The Seed of an Unusual Bloom

Cradled in luxury, but soaked to the bone, she awakened up. She pushed herself to her feet and murmured, "Oh, bother." Her hair dripped steadily and stuck itself to her face. She got up and stretched her tense limbs, patting the grass and tree with appreciation.

Dawn had just begun when the sun appeared above the far-off mountains, coloring the sky with its first rays. It was time to clean the house and do the tasks for the day, but breakfast came first.

She put on a midnight-blue dress that her grandma had made by hand using her artistic skills. The problem with her hair was that if she pinned it up, the moisture would be trapped, and because no one would likely see her, she decided not to do so. She ignored it as it dangled in a damp knot about her face.

She re-heated a couple of scones in the oven in the kitchen. She just had enough dough for a batch and a half because the batch she had left on the burner overnight had burned to a crisp.

With her small supper in hand, she went outdoors to welcome the sunrise, singing a gentle melody as she gently enjoyed each bite.

Suddenly the orchard grass shivered to life, a warning murmur. Someone, probably that nobility, came to her residence. She ignored him, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw his form creeping closer, his attempt at concealment utterly pointless.

He honestly thought he had been overlooked once more. She gave herself an inner sneer, arrogant pig. Rethink your thought.

The two apple trees on either side of him were silently enticed by her humming, which continued as a mask of indifference.

Ignorant of the ground beneath his boots, he went forward till the trees shook. Trip wires were woven across his route as their roots rushed higher. He stumbled and fell to the ground after his foot caught.

Mid-note, Bloom's humming stopped and was replaced by a mocking snort. Her voice was full of cynicism as she drawled, "Your imperial highness, let me tell you something." Never attempt to ambush a green witch twice. We grow from our errors. "I don't know anyone like her," she thought.

Rubbing his knee, the young lord pulled himself up. "I'll say," he complained.

Bloom gave a sarcastic smile. "Happy to hear you're learning."

“You look happier today,” he said.

"Don't worry. I am still the same person I was before. Would you want a scone? She chose civility above the whipping he had threatened yesterday and pointed toward the dish next to her.

With caution, Lord Julian climbed over the barrier and came closer. "What's the catch?" he said in a suspicious tone.

Bloom became agitated, even though she was aware that her bias against him was the source of her outburst. "I'm being kind! Don't just stand there, noble boy, whether you accept it or not.

He said, "Sorry, sorry," and walked slowly to sit next to her on the grass. His brows rose at the contents of the scone he pulled, but he remained silent. That was a smart approach because she could have ejected him with force if necessary.

"So, Milord, to what do I owe this pleasure?" She looked over her shoulder at him.

He was tall, muscular, and graceful, making him an outstanding figure. His softly tanned complexion was freckled all over his nose, and black hair fell into his bright green eyes. Bloom thought, her sarcasm piercing, "Any lady's dream." Rich, who is already a ruler, undoubtedly has his choice.

"Just curious," he answered. "You behave more honorably than I do, you know."

Bloom gave a shrug. "My purpose is not to spoil you. What actions have you ever taken to gain my admiration?

Wincing, he murmured, "Ouch, it bites."

"Also sharp teeth," she joked.

"I see that, yes."

She was momentarily enveloped in silence. "I wouldn't be a noble if you paid me," she continued. All those limitations.

Lord Julian gave a quiet laugh. His voice was dry as he spoke, "Oh, I can only just imagine." "Do you believe it or not?"

She let out a sigh as frustration began to set in. "What are you looking for? I'd prefer not get whipped, which is why you're here and not trussed up in a tree. She shuddered as gloomy recollections came to the surface and were quickly forced away by sheer willpower.

His comments were calm as he said, "You don't strike me as someone who fears much." "Why would you be alarmed by a fictitious threat?"

"It doesn't!" She lost her temper.

Sensibly, he dropped it.

He started by saying, "You know, I trained as a knight for thirteen years." "They teach you swordplay and other things, but they mostly teach you to read and figure." They sent me to fight at the front for two years because I did well enough. There, I worked with many commoners every day. I suppose they influenced me.

Despite her determination, Bloom listened in silence as her curiosity blossomed. "That isn't the reason you're at my house."

There was a hint of dismay in his face as he grimaced. "All right, I'll confess: I'm spying. Why a commoner like you has a gift is a question I constantly asking myself. Power is supposed to belong to just a select few, and only to nobility. Perhaps common people are also beginning to develop them. The majority of families won't be happy.

Bloom smiled. "All right. You all need to be shaken up. I have no idea why I have it. Perhaps, despite your princeliness, the world does not follow noble laws.

"Just Julian, shall we? Furthermore, magic doesn't just happen. It's inherited, according to what I read last night.

"Anyway. I don't give a damn. She picked a seed up off the ground and held it in her hand. "I wish I didn't have it at all sometimes." The seed trembled, then burst into a vine-like plant that twined merrily around her arms and fingers. "But sometimes I feel like the only people who understand me are plants." For what reason was she exposing herself to him? She had only known him for a day.

She realized that it felt good to let it out.

As though drawn to Julian, the vine twisted around her fingers and then extended toward him. He flinched, then relaxed, allowing it to climb like a trellis up his arm.

I don't frighten him.

"This is novel," he said.

There was bitterness in her laugh. "Fearful becomes dangerous, and new becomes frightening." I'll be packing my things soon and traveling to the opposite side of Eredia, no doubt. It has occurred before, and I have no doubt that it will happen again.

Julian remained silent as he observed her with interest. Startled by her own outburst, Bloom snapped her mouth shut. Why would she open her heart to a stranger, especially a noble one? Had she gone insane?

"Well," she thought cynically, "some would say so." but for distinct causes.

Between them, the vine grew bell-shaped blooms in a blue waterfall. With a smile, Bloom kissed a weak, struggling bud, and it blossomed into a dazzling cerulean bloom.

Julian remarked, "I kind of like this." For a flower. What is its name?

Bloom said, her smile softening, "No idea." "I just discovered the seed. I believe I will place her in my front window boxes.

"Mom would adore these." With vines trailing from it, he held up a hand. "She has a talent for gardening herself and loves the color blue."

Bloom carefully picked a blossom off the vine. She encouraged another plant to grow in its place, even if it appeared to suffer. She called forth more vines with the flower's seeds, controlling them this time so that their roots wound around her free hand.

"I'll give you some pot. Give it to your mom.

There was a pile of clay pots full of soil behind her. She selected one and encouraged the vine to bury itself in the ground, where it would thrive instead of the dry air. She gave the jug to Julian, satisfied.

He agreed to it. "What is your desired price? I am able to—

"No money," she interrupted. "Just guarantee that it will be taken care of. It will sink if it receives too much sunlight and only precipitation.

"However, I can't just accept it!"

Her mood dimmed. You nobility do that, don't you? Take things: life, property, and valuables. Not important. Your royal nobleness is a gift.

Stop referring to me like that. Only Julian is there.

"Of course, your Grace."

Julian let out a sigh.

Bloom stayed for a few more minutes, feeling a slight sense of satisfaction in his annoyance. Then she realized that she had spent an hour idly consuming breakfast. She pulled the vine away from both of them.

"This needs to be planted quickly or it won't make it." Despite your high priestly supremacy, we peasants have tasks to perform.

He stood up and objected, "That's not even a title."

Her eyes glinted with evil delight as she smiled. "It is right now. Highness, good-bye. She disappeared into the house, the door shutting securely behind her, before he could respond.