A/N
This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.
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Fiora's (POV)
I arrived at the staff hostel specially designed for female employees of Crystal Company around 10 o'clock. Fortunately, I didn't have a roommate, which made me quite content. It's not that I dislike sharing; in fact, I enjoy it. However, I do cherish having my own space.
After slowly arranging all my clothes in the cupboard and placing my belongings in their designated spots, I decided to take a brief nap for about half an hour.
Upon waking up, I made a beeline for the bathroom to indulge in a much-needed warm shower. I then plugged in my phone to charge. The warden had informed me upon arrival that it had been raining since morning and had only ceased about three hours before I got there. Consequently, the temperature was chilly. She kindly advised me not to hesitate to ask for a blanket or heater if I needed to warm up my room. Her thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.
Emerging from the bathroom an hour and a half later, I exuded the scent of night blossom, a fragrance I adore for its enchanting allure. There's a secret connection I have with these flowers, one I've kept from my parents. I've never quite understood how it works, nor do I want to; it's the magic that captivates me.
At midnight, if I touch these rare blooms, they sparkle and emit a soft glow that fills me with wonder. I discovered this extraordinary ability when I was twelve. On my mother's anniversary, she received night blossom seeds as a gift, which she lovingly planted in our backyard. With her tender care, they flourished within three months, revealing their mystical charm
Each night, their blossoms unfurl, releasing a sweet and intoxicating fragrance that fills the air. One memorable evening, during a small gathering at our house, I stayed awake until midnight. I ventured outside to pluck some flowers as a gift for my dad. To my astonishment, as soon as my fingers brushed against them, they began to glow and sparkle like moonlight, each bloom radiating its own ethereal light.
Lost in the mesmerizing memory, I was startled by a gentle knock on my door. Opening it, I found the warden standing there, her expression kind and apologetic. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry, dear. I can come back tomorrow if you'd like," she said softly. "No, no, it's okay. I was just drying my hair. Please, come in," I replied hastily
"No, it's fine. I just came to ask if you'd like to have dinner, or if you've already eaten," she asked hesitantly.
"Oh, but haven't you had your dinner? Though I'm hungry, if you're making it, especially for me, then it's okay. I can manage for one night," I replied with a smile.
"Oh, no, dear. I knew you were arriving, so I already set aside your share. Besides, I'm good company. Would you like to dine with me, or should I bring your food to your room, whichever you prefer?" she offered kindly.
"I'd love to join you. After all, I can be good company too," I said, and we shared a quiet laugh before heading downstairs to the kitchen for dinner, not wanting to disturb anyone else.
My first reaction upon entering the kitchen was "Wow! It's amazing." The space was expansive, featuring a large rectangular platform of shiny black marble serving as a side table, with chairs neatly arranged alongside.
As we sat down to dinner, I was served pasta with greens and eggs—a combination that seemed unusual to me at first. However, to my surprise, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Whether it was due to my hunger or the warden's culinary skill, the meal tasted amazing
Fiora// Arnica
"That tastes amazing; I love it. By the way, what's your name? I forgot, sorry," I asked, feeling a twinge of guilt.
"It's okay, dear. It's Arnica.," she replied with a warm smile.
"Are you married?" I inquired.
"Yes, I am and I have two children, Mark and Merelina. They're very cute and small—twins, actually, just two years old. My husband works as CFO with Crystals, and I work here as a senior warden," Arnica explained.
"Whoa! Are you a sorceress?" I joked, smiling and wondering how did she know my follow-up question
"Who knows? Maybe I am much more than that," Arnica replied mysteriously, her expression hinting at a deeper mystery.
"Yeah, of course," I replied, giving her a bored expression.
"If you want, I can show you," she said, the mysterious look still intact.
Suddenly, all the lights in the kitchen began to flicker wildly, one even bursting.
"Okay, you're freaking me out now," I admitted, feeling a little terrified.
Just as suddenly, all the lights returned to normal.
Arnica started laughing. "Look at your face! You look like you saw a ghost."
"You are such a... I won't forgive you, but how did you do that," I demanded.
"A true magician never tells her secret," she replied, still giggling.
"Okay, fine. I'll find it out myself," I said, determined to uncover the mystery.
She did it again and started laughing. Later on, Arnica brought up my fondness for Night Blossoms.
"So you love Night Blossoms?" she asked.
"How did you know that?" I inquired, taken aback.
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"Honey, you smell like them," she pointed out.
"Oh, yeah, I love them," I confirmed.
"Well then, I have good news for you. They grow here in the forest. Just head straight north, and you'll find them. If you're lucky, you might even catch them in bloom," she revealed.
"Thank you so much. But why can't you come with me? Your guidance would be helpful," I suggested.
"I'd love to, but I need to return home. My husband is likely waiting," she explained.
"Alright, have a safe journey," I responded, understanding her situation.
"You too, dear. And watch out for wild animals," she cautioned before saying goodbye.
I hesitated briefly, weighing the decision to venture out so late. Ultimately, my adventurous spirit won over, and I resolved to go. After all, I've always been one to explore solo. What harm could come from a midnight stroll? With a shrug, I dashed back to my room, traded my slippers for shoes, and draped my jacket over my shoulders to ward off the chill. Moments later, I was headed towards the forest, a mere five-minute walk from the hostel.
Thirty minutes into my journey northward, the forest enveloped me in its depths. Suddenly, a peculiar sensation tugged at me, drawing me eastward. It was a strangely delightful feeling as if a gentle force was propelling me forward. I couldn't resist its pull; it was as though my legs were guided by some unseen magic. Though my heart raced and my breath quickened, I felt weightless, as if floating on air.
The sensation grew more intense with every step, urging me forward. Along the path, I noticed moonflowers and night blossoms, arranged in a mesmerizing line as if anticipating my arrival. When I reached out to touch them, they ignited in a radiant display of light and sparkle. Entranced, I followed their glow until I arrived at a lake, encircled by a profusion of night blossoms and moonflowers. Their heady fragrance swirled around me, casting a dizzying spell.
As the sparkling blooms danced around me, I found myself at the centre of a whirlwind of light. Suddenly, darkness enveloped me like a shroud, and I lost consciousness. A fleeting sensation of being lifted brushed against my senses before everything faded into blackness, and I slipped into unconsciousness.
Arnica's(POV)
"How can you be so sure she's the one? She lacks an aura and smells like nothing more than a mere human," the Queen inquired.
"I am certain she is the one. But if you wish, we can let the goddess herself decide," I replied confidently. "I can sense her presence within her."
"Arnica, I too hope she's the one. But let's not get our hopes up too high. Send her to the forest; if she is indeed the chosen one, the Goddess will guide her," the Queen advised before disappearing into thin air.
I made my way to Fiora's room and knocked softly. "I hope she's not asleep," I mused to myself. When she opened the door, I apologized, "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry, dear. I can come back tomorrow if you'd like,"
"No, no it's ok I was just drying my hair please come in " she replied
"No, it's fine. I just came to ask if you'd like to have dinner, or if you've already eaten," I asked hesitantly.
"Oh, but haven't you had your dinner? Though I'm hungry, if you're making it, especially for me, then it's okay. I can manage for one night," She replied sweetly
"Oh, no, dear. I knew you were arriving, so I already set aside your share. Besides, I'm good company. Would you like to dine with me, or should I bring your food to your room, whichever you prefer?" I said (PLEASE SAY NO AND HAVE DINNER WITH ME)
"I'd love to join you. After all, I can be good company too," she said and we quietly laughed together
I served her pasta with eggs she ate it happily she looked so much like her mother and her eyes wow exactly like her father she is so beautiful how can my assumption be wrong
Fiora\\ Arnica
"That tastes amazing; I love it. By the way, what's your name? I forgot, sorry," she said with a hint of guilt
"It's okay, dear. It's Arnica." I replied with a warm smile.
"Are you married?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her voice.
"Yes, I am and I have two children, Mark and Merelina. They're very cute and small—twins, actually, just two years old. My husband works as CFO with Crystals, and I work here as a senior warden," (YES I READ HER MIND)
"Whoa! Are you a sorceress?" how did she guess I wondered, a tinge of excitement creeping into my tone.
"Who knows? Maybe I am much more than that," I replied with a mysterious smirk, feeling a rush of power coursing through me. I KNOW MUCH MORE DEAR NOW IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO KNOW AS WELL
"Yeah, of course," she responded with a hint of scepticism, her expression giving away her doubt.
That expression is not accepted, I thought, a flicker of annoyance passing through me, and replied "If you want, I can show you,"
I twisted my hand to make all the lights go crazy with their fluctuations one even burst oops! a little too hard I thought, a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbling within me.
"Okay, you're freaking me out now," she said, her voice trembling slightly with fear.
I stopped to make the lights go back to normal OH! NO, SHE IS TERRIFIED I DONE TOO MUCH I got worried, guilt gnawing at me.
I panickingly started laughing "Look at your face! You look like you saw a ghost," I said, trying to lighten the mood, though a pang of remorse shot through me.
"You are such a... I won't forgive you, but how did you do that," she demanded, her tone a mix of fascination and irritation.
"A true magician never tells her secret," I replied, relief flooding through me, phew! THAT WAS A NARROW ESCAPE
"Okay, fine. I'll find it out myself," she replied, determination lacing her words.
I did it again and started laughing WHAT ARE U DOING ARNICA? SEND HER TO THE FOREST my mind taunted, a sense of responsibility coursing through me.
"So you love Night Blossoms?" I asked to proceed toward my plan
"How did you know that?" she inquired, curiosity evident in her voice.
"Honey, you smell like them," I pointed out, a playful twinkle in my eyes.
"Oh yeah, I love them," she confirmed, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
"Well then, I have good news for you. They grow here in the forest. Just head straight north, and you'll find them. If you're lucky, you might even catch them in bloom," I suggested while casting an occult of curiosity, a hint of mystery colouring my tone.
"Thank you so much. But why can't you come with me? Your guidance would be helpful," she suggested a hopeful expression on her face.
"I'd love to, but I need to return home. My husband is likely waiting," I made an excuse, a touch of regret in my voice.
"Alright, have a safe journey," I excused myself to watch her over, a sense of anticipation building within me.
"You too, dear. And watch out for wild animals," she responded, her concern for my well-being evident
I followed her into the forest through the power of air and its transparency, observing her movements with keen interest. She followed the north direction for about half an hour, and I began thinking that maybe I was wrong, that she was not the one. But suddenly, she turned east, a subtle shift in direction that reignited my hopes, stirring a sense of anticipation within me
"Trust me, queen, what I saw was beyond my imagination. She is her daughter indeed, Goddess herself protected her and guided her the way. I can't believe she travelled here; you should have seen that night blossom and moonflower—they were not only glowing, they were producing sparkles. Those sparkles led her the way; they all surrounded her. Then she produced her silvery glow, but it was for just a few seconds, and then she fell; all the sparkles died. I don't know what happened," I told my queen, bursting with excitement inside and worried too
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Word count:-2200
A/N
Hello, my lovely readers, Here is the 2nd chapter of my story hope you like it
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Bye
Until next time :)
Happy reading 💐
Date-02/03/2024