2 years later
The morning sun gently filters through the small attic window, slipping past the thin fabric curtains and softening the light until it feels neither harsh nor cold. In that simple little room, Emily curls up beneath a thick blanket, her slightly messy brown hair falling over one cheek. The air is so still that birdsong outside the roof can be heard clearly, until a quiet voice calls from downstairs. It's Thomas.
Emily stirs and rubs her eyes, groggy. She's never been good at waking early, and she doesn't like bright mornings. They always feel a little too cold, a little too distant. But here, she's gotten used to it. A year is long enough to settle into a new rhythm.
Cassius is already up, and beside him is Rimi. He's folding his blanket neatly, soft black hair falling over his forehead. When he sees Emily crawling out of bed, he smiles gently.
"Good morning, Emily"
"Good morning…" she mumbles, still half-asleep. She drags herself out like a lazy cat, stretches, and throws on a cream-colored cloak made of rough cloth. The cloak is a bit worn, some threads have loosened at the cuffs, but it's clean and smells faintly of dried wood. Thomas always keeps things tidy, even though they don't have much.
After washing up and brushing their teeth, the two head down to help with breakfast. Cassius tends the fire and watches the pot of porridge, while Emily sets out bowls and wipes the table with a small cloth. It's the same every morning. Corn porridge, a few slices of sweet potato, and sometimes an egg
After breakfast, they walk to the church. Emily has a dress just for the occasion: a long-sleeved, slate-blue dress with a high collar, worn with a white pinafore and tiny wooden buttons running down the front. Before heading out, she wraps a thin scarf around her lower face, from nose to neck. It keeps her warm, and more importantly, it hides the network of visible veins on her skin, the ones that make people stare.
Emily doesn't like that look. No one says anything, but she can still tell. The world outside is always like that, never cruel enough to hurt you outright, but cold enough to remind you that you don't quite belong.
But the church is different. There, everyone stays quiet. No one talks much, no one stares too long. Emily likes that stillness, even if she doesn't understand most of the ceremony. Cassius sits beside her, serious and respectful, sometimes smiling at the younger kids. He always has a way of making people feel at ease.
After the service, Thomas and Cassius head to the woods to gather herbs. Emily returns to watch over the flower shop. That's the quietest part of her day, but also when she feels most at peace.
She doesn't talk much, but the regular customers like her. They call her "Thomas's sweet little girl" or "Cassius's younger sister" Some of them smile at her, though their eyes always pause briefly on the scarf. Emily doesn't mind anymore. She's used to it.
Cassius once told her
"No matter what your face looks like, you're still Emily. I still think you're cute"
That day, she turned her face away quickly so he wouldn't see her blushing.
When there are no customers, Emily reads the papers Thomas writes to teach her letters. She learns fast, and she's already better at reading than Cassius, who dodges studying like it's bitter medicine. Sometimes, she doodles on the tabletop: Cassius carrying a basket of firewood, Thomas snoring under a tree. Just silly little drawings, but they make her smile.
By noon, Thomas and Cassius return from the northern hills, their flower baskets heavy and covered with cloth. Emily helps wash, trim, and wrap the blooms, while Thomas greets the customers at the front. The house comes alive with the smell of fresh flowers, the snip of scissors, the rustle of wrapping paper.
By mid-afternoon, a young woman steps into the shop. She wears a long, pale grayish-blue cloak that covers her from head to toe, and she stands just a little taller than Cassius. Following closely behind her is a knight in light armor, head slightly bowed as if trying not to attract attention 'A noble?' Emily wonders. She can't make out many details, but she sees one thing clearly, the girl has long, soft, golden hair.
Emily stands behind the counter, frowning slightly as the strange girl keeps staring at Cassius, completely ignoring everything else around her.
"What is it you'd like to buy?" Thomas speaks up, pulling the girl back to reality. She startles just a little, then quickly regains her composure and answers in a confident voice
"Give me the most expensive bouquet you have"
Thomas raises an eyebrow but says nothing except a quiet "Mm" He's dealt with enough nobles in his life to know that not all of them bother with polite words. Turning toward the back, he calls out
"Cassius, can you get me a Diamond Skies?"
Cassius nods and quickly gets to work, selecting flowers, trimming, and arranging them with practiced care. While the boy is focused on his task, the girl remains still, her eyes never leaving him for even a second. Emily glances sideways, narrowing her eyes silently.
'Pretty doesn't always bring good things' she thinks, an odd discomfort rising in her chest.
When Cassius finishes the bouquet and brings it forward, the girl's eyes seem to light up for a brief second. Even with most of her face hidden, Emily can imagine her eyes going wide, like she's just seen something extraordinary.
Thomas hands her the bouquet and names the price. Without bargaining, without asking anything, the girl immediately takes out a gleaming gold coin and holds it up to him.
"Keep the change" she says. Her tone is calm, but there's an unmistakable urgency behind it.
Before leaving, she turns her head to look at Cassius one more time. Then, without another word, she turns and exits the shop with her knight. Emily watches her go, eyebrows still furrowed.
'Does she have something wrong with her brain?' she wonders silently, before turning back to the half-wrapped bouquet on the table.
By late afternoon, most of the customers have come and gone. Cassius and Emily head out for a walk, following the little slope behind their house to a patch of wild grass and a few large rocks. Cassius lies down on the grass, eyes fixed on the sky. Emily sits beside him, knees hugged to her chest, quiet as always.
Dinner is simple: dark bread, vegetable soup, and cheese. Emily eats quietly, only giving short replies. She doesn't talk much in the evenings.
Before bed, she removes her scarf and sits in front of the mirror. Under the candlelight, the veins from her neck to her cheek remain as clear as ever. She brushes her hair slowly, gently, then stops and looks into her own eyes in the mirror.
"It's okay" she whispers "I'm still here. With Brother Cassius and Mr. Thomas. I'm still here"
—
Inside a luxurious carriage draped in deep red velvet, swaying gently with the rhythm of the horses, the golden-haired girl sits near the window, chin resting on her hand. Her gaze is distant, but her voice is clear.
"Hire the old man from the flower shop"
The knight riding beside the carriage turns, clearly surprised.
"But, my lady, we don't have any more positions left for someone like him…"
"Then dismiss someone. Pay them a full year's wages if you must. Father will agree."