I walked in the garden, the cool air helping to calm my heart. The teasing I got inside was really getting to me. I just needed a moment to myself, a chance to breathe some air that didn't smell like food. I turned a corner. My breath caught. A woman was standing there in the light coming through the trees. She was tall and regal with hair that looked like it was shining in the moonlight. When she turned around I saw that she looked like the leader of the White Flower Guild. White Flower
My mind started racing. I knew that face. I had met that woman before when I helped Cassius out of a situation. She was cold and calm then and really thankful. This was different.
"Snow"
I said, without thinking. She used to be the ruler of Town Allure and the biological daughter of White Flower
She moved, her silver hair flowing like water. Her eyes looked at me dropped. Her face, She looked really horrified when she saw the empty sleeve on my left arm.
"Child, What happened to you? That injury is really bad." she said, her voice like wind chimes.
I felt like shutting down like I usually do.. Something about her stopped me. She wasn't making fun of me. Feeling sorry for me like the maids do. She was looking at me like she understood what I was going through. I shrugged, trying to play it.
"It's an arm. The ravine took a piece of me. It also taught me to focus on what I still have. I've stopped counting what I lost. I'm trying to think about what I have left to fight for."
Snow watched me for a moment then her face softened. She didn't look shocked anymore. She looked at me with respect.
"Come, child "
She said, walking towards a table under some trees. There was a tea set and it looked like it just appeared out of nowhere. "The manor is too loud today. Let's find some peace."
I sat down feeling the marble chair. Snow poured me some tea. I started talking.
"I'm sorry if I seemed upset earlier, It's just your sons, Calix, Constantine and Cassius. They won't stop teasing me saying that Cassius and I are a couple. It's really frustrating. It's the last thing I need right now."
Snow listened, her hair shining in the light. She didn't look offended or try to make me feel better with words. She just watched a butterfly land on a flower looking thoughtful.
"My sons can be a bit much. They're just trying to find some hope in a world that's falling apart. If they tease you it's because they see strength in you and they're trying to convince themselves that there's still good in the world."
She looked at me, her eyes piercing. She continued
"They're not making fun of you because they think you're weak. They're doing it because they see you as a being, not just a warrior. Maybe they're trying to remind you that even when things are bad you can still feel things and be alive."
I wanted to argue. Snow's words made me think. She wasn't trying to dismiss me or make me feel bad. She was just telling me the truth.
"Besides, If they think there's something between you and Cassius why fight it? A little bit of teasing is better than being alone."
We finished our tea. Snow started talking about something more serious.
"The water in Town Allure.I've heard it's safe now. Is that true?"
I nodded, putting my cup down.
"Yes it's safe. I found the source of the problem. I fixed it. I even found the Goblin King who was making the water bad. I stopped him."
Snow's eyes opened in shock. She looked really surprised.
"You killed the Goblin King? Roxy, that's amazing. He's been a problem for centuries. Nobody has been able to stop him."
She put her hand on mine. It felt really intense.
"You didn't just save the water, you saved a lot of people. You have my gratitude."
I felt a warmth in my chest. I tried to stay calm.
"It was something that needed to be done, " I said.
Snow didn't let go of my hand. She started talking about something.
"The disease that was going around? I was really sick. Your cure worked. The alchemists can't figure out what was in it though. What did you use?"
I looked away feeling a bit awkward. Then i told the truth
"It was my blood. I found out that my body had adapted to the disease. I used that to make the cure."
Snow went still. The silence felt really heavy. She looked at me with a newfound respect and her eyes were shining.
"Your blood, you gave yourself to save us. Thank you Roxy. Really thank you."
We sat there for a moment. Then I started thinking about Cassius. I felt a pang in my chest and my missing arm felt really heavy.
I said to Snow in a calm tone.
"Your Majesty, I need to ask you something. What is going on with White Flower? We have fought together in many battles and I have not heard from her since things got really bad. Where is she?"
Snow looked at me with a face but she still looked like a queen. She looked out at the hills in the direction of Caria.
"White Flower is where she always is, Roxy, she is right in the middle of things. She is in Caria City fighting against the Immoral Knights. She is leading the charge herself. She thinks that if the city falls the rest of the kingdom will fall too and she will not let that happen."
I got really worried.
"Caria is a place right now, the Immoral Knights are not just soldiers, they are using monsters and slaves. This is a bad idea."
Snow turned to me and for a moment I saw the queen she used to be. She put her hand on mine.
"It would be an idea for most people, but White Flower is my daughter and she is strong like me. Do not worry about her, Roxy. She knows what she is doing. She knows what is at stake. I told her to come if things get too bad but I know she will not stop until she wins."
She looked at me with sure eyes. Then Snow continued
"She will be okay, Roxy. She has people like you who care about her. That helps her stay strong. Have faith in her like I do."
I sat back thinking about White Flower and how strong she is. I wanted to believe that she would be okay. I needed to believe it. In a world that seems to be falling, thinking about White Flower standing strong in Caria was the one thing that made me feel like everything would be alright.
"I hope you are right. When she gets back I will make sure she never has to fight again." I said, feeling a little better.
I finished my tea. Put the cup down. The garden was getting hotter. The sun was noon. I was curious so I asked Snow
"You have been out of the eye for a while, what have you been doing?"
Snow smiled and she looked really nice.
"I have been taking care of a business, Roxy. It is something that needs patience and soil and sunshine."
She pointed to the hills outside the town.
"I have a vineyard. I have been working on it. It is work and it is nice to do something that is not about politics or war."
I was really surprised. Snow, the queen was spending her time growing grapes? It was hard to imagine especially since White Flower never mentioned it. The idea of White Flower, who is always fighting having a mom who grows grapes, was really weird.
Before I could think about it more I heard footsteps. One of the maids, Miera, came up to us.
"Your Majesty, the carriage is ready. The horses are. The road is clear."
Snow stood up. She looked at me.
"I am going to the vineyard now, Roxy. I want to check on the harvest. It is a ride and I could use some company. Do you want to come with me?"
I stood up. I said,
"I would love to."
We walked to the carriage. It was really nice. The horses were ready. The seats were soft. I got in. Snow sat across from me.
"The harvest should be good this year " she. The carriage started moving.
As we drove away from the town, I looked out the window. The houses and the trees were getting smaller. The sky was getting darker. I felt my shoulders relax. I felt calm. I was not thinking about the war or the fighting or the brothers. I was a person going for a ride.
I looked at Snow. She was looking out the window too. She seemed peaceful. I realized that I did not have to be ready to fight all the time. I could just be a person enjoying the quiet.
The carriage kept moving. The sound of the horses was really soothing. I felt my eyes getting heavy. I felt calm. I was a woman going for a ride and it was nice.