Chapter 17: Bliss

Lady Lavinia would forever be despised in Riona's eyes for consistently wearing the most eye-shifting of colors. Especially when being covered head to toe with it. "What a headache," muttered Riona, her fingers pressed deeply into the skin of her temples.

Caspian took a sip of his tea, his gaze smoothly redirecting towards the pink lady strolling in the cold garden. They were seated inside a parlor, engulfed in toasty warmth as he shrugged, "I think she's rather nice."

"Of course you do," Riona rolled her eyes, her distaste growing as her frown deepens tremendously. One would think she would care for wrinkles yet she couldn't be bothered less, as long as everyone were well aware of her unhappy state. Or was it more to seem vaguely threatening?

Either way, she shifted her focus to the plate of delights before her. The grape jelly pastry stood out, so she reached for it. Yet, hesitantly she retracted her fingers midway. Valleric noticed. "Should I request something more to your taste?" he offered, observing the lady. "It's not that... After the poisoning, I have slightly lost my taste, so what use is it to eat something when I cannot enjoy it?"

"Well you can enjoy it by imagining the nectar goodness," said Caspian.

Riona still kept her debating eye on the pastry. "Perhaps that could work," she replied, finally reaching for the sugary sweet. Her mouth suddenly watered, longing for the jelly. Her teeth sunk into the biscuit, the airy texture melting away and disappearing into the depths of her stomach. Her brows raised: "Not half as bad."

"What's not half as bad?" chirped an annoying voice to which Riona's expression fell. Her lips opened, prepared to spit venom when Valleric smiled. "Your ability to plan weddings. Have you discussed any of your ideas with the queen yet? You must ask her before ordering around the maids."

Lavinia pursed her lips, her mind imagining the lord trapped in flames. "I was planning on keeping everything a surprise."

"Though is it not appropriate to keep everything to the bride's taste?"

Lavinia rolled her eyes. "I suppose," she mumbled turning to take a seat. She leaned her head slightly to the side, avoiding eye contact as she started, "About the color scheme. I thought to bring in a spring pi—"

"Absolutely out of the question," interrupted Riona, her gaze stern on the lady. "No pink of any shade or colors related to it. That includes Sweet peach, Rose salmon, or even Morning sky. Pastel colors seem out of my element too."

Lavinia sat agape. Caspian snorted, nudging Valleric slightly, snickering silently, "Already ensuring a happy marriage? Good thinking." Lavinia snapped her head toward them, her eyes hot with displeasure as she raised her lip with a cold sneer, "I suppose you feel accomplished. It is ill-mannered to trouble the wedding planner."

"Isn't it more frowned upon to intently displease the bride?" asked Riona, leaning into her seat, observing the pink lady. Lavinia snorted, "I thought you didn't care about what I did."

"Not about the small details. I do trust you will do a marvelous job as your reputation revolves around your elegant planned parties but do remember for who it is," slyly smiled Riona, "It will have to resemble the Queen and new King's wings."

Lavinia frowned, her gaze switching between the wings of everyone, "Would it not be rather dark?"

Caspian commented, "I think it would be forestry, rather appropriate as it symbolizes new growth and prosperity."

Lavinia finally leaned back as if a thought had just marvelously occurred to her. "Tell me dear highness, why do you not wear your crown as often as is expected? Because after your wedding, you will have to every day as you will keep up more appearances."

Riona frowned, questioning, "Why would I have to appear more? My duties will not change nor my ruling tactics."

"The kingdom will fully accept you as their queen once a king sits beside you. Have you realized that?" tauntingly grinned Lavinia, pleased by her indirect insult.

Riona smiled in response. A strange action, unusual per say. She answered, "I have not need to wear the crown every day for I do not show my face every day. Yet, when I do appear, commonly in my training attire, every butterfly, moth, pixie, and spirit recognizes me." Riona tilted her head with a shrug, adding, "As you see, Lady Lavinia, my reputation never started with the crown. The crown was simply linked to me after I revealed my talents."

The lady pursed her lips. "True, you have stolen the throne from Drystan."

The sudden screech of a chair startled Lavinia as a shadow covered her frame. Riona was standing, wings flared, her eyes dark with a sudden offense. "I will make it clear to you," she said lowly, "I have not looted the kingdom from my brother nor can I take entire credit for ending his time. Although I will say this: I have worked hard to stand here. And here I will reign to prove my qualification. If the world had not willed it so, I would not have been placed here with fire in my heart."

Lavinia swallowed, slowly nodding, forcing her eyes to cover her fright. A warm hand reached to touch the tense ones of Riona. Her eyes flickered toward Valleric, her wings drooping ever so slightly. "Why don't we take a stroll around the garden? You might feel fresher once your nose breathes in the cool air," suggested the man with the softest smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The sparkle in his eye was irresistible and Riona could not turn him down.

She took in a breath, glancing a final time toward a shocked Caspian and a taken-aback Lavinia. "All right..."

With that, Valleric offered his arm for her to take. A maid scurried towards them with thick coats to shield them from the biting cold. Riona slipped on a long coat, stitched from the soft hairs of the winter foxes. They come to be brushed by the dwarves every spring when they shed, so the butterflies would purchase some of the furs. The Lord heaved on his jacket, temporarily leaving the queen's arm.

The wooden door was opened for the pair to exit. As expected, the sharp sting of low temperature tightened Riona's face, her nose turning blush pink and her breath a visible cloud. She clenched her arms around Valleric's covered bicep. "I don't think I'll be out here long," she said muffled into fur, her neck cold. Vally smiled in agreement. "It'll just be a quick walk to freshen up the senses."

Riona craned her head to watch his face from the side. "You were quiet at the table..."

"I did not want to interject as I saw Lady Lavinia's arguments personally directed. You were best to answer."

"I had thought you would stand up for me as you did when you mentioned the wedding plans. How did you know of her ideas?"

"Yesterday I had overheard her ordering the maids to request pink fabric and silver plates. I couldn't help but imagine your displeasure with the choice," announced Valleric, turning his face to her, "And I can imagine, you would appreciate golden hues than plane shining silver."

Riona looked at him with wide eyes and long lashes. "Vally, I had said I didn't care about what she planned... Yet still you thought of me?"

"Of course. Every bride cares about her wedding day, even a queen such as yourself. It will be day where your life changes. It will have to resemble you. It is a part of you, Riona, even if you hide the part of you that cares, you will still care."

Riona shook her head, arguing, "You are enhancing the issue. I do appreciate your efforts but I really do not care —" Valleric halted, turning Riona to face him. "Riona, I only wish you delight and to bring you to enjoy your life is what I want," he confessed, sinking lower to the icy ground.

Riona's eyes widened as he sunk lower till he reached on one knee. He held her one hand in his and in the other he revealed a tiny golden ring dazzled with fine emeralds.

Valleric smiled bashfully, quietly muttering, "As a gentleman I would like to ask you directly, if you would accept my hand in marriage and allow me to guide you through bliss?"