A Love Story

After his term as tutor expired, unrenewed, Frey Rhodon didn't leave the Thorne Estate.

It was then that the bombardment of tutors started to trickle.

It felt to Vienna like the lady tutors who came only had one mission, to capture the heart of the elusive Duke Thorne.

Frey became preoccupied. Vienna would often find him visiting the tenant farmers that were at the rear of the estate.

He and Vienna would still meet for tea and Ezzie's biscuits.

He would go on about 'Haizea' this, and 'Haizea' that.

It seemed he was smitten.

Vienna had found it odd that he'd begun to court this 'Haizea'. She'd seen his longing glances toward Ezzie.

One day it became all clear.

Vienna was sneaking around the house trying to escape the notice of one particularly annoying new tutor. It was a lady from the capital, from one of the 'old' families, a legacy with an inheritance of an arrogant stride and a false smile.

The day before, Vienna was forced to sit as the Terran aristocrat put upon a little 'play' for Pop. The woman tilted her head at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall to the library. Vienna held back a sigh as she watched the lady pat her on top of the head as Pop stepped through to the library.

The Terran lady straightened, patting down her shiny larimar-tinted hair. Light blue piano fingers tucking luminescent curls behind her ear. A coy smile upon her lips as she looked down upon Vienna, "Oh my if only I could have you as my own daughter."

Vienna wrinkled her nose but still looked toward her father, who had his own fake smile on his lips.

The lady had turned toward him with bright eyes. She seemed oblivious to the way his eyes narrowed as she continued to gush about Vienna's qualities. But Vienna could see his hands starting to clench and unclench.

Vienna decided then and there that she would show the lady what it would be like 'to be her daughter'.

Vienna made her move when the lady had gone to the nearby town 'to see what this little countryside could offer'.

As Vienna was making her way out of the storeroom by the kitchen, she heard some unfamiliar giggling coming from the direction of the hall.

Her hands grasped the small bottle of dye in her hands as she peeked around the corner.

The bottle dropped to the ground rolling behind her as she covered her mouth in surprise. Quickly she leaned back out of sight.

Eyes wide, she peeked once more to find Ezzie against the main entrance hall wall. She had the brightest smile Vienna had ever seen upon her lips.

Ezzie's smile only brightened further when she tilted her head up to meet the eager lips of none other than Frey Rhodon.

Frey's voice was tender as he whispered 'Haizea' over and over as he bent down to kiss all over the face that he held in his hands.

A dark blush rose in Vienna's cheeks as she flattened herself again against the hallway's wall. As she heard Ezzie's laughter continue, a slow smile fell across Vienna's young features.

She couldn't wait to tease the housekeeper about it later.

The night following, Vienna smiled mischievously at Ezzie as she tucked her in. The woman seemed absentminded, not noticing the knowing gaze in her charge's eyes.

Vienna looked up from beneath her eyelashes, as sly as a fox, at the woman who'd raised her.

"I didn't know Ezzie was your nickname."

The woman's hands froze. Her hands hovered over the coverlet. Her dark silver-blue eyes flickered up to meet Vienna's.

A wide grin that showed Vienna's little pearly teeth lifted her features.

"Don't worry, I walked away before I saw too much."

A giggle escaped Vienna as she watched a dark rosy tint show up at the tip of the woman's nose and at the tips of her pointed ears.

****

During one of her many attempts to escape her tutors, Vienna discovered a secret cubby. It was hidden between the kitchen and the front hall's storage closet. The paneling at the back wall let in just enough light. It was the perfect daytime hiding spot. A perfect place to read unbothered.

One morning, she found it could be used for something else.

She had gotten away from the current 'tutor' - if the term even applied. The tutor barely sought to teach Vienna anything. Instead, Vienna would receive an onslaught of questions about her father more often than an assignment.

So that morning Vienna hid in her spot, only to find she could hear voices. She placed her ear to the wall to make them clearer.

A clear, inquisitive voice that Vienna recognized as Ezzie's sister spoke, "So what will your answer be?"

There was silence before a small sputtering came forth.

"We have courted for several months. He's always been forthright. He told me he wished to know me from the moment he arrived here."

Vienna could imagine Ezzie shifting her eyes to the side as she tried to avoid her sister's question. Some shuffling was heard and the thrum of a chair's feet moving against the cobbled floors as it was pushed in. A small whiff of Ezzie's biscuits came through the wooden slats in the back of the closet. Vienna's stomach grumbled, and she covered it, hoping that the two on the other side hadn't heard it.

Frey must have asked Ezzie to marry him.

Vienna thought back to the last couple of weeks.

A smile pulled at her lips as she'd discovered something rather sweet; Frey Rhodon was a romantic.

After that day in the hall when she spied them kissing, Vienna on would see Frey through her window coming and going. He would travel between the estate and the tenant farms.

He would always put in a day's worth of work at Ezzie's family field, then he'd go in search of Ezzie's favorite flora that grew around the estate.

Sometimes it only took him hours to find the seeds, other times he'd search for a couple of days. His broad-shouldered frame bent over the shrubbery, his hands searching for the seed pods. When he'd find them, he would nurture them in individual pots with his elemental leanings.

Frey would often let Vienna join him for the plantings.

Vienna's smile widened as she remembered one of those days, a gloriously messy day.

There had been recent rain.

Vienna's eyes were wide with wonder as she watched him coax the terra beneath his fingertips. A small violet blossom grew from the thin stalk of the herb, Frey's hair had turned a lovely shade of lavender to match.

It had taken several hours, but Vienna had looked on in awe at the delicate plant that he had helped to sprout and grow. By the end of the day, the two of them were covered head to toe in mud.

In the present, Vienna's head rested against the cupboard's wall. She remembered Pop's giant smile when he saw her sneak through the back door. A laugh had burst from him as that month's tutor in that moment gave up and stormed out with a giant huff.

He had spun her around in the air, spreading mud across the back landing. Ezzie gave the three of them a pail and rag to clean up their mess. They all did it with grins on their faces, a 'Yes, Ezzie' on their lips.

When they came back in, Ezzie had fresh biscuits and tea waiting for them.

Vienna recalled Ezzie's secret smile as she leaned down to smell the new potted plant's blossom. She had placed it on a shelf to the left of the kitchen window. Side beside each other were many blossoms that could be found upon every surface of the kitchen.

Sometimes Vienna would see a mixture of yearning and resignation in Ezzie's eyes when she looked upon her beau.

"... I'm so much older than him. I'm not sure what he sees in me…"

The conversation from behind the cabinet wall brought Vienna back to the present. Her brows furrowed.

Ezzie didn't seem that much older than Frey.

Ezzie was at a medium height with long gorgeous midnight hair that fell down her back in one long braid reminiscent of some fairytale princess. Her features didn't show any sign of advanced age. She didn't seem like she was anything past 30 Earth years, but Vienna had to remind herself Terra worked differently.

From her prior knowledge Vienna knew of a certain court mage who looked to be in his mid-twenties and yet Vienna knew he was at least a hundred.

"It is barely twenty years." Ezzie's sister scoffed.

The little eavesdropper's jaw dropped open.

Ezzie had been a constant presence in Vienna's life. She always imparted her wisdom in a way that never overstepped. She was professional, but kind. When Frey came into her life, her eyes finally glimmered with some hope.

Vienna, in turn, hoped that Ezzie would find happiness.

"I don't know…" Ezzie's voice drifted and Vienna could hear more soft clinks from the other side.

A tsking sound followed. "Both your heritages allow you to age well together. Haizea, you'll be able to have a fine partnership with Frey."

****

Frey and Ezzie planned a spring wedding. It would be when the estate would be most beautiful. Wildflowers scattered across the grounds and the trees showed off their most vibrant dressings.

Pop made the Thorne Estate completely available to them.

On the wedding day, the bridal couple stood beneath a natural tree canopy pavilion by the Thorne pond.

Frey's light blush-colored hair matched the tips of his ears as he kissed his wife.

All in attendance applauded.

Some guests stood in the shade of the trees framing the property. Older ones, along with families with young ones, sat upon benches Pop himself had carved for the occasion. Others dotted the edges of the pond as the late afternoon sun reflected off their shiny silver buckles and glass buttons.

Brilliant blues, reds, and purples dotted the entire property. Every single tenant was in attendance and the townspeople had come in their best festive clothes.

Ezzie's smile was the brightest Vienna had ever seen. The conflicting emotions within her eyes before had dissolved into pure love, happiness, and joy.

When everyone was congratulating the couple, Vienna turned her head toward her father who sat beside her beneath their 'old one'.

"Pop, can you carry me over?"

His neat beard brushed against her cheek as he leaned over to kiss her temple, "Of course, little flower."

They waited in the receiving line along with the others.

As Vienna looked over the heads of all in attendance, her breath caught in her throat. The new couple looked so happy, smiling beside each other, their hands clasped together.

Her eyes stung and her throat felt clogged, her hands tightening on her father's tunic as he held her.

Haizea's eyes glanced over as if sensing her charge's emotions, her eyes dipped into a smile. She patted Frey's arm before parting to walk towards them.

Haizea soon stood before them. She took Vienna into her arms and kissed the small girl on the forehead. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I know." Vienna nibbled the inside of her lip, before throwing her arms around Ezzie's neck, holding her tightly, "I'm glad you found what you yearned for."

The bride's long braid swayed and the beautiful violet ribbons woven through it fluttered as she pulled back. Her silver-blue eyes glinted as her gaze searched Vienna's, "Thank you, little miss."

Vienna turned toward Pop, who had patted a slightly pale Frey on the back.

She gave the groom an encouraging smile before holding out her arms. "Switch?"

The light pink-haired groom gathered her into his arms.

"You have her forever now." Vienna leaned in and looked straight into his light violet eyes that matched his wife's ribbons. "You better take good care of her…" She leaned over to his ear before whispering, "Or else."

Frey let out a hearty chuckle. "You and your father are very much alike."

Vienna sat back, "Well we… l...care about her very much."

Frey's lips corners lifted higher. His hair had shifted into light, almost white hair that ruffled as he nodded. He glanced across at his wife, the fondness radiating. "I will cherish her."

"You better." Vienna reminded him with a hard look, and by placing her little hands on her hips. The sternness of her action was lost since Frey was holding her up. The rest faded away as Pop came over and pulled her away, with his hands right beneath her armpits, causing her to giggle.

Pop smiled at Vienna before projecting his voice over the crowd. "Mister and Missus Rhodon should have their first dance as husband and wife." In a softer voice, he spoke to only Vienna and the new couple, "The sun has set and the lightning bugs are out."

All in attendance went over to the prepared section of unused ground behind the manor, where the terra had been stamped down until it was firm.

Small candles were lit around the clearing and the town's musicians were all playing a light-stringed tune. The warm air was sweet with the treats laden upon tables before the landing of the estate.

Vienna pointed at the sweets. "I helped make the biscuits for the wedding."

Her father nearly skipped in excitement as he raced to the table.

He set her down beside it before he began to pile a plate full of the biscuits.

"Don't eat them all, Pop!" Vienna tugged at his soft embroidered tunic. "They are for everyone!"

He knelt, his forehead resting against hers, before nuzzling his nose against hers.

"How could I not eat them when my precious daughter made them with her own hands?"

"I only helped, Pop." Vienna looked down, heat rising in her cheeks as she shifted her feet.

A jolly song began to permeate the air, something that reminded her of a jig.

Some of the ladies gathered began dancing around, hands clasped around the couple, their voices rising into a merry song. Soon the gentlemen joined at the rise of the beat. They bowed before each maiden and once the lady took their hands, spun them up by their waists.

Drum beats resonated through the air. Something akin to a fiddle but with fewer strings accompanied, along with some pan whistles. Vienna began clapping along with the crowd, her toes bouncing to the rhythm of the music.

"Little flower, do you want to dance?"

Vienna nodded. Her wavy hair wisping around her face from the light breeze that swelled around them all as she tilted her head up.

Her laughter intermingled with the villagers and the music.

The joy filled the air as she stood upon her father's boots as he led her into a merry dance.

****

Vienna discovered a week later after the wedding that Haizea's Frey was spicy, like a cinnamon roll too.

She had wanted to sneak an early morning biscuit, but Ezzie was already there with her sister.

"So… how was he?"

Ezzie let out an actual giggle. "Frey's quite enthusiastic. He made sure I was thoroughly satisfied before he sought his own." A breathy sigh, "He's so sweet most of the time. Who knew he could also be a beast in our chambers? I could barely walk after this sen-night."

Vienna immediately backed away from the crack in the door. She still wasn't quick enough to avoid catching a couple more saucy details.

She bumped into Frey's back in the main hall. Her face was hot. She could feel herself turn bright red as he turned to steady her. She nodded toward him in thanks, only to run away without a word.

For several weeks afterward, Vienna would still find herself blushing every time she met Frey. The tenants who saw this couldn't help gossiping about her first little crush.

Why couldn't Ezzie have talked to her sister in her own home?

Perhaps then Vienna would stop hearing things she shouldn't.