nothing. Have you perchance heard of why Queen Christaline or King Valander were unable to attend?"

"The King never planned to attend. He, after all, is quite the recluse. My mother informed me that Princess Amnicity said her mother needed to attend to an emergency. What could put them in such a state of emergency that she could not spare a few days is quite troubling, do you not think?"

"It is." Zakarus nodded, his mind already venturing towards the Judian and Vetusian border.

"Do you think there could be a dragon?" Fallyn whispered, her eyes twinkling in amusement as she dared to move a step closer.

"We have been discovered!" Amnicity gushed, halting any response Zakarus could make.

"Well, we could hardly keep you from our party once we heard your voice." Loren smiled at the now blushing Princess. "What have you thought thus far?"

Amnicity took a moment to gaze upon the stories surrounding her.  "The artist did well to capture the migration of families to the island after the fall of the dragons. It seems that I am beginning to decipher the theme."

"Really?" Zakarus gasped.

No one dared to move when Amnicity turned to face the Suzerain.

"Is it truly that shocking?" she asked with a gaze that made Zakarus instantly regret his sarcasm.

Fallyn turned to look at a statue to conceal her amusement. However, Lady Toria discerned the tactic and provided adequate disdain when looking at the Korak's figure. Fortunately, it only took a moment for the expression to turn to a smirk on noticing the increased numbers of ladies wearing muffs and gloves within the garden.

Checkmate.  Toria thought.

"Of course not, Princess," Loren responded. "Your aura has always been one of ether. It would not be shocking for your insights to be as profound as the mysteries of the stars."

Amnicity maintained her smile as Irina moved to stand beside her cousin.

"This is the progression of our shared histories," the Princess continued. "It is an exciting journey."

Loren nodded.  "Yes. The very reason my father commissioned the challenge to our artists for this winter's festivities."

"Konrik Loren," Irina moved towards a statue. "What does this statue represent?"

"Oh, this is interesting," Loren started, not noticing the slightly glazed look upon Irina's face as she stared more at the shrubbery surrounding the scene than the scene itself.

Amnicity shared a glance with Lady Elry, who made a slight motion for her to join in the conversation.

"You continue to astound me, Princess Amnicity." Zakarus halted Amnicity from moving towards the pair with his whisper. "To think, the Princess has more improper conduct within gardens than upon dance floors?"

Amnicity's cheeks instantly flushed as she looked about her to check if any person heard the latter part of his comment. However, it seemed everyone remained more engrossed with the statues than their pairing.

"Your gentlemanly nature only provides me the same astonishment," she whispered.

Zakarus smirked at the Princess before turning to walk away. High General Lessure quickly took his place.

"Be cautious of him, Princess," High General Lessure hissed.

"I know why we are here," Amnicity whispered in response, turning when Konrik Loren called for them to move on.

However, as they continued through the gardens, Amnicity could not make any progress with Konrik Loren. At every opportunity of conversation, Konrik Loren engaged with Suzera Irina. If not, Suzerain Zakarus hindered any opportunity for Amnicity to converse with the Konrik. He always seemed to know when to step into her path and make the perfect comment to engage her.

This is exhausting. Amnicity moaned to herself while observing the flowers.

Princess Amnicity wished for the tour to end so that these games could end. She hoped the ball would elevate her spirits.

On entering the castle, servants had begun the preparations. The Princess hoped there would be enough servants to help with her preparations for the ball.

What if there are not enough servants for my bath?  Amnicity thought, feeling anxiety begin to flow into her veins.

Amnicity's distress helped to distract her from the Judians that walked with them. The pair had remained with her party as they journeyed down the hall towards their rooms. It was a moment of forced political civility Amnicity knew could not be avoided. So, she would have happily endured it in silence while contemplating the amount of perfume she needed if there was no bath today. However, Lady Toria cordially conversed with Suzera Irina along their short journey.

"Thank you again, Lady Toria, for my muff and gloves." Irina smiled.

Toria returned her smile.  "It was my pleasure. I heard your compliment to the Konra and just wished to pass on the goodwill."

"Is it not nice to see that our countries can partake in such harmonious goodwill, Princess?" Zakarus mocked whispered to Amnicity, startling her from her thoughts.

"Wha-oh, yes, it is," Amnicity quickly agreed with a slight blush.

Thankfully, before the affair could become any more absurd, their parties parted. Amnicity thought she saw Suzera Irina smirk in her direction when they parted, but that would be far too removed from the coyness she portrayed.

For Irina's part, she remained fortunate that Princess Amnicity disputed the occurrence.

"You like her," Irina whispered, entwining her arm with Zakarus's.

"Korak Fallyn is quite educated."

"Oh, do not try me. You know I do not refer to her."

"Until later, cousin." Zakarus bowed, depositing Irina outside her door, before retreating to his own room across the hall.

Irina stood for a moment longer, smirking at Zakarus's closed door. Shaed would--Irina halted the thought and entered her room.

Irina's timing proved to be fortunate, for a moment later, Amnicity's bath passed en-route for delivery. The castle's servants talked only of Princess Amnicity's visit to the castle. It had been some time since they had entertained royalty or seen Korak Fallyn distressed by something other than her own family.

If rumors were true, even the Princess did not like the daughter of the castle. Such intrigue caused a bustle to see who would be provided the honor of dressing the Princess. Unfortunately, for some, the maids from the morning were given the honor. It appeared that they impressed Lady Toria.

Lady Toria developed her own stir amongst the whispers in the castle. She had started the fashion trend that Korak Fallyn hated. Many ladies of rank were now demanding servants to obtain muffs and gloves for this evening's festivities. There were even hints of Konra Lelena wearing the latest fashion trend this evening.

Other rumors muted any diversion the servants felt about Korak Fallyn's distress. New whispers suggested Korak Fallyn's latest reading material were not prudent for a lady of her standing or religious affiliation. Some maintained the more lethal side of the rumor resulted from feminine exaggerations. Korak Fallyn was not that bad. She was just... herself.

The servants would remain content observing how the evening proceeded. They especially wanted to see if the growing attachment between Princess Amnicity and Suzerain Zakarus was more than a simple rumor.

***

Oh my oh my... I hope y'all enjoyed the interactions!  

** last edit 5/2/21 **