Oh love

Chapter 1: The Lotus Blooms

The lotus wades

     Shallow water

Even and calm.

Her petals brighten

     In the beating sun's rays,

Glowing of tranquility.

          The onlooker grows jealous

     Venom green with envy

While the lotus rests,

               Mockingly green leaves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm the lotus they talk about in the poem. My name is Lotus Blossom Lavellan, or rather just Lotus. It's rather interesting that I was named after a flower because our rival kingdom, the kingdom of Flora, has a daughter name after a flower, Violet...Actually, I think she was named after her eyes. Though I never actually met her or her family. I was named Lotus because of my white blonde hair.
It is always snowing here in Frostfall and I actually love it. Some people hate the snow because it's too cold, but it's just so beautiful when it falls to the ground, glistening. My father is the only one ruling out country because my mother died when she was giving birth to my younger brother, Thorn. I actually think that his name is so perfect because he really is a thorn in my side. He has the same white blond hair as me but it is much shorter and he likes to dye it with the flower dyes from the Flora kingdom.  The Flora kingdom is so gorgeous. All the flower aromas and colors sound perfect but I love the snow even more.
The Royal family of Flora is visiting next week and I am not prepared. My father says I'm going to have to show the Flora Princess around the castle. I don't really talk to anyone and I don't know what to wouldn't know what to say to her . I barely have any friends. My only friend is this sweet young man named Wynter. We have always been friends. His family are one of the biggest noble houses in the country, the Blanc house. Our isn't that big, we only have a portion on the continent, and Flora has the rest. I guess they didn't want the only place where it snowed. My skin is very fair because the of the lack sunlight. It doesn't bother me though, almost everyone has the same skin tone as me. The people of Flora have tanner tone to their skin because the sun is always shining there. I could never go to Flora or I would become a tomato.
          Later in the day, I walk down the stairs into the dining hall and I spot a portrait of my mother. She was so beautiful. Everyone says I look just like her. I wish she was still here. As I turn the corner to go into the kitchen I run into my brother. "Oh I'm sorry." I say emphatically
"Don't worry about you didn't do any harm." Thorn says with a grin.
"Do you know where father is?" I ask.
"He's in the throne room, but he said for no one to bother him. He's dealing with some delicate trading business stuff." He says disinterested
"Oh ok. Thanks anyways." I say
" See you at dinner." he says
We say our goodbyes and go separate ways. I'm so hungry, I need a snack. I have no clue what I should eat. A muffin or some buttered bread. As I reach for the muffin the kitchen maid moves my hand out of the way.
"Don't touch that." She says.
"Why?" I say suspiciously.
"Those are for the Royal family next week. The youngest, Gabriel, loves muffins so I made him some." She says excitedly.
"They are coming next week." I say.
"I know. These muffins take a week to become sweet. A secret recipe from my family." She says.
"That's nice. So can I eat one or not?" I ask
"Fine, but it won't be sweet." She says impatiently
"It's fine. Thank you." I say gratefully.