Beads of sweat rolled down the sides of Iona’s face following a particularly hard training session, and all the tiny hairs that had escaped her ponytail were now clinging for dear life to her sticky skin. Today was it- the thirtieth anniversary of Elia’s passing. Her mother would be arriving any moment, so Iona hustled back through the palace to her room to bathe and get ready for the dreary day ahead. A few paces before she reached her door, she noticed that it was open, rustling noises coming from inside. Iona stilled herself before reaching across her body to unsheath Yuna, lifting the blade and taking two noiseless steps towards the doorway.

There wasn’t a guard or staffer in this place that would dare enter someone’s bedroom without permission, especially the High Commander’s. Something was off- and unlikely as it was that this was a threat of some sort, she was not to be caught off guard. Iona crept through the doorway, lifting Yuna higher, ready to put an end to whoever it was that had broken into her private space. She laid eyes on the intruder, ready to announce her presence when-

“What the fuck are you doing in my room?” she swore. Leo startled, his tall figure whipping around to face Iona’s fuming stare.

“Whoa, whoa, put the sword down, would ya?!” he answered, holding up his hands as if they could somehow block the impending blow. Iona pressed her tongue against the top of her mouth, and let out an exasperated sigh, dropping Yuna back down to her side before sheathing her.

“Breaking into my room is a stabbable offense, Leo.”

“I didn’t break in, it was unlocked, and I thought you would be here. Where were you, by the way?” Leo looked Iona over, throwing his hands on his hips in a huff, “Did you train this morning? We agreed to take today off!”

“So? I was restless,” she responded, though Leo’s displeasure remained clear, “I needed it.”

“Yeah, but we both decided a break was a good idea. It’s gonna be a long day, you needed sleep more than anything.”

Sidestepping his unnecessary concerns, Iona pressed on, “You still haven’t explained what you’re doing here.” Leo seemed to stiffen a bit.

Throwing his hands up, he offered, “I was dropping something off for you, forgive me for doing anything nice.” He stomped past her without another look, and the something he was dropping off was left behind on her desk- a vase with a fresh bouquet of moon drops.

“You brought those for me?” Iona shouted over her shoulder, still facing the flowers in disbelief. Leo reappeared in her doorway, having only made it a step or two out of the room.

“Yeah, your other ones were dying.” Iona raised her eyebrow at him. “Flowers that get left in their vase too long wilt, and they get gross and smelly, and I’m only two rooms down from you so…I knew you’d never think to replace them before that happened, so, yeah, I took it upon myself,” he prattled.

“You went all the way out to the North Forest for these? This morning?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she notched Leo’s hair, pulled back into a half knot- something he only did for training sessions and long rides. “Must’ve been up pretty early. So much for getting sleep, hypocrite,” she spat.

“I needed a ride to clear my head before today.”

“Oh, so you’re allowed to go for an hours-long ride, but I can’t train?”

Leo began to open his mouth, but snapped it back closed. “I’m not doing this,” he resigned, shaking his head and stalking down the hallway. “You’re welcome!” Iona heard him yell, followed by a slamming bedroom door.

What the hell was that? Iona thought, stripping off her sweat-dampened training clothes, her eyes fixed on the fresh flowers in front of her. Do flowers really get that stinky? No way Leo could smell them all the way in his room. It was nice that he took the time to replace them for her though…I guess I should say thank you later, she thought.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Emotions were going to be high for everyone today, so she didn’t feel all that bad. Yes, they had decided to take the morning off, but her mind was jammed with thoughts of Elia, daring her to slip over the edge from sadness to full on blubbering, inconsolable darkness. But her mom would be here soon, and she would help keep her off that cliff. Obviously, Leo was in the same boat or else he wouldn’t have been out early riding who knows how many hours out to the North Forest and back.

After a steaming bath, Iona made her way out to the front gates to meet her mother, hoping she had an easy ride. Rocking back and forth in anticipation, Iona could make out the shape of Whinny and Asa galloping towards her, and relief flooded through her system. She was so grateful to have her support today. Hopping off her mare, Asa pulled her daughter in for a comforting hug, “Hello, my darling!” Behind them, a guard unloaded an unusually large bag strapped to Whinny’s back.

“Sheesh, mom, you’re only here for a couple nights. What’d you pack?” Iona chuckled. Asa waved her off, “How about you give me a little tour while they get all that up to my room?”

“A tour? Not much has changed since you were last here, Mom.”

“It’s been decades! And I’m an old woman, now, my memory is foggy,” Asa joked, nudging her shoulder into Iona’s. “Come, come!” She tugged on her daughter’s arm, and they kicked off a long walk around the palace. Hours passed easily, Asa and Iona winding through courtyards, out to the old ring, to the stables, and back. The sun climbed higher and higher until it reached its peak, followed by a descent that informed Iona it was time to prepare for Elia’s memorial dinner. Asa kept Iona busy the entire time, asking her all about the ball, how planning was going, and what she’d heard from her men out in the field about the hostiles. There wasn’t a second of lull in their conversation as they meandered the premises, and Iona didn’t mind one bit.

The ladies headed back to their bedrooms to change, but Asa pulled Iona into her room across the hall first. “I have something for you,” she said. First the flowers from Leo, now this? Everyone must feel bad for her, babying her with gifts, she thought. Iona padded over to the side of Asa’s bed and plopped down while her mother opened the oversized bag she dragged all the way here from the cottage. She pulled out a linen bag that had been lightly rolled up inside, and laid it on the bed next to Iona. Iona racked her brain wondering what this could be about, but sat quiet, letting her mom finish undoing the bag’s buttons that reached from top to bottom. Out she lifted a dress, holding it in front of Iona in all its glory.

A ball gown crafted from the finest satin, deep maroon with gilded leaves and vines snaking their way along the wide neckline and down to the floor. The dress was unlike any Iona had ever worn or even seen- a ballgown so masterfully constructed, it must have been made for royalty. Iona reached out, caressing the silky fabric in awe. This is for me? Why?

“I’ve been holding onto it for you for some time now. The gown is a gift for you, from Elia,” Asa explained. Iona snapped her head to her mom, as she lowered the gown back onto the bed, tucking it neatly into its linen bag.

Still running her fingers over the satin, Iona asked, “A gift from Elia? What do you mean?”

“She had the gown made for you in Siminy, and sent it to me for safekeeping. She wanted you to wear it to her coronation. I thought it would be perfect for you to wear to the ball.” A stitch of guilt creeped up on Iona. This dress was meant for a coronation that never came. A day that Elia was so excited for, never realized. She should have known her friend would do something like this; Iona wore the same dress to every event for years, a plain black, floor length tunic dress with long sleeves. No sparkle. No embroidery. The dress was functional and comfortable, and Elia had always despised it. This ball gown was the complete opposite: unique, stunning, and intricate without being ostentatious. Siminy was known for having the most stylish citizenry, dressed by the top modistes in any kingdom. An impeccable, bespoke gown for someone holding a title of nobility made just for her, the High Commander.

Iona opened her mouth, but nothing came out, sputtering at the edges of her lips and falling away. Her eyes welled, and she brushed the tears away before they could fall with the back of her hand. “I don’t know if I can wear this, Mom.”

“Oh, honey,” Asa moved to gather Iona’s face in her hands. “You don’t have to. But Elia wanted you to have this, to wear it. Plus,” Asa laughed a bit, lightening the air around them, “You know how much she hated your other dress. Your only dress.” Iona couldn’t help but laugh, too, at the thought of Elia seeing her in that boring, old black dress again, instead of the masterpiece buttoned up in its linen bag. Elia would be so offended; she would fume, and huff, and ball her hands into fists, and then…resign. She would accept Iona’s stubbornness and reluctance to step out of her comfort zone. Because she always did.

The tightness in Iona’s chest relaxed a little. “No, you’re right. Of course. Of course, I’ll wear it,” Iona assured her mom, shaking her head to loosen the reluctance that had been building in it. “Thank you, for keeping it all this time.”

Asa smiled, “Oh, absolutely, darling.” She patted Iona’s cheek, “Now get out of here, I have a dinner to get ready for.”

With that dismissal, Iona grabbed up the dress and walked to her room. Tonight was going to be rough.