~
I trust yet I'm suspicious
I love yet I'm hateful
I laugh loud but I cry
I observe, I'm not blind
I try so hard by confidence
shakes
Try harder, esteem breaks
I stand strong with laughter
aimed
Locked deep, my ferno rage
I clam up
Guards up
Shields up
Inside, the shards of my bones
break
Laughter to me is a sword
with two faces
I see the argent lighthearted face,
but my eye is locked on its
shadowed edge
Malicious, cruel, sharp and swift
Sheathed ever so deep into my heart
I can hear the echoes more than feeling the pain
I pick so blindly at an open wound
My mind is a riot, a murked brew
of emotions
Time will heal the wounds,
but it's a scar I'll always remember
Anger screams
Sadness cries
Frustation seethes
A joke, am I?
The sun is dead
Blocked out by echoes
Ink
So disoriented
Heart pulses
I cannot think...
~

What better way to pour out
the pain of a poet that
to write the stories
with a *** of
blood?

~
Tempted by the seductive whispers
of power, I took a big bite of the
forbidden fruit.
My eyes and ears open.
So now I understand the
glee and grief that comes
with knowledge.
~

~
I cannot pretend to be something
I already am...
~

~
I am a cynic and
a romantic at heart.
My skin hardened by experience
My heart fearful of pain and trust.
Many have tried to peel away
my doubts and fears and
try to add colour to my
truth.

My truth is my reality.
And with that, no one can
hurt me.
So stop.
Please stop.

Don't look at me with
eyes fascinated, eyes with
pity, eyes of doubt.
My heart's afraid
and my mind's so
convicted.

You taste sweetness
from my sourness
and still...
you
think you can
heal me...?
~

My                                              
heart is                                                  
A LANTERN                                              
Inside, lives a                                              
fae                                                  
♡         ­                                       
g                                          
e                   ­                 
n                                      
t                       ­                       
l                                                
e                                          
♡                                
a                          
  ­   n                                
      d                        ­                  
      ♡                                       ­             
s                                                  ­  
w                                              
e                                        
e                     ­             
t                                        
♡                                                      

                  With
                   bright wings
                     G L I T T E R I N G
                     with love, life and
                     hope
                    ♡
                 f
           o
           r
                 ♡
                         p
                             e
                             a
                       c
                 e
                     ♡

As                    
I grow,                
S H E  R E M A I N S              
youthful, timid,              
safe                
♡              
a        
f      
r        
a                
i                  
d       ­     
♡    
t
     o
♡
f        
l              
y          
♡

                                        She
                   ­                     spent days
                                          JUST  CRYING
     ­                                     feeling so lost
                                          Hurt
             ­                             ♡
                                  ­        I
                                               '
                                                     m
                                                      ♡
       ­                                             s
                  ­                             o
                                        ♡
                     ­          s
                             o
                                    r
                                          r
                    ­                              y
                                 ­                   ♡

                                           ­                             The
                                ­                                         summer
                                                          ­                OF HER HEART
                                                           ­                  became winter
                                                          ­                bleak
                                           ­                            ♡
                                                               ­                 a
                                                                ­                     n
                                                               ­                   d
                                            ­                            ♡
                                   ­                            c
                                                             o
                                                               ­   l
                                                            ­                d
                                                                ­                   ♡

                        But
                       with time
                          SHE MANAGED
                        to pick herself
                       up
                      ♡
                  a
                  ­ n
                           d
                                  ♡
                           ­               h
                                        e
      ­                           r
                          ♡
              p
      e
          n­
                 ♡

With                        
the help                        
O F  O T H E R                        
fellow Kings and                        
Queens                      
♡                    
t              
h          
a              
n                        
k         ­                         
♡                                      ­    
y                                      
o                                
  u                        
♡  ­        
s
       o
       ♡
m    
u              
c                
h        
♡

                   You                                                              ­    
all have                                              
A D D E D   TO                                            
my heart's inner                                              
flame        ­                                        
♡                                              
a                                                          
n   ­                                                       
d                                                      
♡       ­                               
h                            
o  ­                      
p                              
e                               ­       
s                                        
♡                     ­           

       Winds                                                            ­              
blow, wings                                                            ­      
NOW FLUTTER                                                          ­        
I'm ready to                                                               ­   
fly                                                              ­  
♡                                                                ­
s                                                              
i                                                      
d                                                
e                                                
♡                                                          
b                                                               ­ 
y                                                              ­  
♡                                                          
s    ­                                            
i                                                  
d            ­                                              
e                 ­                                                   ♡

~
Her sweet dewed her fringe
to her forehead.
She had nibbled on the
ivy with leaves of gold
which she turned to powder.
Her eyes filled with passion
as she cups her hands to
drink the flame-laced
syrup born on from
Falling moons
~

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Esshi and Ainhara look around the
shop. Thankfully, it is just them.
'One less thing to worry about...' Esshi
sighs as she looks at Ainhara, the
concern in her eyes is clear.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Shh!" Lyn waves her hand and stops
them from bowing. "Please don't
bow. And don't call me Your Grace,
either." Bree and Michael stand straight.
"Please, I just want to temporarily
escape and enjoy the day."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Of course, your secret is safe with
us, Your High- I mean... Nyl..."
Michael says and they nod.
"It's a honour to have you here.
You and your handmaidens."
Bree says, eyes shining.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"The honour is ours!" Esshi says.
"If you would be so kind to-"
"Not inform anyone? We won't."
Michael promises them with a
reassuring smile. "But I will say
that we are glad to see that you
are well, my lady."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Thank you." Lyn sighs. "Ainhara."
Her handmaid digs into the basket
and brings out some gold coins
and a few gems. "Here. Please
accept this. Also know that I will
send a few gifts your way for
keeping my secret."
"You are far too kind, Nyl."
Bree teases.

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Oh yes! They're of the finest quality."
"Well, I would love to get that one!"
She points to a small A5 notebook
with watercolour swirls.
"Good taste!" Bree claps as Michael
pulls a stool, stands on it and pulls
the book from the bookshelf, handing
to Lyn who stares at it. She strokes
the book and opens it to stroke to
fine paper.
"Beautiful!"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"That ring," Michael stares at it and
Lyn tenses, as did Ainhara and Esshi.
'How we forget about the ring!'
Esshi mentally facepalms. It is of
white-gold, the white lily of Aurelinaea
with the monogram of the Royal family.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Lyn was granted it when she was
coronated, and always left it on, so
much so that it was like second
nature.
"Q-Quee-"

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Just browsing," Nyl says, softening
her voice. "Do you have any Puhan
notepads by any chance? They make
the best notepads. Oh, and some
ink-sticks? The smaller ones."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Michael chuckles, "You and my wife
would get along well, Nyl. You're in
luck! A new shipment came in from
Puhan today!" Michael smiles. "They're
on the upper levels."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Her handmaids can tell she is smiling
under her veil. With shining eyes, Nyl
skips up the steps and admires the books.
Esshi and Ainhara follow behind her.
"Honey!" The three women turn to see
a slender shadow of a woman from the
far corner of the room. " I've taken the
Puhan inventory. Just the Luciuscemi
carvings to do! Oh." She turns head to
face Lyn, Esshi and Ainhara.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
When she walks out of the shadows,
she smiles. She was in a long beige
dress, her hair in a low ponytail and
simple brown shoes. "Hello!"
"I was just talking about you, Bree."
His wife raises a brow. "Oh really?"
"He says that you too are a lover
of Puhan's ink-sticks and notepads."
Nyl beams.

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The bookshop is alot bigger than
one would assume. High beige
walls, large rounded windows,
Staircases that lead to the upper
levels but most of all, books -
paperback, hardback, leather-
bound all resting comfortably
in the tall polished bookcases.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
All are in order, some alphabetised,
some colour-order.  They can even
see quills, inkpots, canvases, pencils,
letters and stamps all neatly in place.
The shop owner, a curly, black-haired,
strong man in a white shirt, brown
trousers and shoes, standing on a
stool, dusting away the cobwebs.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
When he hears the bell ringing, he
turns and spots Esshi and Ainhara
standing there. Smiling, he hops
down and walks to them.
"Welcome to my bookshop, ladies!"
he beams. "My name's Michael.
And your names?"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"I'm Hara," says Ainhara calmly
before gesturing to Esshi and Lyn.
"This is Shia and Nyl."
"Nice to meet you all," he greets
them and kisses their hands gently.
"Is there anything that you're
looking for in particular?"

~ ⚈♡⚈ ~
⚬
You don't need sight to see my soul,
my love
Stroke and trace your fingers on my
skin and feel

Underneath the anticipation
of our very first night, my
dress becomes a silken
stream around my feet

I want you to touch me...
Truly touch me...

Trace over my temple and feel
the hearth of my heart; the
flames burn hot and true
for you

Stroke the pillars and feel
the cracks; like you, the
edges of my soul
are marred

Close your eyes and feel the
sun's kisses and the shadowed
whispers; my most precious
of dreams and darkest of fears

Fingers thread together,
through my hair,
foreheads kiss
lips reddens
tongues strokes
skin enkindles
goosebumps rise

See and smell my
roses,and taste the
salt of my rain

See my heart,
how crudely it's stitched
and salve my pain with
your love and truth

My body is your breath...
I am your braille
and yours alone...


During this night,
the first of many,
let us join together
and give birth to
purest love...
⚬
~ ⚈♡⚈ ~

~
Would that the words would
come easily to me.
For me to be able to express
myself, to be a strong and proud
and confident bard...

Would that I could feel more
secure in the power of my ink
to not feel dread or shame or
depressed for now keeping
my ink flowing upon the
canvas...

Would that my soul would fall
into the arms of the true moon
that sees my soul...
I know that I am flawed.
I fear that one day my mistakes,
my past will catch up and drag
me down into a hell where others
loathe me...

And while my wounds are fresh
the ghosts that I have locked
behind the doors, the ones that
one time that I had loved and
let go for my own stability will
rise...

I can admit my faults,
but it hurts when my mind leaves
me floating in a dark sea; calm
with no light, no shore, no soul
in sight...

Would that I can believe
that indeed

I am good enough...
~

~
I hold the quill,
I have the ink and yet,
nothing seems to flow.
My mind, a blank canvas.
My heart, a startled bird.
My soul, a dying furnace.
No words to share
I am lost.
~

A productive day
I went to a film screening
Fun, but I'm so drained

~
Write poetry?
I only ever share what's imprinted in my mind, the scars of my skin, the warmth of my soul
~

I'm now in week 2
Learned about Instagram
Curious but bored

ᗩIᑎᕼᗩᖇᗩ ᑕOᑎT.
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
When Lyn looks up, she can see
several banners; the proud white
Lily of Aurelinaea on a gold field
and a white mask and brown
lute on a crimson field, decorate
the buildings. They drape over
windows, off the high bridges,
roofs and posts.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Ah yes, today is the Song of the
Canals!" Ainhara turns to them.
"So, My Lady, where do you want
to go first? A walk around the
harbour? A ride on the canals?
A trip to the museums?"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Hmmm..." Lyn's eyes fall
upon a small bookshop.
"I'd like to browse the book-
shop first."
"Do you not have enough
books, My Lady?"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Ah-ah!" Lyn tsked. "One can
never have enough books!"
Esshi giggles again as Ainhara
rolls her eyes as her mistress
raises a hand, her finger pointing
at the sky. "To the bookstore!"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Lyn skips over like a little girl.
"Honestly," Ainhara chuckles.
"At least she's smiling, Ainhara."
"True," Ainhara could not disagree
with her friend. To see the young
queen so carefree, dressed so plainly,
and above all happy and relaxed,
is a relief to them both. Smiling
under their veils, she and Esshi to
follow behind their young queen.

ᗩIᑎᕼᗩᖇᗩ
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"And people say that the Palace is
the heart," Lyn murmurs, looking
around the town. "The heart of
Aurelinaea truly beats within the
town."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Quite so, My Lady." Esshi nods in
agreement. It rings true; Aurelinaea
Palace rests and grows out of the heart
of the large island. It is even whispered
that there are secret passageways long
lost, that only the royal family know.
The towns are pulsing with the lives
of hundreds of thousands. From the
Palace, there is one street, a vein,
thick and wide, that leads down to
different parts of town.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
And like a heart, one vein connects
to many; thick and thin, wide and
narrow; several pathway, with
and without wooden fences, are
made of three colours; red stones,
yellow stones and green stones.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
All of them are winding around,
leading to several coloured houses,
gardens, markets, docks, grand
angel fountains that rests upon the
mosaics, bridges and the canals.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The air is full of many smells, perfumes
and fresh flowers, fresh cakes, cookies and
breads, fresh produce and fish, fresh cut
grass and the sea. Smiths hammers away
at their swords and armour, people laugh,
children run and play around, cats meow,
dogs barks, seagulls cry and people laugh,
sing, talk and eat as they sail on the canals.

~
Her opalescent wings unfurl under the
clear skies, glittering beautifully under
the golden glory of the sun
As she opens her jaws, lances of flame
covers the green, ravaging life with scalding
kisses of red and orange and purple and gold
Her breath has grown hotter over the years -
now able to melt steel and stone, flesh and bone
But her eyes, molten suns are always wet with
affection when she looks at me
Her claws are curved, sharper than Damascus
steel, the shade of deep obsidian.
Her tail long and spiked; a dangerous whip
Her scales drinking in sun as she watches
me dip my feet into the sea. From it, rises smoke.
Like the water, its's rising and receding into
nothing.
A clear blue and it seems so vast and endless
Just looking at the horizon makes me feel so
free...
~

~
Like old friends and new,
We sit adjacent and stare
Am I transparent?
I'm not broken, but can you see and caress my cracks?
Marred body, but hey,
They are testaments.
Least I can sit here and say that
I have learned
a great deal of things...
Good and bad...
~

~
"Can you be flawless?" you ask me.
"So you love me less because of them?"
I reply.
~

~
The sweetness of success and
the salt of regret,
I will let them ride and glide
on paper wings
~

~
Ever had that point in your life where
you wished you could just press
a button and restart your whole
life?

Never losing any of the knowledge
that you have now?
It seems like I'm having more and
more of those days...

I try my best to walk on the path
of light, but I can't help but turn
and feel the shadows crawling
behind me

How they yearn to sharpen their
blades with their poisoned whispers
and seek my neck to slit my throat
The memories of my 'childhood'
coming back to bite and drag me
down to my death
I only wish to build for my future,
to move on,
begin anew,
to rise about the turmoil that burns
in me

For the man I hate most in this world...
Even now, I'm not sure that I fully
understand the past
I have so many questions, still
But I guess I will never truly understand
it, not as I am now anyway...
But it's better to understand than me
seeking to solve it

I can't change my past
I can't delete my mistakes
I'm still at war, fighting off my insecurities
my self-loathing
my depression
my anxieties
my shame
my anger

As scared as I am, my hand
is on the handle that leads
to my Hall of Hope
Small, it may be, but hope
is something that is hard to ****
once it has taken root

The key, stability, is there beyond
my gaze
My future is the only thing I have
There's nothing left for me in the past,
nothing but pain and a black-hole
of emotion
So I humbly ask you...

Help me to overcome and experience
my best life that hides behind my fears
I won't let anyone jeopardise what could
be for me, for the sake of jealousy or even
impulse

I can't be a tree that never bears fruit...
For risks are apart of life
So I will follow you,
with my heart praying for salvation
From the smoke from the past,
you present me my mirror
even if it's something I do not wish
to see

My past, I will make peace with
but I will create my bright future
~

EᔕᔕᕼI ᑕOᑎT.
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"I guess you're right," Lyn sighs.
"Though, I will take this up with
the guards. Seeing how it was very
easy for us to sneak out."
'I wonder if they will even notice
that their Queen is missing...' Lyn
chuckles dryly, her hands on her
hips.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Try not to be too ******* them,
My Lady." Ainhara chuckles
while walking to them, an old
wicker basket with lids hanging
from her slender arm.
The wind blows and her dark
green skirt ***** in the winds
around her legs, as did Esshi's
and Lyn's.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
She is gently rummaging through it.
"The coins should be enough for
all three of us. Now, are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Lyn says as she pulls
up her face veil, and her ladies do
the same. The day is bright and hot,
but the opaque veils are light.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Ainhara leads the way, walking
through the forests, Esshi and Lyn
behind her. Out of the forests,
they follow the path down into
the ever bright, bustling, colourful
Aurelinaean town.

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Sneaking away from my own palace
and guards..." Lyn mutters while
looking at her palace from the forests.
The high walls drinks in the sunlight,
the white flags of Aurelinaea
She, Ainhara and Esshi had changed
into common garbs, swapping silks
for cottons.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The young queen's hair is packed
in simple bun, wrapped in a cream-
cotton headrail that drapes over her
head and wraps around her
shoulders.  She is now in a plain,
long cotton brown skirt, a white
blouse with string, a black
cummerbund around her waist
with matching flats.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Esshi is wearing the same,
but her skirts are a dull red,
her headrail a pale orange.
They had snuck past the guards
and climbed over the high walls.
Ainhara is tidying up the rope.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Reminds me of when I was younger,
remember?" Lyn faces Esshi who
smiles and nods before turning
to her palace again. "I just hope my
mother doesn't send for me."
"It'll be fine, my lady. It is just
a brief escape."

~
The few should never represent
the many.
~

First assignment done
Feeling relieved and weary
Also really sore

The trip was awesome
Learning about the camera
The first week's over

~
Your cruel words are shadows
beaten by the light of my
wings
~

~
It wasn't about we
It was about you
You're angry? Don't be
I don't think of you
Just me
~

Knowledge still growing
Man, social media has
alot of power

Though the world is grey,
it always will come down to
either black or white

-
Humans,
A race on a race to self-destruction
A race who chase the dream of unity
and rules of Order when we are
infact governed by the law
of our jungle:
chaos
-

Found a second home
Time now frozen in a click
Anxieties die

Excitement bubbles
Knowledge and confidence gained
First day went so well

-
I will deafen my soul to the chords
of discord.
-

-
I cannot be something I'm not.
If I do, I'll be living a false
life.
I won't give pride to have
my heart and soul bound
by a script just so people will
like me
Just because I want to be renown
I don't want that
I want people to focus on my
words, not my life
My passions, no pretenstions
My flaws, not perfection
For there is no perfect being in this world.
I want to be proud to be me
To own all of who I am and
to live without judgement
But how can I when people are
ready to throw stones because hate
is the newest trend?
I won't be a copy of someone I'm not.
I can't pretend to be something I'm not.
Life is short and there is only
one me.
I've done and said alot of things I shouldn't have...
And looking back, it makes me
feel ashamed, to be and not be seen
Shame hangs over my head each time
So please,
I'm begging you
just let me be proud of being
and showing the real me...
-

-
The thoughts of morrow
have me feeling fearful,
insecure...
The beginning of a new
day and chapter of my life.
Instead of plucking petals,
I hold onto each one, for they
protect the stem of my heart.
Let them burn alive with all
of your blessings and keep
me strong.
For I am fighting and facing
my demons.
It is time that I accept that I have
all the tools I need...
I will fight.
-

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"My Lady, you need to have a break."
"I can't afford to have one."
"Yes you can," Ainhara insists. "And
you will."
Lyn arches a brow. "Last time I checked,
I'm the queen here."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Ainhara chuckles, "You are, My Lady,
and we are your most trusted friends
and handmaids. And as your friends,
we're telling you to have a break! And
I know the perfect thing to do. Esshi,
bring out the common garbs."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Esshi looks at Ainhara confused before
realisation hits her and she runs to the
Queen's closet.
"Ainhara, what do you have planned?"
Ainhara looks at her Queen's confused
face and with a cheeky wink and smiles
says, "Your freedom!"

EᔕᔕᕼI  ᑕOᑎT.
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"You do that and your mother will make sure
you have nothing but kale meals for a
month or three!" Ainhara snickers. "She only
wants you to eat more healthy meals."
"She's the one who likes the green devil,"
Lyn snaps. "I don't have to!"
"You seem to forget, My Lady," Esshi
points out, "Mothers know best!"
She can tell the young queen wants
to retort but she begrudgingly nods with
a small smile.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Alright," Lyn groans, "I'll eat it."
She dips her spoon into the soup, lifts
some kale, lamb, potatoes and broth,
blows away the steam, eats,
chews slowly.
"Hmm!" Lyn smiles and eats happily.
"It's actually not half-bad!"
She looks around. "Don't tell her I said
that. She wouldn't let me live it down."
"Your secret is safe with us, My Lady."
Esshi giggles as they watch her eat.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"If there's more, you two should have some."
Ainhara cut a slice of freshly baked honey
-bread and places it by her mistress' side
while Esshi makes some fresh Jasmine
Pearl tea.
"I thought you were not hungry!" Ainhara
teases. Their Queen had the grace to flush.
"It certainly helped... Compliments to Bael
and his team! Thank you, but now, I need
to get back to work. Letters to respond to,
gathering my things for the morrow-"

EᔕᔕᕼI  ᑕOᑎT.
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Lyn sniffles as Ainhara gives her a
handkerchief which she uses to
wipe her tears.
"Thank you, guys," Lyn whispers,
giving them a weak smile.
'Well, at least she smiles,' Esshi
thought.
Ainhara has a bright smile. "My lady,
your lady mother gave Bael orders to
make this soup for you. She instructs
that you eat this."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
When Esshi pushes the serving trolley
to her Queen's side, she lifts the gold lid
and Lyn looks at the soup; steaming
kale in a beefy broth with chopped
peppered sausages, lamb cubes,
onions, garlic, mint chopped potatoes
and carrots.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Kale, really? I hate kale," Lyn whines,
gently pushing the bowl away. "I don't want it!"
Esshi and Ainhara look at each other and smile.
'Still acts like a child when her lady mother
commands she eats her vegetables!' giggles Esshi.
"Your mother says you must eat it, My Lady."
Ainhara chuckles. "It will help with reduce
your stress and help relax your body."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Lyn sighs and mutters under her breath,
"I hate it when she does this! She knows
I hate the smell of kale! I swear, I'm going
to outlaw the vegetable!" She held hers
nose up and huffs at the end of her
statement, making Ainhara and Esshi smile.
'At least she is in better spirits now.'
thought Esshi.

EᔕᔕᕼI ᑕOᑎT.
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Ainhara, Esshi..." she says weakly.
"We...we have brought you some meals,
My Lady-" Ainhara says.
"I'm not hungry," Lyn shakes her head.
"Share it amongst yourselves. I... I
really don't have the strength to eat."
"If you do not eat, how will you have the
strength to write?" Esshi counters, earning
a weak laugh and a deep sigh.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"My Lady, we know you are worried
Aurelinaea and about the morrow," Ainhara
takes a step towards her, " but I assure you,
all will be well."
"More and more people are coming in,
I'm struggling to find good homes for them.
And tomorrow, marks the beginning of my
10-week studies." Lyn murmurs. "I'd be
lying if I said I wasn't terrified. I don't
want to be a failure. I want to believe that
I am good enough, but..."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Lyn covers her face with her hands and
begins to whimper, her body shaking
slightly in fear. They hear tears hit the
papers below her.
Ainhara and Esshi frown and place hands
on her back.
"My Lady, please don't cry. You are a
wonderful ruler," Esshi cooes, "you will
find homes for the newcomers. Aurelinaea
blossoms more with under your rule!"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"And with your bookish nature, you
will surely do well in your studies."
Ainhara adds. "You did say you wanted
to challenge yourself and this is a sure
way to do it. It's normal to be afraid but
once you settle in, it will all be well.
Just remember to enjoy the ride."

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
They enter the Queen's chambers.
So much light, yet sombre and silent.
Ainhara walks to the bedroom door;
rosewood with carvings of lilies, angels
and wings, and knocks, "My Lady?"
When she did not hear a response,
she knocks again. "My Lady, it's me
and Esshi. May we come in?"
"Yeah, come in..." comes a hoarse
voice on the other side which worries
Esshi and Ainhara both.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Opening the door, Ainhara enters first,
Esshi pushing the serving trolley behind.
They found their young queen sitting on
my iris-purple kimono robe
She is not in her grand-bed; also made
of rosewood with a cherry finish. Intricate
carvings of lilies and nymphs are on the
posts, the headboard even the cream marble
top.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The canopy curtains shimmer, cream-gold,
diamonds in the winds. Her rose-silk sheets
and pillows of creams, golds and browns are
covered in papers and open notebooks. Turning
their heads in the right corner of her room is
their young queen, sitting on the stool,
leaning on her hand-painted writing desk
with two large drawers, four small drawers
with golden handles; a gift from King Paul.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Upon it are some small inkpots, gifts from
Queen Kim. She is even wearing her second
favourite kimono-robe, made from white rose
-silk with peacock embrodiery with matching
slippers; gifts from her mother.
Surrounding her are several letters, opened
and sealed. When she turns to face them,
they can see her smile is weak and touched
by fatigue.

-
There is more to a woman
than her appearance.
Look deep and see the
dragon that roars in her soul.
See how her flames reduces to
ashes all who stand in her way.
Including herself...
-

EᔕᔕᕼI ᑕOᑎT.
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
'Oh Ainhara, you always seem to know what to
do...' Esshi chuckles. "Thank you very much.
Have you done the Queen Mother's flower
arrangements?"
"Yes, all of them have been watered and
now they are being placed around the palace."
Esshi nods. "Good. Thank you very much.
Carry on then."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The florist smiles and leaves as Esshi places
the vase down on a clean counter as well as
the inkpot and quill while staring at the
paper.
'What should I say...?' she wonders as
she hears the meat sizzle. Bale is washing
the carrots and potatoes and chopping
them into medium-sized chunks.
Esshi blinks and smiles. 'Got it!'
Folding a paper in half she writes on
the paper, using her best calligraphy.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
When she's done, she places the quill
in the inkpot and gently blows the paper.
'Perfect!' Esshi beams. "Bael? Where do
you keep the serving trolleys?"
"In the back!" he says as he pours in
the ingredients into the paella pan
and mixes gently.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Esshi goes to the back room and sees
a rose-silver serving tray with wheels
which she rolls out, placing the
bouquet and note on it while waiting
for Bael and his team to finish cooking.
Bael smiles that proud smile before pouring
some soup into a bowl and placing it on the
serving tray.
"Thank you, Bael."
"Not a problem. Do give our Queen my
regards." he faces his working staff.
"If they're done, bring them over!"

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Almost instantly, the chefs bring small plates
of their Queen's favourite treats and top it
off, a fresh brew of Jasmine Pearls.
"Thank you all so much." Esshi says gratefully.
"It's our pleasure." A chefs says as Bael
claps.
"Well done, everyone. Now we best get on the
Queen Mother's meals. Go started! I will see
Lady Esshi out."
Esshi covers the food as Bael opens the door
for her to leave. She is stunned to see Ainhara
there.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"Oh my, Bael!" Ainhara smiles at him. "You
certainly worked hard."
"The life of a Chef." he beams. "When you're
done, do come by again. I'll have some meals
waiting for you!" he winks at them and
returns to the kitchen.
"The shipments?" Esshi asks.
"All are being presented, documented and
stored away by the Queen Mother." Ainhara
says. When she sees the flowers, she smiles
and the words on Esshi's note makes her
smile even more.
"Let's make way." Ainhara says as Esshi pushes
the tray behind her, making their way
for the young Queen's chamber.

EᔕᔕᕼI
~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The kitchen's air is redolent with spices,
peppers and cinnamon, all-spice and star
anise, thyme and curry. The cooks are
shouting orders; taking rose-silver pots
and copper pans; each having the print
of the Lily of Aurelinaea; from the wooden
shelves, plates and bowls from the cup-
boards; some are stirring soups over
coal-fire stoves; others are dicing carrots,
potatoes, fresh poultry and more.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
Esshi, in a light-green off-the-shoulder
dress of rose-silk with a triple ruffle trim,
lined with yellow ribbon, a thigh high slit and
white lilies beadery, is speaking to the head-chef
who nods. "Certainly, Lady Esshi." he says
and turns to his busy staff. "Bring out
the paella pans! We have orders for the
Queen Mother!"
"Yes, chef!" a woman says as she pulls
out a rose-silver paella pan and places
it on the stove. The head-chef turns to
Esshi. "You need not worry, Lady Esshi,"
he smiles. "I will make the dishes with
care."

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
"You always do, Bael," Esshi chuckles as
he washes his hands and she walks to
the corner, sighing. 'My Lady...'
she thinks worried.
"Lady Esshi?" her thoughts are broken
by a woman's voice. She turns to see a  
florist behind her. 'So lost in thought,
that I did not hear the door open.'
She thinks as her eyes fall on the flower
vase.

~ ⚪♫⚪ ~
The vase is art noveau style; a deep emerald
green with a maiden in flowing silks, her
hair bejewelled with lilies. Esshi's eyes then
rise to look at the flower arrangement - white
lilies with lilac kisses, purple roses and
several stems of lavender.
"Lady Ainhara said I should bring this to you."
"It's lovely," Esshi sniffs the fresh flowers.
"Very beautiful! You certainly outdid yourself.
It's for our young Queen, I take it?"
"Yes. And Lady Ainhara said I should bring
you this also."
She sees her place some paper, quill and ink down
and Esshi smiles.

-
I lived and loved someone
I suppose I loved the lie
But I officially closed that door
I hear you clearing everything
before storming out
I don't need to open it;
I'll always hold onto the memories
And I'm super glad that I moved on
I won't pretend
I don't need anything toxic
I've locked that door and
threw away the sodding key
A chapter I'm glad that's closed
Now, I can breathe and focus
on me
What's done is done...
-

-
Virtue restores,
vices destroys
-