Peonies and White Tea

I've only ever met a person who hasn't wanted to hurt me.

When that happens, you clutch on for dear life to the comfort, because it’s different. But you fear the power a connection like that, what will happen if they leave? When they leave.

The morning sun shined bright through the window, I could feel the warm blanket protecting my body from the merciless cold outside.

I wished I hadn’t woken up.

I lifted myself off my mattress to find the IV previously attached to my arm was gone, I looked at the window again, it was covered in a thin layer of fog, condensation and saltpetre around the edges.

The tree outside my window covered in snow as well as the ground below it.

The snow sparkled under the sun rays, the sunlight warmed my face due to the close proximity I had to the glass. I could smell tea.

This only meant one thing, Madame Leonelle had requested her morning breakfast.

Some courageous soul had to sacrifice their stomach to fill hers, not quite literally.

One of us would have to cook for her, the way she wanted, and if we were caught eating or stealing food we could face serious punishment, anything from having to suffer in the cold a month to being killed or starved.

We all dreaded the job, our mouth would water looking at the food she'd get to enjoy but we couldn't eat.

As my feet touched the ground and I saw a few other girls awake with me, the scent probably overwhelming their deprived noses.

I walked over to the warm kitchen which was the room next to ours for convenience or torture, no real way of knowing.

The skillet sat over the fire with oil in it while a metallic cup heated next to it with a transparent liquid and some Camellia leaves floated around in it.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of some silverware that was on the table, my ashy hair stood in many directions looking slightly matted while my face was puffy and my under eyes had dark circles due to the lack of sleep (the cold weather being the culprit of course).

The green in my eyes lifeless and my lips slightly purple and chapped, their normally plump shape overpowered by my malnutrition.

I looked back at the skillet and later to the door that stood open in front of me, a familiar figure walking through it.

"Iris! I see you're up now, do you want to help me with the cooking?"

Rose smiled at me, that kind smile that gave me hope to see another day, her features were so soft and comforting, her small droopy eyes like that of a dog with a deep, brown color. Her hair also reminded me that of a dog, a light auburn color with a few curls by the ends of it.

High cheekbones and a beautiful curvy jawline to accompany it that made her face into a stunning heart.

"I couldn't contain myself Rose, I don't have the willpower you do."

Her smile fell, eyebrows furrowing.

I'd picked her name for her, it was well-suited. Elegant and beautiful.

I picked my own name as well, both of us named after flowers I liked and saw in a book about gardening a long time ago.

"Of course you do! I've seen it, you cook better than any of us here, and when you do not a single crumb goes in your mouth!"

A sad smile formed on my lips, it was flattering but that was far from the truth, she was probably the best cook in the entire house, that's why Madame Leonelle always asked her to cook, not even the house cooks could replicate her delicacies.

"I picked some gorgeous pears from the garden just now, they will compliment the scones so nicely"

Something I admired of Rose was her ability to always remain positive, never had I heard a putrid word leave her mouth like some had left mine, even when cooking for the one person who represented agony in here she did her best and worked hard.

My nightgown couldn't keep me warm by now, I stood closer to the fire but not even that could completely rid the cold.

"Go get dressed, I have a surprise for you."

She could tell just how freezing I was, I went over to the trunk and pulled out our winter uniform which wasn't too different from the summer one but it kept us all slightly warmer.

I pulled out a brush from under my mattress where we all hid certain treasures from the rest, I combed through my tangled hair and tied a blue ribbon in it.

When I returned to the kitchen Rose held something hidden behind her back, a smirk painting her face.

"What could you hide there?" Her smirk widened as she pulled a beautiful flower from behind her.

I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing.

"It can't be, no way" she giggled "Yes, I found it near the pears, the branches had kept the ground clear enough for it to grow"

She held in her cold hand a peony, a flower that only really blooms during spring.

She was so focused looking at the flower, joy visible on her pale face

Her eyes suddenly lost their glimmer as she heard Madame calling her...