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The day of the coronation was drawing near. Flora barely has time to rest between fittings and meetings with the cooks and servants. They all wanted everything to be perfect to suit the future princess’s wishes.

“You should be happy.” Rook told her as they walked to the dining hall. “Everyone is excited for you.”

“I know. It really is exciting and I can’t help but smile when I see how happy everyone is. The thing is it’s all so extravagant that it’s hard to imagine.”

“Ah! Milady, I’ve been hoping to talk to you.” The head cook bowed low to greet her. “It’s your guest. Is my food not to her liking? She’s left every meal early since she’s come while barely touching her plate.”

Flora gave Rook a concerned glance. “I-I’ll find out for you. I don’t think it’s the food that’s troubling her.”

Bits of various conversations could be heard as Flora passed servants. With each one she walked faster.

“She rarely leaves her room.”

“I know! Even late at night you can see bright candle light coming from her room.”

Rook caught up with her. “Flora. I’ll come, too.”

“I know you mean well but I think I’d be better if it was just me.” Flora told him.

Rook obediently stepped back to wait by the door.

She knocked on Aero’s door. There was no reply. She turned the knob to enter but it was locked.

“Aero?” She called concerned. “It’s me Flora.”

“I’m not hungry.” The weak answer came from behind the door.

“Can I come in?”

“You’ll miss dinner.” Aero answered. “Don’t you want to eat with everyone?”

“It’s not everyone if you’re not there.” Flora laughed. “Now let me in. This isn’t like you.”

“Just a minute. I have to get changed.” Aero lied leaving her seat by the window. She checked the mirror only to see her face streaked with tears and dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Quickly she washed her face in the basin to get rid of most of the evidence. Then she tied back her messy hair into a braid.

“Sorry for making you wait.” Aero said with a false smile as she opened the door for Flora.

Rook gave an encouraging nod to Flora as she entered.

“I’ve been so busy lately we haven’t been able to see much of each other.” Flora cheerfully began the conversation.

“Has everything been going well for you?” Aero asked hoping to keep the conversation on simple topics.

“Yes it’s all going smoothly. The tailor is hoping to get measurements for your dress soon.” Flora told her excitedly. “I can’t wait until you see the design. It’s so cute!”

“I’m sure yours is very beautiful. I’m so excited to see everyone at the coronation. Just to think of how lovely and handsome everyone was the day we came I can’t even imagine how the coronation will be. If only Torn-” Aero stopped herself, gripping the fabric of her skirt.

Flora had been hoping to slowly ease the conversation to that topic. She thought to herself. “So that was it after all.”

“I’m sorry.” Aero’s voice strained and broke as she spoke. “I’ve been trying not to talk about him or think of him. This is your time. I wanted it to be happy. If only I could have lasted a few more days. I guess I’ve just gone and ruined it now, haven’t I?” The tears were streaming down her face as she tried desperately to wipe them away.

“It won’t help if you keep it all to yourself.” Flora reassured her. “I know you hurt so don’t bear it alone. We’re best friends aren’t we? I knew that there was something wrong. I’m here to listen.”

Aero nodded. “Thank you.”

Rook sat outside the door waiting as the sky grew darker and stars began to appear. With a wave of his hand he lit the lanterns of the hallway. He looked up at the candles above him.

“So.” He whispered as Flora came out of the room. “Aero’s afraid of the darkness now.”

“Yes. She’s fallen asleep now but I’ll have to bring more candles later. She hasn’t slept for days because every time she closes her eyes she sees the darkness from the portal.”

“And in turn that darkness reminds her of Tornado leaving.”

“Exactly.”

The next day was the day before the coronation. Outside the palace the air was filled with excitement as if a festival had come to town. In a way they couldn’t have been more right. A full orchestra practiced in the royal dining hall bringing the spirits of celebration even higher as the music flowed through the halls. In the kitchen the head cook demanded perfection as he tested the recipes that were being prepared. The anticipation built even higher in Flora’s royal bedroom as the finishing touches and final hemmings were being finished on Flora’s coronation gown. The entire dress was made to accent her delicate amethyst wings. Aero marveled at the fabric that seemed to float across the ground as Flora walked towards the mirror.

“A dress fit for a princess. I truly feel that it becomes a masterpiece as you wear it.” The tailor sighed. “If only the prince were more fitting.”

“What do you mean?” Flora asked startled by the comment.

“The prince is . . . oh, how do I put it?”

“Dark?” Aero asked angrily, restraining the urge to scream all that had begun to rebuild within her.

“Well, I wouldn’t have put it so bluntly, but yes.” The tailor laughed.

“I mean no offense towards you personally, ma’am, but that is a very narrow point of view on the matter.” Flora turned to face her with her hands folded regally before her. “Prince Rook has only shown kindness and hospitality towards me and my dear guest. He has helped me to accept this transition and prepare to assume the position of princess. In the process I have come to admire him greatly as a person. To me it no longer matters that he is dark. In fact, I believe I can respect him even more. Despite all of the challenges he has had to face because of the power he inherited he has still grown into a gentleman worthy of everyone’s utmost respect.”

The tailor was speechless with shock and turned to busy herself with her sewing box. A figure in the doorway caught her attention. Rook stood with a look of astonishment. He seemed frozen about to knock on the doorway. Flora felt herself blush as she wondered how much he had heard.

“What do you think?” She asked trying to avoid the topic.

His face softened as a smile spread across his face. “I’ve never seen you more beautiful.”



I wrote the majority of this today. It's amazing what weeksends can achieve! The next one should be up soon if not this evening. I'm on a roll hahahah whee In the next chapter we should be back in the Dark Realm. So comment and encourage me to write more. Especially you Stan fan girls. ~ Aero Luna heart