Floralia Starheart's Story

There wasn't much Floralia could do, other than attend to her studies and listen to her overseer and look out the windows of the palace to the ocean far below the rocky shore. Sometimes, she would run outside into the stone courtyard and watch the busy city of Corell. However much freedom they gave her as a child, she still felt trapped and incapable to do anything properly. All she wanted to do was help her home, but she knew that she wouldn't have that ability for many years to come.

There was a day when Floralia was watching the port that her overseer decided to take her down to it, among the people that resided there. She remembers that day most, of all since her grandfather's death, and she loved walking through the crowds and being able to give them help and assistance if that is what they so needed and desired. That night was almost just as magical when they walked along the pier and looked out across the ocean at the night sky. "It's beautiful." She whispered to her overseer before they traveled back to her lonesome palace.

"I may as well allow her to explore, not like she is going to affect anything if she is hurt or kidnapped." The overseer stated firmly to one of the maids who had scolded him for taking her out.

"Yes, sire, but she is still a girl and she is still going to be queen. Maybe that day isn't for years to come, but it will come, and when it does she will be able to take power back again." The maid strains in a whisper, trying to prove her point that the little princess should not be allowed out. From that day on, the most freedom Floralia could receive was that of her outdoor instructions or when she had the free time to take her pony down to the gates and watch the other children playing in the sunlight just on the other side. This was not the life and inability to control the power that was held within Adacia that she wished to have. She needed a way to regain that power, but for now, she would not and could not and would and could only watch the common child play with his or her toys more freely than she ever might be allowed to.

Going to her studies every day like the good little princess she was, Floralia only became more and more lonesome and sad. She hadn't ever once tried to leave, but she couldn't take her sadness anymore. Wandering over to her overseer, she looked up at him with her big eyes, giving him the most pathetic gaze ever. "Sir, I wish to leave the palace again. I want to meet others and see my own people. I want to help them and do good things for them, but I don't think I can do that here." She gently cooed to him like a baby bird might to its mother after giving up on ever being fed. She wanted him to feel her pain and see her defeat. She wished for him to take her out of the gates to play with the other children and meet her people.

"Now, Flora... dear... I can't take you out of the gates anymore." He sighed and looked legitimately depressed. Floralia was shocked that he denied her request because it was only going to be for a little while. She began to cry and ran off to her room angry and even more lonely. She thought for sure he would have taken her outside, but no... She was to remain trapped in her gates.

That evening, she skipped dinner to remain within her locked doors of her room. If she were to be trapped, then she would prefer to be trapped in her room with the blinds shut so she could see no one at all. However, a strong gust of wind forced the doors to her balcony to fly open. She let out a slight whimper as she looked out into the sky, still bright with life, wonder and excitement. She wanted to have part of that. She really did. As she walked over to the balcony where she could look out to the sea and her people in the East quarter, she remembered that desire. "I will get out." She whispered to herself as she ran back into her room, calling in a maid to dress her in the most simple dress she had, then she sent the maid away as soon as she had called her in.

Running throughout the palace, dodging her own guards, maids, caretakers, and overseer, she finally made it to the courtyard. From there she quickly made her way to one of the back gates, one she knew would be open at this time of day due to shipments of food and fruits, and fled through it. It wasn't enough to just be outside the gates, though. She needed to see her people.

Floralia was fascinated by all the bartering and trade that went on as she traveled through the streets on her own. She tried to keep her head low so as to avoid people recognizing her, but unfortunately, many people looked at her quizzically. When they did so, she would smile at them softly and quickly continue on her way through the streets. She found herself most fascinated by the other children and the gregarious games they played. There were moments where she would sit back and just watch them play together. Eventually, a little boy even asked her to play something called 'hopscotch' with them. He showed her how to play and then pushed her onto the mud-drawn grid and the children all began singing the chant and she 'hopped' across it just like she had and all the children cheered for her success. They asked her to play longer, but she only smiled softly and shook her head with the excuse, "My mother will be wanting me home for dinner soon." She gently curtsied to them, which they gave her curious looks for before chasing after a stray animal.

After a tiresome journey around the East side of her home city, Floralia sat herself on the pier and watched the fishermen work their wonders with the nets, catching everything they could out on the seas to feed her and all the families of the city. At one point, an elderly fisherman went over to where she sat and sat with her, watching the same men as she was watching.

"You know, there was a rumor that about a month ago someone caught up a mermaid. He brought her on land and tried to show the rest of us his catch, but she was already dead. We accused him of murder of an innocent woman and falsification of a mermaid. The experts said it was fake, but wouldn't it be dandy if they were real?" He rambled to Floralia as she sat there, listening intently. She was unsure whether he knew who she was or not, but a moment later, before she could ask her question, he wandered back to his fishing boat. She watched the boat set sail into the ocean from which it came.

"Yes, sir, it would be nice if they were real." She murmured to herself as she watched the murky, yet clear waters beneath the pier on which she sat.

Sylvie saw a little girl sitting on the wooden supports over the water. She was unsure of the human word for it, something like dot? The rock was great protection from humans but wouldn't it be great if she could get a closer look. Closer to the human world. She pushed off from her rock and began to stealthily swim towards the dock. However, there came a point where she felt that she could no longer swim. She felt trapped and no matter how much she swam she couldn't move. Then she was hoisted out of the water and she came up gasping and flailing, she landed on some hard surface and heard men around her yelling and cheering, saying they had caught a mermaid. NO! NO! she tried to speak with them, to reason with them but for some reason they didn't understand her! Why? She switched from pleas to screams. She flailled and screamed but they just laughed and watched her as they turned the boat around to go back to the mainland. How could this happen to her? She knew in that moment that her death was inevitable. As they pulled up to the dock, she caught the eyes of the little girl and through her gaze pleaded with her for help. She just couldn't be captured by these nasty humans. She would never see her family or friends again!

Floralia had watched the whole scene unfold as a giant fish had swum into a net and the whole boat was full of cheers about a mermaid. She quickly stood up and looked around for the elderly fisherman, but remembered that he had already gone. She ran down to the end of the dock, unsure of what to say to everyone there because she knew there wasn't much she could do. However, there was a moment in which she truly saw the beast and it certainly was a mermaid. A live one. A real one.

Floralia caught her breath as the creature flailed about in the net, making strange noises and calls. She didn't have enough time to think about the problem at hand and as a little girl what could she do? "Stop!" She called out in a strong child's voice. "I am princess Floralia of Adacia and I pray that you stop hurting it." She wasn't even sure where her voice had come from because normally she wouldn't speak to adults in such a way. "What if that beast calls for its friends and they destroy our pier? What then? We will have no trade and no wealth in our beloved city of Corell, so you shall stop!" Floralia was truly shocked by how many people had become quiet, but was even more confused by the beast itself. She hadn't believed them to ever exist. What other creatures and beings exist in their grand realm?

Steadily, the little princess made her way through the crowd of men, women, and children who had gathered. She wanted to view the beast for herself. They parted and made a path for her, more likely out of curiosity than truly being aware of her status, for they all knew, even then, that a child cannot actually wield the power of a kingdom. "Hello." Floralia murmured to the creature as she sat down next to the netting it was trapped within. "I am the Princess of Adacia. I can help you." She continued, peering into its human-like eyes.

Sylvie grew more nervous as more and more people approached her forming a large group. She couldn't understand the strange language of the humans but she knew enough by their tone of voice that the little girl seemed to have much power over these larger humans, strange. Sylvie continued to twist and flail in her netting and began to gasp for air. She could survive for some amounts of time on land however not like this, her chest was constricted by the netting not allowing her to take in any oxygen through her crude mermaid lungs. She began to panic. Could the little girl really be trusted. Her eyes were wide with fear as she gazed into the seemingly wise eyes of the little girl. She had no clue what was going to happen,were they going to kill her? Was she going to be put on display? She enjoyed watching the interactions of humans but this was far from what she had ever wanted. It was scary and it made her breathing speed up as the anxiety bubbled in her throat.

At the palace, the disappearance of their princess had become known to everyone and everyone frantically began to run about, trying to find her. None of them thought to even just simply glance out the window and view the port to find her because none of them even knew that the little girl wanted this much freedom. All they knew is that Floralia was missing and without her the collapse of all of Adacia could be expected in twenty years, but they didn't want to think about that. They only thought to find her and bring her back with adoration and open arms. They couldn't have her running off again. Her overseer felt the most pain because the young lady had come up to him only earlier that day, expecting to run outside with other children for a brief time. Had he allowed her wishes, maybe she would not have run. He sent out every guard and knight of the castle to search her out from the divisions of Corell.

~~

Floralia watched the terrified creature a moment longer before waving a fisherman with a knife over to her. "Cut the ropes, please..." She begged of him and he only lifted his knife up to the netting by the mermaid's face for a moment before he began slicing into the netting as his princess had pleaded. He knew Floralia was truly the princess because he had seen her during her tour of Corell many months ago. Once the majority of the ropes were cut, Floralia looked at the weak creature and put a hand out to the mermaid's face to touch its hair. What she had heard was true, colors of expensive silks and the texture of seaweed was exactly what mermaid hair was like. The man finished cutting the rope before stepping back into the crowd of people trying to get a peek of the mysterious being.

"Make way! The king's men need through!" Floralia heard the shouts of the guards at the other end of the pier, knowing that they had found her. With that call, she pointed to the water and backed away from the mermaid so she could flop back in and swim away. Floralia would be okay spending her time in the castle because she knew that the mermaid would always be out there for her to see. "There she is!" One of the guards shouted as they shoved their horses through the crowd to grab her.

Floralia's eyes spun around to look in fear at the guards about to recapture her and throw her back into her magnificent cage. She didn't want to go back yet, even though she wanted to still be a piece of it. The guards picked her up and forced her onto a horse with one of them and began carrying her back to the palace.

Sylvie did not wait to immediately drop herself back into the water after being freed by the little girl. She swam back to the safety of her rock and watched the rest of the scene unfold. Interestingly they took the little girl and seemed to be forcefully taking her back somewhere. This was curious because she seemed to hold so much power over the other humans. She was tiny and looked like some of the dolls that had been lost by little human girls and sunk into the sea. Sylvie in fact had one of her own that she kept tucked safely in her bag. The doll was curious and had some sort of human writing on it. She did not understand what it meant but she had traced over the letters many times and could write them.. F-L-O-R-A-L-I. There was another letter but it had long faded away and was no longer distinguishable. Sylvie took the doll out and held it close to her as she touched the delicate button eyes and beautiful hair made out of some fine material. Oddly enough the doll resembled the little girl that helped her. Humans do look similar to one another so she didn't think much of it.

(Just... ignore)

Christopher put his left around around the princess to keep her steady in the saddle, while holding the reins of the horse with his right hand as he ushered the horse forwards. They went in a relatively steady pace. His expression was stern, grim even. "What in the world where you thinking, your highness?" he asked, the slightest tinge of worry tipped in his voice. At least she was safe, which, as soon as he had been confirmed it, relived him of a lot of worries. It was still troublesome the queen had left the castle without anyone accompanying her, or telling anyone she was leaving (if she did that, no one would have let her go, but still) at least. "There are people out here who wish to harm you, who wish to see you dead and who wish to size power over the throne and realm. If you simply skip around here recklessly like a child, you could very easily be killed," he knew he was bunt, but that was his person. Seeing as she wouldn't listen to the normal excuses people told her, such as 'going outside can make you sick' or idiocies along those lines, he did not see a better opinion anyhow. "And it would be very sad if something like that happened to the beloved queen of Adacia, no?" his expression as well as his voice softened as he gave his sacred queen the tiniest of smiles, "please don't do things like this anymore. If you wish to go out, it is better you ask me. Then I will come with you, and see to that no harm comes to you, your highness. Now, hold on to the mane yourself, it is not benefiting of a man like to hold a young lady around the waist like this. Especially not his queen." Counting on what she would grab hold of the mane of his gallant chestnut stallion, he let go of her waist and took the rains in both of his hands as they continued making their way through town.

When they arrived at the castle, Christopher made his stallion come to a halt and then dismounted, giving him a gentle pat on the muzzle. "Well done, Dancer," he praised the young horse softly before turning his attention to the queen. Reaching up his hands, he gently took hold of her and lifted her down from the horse, carefully placing her down on the ground. "Are you well?" he asked, a look of worry momentarily crossing his features, "you are not hurt, are you?" He hadn't seen anything that actually indicated that she was hurt or anything, but he didn't wish to take any chances. What he said was true. The world outside court was dangerous, and even the one within the walls of the castle was. You could never be careful enough. That was why people like him always had to keep an eye on her, to make sure she was safe. Christopher was ashamed, as he had not done his duty correctly. After all, he had let the princess get away. It was something he could not allow happening again.

Floralia sat on the horse, listening to his rant and following all of his instructions. She understood his point, but could he ever understand her's? Does he even care about what she had just done for some poor, helpless creature? After all, it was because of her that the mermaid lives to warn the others and because of her that mermaid lives to see another day. Maybe the men on the dock will also remember that day and always release the mermaids, though she knew that would be unlikely without a law against their capture.

Floralia nodded her head obediently at his question, wondering what it would be like without her. How was she, but a young child, so terribly important to the entire realm? She understood her importance over Corell, but everywhere else? She had been taught about power and how people take and keep it, but she felt as if she possessed none of the qualities it would take to be a good leader. Had that day shown this? Had it shown that she should have had a sibling born to take the throne for her in her stead? She shivered slightly at her demeaning thoughts, feeling less necessary than she had before his questioning and only more depressed.

When the finally arrived back to the palace and its stables, the guard helped her down from her seat on the horse, asking more questions about her health. Of course she was fine, other than her slight anger at herself and her definite anger at everyone within her palace walls. She could not understand why she could not simply pass time with her own people. Why did she have to remain within the palace walls all day? As she walked away from him with only a childish glare to prove that she was fine, she thought about what he had said about exploring... she just had to talk to him first. "Wait!" She called, turning back to the guard. "What is your name? I need to make sure I can find you every day so we can go out." She inquired, thinking of investigating her city more every day after her lessons had finished. "Also, I would like it to be known that a ball shall be held in honor of my belated birthday. I never had a birthday party this year." I command with a gentle smile, trying not to be pushy, but knowing that I have not asked too much of my palace servants.

(Ignore, again. >.<)

Christopher knelt before the queen, bowing as he flashed a small smile. "I am Ser Christopher Lucas Serios, Lord Commander of the queens guard and forever at your service," he said in a gentle voice, "your grace," he stood back up and tilted his head. "Unless I am out, you should always be able to find me. In the case I do not have time to go out with you myself, I will have to ask another servant or guard. I hope you don't mind about that, your grace." Christopher paused at her words, not being able to help but feel his smile on his lips grow. Then, however, he turned serious.

"A ball, eh?" he asked with a soft chuckle, "is that your wish, your grace? Then perhaps I shall inform the small council about it, and we can see what may be done." Of course a child would like to celebrate her day of birth, and of course a queen would like a ball. Yet, balls were dangerous as well as a social necessity. And then, they were expensive and troublesome to plan. He was glad she had only chosen a ball, though, and not a tournament. That would have been even more troublesome. "What kind of ball would the queen want, then?" he asked.

Floralia was just about to respond when a servant runs to them, bows submissively, then hands her a letter with a message from her overseer. As she read it, her eyes darkened slightly with sadness. She finally looked up and motioned for the servant to leave, thanking him for the letter. "It seems he has left due to my desire to get out. He feels most responsible." I hand Sir Christopher the letter for him to read as I think about what this means. Now, I suppose, I must find a lady-in-waiting or another overseer. I am not able to rule on my own for another five years for I do not understand some of the more complicated issues at hand still.

Eventually, as Sir Christopher read the letter, Floralia shifted her thoughts back to his question about the ball. "A masquerade ball may be delightful with the wealthy people of Corell. I also make it my wish that I meet with the mermaid that I set free today at the ball." She traveled back to her thoughts, pondering how anyone would be able to find the creature out and bring her to the ball. She was a mermaid; and so, she swam. "That may be a little difficult, and so I understand if you are unable to find her out. However, I will have to do some reading within the library..." She trailed off, thinking about what she may need to know about them. How dangerous are they? Can they understand us? Although that seemed apparently no when I set the one free today. Do they have magical powers? She wondered on all of these things with her hopes on everything she knew that she would someday see the mermaid again. "Also, I wish for it to be known throughout Corell that I will be celebrating my tenth birthday. It means much to me that people understand my power, even though I am but a pawn in a game of chess." I softly finish, already knowing that as truth, or at least the truth that my tutors have told me.

Christopher frowned as he read the letter before carefully folding it and handing it back to the queen. "This is most troublesome," he said with a sigh, shaking his head a little, "now we will have to find somebody else who may watch over you and keep you company throughout the days. Finding trustworthy people for a task such as this, is not always so easy," Christopher grimaced and looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking again, "I shall confront the small council about it. Maybe we should find you a friend of your age too. I believe it would do you well," he trailed off as she started speaking about the ball again, a small smile spreading over his lips.

"A masquerade," he said softly with a slight nod of his head, "very well. Then we shall have a masquerade ball." As she mentioned the mermaid, the tiniest of frowns spread across his features again. "The mermaid, you say? That may not be the easiest task. We can try to find her, but it will not be easy and I cannot promise you anything." Christopher's frown deepened at her comment about her being a pawn. "For now, that may be true, your grace... but one day you will be queen, and you will rule the land. Everything will be as you decide and no one will be able to control you. You will make a wonderful queen one day, just like your mother was." Sorrow flashed through his deep green eyes and for a moment he looked like he wasn't even quite there.

Floralia listened to him and was at first saddened by his thought of having to deal with another overseer, but her eyes brightened at his thought of having someone my age around. She would have a friend. A real friend. A friend would be a wonderful thing to have because then they could go to the ocean and sit on the pier together, like she had that day. Except... they would still not be normal children because he or she would be the royal friend and her the royal. We would always have Sir Christopher following us, but... I think I might be fine with that as long as I have a friend. She thought this to herself as she brought herself back to his words about the mermaid, glancing over to him once again.

The child queen doubted she could be so cruel as to allow a fisherman to capture the mermaid just for her to speak with once, but there had to be some way for them to find her out and talk with her. Maybe it would be best if I attempted to accomplish this task on my own. I might tempt myself back to the pier where it all happened or maybe I would find myself on the beaches or the rocky shore. Her thoughts drifted once again to how she simply wished to learn more about the mermaid and her species, maybe they could even be considered a separate, different race, though it was unlikely. "Sir, might it be best if I watch for her on my own time? Only a handful of those there really saw her up close and I the closest. I will remember her if I ever see her again in the water." She softly suggested with a gentle nod.

Watching Sir Christopher slip away in memory, Floralia blushed ever so slightly. After all, it was her fault that her magnificent mother was gone. She looked away from him for a brief moment as she dropped her eyes to the ground below her, wishing she could have known her mother more. "Sir, I should probably wander back to the castle..." She mentioned softly, looking back up at him with a slight nod and curtsy. "Will you accompany me back? It's becoming closer to darkness."

Christopher was pulled from his thoughts as the young queen speak. He looked thoughtful at her suggestion. "Not on your own, however... Someone would have to come with you. But very well, do as you please. Once you have time you may go looking for her," he said with a slight nod of his head as a small smile spread over his lips. Yes, it would be good for the princess to get out, and finding the mermaid, even if it sounded somewhat ridicules to his ears, was at least a task she could focus on.

"Yes," he agreed as she mentioned going back to the castle. He gave another nod of his head and smiled at her softly. "Of course I will accompany you back home, your highness," Christopher said softly, giving the reins of his stallion to a stable boy whom he had winked over, before starting to walk, expecting the queen to follow.

Sylvie didn't understand what he was saying but she figured that he understood what they wanted. She nodded and tried to show that they wanted and the man smiled "okay I'll get you a carriage" Sylvie still couldn't understand but she said the one word that humans seemed to be saying when they agreed "yes" soon a carriage pulled up and the man pointed for them to get in. Sylvie gave him a few coins and then boarded the carriage with Elsbeth. Soon she understood what that word meant, princess referred to whoever lived in the castle. Was it the girl that saved her? The girl that looked like her doll? She got out of the carriage and then walked to the door with elsbeth. Finally, she would learn the secrets to behind her doll. She knocked on the door and waited.

A servant makes his way to the doors at the sound of a gentle knock on the giant doors. He gracefully opened them and gawked at the young women who stood before him. They were in cheap garments and obviously not supposed to be within the castle gates. He looked past them to the gates and sighed, sending for another servant to take a message to the highest guard of the little queen. As the second servant ran off to warn Sir Christopher of the opened gates and the arrival of two young ladies, the first servant looked them over for a moment longer. "My ladies, you should not find yourselves inside the castle walls. This is for the queen and her loyal servants alone." He sharply mentioned, with a tone of being above them, even though he likely wasn't seeing as he was nothing but a simple servant.