Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to my sister Stage_Whisperer who has been a very loyal fan and dedicated critic for this novel, I love you sis, you're the best. Happy birthday in arrears!

The Gardens,
Vessiye Palace,
Jeruvael,
Illearia.

"This is beautiful." Minnie breathed as she bent over to touch the velvety, soft red flowers with their tough, green stalks.

"What do you call them?"

"Sisonas. They are Sisona Flowers."

"Oh, that's where Princess Sisona got her name, that's lovely."

"Nonsense Minnie! We can't keep standing here like idiots looking at silly flowers!" Ryna exclaimed.

"How crude Ryna!"

"I know. I don't know what came over me. I believe it's all these insects biting. I'm afraid that they might make us ill."

Ryna could be so childish sometimes, Minnie thought, and then other times, she tended to act older than her seventeen years of age.

Ascar raised an eyebrow.

"Impossible. There are no insects here."

"Really?" Ryna stepped in front of him, hands akimbo.

"Are you by any chance implying that I'm a liar?

"Take a look at those flowers over there my lady." He pointed in the direction of tall, thorny, yellow flowers.

"Those are insect repellent." He stated blandly.

Ryna blushed a deep red and Minnie tried not to giggle, her poor cousin.

"However, if you find the flowers boring, there's a gazebo nearby. We could go over there for a while, before returning for the night."

"Excellent."
Minnie replied.

Ryna was still too embarrassed to say anything.

                           ~

      "I'm glad you like Illearia." Ascar smiled at Minnie.

They had been sitting in the gazebo for close to an hour, although they hardly noticed this.

The maids had brought them fruit wine and unleavened bread snacks.

Minnie and Ryna had talked at length about Chestland and how technologically advanced it was. Ascar had been fascinated.

Ryna was always touching Ascar's arm. Minnie had earlier thought that she was flirting, but, no one could really tell with Ryna.

         "So tell me about your Vessiye, Ascar, is he as generous as he seems?" Minerva asked.

         "He is a passionate leader, who puts the interest of his people first at all times." The answer was automatic, almost like a rehearsed statement.

Minnie was curious about Ascar and this Vessiye, for some reason she couldn't explain, she wanted to know more.

          "So Ascar, you grew up in Jeruvael, but your dad is Jehumem's governor, right?"

         "That is correct. However I chose to be trained in Jeruvael instead... I had a friend..."

         "Pink Swans!" Ryna suddenly exclaimed excitedly. She immediately stood and took some of the snacks in her palms.

          "Look at those beautiful swans over there Minnie, and they're pink! I must go over there to feed them." Ryna finalised, walking towards the pond in front of the gazebo where a set of swans approached.

Minnie turned to face Ascar, expecting to find that same bland expression, but he had on a slight smile as he stared at Ryna.

Minnie almost felt rude for interrupting the moment, but it was silly really, to give the whole thing too much thought, she concluded.

            "Ascar, your friend..."

Ascar suddenly squared his shoulders, his eyes appeared sad for a moment, then the bland mask was back.

          "Yes, my friend Tephinor. He was the son of Vessiye whom we buried some days back."

         "I'm so sorry..."

         "It's...thank you." He said simply.

          "Tell me more about Illearia. I've always loved history." Minnie smiled, thinking it was wise to change the subject.

          "I'll be glad to." Ascar smiled back.

    "At least I can get him to smile." Minnie thought.
               
                             ~