The Garden

For some time now, a certain diplomat has been receiving board in the palace. I hadn’t talked to him before, but by the sea maiden’s guard on his rapier and his fine—though flamboyant—attire, I could assume he was from Oremaris. As he was never formally introduced to me, I never saw the point in approaching him. But with my mother’s death, things have changed. I wish to make note of the important individuals around me and introduce myself.

The perfect chance to speak to him presented itself to me. I found him loitering near my father’s study. He was observing one of the nearby flower arrangements, touching one of the flower’s leaves with an ungloved hand.

“Greetings.”

He looked over his shoulder. Realizing who was speaking to him, he turned to me and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness. For what reason have I been bestowed your attention?”

I spoke in a welcoming tone. “If it is not too much to ask, I’d love to know why you’ve come to see my father today.”

“I had no such intention to meet him today.” He looked puzzled. “Does he have some business with me?”

“If you aren’t aware of any, then I assume not. That does, however, lead me to question your presence at my father’s study.”

”I came only to see if the flora needed care.”

I supposed there was truth in the saying that the Oremarisians love their flowers. “There’s no need to worry yourself with that. I’m sure the staff shall do well enough with it’s care.”

He smiled. “I think flowers’ care is more my job than theirs.”

“Pardon?” I asked, but he only returned to me another puzzled look. “I didn’t know that gardening was part of your job.”

“Your Highness, I am the head gardener. Gardening is my only job.”

“Oh.” There was an awkward pause. I had been trained to hide my shock, but this time I couldn’t help showing it.

“Florian.” He offered me his hand and we shared a handshake.

“I had mistaken you for some sort of ambassador.” I was truthful. “I had not known that gardeners wore such fine garments.” I hadn’t even known we had a gardener. Passed an even lawn, Mother never showed interest in the estate's greenery. The normal staff were plenty enough to handle such a task.

“It is understandable.” He said. “A gardener in Vallis holds a lower position than one in Oremaris.”

“So you are from Oremaris.” I emphasized the ‘are’.

“I am. Flower culture is very important there. Florists are among the richer merchants in terms of wealth.”

“If things are so well for you in Oremaris, why come to Vallis?” I doubted a palace gardener’s position was needed for him to expand his trade.

“I’ve already been to the shore and all of the Broken Isles. For me, Vallisia feels like a new adventure.”

“But what of managing your business?”

“I have six sisters. Five of them are more willing to manage the family business than me.”

“And your inheritance?”

“I’d rather my sisters live long happy lives than for me to receive anything.”

I took a moment to reflect on my relationship with Cassandra. Do we share such feelings for each other? I’d like to think so.

Before I could return to his interrogation, Florian spoke. “I assume you haven’t seen the garden I’ve made for the palace, Your Highness?”

“I believe I haven’t.” Considering the closest thing to a garden I had seen on the estate was well-trimmed grass, I very much hoped I hadn’t.

“Would you like for me to give you a tour?”

“I would very much appreciate that.”

Florian led me to an open-air room in the one of the back corners of the palace’s third floor. “It took quite some time for them to remodel the room.” He said. Three of the walls had been hollowed out with rows of windowless arches separated by hanging fauna. The arches facing out from the palace contained ornate handrails. “It left me plenty of free time to explore the city.”

“Have you had your fill of it?”

“Exploring? Unfortunately not. My heart is always longing for adventure.”

“I hope a cure can be found for such a condition.” Such an unfulfilled longing from a well traveled man was an omen towards sudden departure.

“My family hoped as well.”

As I stepped inside the garden, a soft breeze rolled through and something grazed my cheek. I turned my head and saw that the wind had made a flower bow from the wall to give me a kiss. A rainbow assortment of flowers were hidden between the entry arches, as thick and prominent as any mane I’d ever seen.

As for what stood within its walls, the garden contained a tiled mural with details filled in by blooming fauna. To the sides of the mural, stood walkways and fruit bearing trees. The room was also well-lit. Not only well-lit from the room’s multiple arches, but from its glass ceiling.

“What do you think, Your Highness?” Florian said.

“It’s beautiful.” I made no attempt to hide my awe.

He wagged his finger. “I knew you’d be surprised. Over half of the flora were imported from Oremaris. You won’t see them anywhere else in Vallis.”

“It’s not just the flowers, I think your arrangement is outstanding.”

“Only outstanding in Vallis.” Florian shrugged. “Gardening is a much more intricate thing in Oremaris.”

“If that’s the case, I’d love for you to tell me more about it.”

“The gardening?”

“Oremaris.” I’ll make a visit there eventually. It’s best that I learn as much as I can about our allies beforehand. “But yes, gardening too.”

Florian laughed. “Does this make me an actual ambassador now, Your Highness?”

I gave him a half-smile. “A false one. I hope you're fine enough with that.”

“You’ve chosen the right man for the job.” He placed his fist upon his chest. “For there is no man so well traveled as I left in all the Broken Isles.”

In Consequence

Diane is interested in submitting a proof of wisdom on Oremaris. Before submitting proofs on foreign countries, Diane must submit a proof on the Unified Pact.