Blythe Gardenlight sat in bed, thinking of what was to come.
She had made close friends of Xyla Riverlove and the two maids who waited on her.
Augustus was kind as well and seemed to ensure she was safe and well taken care of.
The event that was before her made butterflies beat their wings rapidly within her stomach.
Her marriage to Prince Elliot was in three days and Augustus had told the maids that Blythe would meet the mysterious prince in the evening.
Thinking of the grip he had had on her waist when he'd pulled her up from on top of the stairs, Blythe felt her cheeks heat up.
The man was extremely attractive.
His voice was distinctly deep with a soft tone to it. He seemed like someone who didn't speak much only doing it when he absolutely had to.
A complete contrast, he seemed, to his eldest brother who had a voice that sounded like it could talk for ages and engage the folks it conversed with.
Blythe got off the bed and walked around the room, feeling a little restless.
What was going to happen in the evening? How would her meeting go?
She wanted to know immediately.
Sighing, she whirled around to walk to the shut doors of the balcony.
Where were her parents? Her heart had become heavy with concern.
Her mother was said to be extremely ill. Was she alright?
Augustus had promised to help with her sudden sickness but he had not spoken to Blythe about the situation at all.
Blythe almost wanted to walk down to the dining room herself but she sat back down in the bed instead.
She wanted a proper view on things before proceeding.
Some clarity on the entire length and breadth of what was really going on would help her mind be put to ease.
~
Xyla Riverlove sat beside the two royal princes while Augustus spoke to Elliot about what he had been up to in the past few days.
"A maiden from Edgecraft you heard of… alright."
Augustus shook his head, "Let me explain what has been bothering me."
He took a deep breath, his eyes wide.
Xyla worried.
He looked like a man finally unwinding and speaking of all that he had kept within. She wondered if she should be there. Surely, the brothers would prefer to converse in private.
"We know that there are five tests to be completed by those ready to take the throne."
Elliot nodded. Xyla nodded, as well, hoping to not extinguish Augustus' speech.
"The first, the blooming of the flower, is not taken seriously but since it divulges power to anyone of Royal Blood gathered there, even those who are not considered for the throne, are allowed to partake."
Elliot nodded again, "I think father told me that I might be allowed to take part in the fourth test as well given that we cannot simply send only you. The mystic one may take it as an offence seeing as how she prefers to have a choice handed to her and her approval important in who rules."
Augustus nodded, "That's right. Since Cecil did not want to have to rule, it's always been decided that you and I would take the tests with me taking all of them and you taking a few. It has, I think, always been understood that I will rule regardless of how I do in the tests although, I have been trained to be a good ruler so that the results of the tests do not vex the people when they are declared."
Elliot was quiet.
"Now," Augustus sighed, tiredness beginning to show in his voice.
He caught sight of Xyla's wide-eyed gaze and smiled, her heart flipping at the small action.
Elliot sighed before he inserted, "Now, Cecil is in the race as well. I don't understand why the flower gave him the ability and did not give you any. I really do not understand it, Augustus. If there is any man, more fit to rule the entire kingdom in the history of the land, it is you."
Augustus looked shocked, a stunned expression on his face as he watched his brother.
"I do not doubt it for a second. You are the most capable and worthy of the throne and even if, and I sincerely hope it will not come to pass, even if Cecil or any other, or even I, rule the kingdom; we will never measure up to what you will have been. This is my sincere opinion on the matter."
Xyla felt her chest heave when she spotted the tears that had welled-up in Augustus' eyes.
He had not seemed to notice, his face still completely surprised as he stared at his brother.
She reached forward quietly and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I think anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing you will say the same."
Xyla was in for a surprise when she saw the usually-happy prince break down into tears.
~
"Megraye!"
Megraye had just stepped into Blythe's room.
"My lady?"
Blythe was sat in her bed, her face looking uncertain.
"I-," She paused before she spoke, "Would you please tell me what has happened in the palace recently? Especially… with Prince Elliot's engagement?"
Megraye paused to watch Blythe bite her lip, clearly uncertain of what she had asked.
It dawned on Megraye that the pretty little girl had no real grasp on any of the matters that had taken place in the palace.
She had been brought in with no actual information given to her and was extremely confused.
The kind, old maid pulled a small stool towards the bed and sat down.
"Ms. Gardenlight, let us take some time. We can go through the dresses after we have finished discussing things."
Blythe looked relieved and nodded.