When The Irises Bloom.

     The wind was peculiar this morning. Usually a smooth, almost light way of landing on my skin and seeping through. But this morning, no. This morning it was different. The wind was heavy, sharp almost. There was an unnatural essence to it. As if something had been disrupted, or disturbed.

      I slowly ascended from the base of the large willow tree in the town square. Sadly, moments like these can never last forever. I have quite a large amount of responsibilities as the next in line for the throne.

“Your Royal Highness!” A soft voice calls from a distance.

“Rosamonde! Remember what I said? You don’t have to refer to me as Your Royal Highness.” I reply in a correctful manner.

“Ah, yes Of course! My apologies Your- I mean Lisette.” She responds, quick to correct herself. I smile as an appreciative gesture.

“I was just here to let you know that your father was looking for you. You still have some last minute decisions to make about the coronation.” She informs me as she curtsies and walks away.

    I’m not going to lie, I am very anxious for this coronation. Not that I doubted my leadership skills. Just the fact that I have to take into consideration thousands of people’s best interests. Not only that, but living up to the standards of a queen. It’s all very stressful.

    “Good morning Your Highness!” I hear a voice call from the side. It’s Maurice, a Florist who lives quite a simple life in our town. We’ve become very acquainted seeing as I have a love for gardening.

  “Ah, hello Maurice! What have you got in the shop today?” I ask.

  “I’ve actually got a fresh stock of some Iris flowers. Your favorites.” He adds with a smile.

  “Do you?! Oh! I’ve been dying to get better scenery around the castle. I’m tired of looking at damn Rosemary bushes all day.” I responded almost relieved.

He laughs a little.

 “Would you like a few to scatter around the courtyard?” He asks.

“Oh goodness yes!” I exclaim excitedly as I reach into the pocket of my dress.

“Oh no, please! Consider these a gift for your upcoming coronation.” He says stopping my hand.

“Maurice really, you don’t have to do that. Please let me express some form of gratitude.” I say.

“Nonsense! Now take the flowers and go. I will not be taking any of your money today.” He responds with a smirk.

I reluctantly take the flowers and wave Maurice a joyful goodbye. I decided that father can wait a few more minutes, and decide to peruse the other small shops and stalls down the street. My father did not usually like it when I walked the town alone. But, who was I to care? 

Then, there he was. The Irises slipped through my fingers and onto the paved street. It felt as time itself had stopped and waited for my mind to catch up. He turned to face me, and that’s when I knew. From his unmistakable jade eyes to his jet black hair. It was him.

“Brother?” I say just loud enough for him to hear me and avert his attention more to my direction. A big grin spreads across his face. Tears fill my eyes as his figure becomes more and more blurry. More and more unrecognizable. As if he wasn’t even standing there in the first place. I wasn’t even so sure he was at this point. The last I even heard of him was at his memorial service.

“Alicio, my son..”

I turn around to see my father standing behind me. His face pale as the clouds on a long day. He runs to him and embraces him in a hug. I follow close behind holding tightly to both of them. Having thousands of questions in my head. Trying to wrap themselves together, tie loose ends, make sense of what was happening. But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was that my brother was back home.

                                                                * * *

I softly knock at the door, part of me is hoping for no answer.

“Come in!” Says Alicio.

I slowly turn the doorknob and peer through a small opening. To reveal Alicio dressed in some of the finest cloths while casually sitting on his bed. 

“I sure have missed this room. Not to mention commoner clothes are the absolute worst!” He exclaims as he continues to go on about itchy fabric and “unrealistic” circumstances.

“What happened?” I blurt out. “After you...died I mean.”

“What? Lisette, I-”

“No.” I interrupt. “You can’t expect to just come back from the dead with no questions.”

“Lisette, I seriously don’t think you want to know.” He responds quite frazzled.

“Alicio, the past three years I’ve had to continue on with my life knowing I’d have to die to see you again. Please, I’m your sister.” I plead.

“Okay, alright. That’s understandable, and I’ll explain it all. Just not right now. I’m quite tired.” He responds with an expression of sympathy on his face.

I stand up and briskly walk to the door exiting the room. I was not satisfied with the response given to me. I needed answers and I needed them now.

                                                          * * *

I always hated when my father sent guards or other castle staff to summon me. As if it takes more than two minutes to come into my room himself. Not to mention the suspense that builds up on my way to talk to him. Was I in trouble? Did someone die? Was there danger in the kingdom? I never really knew without seeing his facial expressions.

I turned the corner to see a large ear to ear grin across my father's face. He was beaming with excitement. I swear he was brighter than the sun.

“Lisette, My dear! I have wonderful news!” He exclaimed in a jovial tone.

“Well then, I insist that you share this news. You’ve got me quite excited now.” I respond.

“Well..” He drags on. “Now that Alicio’s back, I’ve decided he can once again take his rightful place as the newest soon to be king!” He bellows.

A smile quickly spread across my face. “That’s wonderful! Does he know yet? Oh please father let me tell him the news!” I shout.

“Of course! You can be the one to bring the news to him at tonight's dinner.” He says with a smile.

I turned away and walked back to my room with a slight skip in my step. My brother deserves everything he’s getting! Absolutely everything.

                                                             * * *

“Are you serious?! Father I cannot thank you enough!” Alicio exclaims with gratitude.

“My son, I have no doubt in my mind that you will be an amazing leader.” My father says.

Alicio gives him a smile. “While I would love to stay longer and celebrate with the two of you, I must head off to my sleeping chambers for the night. The journey back was quite exhausting and I’m still very tired.” Alicio explains as he stands up from his seat and heads upstairs.

My father turns to me and grabs my hand.

“I am so blessed to have the both of you in my life once again.” He confesses as his voice shakes.

“And I could not be more grateful to have you father.” I respond with a smile.

“Ah! I almost forgot,” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring with a large sapphire in the center. Much like the ones upon his crown. “Will you please bring this to Alicio. It’s a family artifact that’s been handed down for generations.”

“Yes, of course.” I respond as I carefully take the ring from his hand.

                                                        * * *

I knock much more excitedly upon Alicio’s door this time. I wait patiently, only for no answer. I come to the conclusion that he’s asleep and slowly creak open the door. To which I see that he’s not in his bed. I quietly step into his room and am able to hear his shower running. Seeing as he was obviously occupied I decided to leave the ring on his nightstand. I walk over to it and as I go to place the ring down something else catches my eye. A journal with a worn leather cover. It looked old, as if it’d been through a lot. It would very obviously be intrusive to read it. But, I’d never seen it before. I turn my head around to make sure the bathroom door is closed and that the shower is still running. I slowly lift the cover, being careful to not make any noise. 

The pages were filled with an unrecognizable language. The handwriting seemed rushed and as if the object used to write had been hard pressed into the parchment. I flipped deeper and deeper into the book until I came to the last page. I felt a cold shiver down my spine as I stared at it. Nothing was on that page except for a large symbol in the middle, written with blood. The symbol seemed to be a cross with an oval at the top. I recognized it. It was known as the Ankh. It was a symbol of reincarnation. 

“Lisette?”

‘Alicio! I was looking for you. Uh- father was- he told me to give you this!” I say as I hand him the ring.

“Why were you by my nightstand then?” He asks, quite confused.

“I was going to set it there while you were showering.” I respond.

“I see, well then I’m heading off to bed. Have a good night.” He says heading towards his bed.

                                                            * * *

It had been a busy week, seeing as Alicio’s coronation is tomorrow. Usually we’d get mostly staff to help with these types of things, but I had to make sure everything went well for the ceremony. Not to mention there was also an after party type thing. However, I was mostly helping with the coronation.

“Princess! Allow me to help you with those boxes.” I hear someone shout from behind.

“Oh no worries Rosamonde, I’ve got quite the arm strength.” I say with a smirk.

“I insist.” She says taking a box from my hands before I can even respond.

Rosamonde is one of the best ladies in waiting I could ever ask for. She’s the nicest girl I’ve ever met. Not to mention how beautiful she is. Her blue eyes, while much similar to mine, are so very striking. They do complement her light brown hair quite well.

“Are these all for the prince’s coronation?” She asks.

“Yes, I’m doing all I can to help make this day special for my brother.” I respond.

“I see.” She says. “Not to intrude or anything but, weren’t you supposed to be next in line?” She asks hesitantly.

“Well, yes. But that’s just how monarchy works sometimes.” I say with a small laugh.

“Of course, my apologies. That was an intrusive question.” She says.

“Oh no, I wasn’t bothered by it at all.” I respond with a smile.

“This still perplexes me.” She says. “I mean one minute Alicio is missing and presumed dead. Then the next he’s about to become King.”

“Some say It’s a miracle.” I respond.

“If you don’t mind me asking, has he told you anything about how he...well, came back?” She asks in a curious tone.

“No actually, but I have been trying to get answers for the past week.” I respond. “And if I’m being quite honest, I don’t think I ever will.”

                                                             * * *

This was not at all me. The girl staring back at me in the mirror. I’m not sure if it was just the snatched corset and long skirt or the emotions I was feeling. The girl in the mirror was confused and scared. Not the strong leader I pictured myself to be. Perhaps that’s why father gave Alicio the position as soon-to-be-king. He seemed much more prepared than I was. But I know my brother. I know he’s not the type to show compassion. I know that he is the type to let his anger control him. Yet, most think that’s what a king should be. An angry selfish man. Not to bat an eye at those who need help.

“Lisette, The ceremony is starting.” Says Rosamonde as she peers her head into my room.

“Thank you, I’ll be on my way in just one moment.” I respond.

Now I must watch my brother take this new position, and to hopefully succeed. As I exit my room, part of myself prays that he won’t screw up this country and its people. That he won’t be like everyone else. That he won’t be the man I know.

                                                       * * *

“Now presenting, Alicio Monteil! Next in line to rule over Craxairia!” The announcer shouts.

Alicio proudly walks out to the center of the throne room. He reminded me of a peacock in that moment. Prideful. Showing the world his bright and colorful feathers. Look what I did. See what I’ve been given. I am better than you. I look to my side to see my father with tears in his eyes. Proud of his son. It’s people like him who feed and feed that pride. How people like Alicio become the way they do. Growing up in a world of people telling you exactly what you want to hear. But is that what makes a good leader? Or is it realism? Is it the criticism and inconveniences that make a strong leader?

Hearing Alicio recite the coronation oath is what snaps me out of my daze. This was it, this was the make or break moment. He’d become a hero, a role model to many. He’d have a whole army of followers. More people telling him he is perfect. Just what he needs. An addition to his ego. I began to hear claps growing as I realized the crown had been placed upon his head. I as well began to stand up on my feet and celebrate. Celebrate his new found power, his new found followers. His new life and what would come. All hail King Alicio.

                                                       * * * 

It was no surprise Alicio would’ve wanted a large party after his coronation. He enjoys the praise and compliments of his achievements. However, I decide not to talk to him tonight. He seems busy with his friends and new allies. 

“Wonderful ceremony wasn’t it?” I hear one of our head guards, Alexandre, say.

“Hm? Oh yes. I’m very happy for my brother.” I respond.

“There’s no doubt that he’ll be an excellent leader.” He says.

“You know. I’ve heard that a lot throughout the past weeks.” I say.

“I’m sure you have.” Alexandre says with a smile.

“Yes, It’s actually been rather-

I was cut off by breaking pane glass windows. That’s when the first body dropped. Suddenly, what seemed to be thousands of bullets began swarming through the ballroom, hitting many people. I feel Alexandre grab my shoulder and shove me under a table.

“Cover your head!” He commands.

I do so quickly. I was in a state of shock. Screams and yells fill the air along with soaring bullets. I could barely hear my own breathing. The ringing in my ears was intense, seeing as the amount of bullets flying through the window was rather large. Then, the room just went quiet. No bullets whizzing by, no screams of terror, or pleads for life. Just silence. I very hesitantly peek my head out from under the table. The sight was horrifying. So many representatives, guards, even those of the commonwealth. All dead. Everyone in the room. My mind was still processing the action when suddenly the silence was broken by a painful cry for help.

I avert my attention towards the sound. Then there I see Alicio. His clothes stained with blood so dark that it almost looked black. I slowly walk over to him and kneel down to his level.

“Lisette..get help, please.” He pleads. “I don’t want to die, not again.”

“Not again?” I say. “Alicio you never mentioned to me that you actually died.”

“Lisette not now! I am on the verge of death please.” He begs.

“You were going to let them all down anyways.” I respond. “It’s better this way.”

“Wait you-

I cut him off. “See I would finish you off, but I’m just fine with letting you suffer.”

“Lisette..please..” He begs.

I ignore him as I stand up and walk to the door. I turn back once again. “It would’ve been easier if you stayed dead."