Ivy walked across the new marble floors of the ballroom, checking on the final details. She skipped happily as the castle staff worked to set up everything for the event later that night. She had heard foreign visitors were already at the borders and would be arriving at the castle in the next few hours. And hopefully he would be among them.
Ivy smiled as she giggled quietly to herself, giddy with the coming festivities. She paused when she glanced up, noticing Meredith frowning around the ballroom. Ivy sighed, wandering over as she silently pouted. She thought Meredith was supposed to be visiting with the council most of the day.
The queen stood in a sky-blue dress that dragged along the floor. Her pale blonde hair was beginning to grey, being pulled back into a braid that dangled down past her hips. She had wrinkles starting to appear on her delicate face, though age never seemed to reach her deep blue eyes.
"I see you made some renovations." Meredith commented as Ivy nodded. Meredith sighed, shifting her eyes from the cold stone to her late husband's child. She had grown so much since she had arrived many years ago. But not as much as she needed. "Is this the reason you have been visiting Salvino so often?" Meredith asked as she waved her hand to encompass the floor. Ivy blushed nervously as she glanced around.
"Tonight, I invited the two other kingdoms, with whom we have strong trades with. I wanted them to feel at home, so I have imported marble from Salvino and rich fabrics from Welpion." Ivy told her, pointing out the reams of fabric along the wall. Meredith nodded slowly as she walked over, petting the brightly colored silks.
"Have you been to Welpion yet?" Meredith asked gently as Ivy paled guiltily, shaking her head. Meredith smiled wrapping an arm around Ivy's shoulders and leading her away. They left the room so the staff could work without them in the way.
"I wish you had traveled more. Instead of only traveling just to visit him." Meredith told her softly as Ivy blushed.
"Visit who?" Ivy asked shyly as they wandered down the halls. Meredith glanced at her before glancing back down the hall.
"King Gregory's wife often would send me letters. Writing about your visits with the youngest prince. She is worried because prince Adam may not be the man you think he is." Meredith told her as Ivy stiffened.
"I have been visiting with Adam for two years now. I know what kind of man he is." Ivy growled defensibly. Meredith paused pulling Ivy to a stop beside her.
"I am sure you do. I am only speaking out of worry. Your visitations with only him may have narrowed your view of everything else around you. Do you plan to marry him?" Meredith asked as she began walking again. Ivy followed beside her as she nodded quietly.
"If he were to ask, I would accept. I love him." Ivy confessed as Meredith nodded wandering out into a garden. Gardens were very common in the druid castle. The mother tree was tall and thick, with branches larger than most buildings in the kingdom.
Its massive size allowed for multiple structures to be built and to withstand the weight of small gardens. Even the marble floors didn't seem to put a strain on the tree. Though Meredith still hoped it was only a temporary addition. Stone did not belong in the druid tree.
"Are you sure it is for love and not just so you can become Queen?" Meredith asked as Ivy paused. She watched her father's last wife before letting out a frustrated grunt.
"I am ready to be queen. Adam will make a fine king for this kingdom." Ivy told her as Meredith nodded. "Tell me, is it the council who doesn't think I am ready? Or you?" Ivy growled bitterly. Meredith sighed as she gently picked a flower.
"When your father and I first met, it wasn't love at first sight. Our union was more of a mutual understanding. Any children I bore would not have claim to the throne here. You were always meant to take the throne of Trayson, but as a druid. Fully awakened. The druid kingdom needs a strong druid to lead it. Your refusal to bond with the mother tree, taking your father's place, is what prevents you from becoming queen." Meredith told her as Ivy growled.
"I don't want to be bonded to some stupid tree! I want to be free to make my own choices." Ivy grumbled stubbornly. She had hoped that they would forget that she wasn't bonded and simply let her assume the throne if she had a husband at her side. Like a noble prince from a neighboring kingdom.
"This stupid tree is our home. It provides life to this kingdom and deserves your respect. I wish your father had lived long enough to explain this to you, or that another druid could guide you. Being the last is not easy, but it does not mean you are alone. Druids are connected to each other through the bonds they share with their plants. Trayson...
“Your father told me that once the true heir bonds with the mother tree and accepts their place on the throne, the druid blood of their subjects will awaken also, and the race will be reborn once more. This isn't just about you. As a queen, you must make hard life choices for the good of..." Meredith started to explain before Ivy stomped her foot.
"What would you know about hard life choices?! You're just the pampered lover of the dead king." Ivy spat angrily. Meredith frowned as she clasped the flower to her chest.
"A lover that will never see her home or family again in this life." Meredith told the flower bitterly as Ivy flinched. "The ball is drawing near. Perhaps we should prepare ourselves and check on the final preparations. We can discuss this at a later time." Meredith told her with a bow of her head, wandering away to her study.
Ivy watched her stepmother's braid sway behind her as she walked away. Running her fingers through her own curly red hair. She hadn't meant to speak so harshly out of spite. Meredith was only trying to fulfill the will of her father, but she didn't want to follow in his footsteps since he betrayed her.
Ivy growled petting the flower buds softly as she sat alone in the garden. Her father had left when she was only seven years old to find a new lover. He returned almost two years later with his new bride, Meredith.
However, Meredith became deathly ill upon their arrival and her father, king Trayson, tended to her until she was well... dying only weeks later himself. Trayson couldn't even be bothered with his own daughter once his new love showed up. Ivy had felt betrayed as her father cast her aside without remorse. And now she was expected to take on his tree? His bond?
Ivy scoffed at the thought leaving the garden. If her father had wanted something from her, he should have given something to her. Why was Meredith more important to him than his own daughter? Not that Ivy didn't like Meredith. She had been there for her when Ivy struggled with the loss of her father. Becoming truly alone as the last remaining druid. Ivy paused as she looked back over her shoulder. Why couldn't Meredith go home?
Ivy pursed her lips in thought as she considered it. Honestly, she didn't know much about anything when it came to Meredith's life before Trayson. Most of what she thought she knew came from rumors, spawned from citizens' curiosity. If she could convince Meredith to return home, even if just for a little while, Ivy would be able to rule in her place and prove she was ready to be queen. Ivy smiled at the thought wondering how she could convince her stepmother to go.
"My, my. The views are lovely here in Trayson." Said a silky voice making Ivy glance up quickly. She blushed when she met the golden eyes of the youngest prince of Salvino, kingdom of the dwarves. Adam smiled seductively down at her, making Ivy's pulse quicken.
Dwarves by nature were bulky, hairy and proud. The only thing that seemed to range wildly was height. Though Ivy tended to forget his dwarven heritage due to Adam's fine features. His skin was a bronze tan, causing his golden curly hair to stand out. He wore a red silk shirt tucked into his beige pants. He stood about five feet nine inches tall, with a lean build sculpted by sword fighting.
"Adam. I didn't realize you would be here so soon. I was just on my way to get ready for the festivities tonight." Ivy told him when she could catch her breath. Just being around him made her heart flutter uncontrollably. His smile widened as he took her hand, kissing the back of it.
"I would never miss my chance to see you as soon as I possibly could. Living without your company has been most unpleasant." Adam told her as his face gave her a pained look. She blushed even as she looked guilty making Adam smile on the inside. He stood quickly glancing out the window.
"I heard a rumor that you are hoping to find a suitor tonight or tomorrow." Adam told her in a curious tone watching as she fidgeted with her dress. She was so easy to read. It made her easy prey for his games.
"If I find someone, then yes. I am hoping of finding a king for Trayson." Ivy told him as she tried to play it off like she didn't care who. Foolish girl, Adam thought, you are so easily swayed by my charm. Adam paused when he considered what she said.
"Finding a king is a daunting task. I only hope you find someone worthy of such a title." Adam told her softly as she grew nervous. "Of course, I could always fill that role. Though I would do anything for you as long as it meant you would stay by my side." Adam purred as color tainted her pale face. She was so in love with him, it was simple to manipulate her. Being King of Trayson was only the first step in his plan since he would never become king of Salvino.
"I should go get ready for this evening. I hope you enjoy your stay here in the castle. The staff will help you with whatever you need." Ivy told him with a slight bow. She nodded at the manservant who had accompanied Adam, wandering away. She glanced back once as Adam smiled at her, before she hurried off to get dressed up.
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