Michelle's Sorrowful Vengeance and Mikha'el's Divine Judgement
ladyweaver
"the prettiest flower wilts without ever blooming, and so the angel picks the poor thing in her hands, and gaves a solemn vow to ruin the garden for it."
ARC ONE
HOW THE FLOWER IN THE GARDEN WILTED BUT NEVER BLOOMED
part i.
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GOLDEN AGE, Spring 846.
In the heart of the Arthuri'as Empire, Camelot City, stood the magnificent and fearsome white and gold Imperial Castle, the Durragon Nest. It was an auspicious day, said to be the day that the Great Ancestor Emperor Arthuri's date of birth. And right now, the current Emperor stood outside the royal birthing chambers with nervous excitement. He has gold in his hair, blue sapphires for his draconic eyes, and his magic was fire. He was Emperor Al'uther Pendragon.
He was a great, good man who had faced many great battles in his life. Once, he fought a rabid dragon as a child and he did not flinch, nor did he when he was cut down in a battle by a hot, searing sword. However, this great, good man flinched when he heard his beloved wife shrill screams cut the air once more, the wind becoming fierce and wild as it cut down the weak and lesser. The Emperor taken off guard, had a cut on his cheek that bled.
"Your majesty-!" Emperor Al'uther Pendragon waves the concern of his servant, and just in time, he hears the screams of an infant.
He could not wait any longer, so he bursted in.
"Is it done?!"
"Dear Gods!" the midwife held her heart, and looked as if she was about to throw her slipper at the excited father "I have told you earlier, your majesty, you are not allowed in here-"
"Calm yourself, Bertha" the woman on the bed said, exhaustion clearly seen in her eyes "it is alright, he is after all, the ruler of our great empire. My love, come closer" and Emperor Al'uther did, and he greeted his poor exhausted wife with a kiss on her forehead "Madeleine, my beautiful wife" he says.
He ignores the harrumphed of the irritated midwife behind him.
She laughs, and they sound small and and like those of tinkling bells to his ears "once again, you try to fool me with those sweet words" she says with a teasing smile "you might fool the others but not me,"
"But I am not fooling you, how can I when my wife is truly beautiful?" and Emperor Al'uther says this with complete honesty.
His wife was drop dead gorgeous, her beauty was out of this world, and many in the society have whispered that perhaps, perhaps, the Paris line is truly fae-touched. Unmarred, smooth and soft porcelain skin. Long silver curls that looked like starlight. The intense, mysterious liquid gold eyes of every man and woman belonging of the noble and ancient house of Paris. Empress Madeleine la Pendragon nee Paris was truly the most beautiful woman in the empire. No one could ever outshine a living, breathing moon goddess like her.
"You big fool, stop flattering me and start paying attention to our daughter!"
Al'uther stops "a daughter?" he says, a small part in his chest dropping in disappointment. But his eyes widened in shock and awe "Dear gods!" he says breathless as he finally laid eyes on his child.
The empress softly smiles "isn't she beautiful?" she says, gesturing to the infant in her arms.
Pale gold hair curling around the small face, rosy cheeks, and big doe-eyes that were the same as her mother's, bright liquid gold eyes looking up.
The emperor sits by the bed, and wraps an arm around his wife, gazing at his first child in complete adoration "she is," he says nodding "so what shall you name her then?"
"Me?" Empress Madeleine looked at him with a raised eyebrow, amused "are you not supposed to be the one who does the naming?"
"Silly wife," he says, a grin on his face "you are her mother, and you have spent the last four hours in this room in pain, and now you are tired."
"Yes, yes I am, all the more reason you should be naming her."
The emperor shook his head "but the one more deserving to name her is you, my love" he says, eyes softening "it matters not if she is a girl, and I am her father and the emperor. She is my dearest child with my beloved wife, and my wife has exhausted herself to give birth to our little flower. My wife, who has wished for a girl in her every prayers." His wife's face flushed pink, liquid gold eyes looking away "you knew?" she whispered. He laughs "of course I knew, you are my wife!"
For the first time in a while, his wife's eyes looked at him, unsure and vulnerable "you are... not upset?"
"I am not," he answers firmly "and nothing else would bring me joy, than for my beloved wife to finally share the name she has been hiding in her heart"
Liquid gold eyes teared up at the firm, yet soft sapphire dragon eyes.
A tender smile returned to her face, and Empress Madeleine looks back at the sleepy infant in her arms.
"Michelle," she says, and Emperor Al'uther looked at his wife in surprise "Michelle va Pendragon"
Emperor Al'uther looks at his smiling wife and back at his beautiful, sleepy daughter "Princess Michelle va Pendragon it is," he agreed.
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"hm? a mortal foundling in the heaven realm? how peculiar... did you send it back? good. we are at war again, and the God has left once again. I care not if it is one of God-Favored. we do not have the time to look after a mortal foundling."
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GOLDEN AGE, Summer 851.
It was a very sunny day today, and the five year old princess of the Arthuri'as Empire hated it. She hated the fact that the day her imperial mother was going to be buried in such a very happy day, and it seems that her feelings was shared with her imperial father.
She stifled the sob that wanted to come out of her mouth, and instead tried to stay still and proud as the dignified princess she was. A large hand was on her head, and Princess Michelle did not need to know that it was her Emperor Father.
"Worry not, my daughter" the large hand dropped from her head and instead grabbed her tinier ones, and gave it a soft, gentle squeeze "your mother... is finally at peace up in the heavens, and from there, she will always be watching over us."
"Really, Father? She will always be there?" she looks up to her father whose dragon eyes never left the fresh made grave "she will always be listening when I say my prayers."
Her Emperor Father broke his intense staring from the grave and instead, looked at his curious daughter. She was so young, and yet she was already robbed of a mother, he thinks. He gave her a sad smile and crouched to her height "Yes, little one. You know your mother with her sharp eyes and sharp ears. Remember the time when you tried to sneak off from your lessons?"
Princess Michelle brightened "Yes! I remember! We were supposed to play around in your office ve~ry quietly," her voice drops to a soft whisper, before returnign to a normal volume as she continued on "but somehow she managed to catch us! Even though you were hiding me under your desk, and we were being very quiet, she still managed to catch me!"
Emperor Al'uther laughed, and though it didn't sound as happy and full of life as it had been when his Madeleine still breathed, it was the first laugh he had since her death. Figures it would be because of his darling princess. He smiled and nodded "See? Your mother will still be looking after us even, even if she is now in heaven. So always pray, sweet Michelle, pray to the Gods that they treat her well for us."
Princess Michelle nodded with a bright smile, before she stopped, and pondered. Her head tilting.
"Even little brother?" she said innocently, and Emperor Al'uther froze.
From the confused, curious innocent eyes of his five year old daughter, he looked at his one year old son that was being held by his nanny.
Gold hair, porcelain skin, and gold dragon eyes looked back at him innocently.
Emperor Al'uther stood up, his smile disappearing as his face became stonecold. His blue dragon eyes were dark as they stared at the gold dragon eyes of the little prince.
So young, and yet already a monster for taking a mother from his sister, and me of a dear wife. His eyes narrowed in anger, his aura flickering like an open flame that hungered for something to burn. So young, and yet already a thief.
"Father?"
Emperor Al'uther ignored the calls of his sweet innocent daughter, and turned his back on the little thieving (monster) prince. He walks away from the sunny day, the beautiful white rose boquet on the ground, and the children of his wife that one, he would slowly refuse to look at and the other, he would grow to hate.
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"...mortal child, your tears are for nothing. no one, not even this warrior, is allowed to return your mother to the living. God is gone and they are busy. wipe those tears and stand up, your brother needs you, does he not? yes? then return now."
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GOLDEN AGE, Winter 855.
Princess Michelle va Pendragon was only nine years old, but was already growing to be a very wise, and kind girl just as her mother had been. And she was such a peculiar princess, for she had the most exquisite silks and dress to wear, and yet she preferred the most mundane, humblest of pale colored gowns to wear. Her long pale gold hair, she left it always in a loose braid. She did not touch her jewelry box very often and didn't really liked to play. However, the little princess was bright, intelligent and very talented. She excelled her lessons, and her royal tutors praised her and shared her achievements to others. She was kind to the servants, gentle to the poor and in need, and firm when needed. Not to mention, with the little princess liquid gold eyes and pale gold hair, reminded the servants how she looked so alike to the late and beloved empress. Just like her mother, she was adored and beloved by everyone in the Durragon Nest.
It is only a shame, that the great and mighty Emperor, no matter how powerful, was no stranger to grief and heartbreak. It pained the servants to see their mighty ruler flinch at the sight of his daughter, and therefore, tried to keep her at arms length. These days, he could hardly be seen wherever the princess would be. They all feared that the princess would come to take notice of it and would be hurt because of it.
What a tragedy, they all thought and whispered to themselves, that such a perfect family be broken and shattered beyond repair. All because of a little thieving monster... Ah, no matter how appropriate it was the call him that, they must all respect the kind (and unfortunately soft-hearted) Princess Michelle's wishes for them to call the boy a 'prince'.
Prince Arthuros Pendragon had turned five years old, with the same gold for hair he shared with their emperor, and liquid gold dragon eyes. His birth had meant the Crown Prince position was his to claim, and no longer their beloved princess (which should have been rightfully hers).
He was a strange child, unlike his once jovial and cheerful father, or firm and strong kind mother, or even his sister who was sweet and gentle. He was very quiet, and so shy he could barely string two words together, and acted not like a prince but a thief who got caught. Always looking guilty, looking down, shifting feet and shifty, nervous eyes...
Thief.
They adore the princess, and so obeyed her wish for them to be omre respectful of her brother, but all the servants and guards in the palace share the same thought. That the little thieving, murdering monster runt was someone they could never love or respect. Not when he killed his mother by poisoning her womb. Not when her death had cause heartbreak and grief to their emperor. Not when he had force their adorable little princess to grow up in such a broken, cold family where she had to take care of him, like the little burden he was.
Sometimes, they worried for their princess if ever their emperor snaps and went for the prince's neck. His life would never be qual to their princess and so it was unthinkable that in such a scenario, it would be the princess tossing her life away to protect him. Unthinkable, yes but knowing their kind but foolish princess, it would be true. She would not hesitate to give her life for the boy who killed their mother and broke their father. This is the only reason why the servants prayed to the heavens for their emperor to never lose himself to his grief and harm the boy, in fear that he hurts his daughter instead.
(The servants whisper and whisper, growing colder and angrier at the little dragon prince who sat in the dark corners whenever his sister left him. They hate and hate and hate, never noticing the soft eyes of the little dragon prince turning hard and frigid as winter ice.)
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"cease your chattering, worm. you irritate my ears. i will burn your tongue, that is a threat likely to happen if you don't shut your mouth."
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GOLDEN AGE, Winter 858.
Contrary to what those pathetic, mindless servants liked to think, his kind sister knew everything that was going on. Though she liked to pretend she didn't notice their imperial father distancing himself from her, it was hard not to notice when the man refused to look at you in the eye and flinched at your touch. Prince Arthuros has no sweet, good memories with his imperial father and had long given up on trying to win his affections, however it did infuriate him whenever that spineless coward ran from his sister, and left her looking devastated.
It made his blood boil.
He knocked on the door, and it didn't take long for the door to open. Twelve year old, and still so very young... but very beautiful, he thinks. Despite how gossip goes about how he was a stupid fool, Arthuros was as intelligent as his sister, just as bright and talented. He knows it isn't bragging when he says he is very beautiful either, he only needs to take a look at his imperial father from afar, and a glimpse from the woman who gave birth to him, and at other people to know how beautiful and ugly people could be. Arthuros is of the former, and he would grow to be more handsome and dashing once the time comes, but he has to admit, his sister's fae-like beauty could also stun him just as it stunned others.
Pale-gold hair that curled down to her knees, bright liquid gold eyes with soft dragonic features on it, and a perfect sharp and soft doll-like features on her face... His sister was going to grow up into a beauty that could topple empires.
"Arthur, you silly boy, come inside right now. You are going to catch a cold at this rate," she said, frowning as she wraps him with her blanket and leads him inside her room. Soft but firm, she keeps scolding him until both of them were tucked in her bed. Arthuros ignores what she is saying, of her stupid dreams of sunset-colored skies and gold and orange puffs of clouds, and a very beautiful woman with icy blue eyes, and just stared at her while thinking - how foolish am I, to treasure this foolish girl so close to my heart, when she is the reason for all of my troubles and grief.
Pretty Princess Michelle. Perfect Princess Michelle. Brilliant Princess Michelle. Talented Princess Michelle. Beloved Princess Michelle. Treasured Flower of the Durragon Nest, the Rightful Heir to the Throne. Not Strange Prince Arthuros. Not Clumsy Prince Arthuros. Not Unlikeable Prince Arthuros. Not the Thieving Prince Arthuros. Not the monstrous murderer Prince Arturos. Not him, never him. But Michelle, his sweet, kind, and perfect sister. Always, always choosing Michelle, but never him.
He blinked away the tears, and turned away from his sister. The resentment churning in his gut makes him uncomfortable, but looking at her any longer makes him itch. It makes him want to act how his imperial father acted when he saw Arthuros in front of the late empress portrait. It makes him itch to want to lunge and grasp his sister's neck just as his imperial father's large hands did to his. It makes him see red and imagine leaving his sister breathless and asking for mercy, the same pleas that spilled Arthuros mouth when he couldn't breathe.
"Arthur?" he hears the soft voice of his sister "Arthur? Is there something wrong? Does your tummy ache?" she said, arms circling around his waist. He said nothing, but tears started to spill down his cheeks, and his traitorous weak body started to tremble. His sister didn't say a word, and merely wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm sorry, Arthur" she says, tucking his head underneath her chin. Her body pressed close to his back, warmth exuding off from her. She tightened her arms around him and pulled him closer "I am so sorry, Arthur"
"tell me you'll give me the throne."
"I don't care for the throne, Arthur. It's yours, rightfully and trully yours. Do not mind the thoughts and words of other people, and remember mine instead. Everything I have, I will give it to you. It is yours to have. But the throne? It is not mine to claim or to give. Arthur, it is yours and believe me, I will never want to take it from you." She says softly, but determined.
Trembling, he opens his mouth "tell me you love me"
"I love you," she says, not hesitating "I love you so much, Arthur. More than the sun, more than the flowers in the garden, more than the winds bringing us air to breathe, more than water giving us life- I love you more than life itself Arthur. I do."
He wasn't satisfied "tell me you won't ever leave me"
" I would never leave you. Never. For as long as you want me, for as long you need me to be, I am here, by your side. Always, always, and always."
"For, forevermore?" He hates how his voice is wet, weak and pathetic, but like every cold night, he does not stop. He's hungry and he's desperate. Please, tell me more sister. He thinks, and he curls even more at how pathetic he really was, hating her but still so desperate for her attention.
"Yes, Arthur. Forevermore." She holds him tight and close to her "I love you, you know that right? Arthur?"
Arthuros thinks, and finds it a little funny. She is the one holding him close, and tight. But instead, it feels like he is the one holding the rope tied around neck.
He turns around, and the eight year old prince buried his head to her chest, a dark look in those liquid dragon eyes.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
"Of course sister," he whispers, snuggling close to her warmth "Of course I know? How could I not when you treasure me like this?"
He feels his sister relief at his answer, and he tightens his arms around her, hooking his feet with hers "I also hold you close to my my heart, sister."
He does, he really does.
Which was why she was so dangerous.
"I love you, Arthur. Goodnight."
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"be wary of the dragon, that is all. now leave."
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GOLDEN AGE, Spring 860.
Princess Michelle is fourteen years old when she has her social debut, and it was beautiful. Beautiful, candle lit gold chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Gold roses crawling the ivory white beams. The delicious, and aromatic dishes displayed beaitfully on the tables. The red wine swirling in the glasses. The clear, dulcet harmonious music and the graceful dancers on the floor. Beautifully coloured gowns and handsome men smiling at their beautiful ladies.
The Emperor Al'uther walking in hand in hand with his daughter, the Princess Michelle va Pendragon, the star of the party.
All eyes were glued to the prepubscent girl, and her glow and her fae-like beauty. The soft pale rose pink gown, the gold vines at the end of her skirt, the pink heeled shoes with gold roses on it, the white and gold glittered bodice, and the beautiful diamond gem on her choker. The long and curly silver hair pinned into a beautiful haristyle with a dragon-rose. The rosy cheeks, the long and thick eyelashes framing those liquid gold eyes, the red bow lips curving into a smile.
All eyes were on the father and daughter who walked down the stairs and headed to the dancefloor with an air of grace and elegance.
A smile from their Emperor Al'uther and a perfect curtsy from the shy princess. The music begun moving, and so did they.
By the end of the dance, both father and daughter were looking at each other with smiles on their faces and happiness in their eyes. The attending nobility around came to flock to them, and started introducing themselves to the princess, who was clearly beloved and adored, as well as perfect.
"Michelle," the princess head snapped to the gentle call of her imperial father, who smiled at her (which he hadn't had done in years, and though she feels guilty for her Arthur who hasn't had a smile from their father in his life, she can't help but admit that she had missed it) "I would like to introduce someone to you,"
She looks at the man and son her father was gesturing. Both shared dark hair and grey eyes.
"This is Duke Edwyn Steel, of the Stilncold North." the man took her and pressed a kiss on it "A pleasure to finally meet you, Your Royal Highness"
She gave him a smile "As I to you, your Grace. I have heard how you were my father's most trusted friend, especially in the Battle of Allistairus" both men, her imperial father and the duke, looked at her in surprise, before sharing one pleased look at each other.
Duke Edwyn Steel bowed his head and brought his son forward "Your Royal Highness, I would like to introduce you to my son,"
Michelle excells her lessons, just as Arthur had done to his, but thanks to those lessons, she knows that the boy in front of her is a year older than her brother but a year younger than her.
"My name is Edmund Steel, Your Royal Highness"
And her fiance.
As a princess and of nobility and royalty, she knows the importance of her duty as a girl and how her marriage will serve to their houses. So even though she does not like the idea of marrying a stranger, she has completely resigned herself to it.
"I have been waiting for a long time to meet you, and I am finally glad I did." He admits, looking shy and bashful, grey eyes looking away from hers "You are very pretty, Your Royal Highness."
The banquet hall becomes silent for a moment. Everyone had heard it, and they all stared at the Duke's son with incredulous looks in their eyes. The Emperor raised an amused eyebrow at the boy his daughter was engaged to. The Duke looked like he was just another minute in throwing his son out of the window, and jumping out after him in complete embarassment. The young Steel heir, blinked as his words started register in his mind, and his face flushed a deep red.
Princess Michelle, whose face was hot because her cheeks had flushed pink, could only giggle, whick broke the silence and resulted into laughter.
"and you have quite a way with words, Heir Steel" she says, teasing.
Edmund Steel, face still a beet red, exclaimed in an embarassed voice "P-please, your Royal Highness, call me Ed."
Princess Michelle blinked and couldn't help but think the boy in front of her was rather bold and forward, and perhaps very socially awkward as well. She smiled, and found herself liking that he was her fiance.
"Then please, Ed, you can address me as Michelle."
The two children stared at each other with flushed cheeks and smiles on their faces, their fathers behind them with both of them casting a nostalgic look on the princess. Behind them was a crowd of nobles looking on to the Princess and her fiance, the Duke Steel's Heir, and whispered to themselves that this was a love match just as it was a political match. Behind those nobles were servants craning their necks to see their beautiful and beloved princess looking happy, interacting with her father (who hadn't runaway!) and was bashfully smiling at a young boy, who was her fiance! Everyone was happy that this grand celebration of Princess Michelle's social debut was a success... except for one boy who hid in the corner, by a curtain covering him, and unnoticed by the grinning guards.
Liquid gold eyes stared down at the princess, unhappy.
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"love? of course i know of love, my whole existence comes from the love of God, the One and Only. An existence without them is a sad, dark cold existence. It is not living at all."
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GOLDEN AGE, Fall 861.
"Arthur?"
When her little brother turns around, Michelle can only rush forward and bring him close to her so she could embrace him. The quiet sobbing and sniffles are barely heard, but she could feel his terror from how his small body trembled in her arms.
"Arthur, my dragon, can you please tell me what has you crying like this?" Michelle asks, her eyes staring at her precious brother's dragon ones with concern "Arthur-"
Arthur shook his head.
Michelle's distress grew "Arthur, I promise no harm will come for you if you tell me. I won't let anyone hurt you, so please-"
"He said he's going to kill me," and oh, the words were so quietly uttered, it could be barely be heard at all. But in the dark of the night, in a moonlit, dark corrider they were in, and her arms holding him close to her chest, Michelle was able to hear him.
And she did not doubt that it was anything but the truth.
Freezing like stone, like a human catching the gaze of the monster Medusa, Michelle looked at her brother in horror. Terror grip her heart. She trembled.
"Don't worry Arthur," she murmurs, soft and quiet, her hand running through the strands of his gold hair "I'll fix this."
Grim determination sets in her eyes, turning those liquid gold eyes something cold and hard.
"I'll protect you," she says to him, and her brother nods...
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"foolish girl, I told you to be wary of the dragon."
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GOLDEN AGE, Winter 861
"Did you hear about the Flower Princess? No? Well let me tell you then, my friend, for this is ve~ry juicy! I heard this from a cousin who has a sister-in-law working in the palace, so no need to worry if it is a hoax or not. He said that the Princess bursted into a very important meeting, and marched to the Emperor, and threw her crown at his feet while renouncing not only her claim to the throne, but also her royal bloodline in front of the Emperor and the Council! She declared that she was no longer a 'va Pendragon' and instead will be a 'va Paris' instead! The Emperor then was so furious of her foolishness and disgrace that he sent her away to live in the Pa'eli Land. Yes! I know! To send our lovely Flower Princess, no matter if she was so foolish, and perhaps a bit mad, to a dangerous land facing not only beastmen tribes, savages, monsters and rogues, but also famine? Does he want his daughter to die? It doesn't matter if it is her mother's homeland, the Princess is a princess! Not a savage... Pardon my mouth, I do not intend to insult the late empress, but still, you cannot deny that it is pitiful that the princess is sent away to such a dangerous place... Hm? Oh, the Empreror had a formal gathering and declared the Crown Heir will be his son, the ten year old prince. I know so little about him, except that the sister-in-law of my cousin doesn't really like him. Oh, yes, of course I know! You know how much of a gossip I am! His name is Prince Arthuros Pendragon, and he does have the dragon eyes that the Emperor, and their ancestors, share. I have to admit, I am looking forward in seeing his growth. Yes, I do hope he doesn't pull a 'Princess Michelle' and actually have some sense. I really hope he doesn't let us down. Indeed, such a shame. I heard that the Flower Princess was a promising candidate for the throne, but to think she'd disappoint us this early..."
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"congratulations, you have made a fool of yourself"
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GOLDEN AGE, Fall 863.
It was Edmund Steel 16th birthday, and his mother had thrown a very big birthday party just for him. He was now also eligible to knight someone, and all he needed to do was find his childhood friend and knight him. Of course, he had to prove to his family that his friend was worthy of being knighted, that he had the skills and virtue to be his personal knight. Edmund didn't doubt that the guy would be strong and loyal as he had been when he saw him last... which was, admittedly, be a really long while.
Anyway, it was a very big celebration and he had to attend many guests (and too many giggling girls) the whole night and Edmund would be damned if he had to spend another hour communicating with shallow minded, power-hungry nobles with nothing in their mind but power, money and gossip. So he snuck out and left the Willingston Manor (why his mother insisted in celebrating his birthday at the Capital, he did not know.).
Once upon a time, in a grand party that was thrown for the social debut of a princess, an irritated young thirteen year old Edmund would escape the crowd, the dancing, and the music with a flower in a pretty pink gown with liquid gold eyes ad pale gold hair that looked stunning in the moonlight. The cool night air, the gentle comforting scent of the roses in the garden, and a shy smile from his princess...
"It is as if it was just a dream..." he said, quietly with melancholic eyes.
It had been two years since she had renounced her title and her royal blood to the Royal Council and to the Emperor, and it had been two years since he had last seen her. His mother would not allow him to travel to the Pa'eli Land and the princess refused to take his offer about living in Edmund's home, the Steelmount Castle. In fact, she refused to leave the Pa'eli Land at all.
Edmund sighed, tugging his hood closer to his face as he took a sharp turn when he saw passing Imperial Guards - and was surprised to bump into somebody.
"Hey! Watch it! Don't you have eyes?!"
Silver grey eyes meet bright sapphire blues.
Edmund blinked.
"Aren't you going to say sorry? What a rude bastard!"
His eyebrow twitched. How rude and crass of her. If he wasn't hiding from the guards, he would have already taken off his hood and teach her where her place is. Unfortunately, he still has to avoid getting caught if he doesn't want to return from forcing himself to smile at guests who are all so, he wrinkled his nose ever so slightly, pathetically weak.
"I apologize for bumping into you, Miss?"
She huffed "Angela, Angela Hillstone."
Edmund looked at her. Long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and a very pretty, Southern Aristocratic face... Edmund quietly wonders if the girl is a bastard of some noble.
She glares at him "Are you not going to tell me your name?" she crosses her arms "nevermind! I'll just be on my way-"
A loud stomach growl interrupts her.
Edmund stared.
Miss Angela's face flushed in embarassment.
Edmund's lips twitched, and tilting his head, he said "As an apology, I would like to treat you to dinner."
"I, I don't need it-" and moves to walk away, but he stops her
"Please," He said, grabbing her arm "I insist."
She looks at him with furrowed eyebrows. He stares at her, not letting go of her arm.
She looks away, her cheeks still a pleasant pink "alright, fine." she murmurs, before snapping at him with a fierce glare "but no funny business, okay?"
He nods "If you haven't have an idea where you want to eat, how about I treat you to my favorite?"
"Actually, I was thinking about eating in Dahli's Dinner, the one near the flower shop in the Plaza?"
He looks at her, surprised "that is actually where I am headed"
"Then you have good taste" Miss Angela said, grinning.
He stops and stares at her face for a moment.
She had a pretty smile.
"Um, hello?"
Edmund blinks, and snaps out of it. He looks away, a slight pink on his cheek.
"Oh, I forgot to ask, but what do I call you?"
"Call me Ed."
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"your heart is fragile, try not to give it to those who will mishandle it"
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GOLDEN AGE, Summer 864
"Uncle?"
Michelle va Paris is now eighteen years old, and her departure for the capital is just a few more months away. Though she is looking forward of Edmund soon turning of age, and of them now able to wed each other, she can't help but feel apprehensive to the fact that she was soon to go home. She hasn't forgotten of how her imperial father looked at her. Shock, horror and fear. How furious he was at her, of how he yelled at the advisors to leave to give the father and daughter privacy. She remembered him falling to his knees, begging to take her words back. Stay home, little flower. I beg of you to not leave me alone just as your mother had. And oh, how powerful those words were, how they strike her fast and deep to her heart. It pained her to see her father break in tears, on his knees, because she said she wish to leave and cut ties. It pained her that he reminded her of how he looked away from her, unable to look at her face as he was still grieving her mother's death. It pained her, to remember the few, vague but real memories of when her imperial mother was alive, hale and hearty, and a joyous smile on her face. Michelle had wanted to take her father in her arms and cry, like how she would whenever the nights were too cold, too lonely and whenever Arthur didn't want to see her. She wanted to embrace her father and sing him a song, just as he had done to her whenever she had nightmares as a child. She wanted to comfort her just as she wished he did when the late empress died. But she didn't.
This time, it was her who took a step back, and turned away.
Michelle was not petty, or nursing a grudge against her father to do such a thing. It hurt her, felt heavy in her heart to do so, but she also could not forget of that night. The moonless night, the cold that crept under her skin, the shivering boy in her arms. The sniffles and sobs of a terrified child. The soft, quiet "he said he's going to kill me" was still engraved in her brain to this day, and Michelle suspects, still would for a very long time.
It hurt her to see her father hurting, and yes she had wanted to comfort him... but the hurt he had could not compare to the hurt he caused to her Arthur...
to even consider kinsalying because he blamed his son so much for the death of mother...
Michelle's fingers caressed the petals of the flowers gently, her eyes blank.
perhaps he is beyond saving...
"Niece?"
She turned around, and her face that had been grim and somber, brightened.
"Uncle, welcome back" she greeted with a smile.
Marquess Jacques la Paris is her maternal uncle, and someone who had warmly given her a home once she arrived to the Aphrodite Chateau years ago. She had been sad and despondent at what had happened, because she dearly missed Durragon Nest, her brother, her father and her fiance very much. She felt lonely to lose it all but her uncle stepped in and guided her in standing up on her own feet.
The silver-white curls and liquid gold eyes was the same as her imperial mother's hair and eyes that she had seen in her portraits. All of her life, Michelle has been called a 'beauty' and one that would grow up just as beautiful as her mother had been. But she had not once realized how beautiful her late mother was until she met her uncle. She had seen the portrait, and whenever she looked at her dearest uncle smiling warmly at her, she cannot help but wonder if her late mother would have the same smile.
Michelle looks at her uncle, her eyes glancing at her uncle's wheelchair. She took note of the pasty-colored face. The shadows underneath the eyes, the thin fragile frame, and the chronic fatigue that had render him too weak to stand...
He has been suffering from an unknown illness way before she had met him, and it only grew worse with time. Michelle worries. She worries a lot for her loved ones, but there is no greater priority than her uncle's health and she would be damned if she left for the Capital without leaving someone she could trust to take care of her uncle for her.
Perhaps it would be better if she takes uncle with her to the Capital? She's certain that Edmund wouldn't mind giving her uncle a home in the Steelmount Castle. It would be better if she was close to her uncle, just so if he ever has any relapse, she would immediately be there for him...
Marquess Jacques sighs, a weary smile. He raises a hand "I know what you are thinking about, little rose. And I stand by what I had said, I will stay here." He sighs "This is my home."
Michelle opened her mouth to protest, but her uncle interrupts her "And do you remember what we talked about? Last thursday?"
Michelle furrows her eyebrows, and eventually nods "Yes, I do" she said.
"I found an heir, niece." Marquess Jacques smiles brightly, and gestured to the young man that stood behind him. A an that Michelle had only just noticed.
He did not look like a typical, fae-like Paris with his short, dark hair and cobalt blue eyes. Instead of a thin, willowy slender frame a Paris would favor, he had a lean built for a body. He had scars peeking under his dirty collar, the torn sleeves, and the exposed left ankle. Michelle sees a small scar underneath his eye, almost invisible if not for her sharp eyes. He stood awkwardly behind her uncle, back bent and head down. Shy, or a timid man. Odd, Michelle thinks, that such a tall built man who looked like a mercenary to act so meek and shy.
Michelle almost thought that her uncle made a bad decision when finally those cobalt eyes looked up from the floor, and stared straight at hers.
Intense, she thinks.
Her uncle smiled, as if he knows what she had been thinking.
"Michelle, this is Touma. He is a friend. When I am gone, he will become the Marquess Paris regent until one of your children can finally succeed him."
Her uncle then gestures her to Touma.
"Touma, this is my beloved niece, Michelle. I hope, when I am cold and lifeless, that the two of you can trust each other and be good friends who will be there for each other."
Michelle smiles and says "Yes, of course we will Uncle."
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"he who does not trust will not be trusted, remember this well, princess". at the same time, be wary, never give trust to those would break it."
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GOLDEN AGE, 864 Winter.
By the time Michelle va Paris leaves for the Capital, her dear uncle was already buried underneath the earth and the stranger who her uncle insists she trust, Touma, was now the official Marquess Paris of the Pa'eli Land.
She weeps silently in the carriage not just because she has lost a beloved one to death, but she was also unable fulfill her uncle's last wish. She did not, and could not, trust a stranger with the dark unreadable eyes, and the scars that peeked from his luxurious clothes.
Michelle could not, would not, be able to put her trust in Marquess Touma von Paris. And though she regrets disappointing her uncle, it did not really matter - she is after all, about to reunite with her fiance that she was soon to wed to, and a brother she held dear to her heart.
She kissed the silver cross in her hand, eyes closed.
I know you will be taken care of in the Beyond by the angels, so please allow yourself to finally rest Uncle.
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"...worry not, girl, he is safe and at peace."
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GOLDEN AGE, Summer 847.
"Too slow!" a cheery voice yelled.
Edmund smirked, successfully blocking the ruby-gilded sword of the Weiss Heir with his ancestral broadsword, Jégésacél. There was frost creeping from his feet, and every step he took was left with ice, and when he breathes, there is a thick, foggy ice mist. He disappears.
István cursed, holding Macksa close to his chest defensively "to hell with you, you cheating cunt-"
A foot comes from behind, and strikes István from behind. The force of the kick sends him flying to the ground, in pain, and by the time the cold mist disappears, István has a foot on his chest and a sword embedded to the ground next to his head, and an Edmund Steel, who stood above him with a smug smile on his face.
Red haired, quick tempered, bluegreen glass eyes István Weiss swears, his face red in anger "Rematch!" he demands "and get off me you icecold prick!"
Edmund gets off, offering a hand to his friend who took it begrudgingly. Edmund takes a few steps to distance himself from his sparring partner, eager for another fight (and another win) .
István readies himself for another round when he finds a heavy weight thrown on his back causing him to almost lost his footing, with arms around his neck.
"You had your ass kicked around the grounds for a hour and a half, István, stop being so stubborn and call it quits!" Percival Da Silva whiny voice said "I'm bored watching you being a dumbass"
An angry tickmark appeared on the redhead's forehead "midget..." and reaches to grab the collar of Percival to throw him off his back and into the floor "why don't you fuck off?!"
Percival might have been the shortest eighteen year old boy on Durradell's Imperial Academy but unfortunately for István, he was the top student excelling in magic. So when Istváan tried to throw him off over his shoulder, Percival did not get thrown to the ground and instead, defied gravity and floated in midair with his dark green hair swishing behind his head.
"That's so rude of you!" Percival said, pouting.
"István, you loser, did you get beaten up again?" caramel blond haired, pink eyed Marcellus Llwyn laughed as he walked towards them.
"Fuck off, the lot of you!" István yells, enraged, before whirling around to fiercely glare at Edmund, red flames surrounding his shaking fists "We are going to have that fight right now or I swear by the fucking gods-"
"One week duty of cleaning the lavatories" a voice interrupted.
All of them turned to the voice belonging to the one and only girl they feared, and respected. Angela Hillstone. Gold in her hair, sapphire for eyes, and possessing the brightest smile they have ever seen... and the fiercest scowl that made them cower if it was turned to them.
"Angela!" Percival beamed.
"Good day to you, Percy. Marcus. Ed." She says, dipping her head a bit in a greeting. Edmund has an amused smile on his face. Angela Hillstone had gone a long way from that crass girl from the town market he met years ago. More ladylike, more noble and eloquent and...
"István, you stubborn bastard!" Angela growled, stomping angrily towards them. The rapidly paling faced redhead turned to his friends only to see them backing away from him "you know what Madam Chesier told you to not do - sparring! You are not allowed to spar for a month you idiot!"
All three friends shared a look with each other.
Still the same old Angela.
"But Angela-"
"I am going to kill you!" Angela declared, causing Percival to shriek in laughter, a snicker from Marcellus with a definitely-not-real squeak from the Weiss Heir.
"As amusing this is, I have to ask you to quiet down, Miss Angela" all group of friends froze at another voice cutting into the conversation, they know who it was "you can resume murdering Sir Weiss later after this."
Gold hair in a low ponytail. Liquid gold dragon eyes. A serene smile.
"Your Highness," they all greeted, with Angela flushing in embarassment at getting caught in a unladylike manner by the Crown Prince Arthuros Pendragon.
"István. Marcellus. Percival. Miss Angela." And then those dragon eyes settled on Edmund, the smile never faltering on the perfect Gold Prince's face "Edmund Steel, good day to you friends. I have joyous news to share with you, one that you would be happy to receive, Edmund."
The five friends glanced at one another, confused. Upon entering the Durrandell's Academy, these five people have become unlikely, but close-knitted friends. Angela Hillstone was looked down by every student for her common, peasant background. Marcellus Llywn was alienated for having a demihuman mother. István Weiss was looked at with disdain for being a bastard son made heir, to act as replacement for the dead legitimate son. Percival Da Silva looked like a child because he had elven blood. Edmund Steel was from the 'barbaric' north who mingled with creatures, demi-humans and monsters. Three years have passed, and all five of them had worked so hard to be respected and looked up by others in admiration. Though they didn't seek revenge, they never forgot the ones who used to belittle and torment them. This also meant they didn't forget the ones who treated them fair and just, respecting them without them having to work so hard. One of these people was the Crown Prince Arthuros Pendragon.
He was kind and polite to all of them. He never looked down or belittled them. He always treated them as he treated the other students. A polite smile, a friendly demeanor, and on arms-length.
With a tiny, almost unnoticeable exception for Edmund Steel.
Though he smiled, acted kind and lending a hand to them, whenever those seemingly gentle eyes landed on their good (socially awkward brute) friend Edmund, it was a little... off? They never had concrete evidence but they all shared the same opinion: the prince disliked Edmund.
So what was this? Since when did the prince approached them, or rather Edmund Steel, on his own?
"Pardon me, your highness" Edmund says, eyebrows scrunched up together "I am afraid I do not understand what you mean-"
The prince took a side step, angling his body sideways as well, with the same smile not fading on his face.
And then there they saw a fairy walking towards them.
Eyes all become wide as the stared at the incoming figure. Long pale gold hair gently swept by the wind. The White-pink gown with the gold embroidery on it. The liquid gold eyes framed by thick eyelashes. Gentle red lips curving into a lovely smile.
"Edmund?" her voice was soft and warm, as she took a step closer to them.
Edmund could barely breathe, and unexpectedly, he rushed towards the fairy-girl
Angela eyes looked at her dear friend in concern, didn't know why her heart was thumping hard against her chest. She moved to follow, and was about to call him when he spoke in the softest, gentlest voice she has ever heard from him-
"Princess?"
Realization dawns on their eyes at their friend revealing the fairy-like girl's identity for them. They all heard gasps, and see some students looking on from afar with shock.
"Princess?" Angela turns to her friends in confusion, and they figured out that the common, peasant girl from the country wouldn't know about the flower princess who left the nest "we... we have a princess?"
They quickly explained it to her as soon as they could, in quiet whispers. Angela eyes didn't leave the smiling fairy princess and the awestruck Edmund Steel, who were holding hands and looking at each other in a way it made her heart's pace throb and quicken.
"But... but what's her relationship with Ed?" she whispers, even though she has this horrible sinking feeling in her gut that could only be knowing... "why, why is Ed acting like that?"
Marcellus and the others looked at her like she was something fragile, with pity in their eyes. Hesitating, Marcellus tells her anyway.
"Princess Michelle is Edmund's fiancee." He says, gently "They've been engaged since they were babies, but they met at the princess debutante ball, and they said it was love at first sight for them."
Looking at the couple in front of her, holding hands, the melodious laughter, the shy smiles and flushed cheeks, Angela felt tears pooling at the corner of her eyes as her heart dropped.
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ARC ONE
[ HOW THE FLOWER IN THE GARDEN WILTED BUT NEVER BLOOMED ]
part i.