《Marred Flowers》


 Marred Flowers; Prologue

    They had been arranged since the age of fifteen. A unity of two Empires that was sworn to be given many things for the marriage from the Aphres Family of the Venus Empire and the Viocosmo Family of the Saturn Empire. The unity to be between the eldest daughter of the Saturn Empire and the eldest, and only, son of the Venus Empire.


    It is what this very banquet was for, to celebrate the union of Chrysanthe Vioscosmo and Eros Aphres. the Imperial courts of both Empires were within this Hall, several families of different backgrounds conversing of their importance within the court.


    Yet, it was all a simple noise fading from existence as Eros stared about, his gaze landing upon every noble whom spoke near his mother and father.


    It shifted then, the way of which all eyes we''re upon Eros as he walked down the grand staircase. Each one lingering, a jaundice tree had sprouted as every step of Eros Aphres was taken¡ª to what was he to do when engaged with the eldest child of the Saturn Empire?


    Humorless, really, it was a simple rumor, a few words that had spread through the five Empires as if it were a deadly disease¡ª Eros Aphres to marry Chrysanthe Viocosmo!


    As little as it contained a gag to him, Eros found the notion a simplistic way the people of the Empire were passing their idle time. Perchance, it is why everyone of every Empire was invited to this banquet; for them to know who the true fianc¨¦e would be.


    Through black lashes, rouge colored eyes lingered upon any face that seemed mesmerizing¡ª girl or boy. He gripped the banister of the grand staircase, his fingers curling before undoing such and action and turning to leave.


    Not that he was picky, far from it. Rather, he chose to entertain the thought that every fifteen year old his age would be enjoying themselves in the Banquet Hall. Diving into exquisite meals, refined drinks; the most lavish of food.


    "Her, I choose her." Quite faint, quite quick¡ª a long pointer finger had been pointed in the direction of a girl his age, not Chrysanthe Viocosmo.


    "I heard he is having an affair with Lady Psyche."


    "Really? A boy his age to have such a want?"


    "You would be surprised!"


    The guffaw that it was, how he had indeed chosen Psyche, it seemed as if the disease died and what took it place was that of a fire. Flames of bright orange and yellow, the color turning red the moment it lingered, had caused a uproar between the people.


    Not that his rumored fianc¨¦e was to be the eldest child, far from it. Although, yes, he had allowed those words to continued, had let the borders of every other Empire catch wind. It was his fault, no doubt, but it was also those of his Empire whom continued to spread the fire. Igniting every torch¡ª it is them that has convinced themselves that he was to marry Chrysanthe.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Her? Lady Psyche, that of whom truly does not pose a threat towards her elder sister?" A noble of the Imperial court whispered to her husband as Eros walked by.


    "I suppose not. But, who are we to judge? He is the Crown Prince of the Venus Empire," the noblewoman''s husband whispered, his weary eyes following Eros. "He has the right to choose his bride."


    "Surely Lady Psyche is jubilant of this, yes?" Another older lady had whispered, eyeing Eros the moment he went by. Of course it were the way it was, how he had chosen Psyche.


    "Refined, regal, he simply wants a girl that will listen to his demands."


    "Yes, yes, of course! He will be as every man of the Empire!"


    Psyche, however, felt the weight of her relaxed shoulders, slump as if carrying buckets of water. Pulled against the grain, she knew her own two feet would not help her at all. This rising tide would swallow her whole until her limp body hit the ocean floor.


    Even within the Banquet Hall, eyes peering, her own mind was muddled together as if tangled by vines. To be married to the Crown Prince, to be his wife, it was a notion as old as time.


    The faint tap as she took a step back was heard. Basil colored eyes widening, hands shaking. The familiarity of what she knew to be her nerves had risen higher and higher. Her heels continued, until the faint warmth of another had seeped into her forearms.


    Gazing behind her, she saw the slight quiver of Chrysanthe''s fingers¡ª trembling in either rage, or the lowest emotion, jealousy.


    "He is your betrothed, Psyche, surely you know you must accept this with grace." The comforting, warm as a blanket voice, had reached her ears. The tips turned a hue of pink, her wide eyes looking back to Eros.


    "I mean no harm, Lady Psyche. But, I have chosen you to be my wife, and I will be quite glad to marry you. We may only be fifteen, but I do hope we will marry to be together for centuries." With his hand outstretched to be just mere inches from her belly, moved to be the arm he had against his stomach as he bowed over. Eros''s other one was behind his back, against it as he did the movement. "if you will allow me, of course."


    Faithful to her own ambitions, Psyche could not go against marrying the Crown Prince. If it were not Eros Aphres, it would be another Crown Prince or Prince of one of the five Empires, and they would treat her differently than Eros. Now, at least, he was showing to be a fifteen year old boy full of substantial surprise.


    Of manners that did not cause a frightful void where her heart goes.


    His hand, although steady as it held her''s, held a slight tremble. He was afraid as well, doing an act that was far from his own zone. No less either, he was in a Hall where all eyes were watching with expectant gazes. The tips of their toes were hard on the marble floor, bodies jumping over the other, shoving the other''s to get a glance¡ª surely, Psyche understands the way of which the favor tips.


    "I will... allow you to have my hand, Crown Prince."


    In the end, it were not Chrysanthe, but Psyche whom held the hand of the Venus Empire''s heart.

 Marred Flowers I; Faintest color of blue

    The Venus Empire was glowing with vibrancy, welcome banners hung from the border that it shared with the Moon Empire and Saturn Empire. Colorful streamers, ranging from the lowest of the empire towards the main area of which the Aphres palace stood. Children were dressed in their finest clothes, those of which were only saved for a special occasion- they were silk ridden and embroidered with the crest of the Aphres family.


    The church¡¯s bell rang high in the air, echoing far and wide towards heaven''s own people. A joyous juncture today as it were the union of the Crown Prince and the second daughter of the Viocosmo family, Psyche. Many assumed it wouldn¡¯t happen after four and a half years, yet today proved to have been the very act of it.


    Well, it was three months ago that the date had been announced and the arrangements had been made public to the people of both Empires. Despite that, it was still an instance of where many were happy. Jubilant, really, that the Empire would be left in the hands of those who seemed to be worthy of that title of Emperor and Empress. The announcement made months ago had many scrambling to gather money or anything else of the sort to attend- but Eros had allowed everyone of the Venus empire to go to the wedding.


    He didn¡¯t wish for them to be sending haggling gifts or anything else of the sort to simply gain attention in an invitation.


    Thus, being given this, the day of the wedding had come much earlier and quicker than any could expect. It is why the Empire was dressed to the nines and the people were closing shops earlier than the usual time just to ensure they attended.


    Afterall, just how many times would the two get married?


    *****


    Hair the color of the richest ink was being brushed, from the scalp to the ends that were as soft as silk. Two sections near the ears were parted from the rest of the hair, the section of the right ear was split into three, even parts and crossed over each other. In the end, it formed a braid. Grabbing a blue ribbon, nimble fingers tied the blue ribbon and held the braid in place, some loose strands were here and there¡ª the action was repeated for the left side.


    Standing up from the chair of the vanity, a faint smile had appeared on full, light pink lips. The corners curving upwards and gracing the features of an excited fellow. Patting down the ruffled blouse, not a speck of dust or pigment on the white of the shirt.


    The high waisted pants are fully buttoned up, completing the outfit for the groom. Of course, the cape he is wearing isn''t going to be put aside, but it is far too much to put on at the moment while still getting ready. So, for now it hangs behind the partition within his bedchamber.


    Walking over to the palladian window, sunlight streams through, dust being seen through the light that is being beamed out to the world. It is odd, peculiar in the sense of knowing. To anyone else, a marriage is something sacred, a sentiment that is the pinnacle of romance.


    The utter whisper of words, soft and gentle to the ears of the recipient who has accepted your romantic nature, is a profound thing. It is the act of baring one''s soul to another, opening the heart that is as fragile as a glass pane¡ª that act alone is a secret only for one who is chosen for that.


    If he were to truly choose someone, he would always choose Psyche Viocosmo for the ideal woman. If it is through his gaze, Eros believes Psyche is more important to his heart than her sister, Chrysanthe.


    Not that he wishes to pin the two against each other, but to marry someone who is three years older has never been within the scope of his mind.


    Still, as his eyes gaze out the palladian window, head tilted against the cool glass, his knuckles rap against the pane, a low sound in the heavy silence. The summers in the Venus Empire have always been short lived, a cold area, but even then, he wanted the wedding to happen in his homeland. And to give Psyche a breathtaking view. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Once, twice, and thrice his knuckles rapt against the window before falling onto his left arm that is crossed across his chest. It feels strange, how his own heart seems to beat louder the more he sees nobles filter into the Aphres palace.


    are they aware I''ll stay away from them? hoping only I and psyche exist? he thinks, giving way to a miniscule smile. As he is alone with his thoughts, Eros wishes to believe that his betrothed is faring well in her bedchamber.


    *****


    There is a word Psyche is unable to remember, and for a moment such as this, it causes her to frown. Not that it is for her impending wedding, but for the fact her sister is not near.


    To be married is to bring your family a special mark as this deserves the right to be given a chance of spark. Being surrounded by family alone is an essence that not many get to share or even have. Yet, her sister simply wishes to stay away from the ordeal entirely.


    A small tug behind her makes Psyche turn her head, seeing her mother''s face. Empress Loletus of the Saturn Empire. The older lady''s feature held a grace and dignified look, a calm sentimentality at the mere idea her daughter was getting married.


    Staring into the full length mirror, Psyche stared at her reflection, scrutinizing anything that those Basil green eyes could see. Nothing was wrong, and perhaps that is what made her fearful¡ª it was far too easy going to be getting married without an argument between her parents or another.


    From the sheer long, puffed sleeves, to the skirt of the dress, Psyche was beautiful. The white was a color one could see in the purest Gardenia that was growing in the Imperial garden below. Her veil had yet to be put on, but that was to come for when she were to be walked down the aisle soon.


    Twenty years old, and not a moment had she been given the time to relax. Being bred to think like a proper princess, her teen years were spent away to be a proper wife. Even so, she didn''t feel regretful, or not as much as she thought so.


    It was rather unfortunate, since they hadn''t spoken to each other at all. Though, it were merely through the passage of letters, she doesn''t entirely know what he looks like besides the occasional ¡®My hair has grown to be at the length of my shoulders. Perhaps I shall allow it to grow to be the length of my back¡¯.


    The schedule of the letters tended to be on the first week of every month. Starting from the first day to the seventh day of the month, and would be sent in a bunch. Eros hated the process of what the letters were sent since he thought the process of reading the letters was nonsensical. Writing a bunch, a batch of letters and sending it in one go; then being read in the span of seven days- one letter a day. Truly, Eros disliked the process, for he had not known Psyche of that current week and day, but an old version of her, not the current her.


    Psyche loathed the letter process because it was tiring reading them and then writing an answer to each one and it being sent weeks later. It was a peculiar way of sending letters as she wished to see him face to face. To explore their homelands together, showing each other areas of which they each found comfort within. From where a field of flowers is located, or a secret garden. Psyche coveted to have a life of pure, lovely romance. Not one of which she is foreign to her spouse.


    ¡°Do I seem¡­ unfamiliar to you?¡± Psyche pipes up, turning around on the podium stage and facing her mother.


    ¡°Of course! You seem like a mature lady. A mature, young lady getting married today, dear.¡± Empress Loletus responds, fixing the stray strands of Psych¡¯s hair. ¡°You are just having pre-wedding jitters. I had them when I was going to marry your father, they¡¯ll pass. This is all natural- feeling afraid and excited at the same time, it¡¯s all a part of the process of growing up.¡±


    Psyche hopes so, truly. Because being this nervous was not something she wished to deal with. It was a drowning feeling, falling beneath those waves and sinking to the bottom of her emotions. She couldn¡¯t figure out if this was a natural way of her life, or if Psyche was following a desire of her family and not her own.


    It felt as if she were simply living. So, it only created doubts of how long her marriage to the Crown Prince would truly last?


    Would he truly want to be with a woman he hardly knew? Or would he have an affair because they hardly knew each other?


    Even then, Psyche was acutely aware Eros Aphres was not a man whom shared his bed with another, even if her mother said so.


    Though, those doubts still linger, wrapping themselves around like vines on a tree. Holding her in place until a flame saved her from the greenery, and she was saved.


    Thinking that, Psyche knew best that no such thing would happen.