A long miserable year had passed and this year, Zarvans's beloved Fiore did not attend the annual banquet, but Zarvan already knew she would not attend.  He had grown tired of the same thing every year and many of the other Celestials thought the same, so much so, that the older Celestials offered to host the banquet for the upcoming years. Zarvan felt he could rest easy, yet one thing was still itching on his mind. Being 17, it was another year with proposals and he was not interested. Only one Celestial was stuck in his mind and he kept re-reading her letters, the latest one asking if she could visit. Zarvan was over the moon as he started planning for the arrival and was nervous to show her what he was working on. He wondered what she had been doing for the past year, knowing her she was probably still in her little village already tired of living in such a meager existence. He made his way through the corridors, with the thought burning in his mind "How could they squander her potential, like that".

     Zarvan entered a room embellished with gold and silver and met with the second prince waiting for him. Victor sat at a table holding tea and desserts, he gave a slight smile as he saw his brother, "I thought you wouldn't show, given your past attitude, I guess you've softened over the years". Zarvan scoffed as he sat opposite. This has to do with the enmpire and l am directly involved. When have I ever neglected my official duties". His brother sighed "Never...but are you sure you want to reject this prospect? She has a great affinity for growing plants".

     "Fiore does as well, she can create an entire forest".

     "But. this prospect is lovely, platinum hair and eyes that reflect different colors". 

     "Fiore looks lovelier than that, you've seen her rainbow eyes", Zarvan said as he took a sip out of his cup. Victor sighed, "Lady Fiore is a Celestial, you can't keep comparing a human to a being who is objectively the loveliest in the world. Zarvan, it's time to get serious here. Yes, she is a candidate for marriage, but she has already stated to you that she has no desire to leave her village, and not to be direct but I have not seen a proposal from her. Zarvan looked unaffected by the comment as he retorted, "We haven't sent anything either, what is the issue?", Zarvan said as he fixed his cuffs. Victor became irritated, "I've noticed, and I feel like you're planning something, and you think there is not a sliver of a chance she rejects you". 

     Zarvan glared at his brother, "I was given a prophecy, and I know for a fact she is the one I have been looking for."

     "Don't be a fool, you know how those writings work. Mother told us not to seek out their meaning if we wanted to avoid a horrible fate".

     "Don't you dare preach to me! I know the only reason you are pushing this human towards me is because she is related to your dear Calypso. I remembered when you got that poem from our brother, really now, going after a human like a love-sick puppy".

     "Honestly, that's another thing, where is this hatred for humans coming from, is it Caleb?".

     "He has nothing to do with this".

     "That man never sat well with me, he was so obsessed with our mother and you, did you forget you are part human Zarvan-". 

     "SHUT UP! Don't lump me in with those who cheered for our mother's death, she was so weak and none of you were there except for Caleb", Zarvans sudden outburst took Victor by surprise. He looked down in defeat. He remembered when word got out that the Celestial of Time was dying. Some called it a miracle thinking they would be immortal since what they thought was death was dying. Victor and Kai along with their fathers, who held the title of Saint, went to quell the nonsense they had heard, their fathers going as far as to kill one or two fanatics after the Celestial had passed. It quelled the crowd, but the two saints were banished due to the violent act. They went willingly but died soon due to grief. Victor did feel hatred for the people but in his final moments, his father saved him. "I'm sorry for what we've done". The father that they were not allowed to call father was a saint, but that saint used to be a human who transformed for the being he loved. If a human like that existed, then there must be more like that.

     Victor stood and left Zarvan with a few words, "Your beloved Flore has a father who loves her dearly, you will need at the very least for that human to like you". Kai exited the room, and Zarvan was left with a bad taste in his mouth, but his brother was right, his plan would crumble if her father was against them being together, she did love her father. 

     As he was deep in thought a servant knocked and opened the door, "Your Highness, Princess Amina has arrived for your meeting". Zarvan stood and waited.

     The princess held her breath, her heart beating rapidly, finally, she would be able to meet him. Her dainty hands carried her pink pastel gown adorned with sewn-in diamonds, she glistened beautifully as her clinking heels stopped before him. Her gaze was downward as she curtsied, "Greetings from the Laurel Kingdom, Prince Zarvan. I am Princess Amina", she was stoic as she stood straight again, she finally had a full view of the prince, and finally, their eyes met. He gave a slight bow as custom, but as he spoke, she couldn't concentrate. Black lustrous hair that came down to the middle of his back, a face that looked to be sculpted from marble, and cold eyes that looked like shimmering opals that pronounced a diamond iris. Her sister was right, his beauty was on par with his brothers, but now he was finished talking and her cheeks turned red. 

     "Forgive me, Your Highness, I was just overwhelmed", Amina said with a stutter. Zarvan sighed as he motioned for her to sit at the tea table, "Nothing to apologize for, it's a common occurrence".  Amina followed his gesture but she felt he was offended by the comment. They sat opposite of each other and Zarvan wasted no time but tried to keep politeness. He began, "Your Highness."

     "You can call me Amina if you would like Prince Zarvan", she interrupted cheerfully.

     "I would rather not..... I needed to talk to you-".

     "How are you doing as of late, I heard you are overseeing a personal project with the business you've opened".

     "Yes, it's all been fine, I just needed to tell you-".

     "Oh how rude of me, how are your brothers, you haven't-".

     "Amina!", he yelled as his irritation peeked, wondering why she kept doing this. Amina flinched a bit but went back to being composed. He saw the slight reaction, but kept his firmness, "Pardon me. I just need to get pressing matters out of the way", he said as he poured her tea. He looked at his cup as he molded over his thoughts. Was it fear? Of course, she was nervous anyone could tell but he needed to refuse her amicably due to her relationship with Victor's fiance. " Look, regarding your family's marriage proposal, I will have to decline. Your sister and my brother look very happy and to be honest...I aspire to look for something similar. I do hope you will find your match". 

     Amina looked down at her cup, smiling slightly, "I already knew You're Highness. Thank you for telling me upfront...but I hope...is there a chance we could still be friends?". Zarvan felt confused by this response, he turned his gaze away and looked out a window, the question reminding him of someone, "I'm not sure". The air became awkward so he decided to leave, he stood and bowed, but before he left the somber princess, he updated her, " Oh before I forget, since you will be staying with us for the next few days,  we will be having a guest over for your sister's engagement party". 

     Amina looked surprised, rare was the sight that Prince Zarvan looked happy someone was coming to the palace. "May I ask who the guest might be", she then saw his face light up and showing his age with a soft smile, "It's a dear friend of mine, Lady Fiore, the Celestial of Nature".

     Calypso sat before her vanity as she brushed her hair, preparing for her engagement party. Even though only six people were in attendance, she still felt butterflies in her stomach. Her sister barged in as she applied lip stain and threw herself onto her bed, groaning. "What's wrong now Amina", Calypso said nonchalantly. "He's so handsome but I just stood there and stared at him like an idiot! I thought if I could get a bit closer, I could at least become an acquaintance...why did I say friend? This is the first time we have spoken and I made him uncomfortable!", she rolled around on the bed.

      Calypso sighed, "Amina, you already knew he was difficult...but even I didn't think he would reject you outright...if you would like I can cancel my engagement so it's not too difficult", she said as she sat trying to comfort sister. Amina shot up and shook her head, "Of course not, I see how you look at Victor and he treats you so well..even Zarvan commented he wanted something similar." Calypso blushed, was she that obvious? She smiled and patted her sister. "I know you liked him, but we can't force it, okay". Amina looked at her hands, tugging at her gloves, "I know, I just thought since I match his type...maybe there was a chance...anyway I think he already has someone in mind".

     "Yes, I heard from Victor. A Celestial so lovely she can make you fall in love instantly. Did you know, there have been talks of someone similar traveling through small towns, do you think it's her as well".

     "I'm not sure, but, I would like to meet her".

     The evening was approaching and Fiore led Faris into an eerie garden, roses bloomed of every color but followed them down the trail. From every direction, Faris felt like he was being stared at and the unwelcome feeling persisted from every other plant life. He felt surrounded, but the anxiety subsided the moment Fiore held his hand. They entered the palace but Faris still had his doubts, 

     "Are you sure we can enter through here...you did tell them I was joining you, right?".

     "Of course, this entrance was specifically made for me, the emperor already knew two people entered, and I got his permission beforehand. Oh and...we were invited to stay the night, I hope you're not too upset about the late notice?", Fiore said apprehensively

     "No, by a landslide, how can someone deny an emperor".

     "My thoughts exactly, today is the day the second prince gets engaged and they wanted me to decorate a section for them when they sign the contract".

     "Wow, seems like quite the coincidence this was a pretty big day for them, and your friend, are you going to meet with him?".

     "I think he's been busy so, I told the empower not to tell him when I arrived".

      Faris felt her words were strained when she spoke about him. He squeezed her hand to reassure her and Fiore looked back to smile, reassured Faris would be right there.

     The sun was setting and the stage was set, Emporer Kai dressed in a black military suit, stood by the podium holding the contract in a barren dance hall. At this side stood a young girl dressed in a black organza dress facing away and at the bottom of the elevated floor was Faris dressed in black as well holding two sets of pens. Then as the wind chimes rang, the doors opened, and Zarvan was the first to walk in dressed in the titular black garb. His attention immediately goes toward the podium where he recognizes the beautiful girl facing away. He stood opposite the young man holding the pens and wondered, "Why didn't she tell me she was here...and who is that?", he thought as he saw Faris. 

     The second person to step inside was Princess Amina now wearing a black poofed-out dress and black ornaments adorning her hair. She stood opposite of Zarvan, yet her eyes were drawn to the veiled person by the podium. She felt compelled to reach out to them but her attention was turned towards the guest of honor. A dashing man dressed in white stood tall in a white-fitted suit, and a sword at his hip, staring at the beautiful woman at his side; White diamonds glittered in her blonde hair and her glittering white dress flowed as she moved. Her green eyes were glued to the man at her side, her blushing face obvious to those around her, she looked away, smiling.

     The couple reached the podium and Faris presented them with the pens, each one having their name inscribed. Faris remained with his head low and bowed as the couple thanked him. They signed the contract and all in attendance clapped, "As Emporer I congratulate thee, your union will be held here within the year and you, my dear brother will rule alongside Princess Calypso in the Kingdom of Laurels. But, always know, we will be right here whenever you need us", his voice boomed through the dance hall as the couple held each other. At that moment, the veiled figure lifted her arms and bowed her head down as she stretched out her hands like a bird in flight. All around them, white lilies sprouted around the dance hall, decorating the walls and creating a walkway out of the room. Calypso was in awe at the beautiful sight before her, the white lilies glittered like her dress as they seemed to sway with her happy demeanor. As she looked back at the podium, the veiled figure slowly turned to them to reveal her face; eyes like opal, black wavey hair, and a gentle demeanor on their face. They looked just like a younger version of her beloved Victor in a black dress. As she gawked she realized who this was, and she immediately bowed, "Thank you for such a wonderful gift Lady Fiore".

     Fiore stood at the sidelines with Faris, but she could feel Princess Amina and Princess Calypso staring at her. Amina saw as Zarvan excused himself and joined Fiore, the Emporer then gestured to Amina to follow suit, knowing Fiore would not turn her away Amina did as she was told and walked towards Fiore, but as she got closer, she could feel her aura pull her in. Her face looked just like Prince Zarvans, yet it was somehow more perfect and more approachable. As Fiore turned her way, she looked at Amina with such a tender look, something Zarvan would never do. It was almost heartbreaking to see.

     As her sister and Victor began to dance, Amina approached and could feel Zarvan become annoyed, but she introduced herself. "Hello Lady Fiore, I am Princess Amina. It's an honor to be in your presence". Fiore quickly re-veiled her face, the effects of her aura diminishing but still there. Zarvan again made a face but buried it down as Fiore spoke, "No need for formalities with me Princess Amina, and please give my congratulations to your sister". Amina had never seen anyone this beautiful, borderline perfection. Amina, without thinking offered her hand to Fiore, her body shaking as she anticipated the answer, "Please, would you let me have this dance". Zarvan and Faris looked surprised, but, Fiore smiled, and took her hand, "Gladly".