the woes of an heiress

It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Lise walked slowly down the stone pathways of the gardens, not at all charmed by the vast array of colorful flowers and growing fruits. Her parents had been cruel and unjust in their decisions to send her off on a whim, whisked away to the royal castle filled with distant cousins she didn't know.

"You will secure a husband and only then can you request to come home!" 

She recalled her mother's vicious shouts after she'd discovered she and Cindy in a rather compromising position. Oh, how dreadfully embarrassing it had been. With a twitch of her nose she could have entranced her mother, begged her to forgive her and forget what she had seen. But something in that moment held her back. Magic was so easy. Accepting the reality of life was not. Perhaps in staving her urge to charm her family she showed true bravery that evening. 

But such notions were lost upon the girl now as she trod the garden walkways, dressed in a vivid green gown with golden embroidery. Not a hair was out of place, weaved in an intricate braid that cascaded down her back. And yet there was no smile gracing her features today. She missed her family, despite their pig-headedness.

She hated to see her father so disappointed. Regardless of her previous pursuits, Lise would honor him by finding a suitor. But who knew what issues would come with that venture?

She stopped a moment, brushing a fingertip against the soft petals of a deep crimson rose. Such a lovely color. Perhaps she should have a new gown made in its honor.  

Sir Gareth had been patrolling the castle grounds for most of the afternoon, his mind wandering to mundane concerns: the repairs needed on the outer walls, the knights' readiness for the next drill, and the faint rumors of unrest in the neighboring regions. But as he turned a corner near the garden, his gaze fell on a lone figure, dressed in vivid green, moving with a grace that stood out against the backdrop of the vibrant flora. It was Lady Lise, her presence unmistakable, though her usual brightness seemed muted today.

He slowed his steps, watching her as she brushed her fingers against the rose petals, her brow furrowed in thought. Gareth was no stranger to the burdens carried by young ladies of noble birth, the weight of expectations pressing down on them like the armor he wore daily. Yet, seeing it in someone so young and vibrant as Lise brought an unfamiliar pang of sympathy to his chest.

"Lady Lise," He called gently, careful not to startle her as he approached, his tone measured but warm. "It seems the roses have found a kindred spirit this afternoon."

He inclined his head slightly, observing the tension in her posture, the absence of the smile that usually accompanied her. He hesitated before speaking again, not wanting to intrude but also unwilling to leave her in such a state.

"Is something troubling you, my lady? Or perhaps you simply seek the quiet of the gardens to clear your thoughts?"

The gruff voice of an older gentleman would greet her by name, the lady turning to see Sir Gareth, one of the senior royal guards of the palace. A sweet smile blossomed on her face as she turned toward him, clasping her small hands together. "You are too kind, Sir Gareth," Lise replied softly, meeting his piercing blue gaze. She wasn't sure she'd ever encountered someone with such vivid blue eyes. 

The guard expressed a concern for her, eliciting a soft, woeful sigh as let her eyes scan the rose bushes aplenty, contemplating her response. "I am simply missing home, I fear." She'd turn back to him with a yearning expression on her face. "My lord father's manor had such pleasant gardens. These, though much grander, remind me so much of him." She certainly wasn't planning on filling him in about her idea on the prospect of marriage. The last thing she wished to do was embarrass the family further with the spread of more rumors regarding her character. 

Lise would gracefully step towards him until they were about two feet apart, inwardly acknowledging how imposing of a stature he possessed. The men of her family were typically much shorter, as was she. "Where do you hail from, Sir Gareth?" She did not shy away from making eye contact with him, ever craving attention from the next person. He had to have come from nobility, yes? If not, he'd surely sowed the seeds for his name to hold power from the reputation he'd crafted alone. That is, if he ever chose to take a wife. 

Gareth Dufort shifted his weight slightly as Lady Lise stepped toward him, her graceful presence impossible to ignore. Her words carried the weight of homesickness, and though he was no nobleman, he understood the ache of longing for familiar places.

"I understand, my lady," He said, his voice steady but laced with empathy. "There’s a comfort in places that remind us of home. These grand gardens may impress, but nothing compares to the peace of one's own land."

He held her gaze, those blue eyes of his catching the sunlight as she came closer. Lise had an intensity about her, the kind that could make any man feel either protective or wary—perhaps both. But Gareth, with his years of service and tempered nature, met her attention with a quiet ease.

"I hail from the outskirts of the City of Allure," He replied. "My family is of simple means—we've lived there for generations, making an honest life. My father was a merchant, my mother a healer. Nothing grand, but it shaped me into the man I am today."

He smiled, though it was more reserved, and briefly glanced at the rose bush she had been admiring earlier. "I came to the royal guard not by birthright, but through years of hard work and proving myself worthy of the position. Almeran has its beauty, but there is something to be said for earning a place in this palace."

He paused, studying her expression. "And what of you, Lady Lise? You seem far more accustomed to such elegance. What brings you here to the palace?" He asked, though his tone remained polite, careful not to pry where he shouldn't.

Lise nodded thoughtfully as he expressed understanding for her condition. "How right you are..." she said, looking down at her hands. Someday it really would be her land--not her mother's and not her father's--that is, if they didn't disinherit her first. She'd write to them weekly, informing them of her progress in her endeavor to wed. She'd even bend the truth a bit if need be. Some time apart may be what they all needed. 

The young lady would watch Gareth as he explained his background. A simple man borne of more simple men, and yet he'd managed to make an impressive specimen of himself. He was well regarded among all who dwelled in the palace. And it seemed Gareth took great pride in all he'd achieved as well, which to Lise was a good thing. He should feel immense satisfaction for his position. "I must say, that is quite impressive, Sir. Not many can say they did their family name such honor." She blinked up at him, fluttering her lashes. 

"I am distant cousins of the royal family through my lord father. Seeing as I have come of age, he sent me to the palace to find a suitable match." She explained, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear. "Have you any intention to marry, Sir Gareth? I know of some knights who retire early and settle down with a wife." Her voice was sweet as she spoke, and she began to subtly cast her allure onto him, perhaps making her charm more intense, her aura all the more enchanting. Her rosy lips turned up in an expectant smile as she waited for him to respond, her heart quickening as it usually did when she used her magic on anyone. It was a thrill for her to feel irresistible, even to the most unlikely recipients. 

Gareth cleared his throat, his thoughts momentarily tangled as he fought to maintain his composure in Lady Lise’s presence. She was undeniably captivating, and though he tried to resist the pull, her allure seemed to seep into his very bones.

Marriage had been a distant thought for him, but lately, there had been... distractions. Jemos. A fierce young woman, a student of his, with a fire in her spirit that had drawn his attention in ways he couldn’t explain. She was no typical knight-in-training—her potential was boundless, and Gareth had taken a particular interest in her progress. That, and something else about her… something he hadn’t fully allowed himself to acknowledge.

"I... suppose the idea of marriage has lingered," He finally admitted, his voice steadying, though his mind drifted briefly to Jemos again. What was it about her that unsettled him so?

He returned his focus to Lise, her magic still weaving its spell around him. She seemed so confident in her own charm, and it was hard not to be swept up in it. Yet, there was something about Jemos—her raw, untamed spirit—that pulled him in a way that felt less... manufactured. More real.

"You, Lady Lise, will have no shortage of suitors, I'm certain," He said, offering a slight smile as he met her gaze once more, though something inside him felt distant. "Anyone would be fortunate to earn your favor." His words were courteous, and he could feel her charm pulling his attention more directly.