The Burden of the Crown

A Crown of Marigolds

October 2140

Lexa was sitting in a clearing in the forest, skilfully arranging flowers into a beautiful wreath. The sun's rays danced through the canopy and bathed the scenery in a warm light. Unconsciously enchanted by nature, she did not notice Costia watching her from the thicket at the edge of the forest.

Costia could not take her eyes off Lexa. Her heart beat faster as she gazed at her. But suddenly Cyra appeared, silent and unnoticed, and crept towards Lexa. A feeling of jealousy ran through Costia, thinking that she and Lexa had arranged to meet.

The moment Cyra flashed her knife, Costia realised the danger and knew she had to save Lexa. Without hesitation, she dashed across the meadow towards Cyra before Lexa could even turn around.

A fierce fight broke out between Costia and Cyra. The two girls whirled across the clearing, their bodies united in a dance-like movement. Costia fought with all her strength to protect Lexa, while Cyra acted with a dangerous determination.

Suddenly, Cyra managed to deliver a swift slice to Costia's arm. A cry of pain escaped Costia, but she was not discouraged. At the sight of the colour of Costia's blood, Cyra abruptly stopped her movements, turned and ran back into the shelter of the forest.

Lexa, who had finally turned around, looked at Costia with fear in her eyes. She rushed to her and hugged her tightly. "Costia, are you alright? What happened?"

Costia was breathing heavily and holding her injured arm, her hand over the injury. "It's nothing."

"It's not nothing!" Lexa pushed Costia's hand away from the wound so she could look at it.

Costia turned away from her, only now realising the danger, which she had just put herself in. The danger of everyone finding out.

"Cos, why is your blood red?"

"I- please don't tell anyone."

Lexa stood before Costia, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion. Costia's blood was red, although everyone had thought she was a Natblida. The realisation hit her like a blow.

"Costia, I don't understand," Lexa said in a trembling voice. "Why didn't anyone know about this?"

Costia took a deep breath and tried to find the right words. "Lexa, I... I was infiltrated into the Natblida by Titus at Queen Nia's request," Costia explained with a hint of desperation in her voice. "But I don't know what my mission is. I suspect I am to manipulate the conclave."

Lexa stared at her in disbelief. "Manipulate? But why? What is Nia up to?"

Costia sighed and shook her head. "I don't know for sure, Lexa. Nia has always had her own agenda, and I was just a tool for her. She never saw me as a princess, just a means to an end."

"Wait, what? What do you mean by 'princess'?"

Costia sighed again, realising she was telling Lexa far too much. "I am daughter to the late King Theo II. My mother was an unknown villager. I know nothing about her, since she died at my birth." Having Lexa stare at her open-mouthed, she continued. "I was the result of an affair and my step-mother Nia hated me for it my entire life."

Lexa clenched her fists in anger. "Damn it, Costia! How could you keep this from me? I thought you liked me."

Costia lowered her eyes, her voice low and broken. "I was afraid, Lexa. Afraid of the consequences if I revealed the truth."

Lexa felt the pain in her chest, the disappointment and betrayal. But she also knew that Costia meant a lot to her and that they had to fight together against Nia and her intrigues.

"We have to find out what Nia is planning," Lexa said firmly. "We will not let her manipulate us. Together we will go against her and shape our own future."

Costia raised her eyes and looked at Lexa with a hint of hope in her ice blue eyes.

Lexa reached for Costia's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Sit with me."

The evening sun shone warmly onto the clearing in the forest while Lexa watched over Costia. Costia lay peacefully sleeping on the soft grass while Lexa gently wove a crown of flowers from the white and red marigolds growing on the meadow. The outer edges of the flowers reminded her of the blood Costia had bled to save Lexa that day. It was an act of bravery and love that Lexa would never forget.

With skilled fingers, Lexa added flower after flower to the crown as she gazed lovingly at Costia. The soft features of her face betrayed the innocence and vulnerability she radiated at that moment. Lexa couldn't help but wonder how she deserved to have someone like Costia by her side.

As the wreath of flowers slowly gathered shape, Lexa felt a mixture of gratitude and sadness. Gratitude that Costia had saved her life, and sadness that Cyra seemed to hate her so much that she wanted to kill her. She wished for nothing more than to be able to turn back time, not to have gone to the Natblida's display. Her parents would still be alive and Lexa wouldn't have to face the conclave that was approaching sooner or later. Recently, there had been rumblings in the city that the Mountain was gaining strength and that the current commander would no longer be able to protect them.

When the crown was finally finished, Lexa gently placed it on Costia's head and gazed at her work. The red in the flowers framed Costia's face and made her beauty appear even more radiant. Lexa couldn't help but feel a smile on her lips.

Suddenly Costia opened her eyes and looked at Lexa with a gentle expression. "What are you doing?" she asked softly as she felt the wreath of flowers on her head.

Lexa smiled and gently stroked Costia's cheek. "I wanted to make you a flower crown to show you that I trust you, no matter the colour of your blood," she explained softly. "The outer edges of the flowers remind me of the blood you shed for me today. You put your life on the line for me, Costia. I will be forever grateful to you."

Costia smiled back and reached for Lexa's hand. "I would do anything for you," she whispered softly. "But I hope we never get into such dangerous situations again. I want to protect you, not only from external dangers, but also from myself."

Lexa felt a stab of sadness in her heart when she heard Costia's words. She didn't know what the blonde was referring to, but decided not to inquire further. "Why did Cyra try to attack me?"

"Because she's afraid of you, idiot. You significantly lowered her and everyone else's chance of survival."

Lexa looked sorrowful. "But I didn't mean to... All I wanted was to be a warrior."

"Now you are."

Both girls stopped talking for a while, before Lexa tried to bridge the silence. "A crown suits you," Lexa smirked.

"Whatever, your highness."

They both started laughing and Lexa fell into the grass next to her, beaming. Suddenly their faces were very close. Unsure what to do, Lexa placed a playful kiss on the tip of Costia's nose. Costia pulled her head back in surprise for a moment before leaning close and kissing her gently. The two looked deep into each other's eyes, trying to understand what had just happened between them.

They fell in love in October.