Heritage

During the five hour journey to the Northern Palace, my brain was jumbled up with random information of clothes, styles and what Dune’s favourite colour was. He and Pearl just simply couldn’t stop talking! I’m glad Dune has found a friend, he must have been so lonely with Vincent and Aura training and me learning about elven traditions.

“And then when Harmony found me trying on one of her dresses, she freaked!” Dune laughed as Pearl gasped and giggled “She had a feeling I was going gay because I enjoyed playing with her dolls a lot. My brothers never saw me the same way ever again.”

“Do vampires have anything against homophobia?” Pearl asked curiously.

“Upper class pureblood vampires have issues but my family were pretty open-minded,” Dune shrugged “They were more surprised than shocked to discover I was gay.”

“We’re coming to the gates of the Northern Palace!” Chelsea called from her place next to the driver. Pearl eagerly leaned out of the window and smiled.

“Zelda, Zelda, look!” she came back in and urged me to look out “This is where Dox and I grew up!” I carefully stuck my head out of the window of the carriage door. It was a rather large palace. The mountains looked beautiful behind it and I could see the obvious change of trees to adapt to the colder weather. I retreated back in so Dune could stick his head out to look.

“It’s so big!” he gasped.

“We always went ice skating whenever the lakes froze over in the winter!” Pearl chatted excitedly “You should try it, you two! It’s so much fun!”

“What’s…ice skating?” I asked with a confused frown.

“We’ll show you when winter comes!” Pearl grinned as fanfares sounded outside “Oh, I’m so excited to see Mommy and Daddy!”

“I’m excited to meet them too!” Dune grinned and they both squealed like excited girls. I swallowed as I remembered the portrait of the royal couple. The carriage came to a stop and I felt my heart beating erratically. I leaned over and squeezed Dune’s hand as Pearl jumped out.

“Dune, I’m scared,” I whimpered.

“It’s alright, Zelda,” Dune whispered as he squeezed back “It’s going to be alright.” I took a deep breath as Pearl called for us to come out.

“Go before me,” I whimpered. Dune smiled as he stepped out, allowing me to follow behind and stand next to him.

“Little Zelda,” a deep voice chuckled “You’ve grown up so much.” I looked up at King Russoon timidly as he grinned at me.

“Come out from behind this charming girl so we can see you properly,” another voice said, allowing Dune to simper. I clenched onto the kimono Dune was wearing before stepping out from behind him and into their view. “Tch, stand up straight with your chin up, young lady!”

“Yes, ma’am!” I squeaked as I straightened my spine and looked up at the royal couple. Two pairs of piercing eyes stared straight back at me and I held back a whine. I felt as if I was on display, it was uncomfortable. I took a deep breath before bowing. “Nice to meet you, Your Majesties,” I said in a hurried tone.

“Really, girl, what kind of manners did that awful human teach you?” Queen Clarissa tutted. I opened and closed my mouth before bowing my head. “Chin up!” I snapped my head up quickly.

“If I may interject?” Dune put on a falsetto voice and placed a hand on my shoulder “Princess Zelda was raised to act like a human. Please forgive her for any inappropriate behaviour. She is a very quick learner though.” Queen Clarissa regarded Dune thoughtfully as King Russoon smiled and held his hand out.

“We haven’t been formally introduced I believe,” he said “May I ask your name, miss?” Dune giggled as I stared at the king in disbelief.

“Dahlia,” he said and made a curtsey motion.

“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Dahlia,” King Russoon smiled and pressed a kiss to Dune’s hand. I honestly couldn’t hold back from openly gaping at the couple as Queen Clarissa introduced herself to ‘Dahlia’. They actually think he’s a girl! They think Dune is a girl! Isn’t it blatantly obvious that he is a boy?!

“Close your mouth, Zelda, it’s rude,” Queen Clarissa scolded, as if she was my mother now. I closed my mouth at her request and shot a look to Pearl. She just shrugged and winked cheekily.

“I must confess, I’ve never met a vampire before,” King Russoon smiled “They often mingle with humans in their cities rather than be found around these isolated areas.”

“Well, humans are easier to hunt than elves and I am to believe your blood is too rich for us,” Dune shrugged and smiled “Well, I can always feast on the animals here, can’t I?”

“Indeed,” King Russoon nodded “Please, come inside. We will show you to your rooms.”

“Will we be far apart?” I asked timidly as their stature still intimidated me “Because I would like to speak to Miss Dahlia privately.” I gave a sharp look to Dune who just smiled innocently.

“We arranged for your rooms to be opposite one another,” Queen Clarissa nodded as we followed them inside the palace “Pearl’s room will be just next to yours, Zelda.”

“We can be like sisters!” Pearl squealed and jumped up and down “We can stay up and have pillow fights then talk about our husbands! Or your soon-to-be husband and my husband.” I opened my mouth to object and say that I was not going to marry Paradox. But as I did, I was given looks from the royal couple in front of us so closed it.

“We’ll…see,” I said reluctantly as we went up flights of stairs.

“Oh, how pretty!” Dune exclaimed and I looked up at the portrait we were passing. I stopped in my tracks and the others went down the corridor as I stared up at the massive painting before me. It was my parents. Both of them sitting on their thrones, hand in hand. I recognized Zereria first before recognizing Merzeiha. They were smiling, they looked so happy together. Zereria was so beautiful and Merzeiha didn’t look so intimidating compared to the portrait I saw of him at the other palace.

“Mother…” I barely whispered as if she would come if I called her.

“Zelda, is something wrong?” Dune asked as he came back for me “Come on, one more flight of stairs and down a couple of corridors until we get to our rooms.” I looked up at the older vampire and leaned my head on his shoulder.

“My parents,” I said “They’re my parents.” Dune hugged me and patted my back.

“Wow, your mother was really pretty,” he commented “Your father was quite handsome too. Shame he was married.”

“He would have been too old for you anyway,” I murmured as I sighed “Pity, he was gay too.”

“He was?!” Dune gasped.

“Yes, Miss Dahlia,” I smirked “he was gay before he met my mother.” Dune smiled and took my hand.

“Come on, it’s not the far now,” he said as he led me down the corridor to where the small royal family were waiting. We reached our rooms, Pearl and Dune eagerly going into one to try on the kimonos they had here whilst King Russoon was called away for business. Leaving me with Queen Clarissa. She stared down at me and I forced myself to smile.

“Well, thank you for showing me to my room, Your Majesty,” I made a curtsey motion again “I will retire now, I’m very tired.”

“Wait, let us spend some time together,” Queen Clarissa insisted with a smile and I felt a shiver go down my spine “I’ll help you unpack.”

“You’re…too kind,” I said as enthusiastically as possible as she went into my room. She already had the suitcase open on my bed when I came in and taking the kimonos out to hang in the wardrobe.

“My husband and I were very much relieved to hear that you are alive,” she said with a smile as she picked up my mother’s kimono and sighed, running a hand down it “Oh, Zereria, we were just like sisters. We stuck together through thick and thin as children.”

“You were very close to my mother,” I observed as she hung the kimono up in the wardrobe with care.

“Yes, we always spent our days wondering what we would be like once we were crowned as queens,” Queen Clarissa giggled “I was of noble birth, Zereria was my lady-in-waiting but she was engaged to Merzeiha when he was the crown prince.”

“How did they meet?” I asked timidly.

“Well, Zereria wanted to see what attending a ball would be like,” Queen Clarissa smiled wistfully “So we got her dressed and ready for the occasion and we went to the ball. Merzeiha asked her for a dance, dressed as a lord whilst his family were panicking behind the scenes trying to find him. They fell in love quicker than me dropping a pebble. It was very surprising of course, everyone knew your father was gay. But after meeting your mother, he changed, just like that.”

“That sounds…so romantic…” I murmured shyly.

“Speak up, dear, I can’t hear you very clearly,” Queen Clarissa said sharply.

“That sounds so romantic,” I said a bit louder.

“Oh, isn’t it?” Queen Clarissa suddenly melted back to her warm wistful state “Though, your story with Paradox is romantic too.” I stayed silent, lowering my eyes to the floor. “You look hesitant, do you not even remember your time with Paradox before your family were attacked?”

“My earliest memory is fire,” I replied “Fire and running. Running from horses, running from shouting. Arriving at the orphanage.” Queen Clarissa regarded me before coming up to me and patting my shoulder.

“After dinner, have some tea with me on the balcony,” she said “I’d love to bond with you. You remind me so much of your mother.”

“I’ve…been told…” I murmured and clenched my fists.

“She was very shy and reserved at your age, but when it came to her opinion, she made sure everyone knew it if they ever tried to push their opinion onto her,” Queen Clarissa sighed as she brushed her hair back behind her shoulder “Now, you get some rest. I’m sure that journey must have tired you out.” I watched as she left the room and pressed my ear to the door to listen her footsteps retreat, Pearl’s voice accompanying them as she eagerly chatted to her mother. I slowly opened my bedroom door a crack and glanced out, watching both mother and daughter disappear around the corner. Would that have been my mother and I if we had never been attacked?

I began thinking, what if the attack never happened? Would I be in love with Paradox or just think of him as a brother? Would I have been the best of friends with Pearl? I began picturing myself at this palace, side by side with Pearl as we giggled and gossiped. Perhaps we would all have tea together in the evening after dinner? Me, Pearl, Queen Clarissa and my mother. Perhaps Mia would be there too, though I do not know what she looks like. Would I have ever met Aura or Vincent? Or Dune? Wait, speaking of Dune… I fixed my stare onto Dune’s door opposite mine and strode across the corridor, knocking sharply.

“Come in!” he called in that ridiculous falsetto voice. I strode in, closing the door behind me and raising an eyebrow as Dune fixed his looks whilst perched on his bed. He had gained a dahlia flower in his hair.

“Do you really have to deceive Paradox’s parents by pretending you’re a girl?” I hissed as I came up to him.

“But it’s fun, it’s been so long since I dressed up,” Dune pouted “And the servants treat me so nicely, I feel like a pretty princess!”

“I think they see you more as a lady, Miss Dahlia,” I sighed and shook my head “Where did you get that dahlia from anyway?”

“A servant boy gave it to me, it was so sweet,” Dune squealed “Oh, if only Vincent could see me like this.” He sighed sadly and hunched his shoulders. “I’m really worried for him.”

“Yeah, and I’m panicking for Aura’s safety,” I sighed “Hey, how long do you reckon you’re going to pull this off anyway?”

“As long as possible,” Dune winked “I get to have so much space and everyone can treat me nicely.”

“I’m sure if you’re just Dune, you’ll be treated the same,” I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t know,” Dune frowned “I prefer being seen as a girl then no-one will see me as a queer.”

“And when they find out you’re actually a transvestite?”

“They won’t, trust me,” Dune winked “I know how to act as a lady so I’ll be fine.”

“I’m betting three days,” I smirked and Dune grinned back.

“I bet until the end of this war that Zack started,” he shrugged and combed his fingers through his hair “Say, you like to make perfume, could you make me a dahlia one for me please?”

“You’re really going to wear perfume too?” I raised an eyebrow and he nodded eagerly “Alright but can you tell me where this servant got your dahlia from?”

“He said that some of them grew in the garden,” Dune glanced out at the balcony. I stood and opened the windows to go out and examine the gardens. I was surprised that there were no less flowers here than at Paradox’s palace considering the cooler temperature. Rubbing my arms as a cold breeze passed, I scanned from my place and found some dahlias.

“Alright, I will need a couple of bowls and a basket, do you think you can use your feminine charm to get them?” I turned and raised an eyebrow sceptically at Dune. It only took Dune a wink and simper before calling a servant with the bell on his bedside table. I suppose I might have one in my own room. Once I had my basket and Dune was filling the bowls with water, I teleported to a spot in the garden. Petals flew in the air and I frantically used the basket to catch them as they fell. With a soft sigh, I bent down and picked a couple of dahlias from the garden. I then teleported back up to Dune’s balcony, catching the petals with the basket again. Dune clapped at the spectacle and I scowled at him.

“Oh, sweetie don’t do that,” Dune frowned “It’s so unattractive.” Ignoring him, I set the basket down by the bowls and began working on his perfume. Once he stunk of dahlias, petals and honey, Pearl came in to announce that dinner was ready.

“Oh, that’s such a sweet scent,” she said as she stepped further into the room, breathing in the scent deeply “Is that you, Dahlia?”

“Yes, it is,” Dune giggled with his falsetto voice “Zelda made it for me.”

“Oh, you make perfumes!” Pearl squealed “We should totally decide what kind of perfume you should wear to your wedding, what perfume would suit me best, what perfume should Mother wear…”

“Sure but let’s have dinner first,” I smiled.

“Dinner, come on, let’s go!” Pearl grinned as she led the way downstairs to the banquet hall.

This hall had long tables rather than the round ones in Paradox’s palace. Pearl, Dune and I were seated with the king and queen, I was sat next to Queen Clarissa whilst Dune and Pearl were on King Russoon’s side. Clarissa kept a cold demeanour, much like Paradox, talking to the other guests, answering questions about the oncoming war that Zack declared, et cetera. I was asked questions too, such as how I survived the attack, what Zack was like, was I worried for Paradox’s safety and other questions about myself. Everyone looked excited to see me, I felt on display.

“Zelda,” Queen Clarissa whispered to me as she leaned over and hovered her lips by my ear “Shall we adjourn?” I nodded once and she stood from her place, taking my hand to place around her arm. “If you would excuse us,” she nodded and led me out of the banquet hall. I glued my eyes to the floor whilst following Queen Clarissa to her room. I didn’t look at the grand bedroom as she took me out onto the balcony where a table and tea set was set up. “Sit,” she said as she pulled a chair out for me “I hope you enjoy this tea. Your mother and I always drank it together.” She poured some tea out into a cup and nudged it over towards me. I picked it up carefully and brought it to my lips, blowing it to cool down before taking a sip.

“…” I glanced over to Queen Clarissa who sat on the other chair on the other side of the table “It’s very sweet.”

“Not a sweet lover?” she smiled “I understand. Your father didn’t really like sweet things either.” I placed the cup down and folded my hands in my lap. Queen Clarissa sipped her tea as we stared out across the forest as the night settled.

“I understand that there’s been some tension between you and my son.” That sentence probably made me feel like I was in trouble with my mother for the first time ever. Zereria didn’t make me feel like that when I knew her at Zack’s house. I glanced across the table at Queen Clarissa’s calm face.

“Please, don’t make me marry him,” I said.

“Is he really that horrible to be around?” she asked.

“Well, I…” I shrugged helplessly. “He scares me. He killed human soldiers in cold blood, he kept pushing his affections onto me and…and…” Queen Clarissa regarded me as I rubbed the spot where Aura had kissed my hand.

“I hear you have a soft spot for one of his knight’s brother,” she said.

“Aura…” I said “Aura…he’s just…uh…” My cheeks were heating up, my heart was beating erratically. “Every time I see him, I remember how I first saw him. Homeless, wrapped in that tattered blanket, so alone. I just want to protect him and your son is stopping me from doing that and sending him out to battle!”

“No-one is stopping you,” Queen Clarissa raised an eyebrow.

“Also, Aura wants to battle and if I go and try to take him away and Paradox catches me…I really wouldn’t past him that he’d use force to stop me.” Queen Clarissa was quiet for a while and leaned over to pet my hand.

“Zelda, I want you to be honest,” she said “What do you want more than anything in the world?” I swallowed nervously.

“I just want to be free to do what I want without anyone on my back, telling me what I should do.” Queen Clarissa smiled softly before leaning back and sighing.

“So much like your parents,” she said “You only think for yourself but at the same time you want to help those around you.” I stayed quiet as Queen Clarissa sipped her tea. “When you were about four years old, you rescued a little rabbit, helped heal its leg then insisted that you wanted to keep it as a pet.” That sounds very much like me. I smiled at the description.

“Did…did I find it under a mulberry bush?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Its leg was snagged on a branch…” I remember. I was playing in the garden. I heard the bushes rustling and I followed the sound to find the tiniest rabbit with its foot stuck on the branches. Zereria was there, Father was there…so was Queen Clarissa…

“You met Paradox that day,” Queen Clarissa said. Yes, he was there too. Tall and proud like today but he still had a childish look to him. He smiled so warmly and he was so friendly.

“And, there was a girl there on that day,” I said “Taller, freckles, a bit clumsy…”

“Your sister, Mia,” Queen Clarissa chuckled “Charming girl, she was adorable. But Paradox just couldn’t tolerate her.”

“Mia…often played with me,” I remembered. I remember she would push me high on the tree swing. She would make me little flower crowns. We chased one another in the gardens. I remember I climbed up one of the trees and she looked for me for so long. And then…then…

“Zelda, stop remembering, it won’t do you any good if you recall things too fast,” Queen Clarissa hurriedly leaned over to grab my wrist.

“I remember when he attacked,” I whispered as flames arose in my memories “Mia was trapped and I could hear her screaming.” So much fire, the heat was unbearable, everyone was screaming. Zereria came and grabbed me. She got me out, she got trapped, I ran, I was scared, everything was in chaos. Zack was chasing after me, he was trying to kill me. Paradox came, he tried to save me but I reached the orphanage and collapsed.

“Zelda?” Queen Clarissa squeezed my shoulder tightly. I realised how much I was sweating and hyperventilating. I looked at her concerned expression.

“I need to go,” I said and stood “I don’t care what anyone thinks, I just need to…go…” My legs were shaking, I didn’t feel very well.

“Zelda, where are you going to go?” Queen Clarissa asked “You know the embodiment of Envy will hunt you down if you leave.”

“Cannabec doesn’t scare me,” I sneered at Cannabec’s name “I just need to clear my head.” I jumped onto the balcony ledge and took a deep breath. “I want to do what I think is right.” Queen Clarissa didn’t comment but she did simper lightly.

“Just like your father.” I turned to her and smiled happily. She wasn’t so scary after all. “But if you don’t come back, I’m going to personally hunt you down.” I take that back. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes tightly and fell from the balcony, disappearing into a flurry of petals.