The Gardener's Grief, A Village's Scorn

She was never going to forgive him.

Because Julian had fulfilled his promise and more. Bloom found her garden planted with salt after going outside to collect the season's first peas. He hadn't stopped there, but the act was cruel enough to guarantee that nothing would ever grow in that place again. All of the plants she had tended to had been torn to pieces and destroyed beyond repair. Not one leaf was still intact.

Bloom's mind was paralyzed with shock as she sat with her hands and feet buried in the destroyed earth. She had been about to forgive him. Words weren't supposed to matter so much, after all, and people were constantly making reckless threats. Additionally, she had missed him, finding rare solace in his company. He was different from the other nobility, she had persuaded herself.

She now had evidence that he was just like them.

Her body felt empty, devoid of feeling. At one occasion, Gail had stopped over and discovered her in the backyard, but Bloom hardly noticed her buddy. She could not be comforted, and Gail, unable to relieve her suffering, left with a whispered promise that all would be well.

It wasn't. Her heart was broken and too bruised to feel anything. She had lost everything she valued most, including her garden and her family. Her life appeared to be over.

"Families," she told herself. I still have wonderful friends. She had just pushed away a friend who would stop at nothing to help her. True companions were too few to be so carelessly thrown away.

She held on to that concept. A faint will to life flickered, struggling to survive, deep within her, hidden beneath crushing sadness. She was aware that she would be lost if she let go of that truth because it would cause that delicate light to burn out. That was not possible.

She made the decision to visit Gail's house tomorrow. It would take her mind off of this painful sadness. She dragged inside to sleep after resolving that.

The morning dawned with a cheery radiance. While kneading dough for morning bread, Bloom tried to channel some of that warmth into herself. With a worried expression from the previous day, Gail showed up at the cottage door. She was welcomed to town by Bloom.

“I wish I could,” Gail remarked. "I came to see how you were doing. You sound better.

"I'm all right," Bloom answered. "I simply needed to organize a few aspects of my life."

The streets of the market were bustling with activity. Gail and Bloom navigated the packed booths, stopping occasionally to look at items. With her hood drawn, Bloom blended in perfectly with the others who were protecting themselves from the cold morning air.

A cry rang out along the street as she was examining a set of blue earrings. The audience moved to the sides and separated. A magnificent company came up.

"Isn't that boy your friend, Bloom?" Gazing forward, Gail inquired. Bloom winced. "The person who joined us for the meeting? Is he a nobleman?

With a tight voice, Bloom said, "That would be Lord Hartfield."

Understanding dawned, and Gail gasped. "Oh, you poor thing, my dear!" She drew Bloom into a cozy hug. "You seem to draw the wrong kinds of people."

Bloom dabbed at a tear in her eye. "It has to be me. I often put my trust in the wrong people because I have trust issues.

Despite Gail's heated argument, Julian and his aristocratic group rode by at that very moment. Leading the parade, he looked around the crowd but missed her. Most individuals were wrapped in hoods and cloaks due to the chilly morning air, which was a minor relief for her.

He was followed by seven more. Two tiny children, wrapped in cloaks, rode sleepily before what may have been parents or older siblings.

Bloom brushed them off as unimportant. presumably partygoers. Anyhow, who gave a damn about noble affairs? Only the nobility themselves.

She looked at the jewelry once more. She was drawn to a silver bracelet with pink gems, but the earrings were too expensive. She kept her eyes down and asked the dealer how much it would cost. There was no need to haggle because it was sufficiently cheap to purchase outright.

However, her hood fell back as she reached for her purse. The seller's eyes furrowed in recognition before she swiftly yanked it up.

With a firm grip on her wares, the woman growled, "We don't sell to folk like you, witch."

Bloom's hand fell away from her cash. Gail moved forward as she turned to go.

"You are a disgrace!" Gail lost her temper. Bullying a girl who is half your age and has endured more suffering than anyone need to! You should be more aware.

The woman gave a smirk. "What has she endured? Aside from killing our kids and living in luxury while we barely make ends meet?

Bloom would never act in such a manner! Gail fired back. What gives you the impression that she is so different? She is loved by her family, friends, and life.

"A family? Her grandmother is no better than that idiot of an uncle, who isn't a human!

Bloom could have cut steel with her look. "You believe you know who I am. My grandmother accepts what others won't, so she's not a fool. Before I returned here last year, my husband and child were murdered. Are you now satisfied? Her cloak billowed behind her as she whirled on her heel and rushed away.

Gail rushed to meet up. "Everyone in town is talking about you and your vacation. They appear to have been struck by lightning and are in a state of shock.

"Leave them to speak," Bloom snarled. "I'm not interested. I've finished everything. I simply want it to end.

With hesitation, Gail said, "I have to go home, Liliana." "If I don't eat, Finn will forget to eat." Her voice trailed off.

Bloom forced a smile. "Avoid letting me keep you. I understand how your spouse is, so go feed him. Gail left.

Devastated by sadness, anger, and fatigue, Bloom hurried back to her hut. She wanted to fall apart. Too exhausted to bother hanging her coat correctly, she threw it toward the hooks and flew open the door. Appreciating the alone, she sank into the couch, which had been her improvised bed for the past week, and attempted to clear her head.

However, it was short-lived.

She had hardly settled in when there was a gentle knock on the door. She pulled herself up with a moan. As she opened it, she ignored her wrinkled clothing, gloomy eyes, and tangled hair.

Even though Bloom was positive they had never met, there was something slightly familiar about the woman standing there. Maybe a quick, passing look. Her brown hair was shoulder length, her skin was pale, her nose was pointed, her cheekbones were high, and her eyes were piercing blue. Her exquisite attire exuded dignity. Bloom almost slammed the door, but she had not been harmed by this guy. Trying to be courteous, she said, "May I help you?"

Her wide eyes gleamed with unshed tears as the woman stared, unable to speak. "Can I assist you?" Bloom said it again.

The woman took a trembling breath. "I was informed that Bloom, a young woman, resided here. Are you Bloom?

"Yes, I am."

"Do you think I might enter for a little while? Regarding your birth family, I have some quite significant news to share with you.

Bloom took a closer look at her. The same cheekbones, nose, and hair... She cursed Julian in silence as a subtle suspicion grew. Nevertheless, she moved to the side and motioned the woman inside. "Can I get you anything to eat?" she asked, guiding her to a couch. Have a drink?

The woman gave a headshake. "No, I'm grateful. All I want to do is talk.

She was seated across from Bloom. Bloom spoke first, but the woman paused. "Are you Lady Hurlstone, if I may make a guess?"

The woman's expression briefly changed to one of surprise. "You recognize me?"

Under her eyes, Bloom shifted uneasily. "The birth family." You resemble me. I am able to connect the dots. I'm not going anywhere, and I understand why you're here.

Her mother—her mother—first appeared astonished, then hurt. "You're unwilling to return home?"

"This is where I live. I have no idea what your name is. I adore my grandmother and uncle, with whom I grew up. When you didn't want me, they took me in.

The woman who looked so much like her but felt so different from her had tears streaming down her cheeks. "That is untrue," she muttered. "We searched for months, but nobody was able to locate you. You seemed to have completely disappeared from the face of the planet. The king also became engaged, but his involvement was limited. We believed you were dead. Then we heard about you from Lord Julian. You can't imagine how delighted I was by that.

Bloom hid her distress by maintaining a calm expression. And you think I'll feel the same way? I've never even met you.

"Annabeth is my name. I have a daughter-in-law, six kids, and two more soon-to-be sons-in-law. Annelise resembles you quite a little. You're not even interested in finding out who they are.

A tense standoff ensued as mother and daughter locked eyes. Bloom finally looked away. "You are all nobles, mother or not. I've had enough of nobility. I appreciate the offer, but I'll remain here.

Annabeth pleaded, "Please." "Are you familiar with the experience of losing a child?"

Bloom had fiery purple eyes. She gave her mother a chilly look. "Yes," she answered in a deadpan voice, "I do."

Annabeth exclaimed, "Oh." "Oh, no."

Bloom's thoughts strayed to the day she lost Darren. She would have given up everything, even her life, to win him back. What distinguishes nobles? Was there anything further they could do to her that wasn't already done? She had made it through the worst. What remained to lose?

But what if Julian was misleading them all and had already been shown to be a liar? What if Annabeth wasn't her mother and this was just another noble game?

But she resembles me a lot.

She took a deep breath. She declared, "I would do anything to get my son back." "Anything at all. I understand what it's like to lose a child and what it would be like to have him return. I'll accompany you.

With a gasp, Annabeth rushed forward and embraced Bloom fiercely. Startled by the surge of emotion this reconnection evoked, Bloom gave it back. Her eyes filled with tears, and she had a calm sense of confidence that this was perfect, right here in her mother's arms.

"I'm grateful," Annabeth muttered.

Her mom was there all day. They talked about her brothers, in-laws, and Bloom's life. With the grace of a storyteller, Annabeth crafted tales that she said were a subtle echo of her grandfather's entire gift.

"Your father gave you your gift," she said. "Whatever magic he used, we have the most beautiful gardens."

"Whatever became of him?"

Shortly after Annelise was born, he passed away from a heart attack. I'm happy he got to see our youngest before departing for heaven.

"I apologize. I understand how that feels as well.

"Oh, dear," Annabeth whispered. One soul cannot bear that much suffering on their own. How did you handle it?

Bloom gave a shrug. Gail was there for me, as were my grandma and uncle. I don't like to think about it. My sister, when can we meet up? "And brothers?"

Annabeth's grin lit up with happiness. "Your oldest brother has already been introduced to you. When you were seized, he was four years old. Even your father and I couldn't compare to how much you adored him. While you were playing, he would drag you around and cause havoc. You loved him. Do you not recall?

Bloom rummaged through her past. Was she able to get that far back? Clarity surfaced as she dug into her oldest memories. She noticed a young, energetic boy with curly hair playing with her. Shrunken in her imagination to suit those innocent days, she had always assumed it was her uncle Rory. She was aware now.

She grinned as she looked into her mother's eyes. "I recall."