Flower In the Palace

Chapter 3: Narrator

And then she was born! Two years after his exile begun and well into his prime. He was well into his forties when she came into the world. An unexpected treasure!

It was obvious from her first moments of life that she was different. Her eyes were the blue of the northern waters that shimmered under the winter sky.

A blue so pure they seemed unnatural, but their beauty was such that they mesmerized all who beheld them. Her raven black hair and her creamy skin was a stark contrast to the icy blue.

More spectacular than her eyes was a beauty that was hidden from the rest of the world. It was her birthmark, a perfect depiction of a phoenix in flight.

Dunal always knew that the mark was something rare and special, though there was no legend in the family that he knew of. But he kept this a secret because deep down inside he was convinced that the mark would prove to be of great importance some day.

From the moment she took her first step she was her father's shadow. She'd toddle on her little feet to keep up with him as he went out to train his men. He'd grumble and yell for her nursemaid to get after her, but inside he was proud of his little beauty.

She was the apple of his eye, more so even than the many sons his wives had borne him over the years. It could be because of his favor for her mother, or it could be the fact that she was his only daughter. A child of his old age at that.

He had many a row with his beloved regarding the rearing of their only child together. The mother, once part of the imperial ladies in waiting, a close server of the old empress, taught her daughter court etiquette and all the ways a lady should comport herself, while the father taught her the ways of war.

She was learned, delighting in the study of ancient writings of history and philosophy, and would've gladly spent her days steeped in the training her father and brothers taught her daily, but to appease her mother, she gave equal attention to the art of being a woman.

The struggle was sometimes a bit much. Having inherited her mother's virtuous nature, her love for her father pushed her to shine as well in the art of war.

Until now, only the males of the family were trained to be inducted into their sworn profession. But it was plain for all to see that the girl wasn't lacking. That the same blood flowed through her veins.

Besides, she had been so spoilt by her father by the time she was old enough to hold a sword, that there was no turning back. She had the makings of a warrior regardless of her beauty and gentle nature.

Her parents outdid each other in praising her and it was a wonder she didn't grow a big head. It was maybe due to her brothers and her closest friend, that she was able to stay grounded. They never once let her forget that she was just a mere girl. Something that used to anger her greatly as a child.

Des was her closest friend outside of her family. He was eight when she was born and no one could quite understand the strange bond between the two. But it was known by all that he was her shadow.

They trained together under the tutelage of her father and were always in each other's company. Her father had once worried that the young warrior was getting too close to his only daughter, especially when she became a young woman of great beauty.

But the young man had assured him that he had no romantic designs on the young beauty, something the older man chose to believe as he had not yet seen anything untoward with his own eyes.

It was true; though from the age of twelve most of the young males of her acquaintance seemed to fall under the spell of her mesmerizing eyes, Des seemed curiously oblivious.

Only he knew why it was that he loved her more as a sister than a love interest. It was because of the dreams he'd had before her birth. He knew before she was born that their destinies were tied in some way, but not as man and wife.

It was a blessing that he never felt anything but brotherly affection towards her. The legend of her beauty had traveled far and wide and was little more than a nuisance to him and her brothers who were always fending off marriage proposals on her behalf.

Des knew that she was destined for greatness but even now fifteen years later he still didn't know what or how. All he knew was that he would stay by her side no matter what. Even unto his death!

Mia was a carefree spirit that spent her days riding the hills and valleys of her home. When she wasn't getting into mischief, she could be found with her nose buried in a book. And by the age of ten could argue the tenets of the great proverbs with anyone who dared.

It gave her father and brothers nightmares the things the girl got up to. Her fearless nature, mixed with her natural tenderness of heart was a thing of worry as the two sometimes warred with each other, putting her young life at risk.

Dunal knew that Prince Loren still had emissaries out seeking his life, as he was one of the only people who knew the truth behind Prince Kai's near death.