Iris' in a rain of Blood

The girl seemed sweet, if a bit simple – appearing to take her words for their face value. Perhaps Japan wasn’t as keen on backstabbing and double talk as European courts were.   ❝ Enough time to have settled in. ❞   And get drunk of her face.

“I fear I’ve not even had that much.” Yuki said with a chuckle.

“I feel as though there’s such a tension in the air.” She said almost to herself and then realized how silly she must sound. She was in the presence of a queen after all.

“Then again it’s no wonder given the circumstances. I wonder, how does one even go about making peace after so much war.” She looked to the woman with a questioning gaze. Despite all her lessons she was eager, thirsty even to learn more outside of the small world her father had woven around her.

“Since when did Linnea became a princess?” He chuckled at the thought. She was a lady – well sort of. A warrior at most but to imagining Linnea as a princess was comical. “Linnea decided to threat me and I laughed. Not much of a conversation. We just don’t see eye to eye on things. Should I ask why it concerns you?” 

“Ah forgive me. You must understand, I’ve just arrived and yet this place is abuzz with information. Inquiring I feel is a good way should a rumor be inaccurate. Better to go to the source then assume incorrectly.” Oliver reply with a smile. He had wondered if he’d been too brash. Clearly he’d have to pull back a bit.

The queen of Austria was skeptical to say the least. Lilacs would make her headache go away, huh? Yeah, sure. Because that didn’t sound like some peasant’s superstitious bullshit. And despite the fact that this girl didn’t look anything like a peasant, Magda knew how wide-spread such idea could become. How many people believe silly things about women and responsibility? How many scandals had she had to crush with an iron fist?

   ❝ You can keep your flowers, ❞   she replied. Her tone wasn’t harsh but it didn’t hint at how silly Magda thought the girl was being.

Magda didn’t bother to get up and return the bow that the other royal offered her but she did nod in response.   ❝ Queen regnant Magdalena Haslingen of Austria, ❞   she replied.   ❝ It’s a pleasure to meet someone from so far away. ❞

Yuki wasn’t bothered by the rejection. Her father didn’t much believe in such things either but nevertheless Yuki continued hold the flowers, intending to bring them back to her room. 

Yuki found herself once again in the garden. It was a wonderful place to help clear her head. Her father’s letter was clutched in her hand. 

Like she needed more pressure put on her. She looked again at the Japanese characters sprawled on the paper that had been sealed in wax by the emperor, her father.

My beloved Yuki,

I have yet to hear from you about any progress in mending the ties of our allies. It is crucial that you put your lessons to use. Our government is in a precarious position right now despite our current peace. Should another major rebellion break out I do not know if we could win without the help of another force. If you do not send good news soon you may not have a thrown to come back to. I must have another playing piece on our board to show our strength to any would-be rebels. 

Sincerely Yours,

Takeshi Michiko

“Sincerely Yours, Takeshi Michiko... not dad... just the emperor.” She muttered with an undertone of spite. 

She all but collapsed onto the bench cursing the rough seas that had prevented her from attending the ball. It would have been a perfect time to meet others. But on her own she didn’t know who was who nor did she have the luck of being able to connect with her contact long enough to have been introduced or informed of anyone. She had yet to write home because she’d made no progress. She was starting to realize the tremendous pressure her brother had been under. 

Oliver grabbed a long piece of wood that had long ago fallen from a tree due to some kind of storm or something of that nature and held it up to judge it’s height. It would make a perfect walking stick. He smiled to himself and plopped onto a large boulder. He might have been missed at court, sure, but he couldn’t stand being near all those royals with their masks. The men ready to use their subjects to win wars over pride despite their lives being lost in the process. The women pretending to be damsels as they scheme or put on brave faces when yet they know not what to do. If he didn’t know any better he’d thought the masquerade he’d missed was still going on.

He took out his hunting knife and began peeling back the layers of bark. Much like he’d learned to do with people. Peeling back layers of hard shells that had built up over time to protect the soft shell within.

“What?” She demanded. Her brow crinkling as she tried to understand what the man had meant by his words. Sounds like my sort of thing.  it didn’t make any sense to the Grecian princess.

She couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound muted with the mound of fabric in front of her face. “Ah yes. that’s exactly what I am doing. Pants are alot more practical then dresses.”

“I would say so. Though sadly royal life doesn’t tend to smile at a you lady of the crown wearing such things. However, it does look as though you could use some help. Might I escort you to your destination?” Oliver asked with a bow. He wasn’t entirely certain what was going on but he always found it best to be in the center of the unknown. It was far better than hearing about such events second hand.

Magda raised an eyebrow at the young woman who’d appeared before her. She was a face she didn’t recognize but, then again, most of Austria’s allies ( and enemies ) were from Europe. This war was global though so it made sense for countries to be here outside of those borders – from Europe, Africa, or even the Americas.

   ❝ You want me to smell some flowers? ❞   she asked, the incredulity clear in her voice. Brown eyes hesitated on the bouquet before she shook her head.  

   ❝ Tell me, why I trust that will help? ❞   Magda leaned forward, her hands dropping to her lap. The position wasn’t exactly lady-like – legs spread beneath the loose fabric of her skirt – but the Austrian queen couldn’t give less of a damn.   ❝ How do I know those aren’t toxic? ❞ 

“I imagine you might not. I studied flower arrangements for most of my life. Although, if you think about it you may have seen flowers such as these among those set up in your room or placed on a pillow. They’re called lilacs. You don’t have to take them of course but I imagine the headache isn’t the most enjoyable way to spend your day.” Yuki said withdrawing the offered flower and sniffed it herself with a smile. The relaxing scent filled her senses. Lilacs were one of her favorite plants that she’d found in this garden.