After breakfast, the King dragged the Duke into his privy chamber for a private discussion, probably to talk about the marriage and Alliances. Since we were apparently stuck here until noon, I decided to roam around.
I headed to the garden to touch grass, literally. I needed to clear my head before it exploded. I ended up in a section that was wall-to-wall hydrangeas. No roses, no lilies, just giant, fluffy pom-poms. They used to be my favorite, I always thought they looked like cheerleading gear for fairies.
"Do you take pleasure in the flowers, young lady?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin. I spun around to find the Queen of Avengard, standing right behind me.
"Your Majesty," I offered a deep curtsy to show respect while my heart was doing gymnastics. In my old life, I never even met the CEO of my company, I was just a faceless employee in a cubicle. Now I'm casually talking with a literal Queen? talk about a promotion.
"I do apologize for intruding upon your garden. The flowers are so mesmerizing that I found myself quite drawn to their beauty."
"Do not trouble yourself. The castle's gardens were made for everyone's admiration," she replied with a gentle smile.
"I thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"If you are not engaged at this moment," she continued. "I should be pleased if you would join me for tea. I should like to hear more of your appreciation for my hydrangeas."
How could I possibly refuse an invitation to tea with the Queen? Next thing I knew, I was sitting across from the most powerful woman in the country inside a greenhouse that probably cost more than my entire life's earnings. A servant poured tea into delicate porcelain cups, and the steam hit my nose.
"Forgive my forwardness, Your Majesty," I said, while sniffing the air. "But is this tea… made of hydrangea?"
She inclined her head, a faint smile appeared on lips. "Indeed, it is. I am impressed you noticed, for this flower is chiefly used for decoration, and not all nobles deem it suitable for the making of tea."
"It is a most delightful and unexpected use, Your Majesty," I replied before taking a sip. The taste was subtly floral and sweet with an earthy undertone. "I have always found hydrangeas to possess a peculiar charm. Not merely for their grandeur, but for their very nature."
The Queen raised an eyebrow. "Their nature, you say? Pray tell, what aspect of it captivates you so?"
"Why, their capriciousness, Your Majesty," I started, channeling my inner poet. "They are creatures of their soil, changing their hue with the very acidity of the earth beneath them. A magnificent blue in one garden, a vibrant pink in another, and in some, even a regal purple. They adapt, they transform, yet they remain undeniably themselves. It is as if they carry the very history of their surroundings within their petals."
I actually learned that fact from the house mother at my old orphanage. She was a sweet old lady who loved gardening and taught me about pH levels in soil. She passed away years ago, but I guess her gardening trivia was finally coming in handy.
A thoughtful expression crossed the Queen's face while her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. "Capricious, indeed," she murmured. "A most insightful observation, Lady Sierra. Few see beyond the mere beauty of a bloom," she paused. "If you find such pleasure in this particular brew, I shall have my servants prepare a generous amount for you to take home to the Dukedom. It would be my pleasure."
"Your Majesty is too kind," I shook my head slightly. "I could not possibly impose. The experience of sharing tea with Your Majesty is gift enough."
"Nonsense, child," she waived a dismissive hand. "Consider it a token of our pleasant conversation. Besides, it is a trifling matter to prepare. I would be genuinely disappointed if you were to depart without it. One must always carry a piece of what brings them joy, would you not agree?"
She had me there. Her eyes were warm, disarming in a way that made me forget she could probably have me beheaded.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," I bowed my head slightly. I realized that further refusal would be impolite. "Then I accept your most gracious offer with deepest gratitude."
Just as I was about to take another sip of the tea, a servant approached the Queen.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for the interruption, but it is time for your rest."
The Queen let out a gentle sigh. "Already? How time does fly in pleasant company. It seems my morning has quite escaped me." She turned her head to face me. "Lady Sierra, I must bid you farewell for now. This has been a most delightful break."
I rose and curtsied deeply. "The pleasure was all mine, Your Majesty. Thank you for your kindness and for the charming conversation."
"Think nothing of it, my dear. I'll make sure your tea is prepared and sent to your chamber before you leave." With a graceful nod, she swept out of the greenhouse accompanied by her maids.
I frowned as she left. Rest? It's barely 10 AM. Is she sick? It seemed weird for the Queen to tap out before lunch, but it wasn't my place to ask.
I stayed seated after the queen left. I still want to enjoy the lingering warmth and the green serenity of the greenhouse. The soft rustle of leaves, the gentle hum of unseen insects, was like a detox from the stressful events last night. I closed my eyes, trying to find a moment of Zen.
But the universe said "No."
My eyes snapped open when I heard footsteps approaching. My breath hitched when I realized it was Prince Theron.
"You seemed to enjoy your tea with Her Majesty," he stopped a few feet from my table.
"Indeed, Your Highness. The Queen is so gracious, and her hydrangeas are really stunning."
The air between us got heavy. I was staring at him like he was a puzzle I couldn't solve. I couldn't wrap my head around this guy. How can he stand there, looking perfectly composed after what he had witnessed last night? Should I try poking the bear?
"Honestly, Your Highness, I find myself… rather bewildered," I need to choose my words carefully. "After what happened last night, I barely understand the reason why you would choose to proceed with the marriage."
His expression didn't even flicker. "Some matters are not as they appear, Lady Sierra. And some decisions, though difficult, are made in service of a greater purpose."
"The greater purpose?" I scoffed. "To just ignore… such a blatant insult to your own honor? To go ahead with a union built on lies?" The words tumbled out because of the frustration I couldn't contain. "Is the crown that heavy?"
His jaw tightened, and he wasn't able to respond right away. "It was the right thing to do."
The right thing? Is he insane? It defies logic, honor, and basic self-respect. He saw the betrayal in 4K resolution! What possible 'greater purpose' justifies marrying a cheater? But it was clear that the Prince's decision was final. Arguing with him is a waste of time and energy.
I stood up and gave him a polite curtsy. "Then allow me to offer my congratulations on your impending union, Your Highness. I genuinely hope you find happiness in your marriage to my sister." The words felt like a poison I forced myself to swallow.
"Do you truly believe I can find happiness in this marriage?" He stepped closer, his shadow falling over me. The temperature in the greenhouse seemed to drop.
"Does it still matter, Your Highness?" I shot back and met his gaze. "Isn't the greater purpose more important? Isn't that what you just told me?"
"It matters, Lady Sierra," his voice dropped to a low but intense tone. "It matters because not everyone has the luxury of choosing their own happiness. Some of us are simply… instruments. Tools to secure alliances, to maintain peace, to uphold the crown. Personal desires are a luxury we cannot afford," he looked away and stared at the vibrant hydrangeas. "And sometimes, even when one sees the truth, even when one's honor is… tested… the path laid before you is the only path that exists. My personal feelings, my happiness, as you call it, are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Just as, ultimately, yours will be."
Just as, ultimately, yours will be.
The phrase hit me like a slap. Suddenly, the lush greenhouse faded. I was back in my small apartment, the moldy ceiling was like a constant grey cloud above me. It had always felt like a cage, no matter how hard I worked since I was a little girl. All those long hours, the constant struggle, and it was never enough to give me a truly comfortable life, let alone a happy one. My own choices, my own dreams, they were always pushed aside, always out of reach. That's why I came to this world, wasn't it? Because that existence was no life at all.
And now this Prince, this golden boy who had everything handed to him, was telling me that my happiness was irrelevant? That I was just another cog in the machine?
I let out a bitter laugh that quickly spiraled into rage. "Mine will be?" I echoed. I feel every ounce of my forced composure shattering. "You dare to tell me my fate, Your Highness? You dare to believe I will stand by and be molded, be used, like some… some object?" I took a step back. I needed distance from his suffocating fatalism.
"I will not be you, Prince Theron. I will not be an instrument! I will forge my own path, and I promise you..." I glared at him, putting all my defiance into the words. "I promise you that it will lead to happiness, a happiness that I choose, not one dictated by duty or a 'greater good' that only serves to suffocate us!"
Without waiting for a response, I spun on my heel and stormed out, leaving the Crown Prince standing alone among the hydrangeas. He might run this country, but he isn't God. He doesn't get to write my ending. I'm rewriting this story, and in my version, I get the happy ending, dammit.