A pattern formed over the next few weeks with Felix's visits. He would come to Flora's chambers unannounced, incredibly wired and jittery. Felix never talked about what was troubling him, and Flora never asked. She was just glad to finally be getting her older brother back, prince or not. The most common topic of conversation was the books that Flora was reading at the moment. Anything from magical history, to adventure, to romance. Strangely enough, anytime Flora mentioned learning something to harness her ability, Felix changed the topic.
Flora lounged on the sofa staring at the wallpaper on the ceiling, while Felix drank a black cup of coffee, using it to warm his hands. He had told her he had just been outside training, but it didn't look like he was heated from a morning work out session. Flora turned her head to look out towards the leafless trees; she hated not being able to go outside and enjoy the garden. It was colder out today, so a fire was burning in the hearth, keeping the room a pleasant temperature. The first snow was yet to come, but this winter was already colder than most Flora had experienced to date.
"Flora?" Felix waved his hands in front of her face, trying to get her attention. "I said your name three times." He smiled at her, but in that weird anxious way she had become accustomed to seeing. "What are you thinking about? Your place in the universe?"
"Such topics are such a bore," Flora snickered back at him. She glanced back out the window, looking at some clouds forming on the horizon. "Do you think it will snow so soon this year?" Flora swung her legs over the edge of the sofa, positioning herself to sit up. "I worry that some of the outlying citizens may have trouble keeping warm if it's already this cold."
Felix scratched his chin, also examining the weather. "It might just snow, but you do not need to worry about the peasants." He waved a hand towards the clouds as if to shoo them away. "The kingdom will make sure they are taken care of."
Loosing a breath, Flora let the relief come over her. Felix always knew how to fix problems like those. She shouldn't have even been worried in the first place. "I'm thinking that I may ask Rose to bring me some hot chocolate with dinner." Felix cast her a knowing grin, gaining the response, "hey! During the winter, hot chocolate is good for your health."
Felix traced a mock bow. "Of course, my apologies doctor Flora." His smile was more at ease as their conversation continued. "May I ask, when does your new medical journal come out?" His teeth peeked out behind his lips, unable to contain his playfulness. "I think the title was... hmmm... 'the medicinal properties of sugar and sweets'?" Flora smiled, but still rolled her eyes. She couldn't indulge him all the time after all. "By the way, DOCTOR, did you ever finish that novel you were reading last week?"
She shook her head in defeat, but asked, "which one?"
"Oh, you know, that one book."
Flora shot Felix a look that would divert a lesser man's eyes. "You will have to be more specific, JUGHEAD."
The comment bounced right off of Felix, sending him into a bout of laughter. "You and your books. I shall note not to play the comedian when it comes to your literature." He handed her a doughnut as he continued, "I meant the one with the handsome, starry eyed prince."
"I never described him as such!"
"Well, you do speak as if he is a real person." Felix was REALLY trying to get a rise out of her. "I wanted to hear how the story ended."
Flora threw a tea towel at him. "Then read it yourself." She took a moment gathering her thoughts before she slipped into her most dramatic story-telling voice. "Alright, so this is what happened." Flora took in a deep breath as she spoke, "you already know how the powerful dark king had enslaved the princess off the coast and she was set to die on the full moon, right?" Felix nodded, but Flora didn't notice as she moved on. "Well, the brave and, this is how the BOOK describes him Felix" He shrugged as if to say, 'I didn't say anything'. "Handsome prince was on his way to rescue her before she was sacrificed, but he was trapped in a stone, cursed to stay there for eternity by the evil king." Flora was even taking breaths as her eyes stared off into the distance, as if she could see the characters before her. "But! The king did not know his secret power. The prince was able to melt rock and metal, so he burned his way through the prison!" Her hands spread wide, emphasizing her point. "At the dusk of the last night, the prince showed up to the dark castle, and stole the princess away, narrowly escaping death in a fierce battle with the king." She clutched her chest, sighing melodramatically. "Alas, the prince took the princess backed to his home, and demanded that they be married on the spot."
There was a sound of clapping as Flora jolted out of her theatrical trance. Again, she shot a glare at Felix as he spoke, still putting his hands together. "That was some story little sister, even better than the castle thespians."
"You don't have to be so sarcastic about it."
Felix tipped an imaginary hat in her direction. "You know I love hearing about your stories." He gave her a knowing smirk. "You seem to be VERY into romance these days."
She turned her nose into the air as she crossed her arms. "It was more of a dramatic adventure novel."
"But everyone likes a happy ending, no?" Felix fiddled with a button on his jacket, casually focusing on something else. "Maybe you are wanting to find a husband?"
Flora could only stare at him open mouthed. Where was this coming from? "Please Felix, that's a loooooong way away." She grabbed her elbows, imagining the thought. "Besides, I'd have to find someone first, wouldn't I? Maybe a handsome prince with a heart of gold."
A snicker came from Felix. "Well it is not like you would need to find a husband. You do not really have a say in it."
He was still grinning, but Flora was stunned. "What do you mean I don't have a say in it?" She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I mean that you are just the princess." Felix seemed confused at her response. "This should not be a surprise, you have a duty to your country."
"Well... well," Flora stammered, "I am aware of my duty, but I would think that I have SOME say in who I shall spend the rest of my life with." She knew how important it was for Prana to gain alliances with other countries, but she didn't ever think she wouldn't be able to have a choice in the matter. Marriage was a important decision that she wanted to be happy to make.
Felix was beginning to show signs of irritation. "I do not know why you are getting so upset over this." He rubbed his hands against his knees, preparing to get up. "You should be proud to serve Prana in any way you can."
Anger rose up into Flora's chest. "How can you say I'm not proud to serve my country?" She glared at him, but Felix was unimpressed. "I'd do anything for Prana!" The less she could feel Felix paying attention to her, the more riled up she got. "You act like my only worth is to be shipped off to be someone's token!" Her nostrils flared, as he didn't meet her eyes.
He slapped his thighs and stood up. "Flora, you know that I cannot talk to you when you are like this." He started to head toward the door, turning back to shoot her a pandering look. "While I know you love Prana, you should know what your responsibilities are." The door clicked shut before she could respond.
Someone could have cooked an egg with the heat rising from her cheeks. The AUDACITY of him! How DARE he talk to her as if she were an ignorant child! She could have wrung his neck right then and there if she didn't have more control. Why are men so stupid?
It took the better half of the evening for Flora to finally simmer down. When Rose noticed that she hadn't even touched her hot chocolate, she delicately cleaned up the table, and left without a word. Rose was a smart woman, because Flora felt as if anyone could set her off. As she laid in bed, she mulled over the conversation, not ready to see any other side of it. That would be saved for later, when her pride didn't hurt as much.