[Pandora Karsalia]

The stone bench was worn, smoothed over decades in the royal gardens. Roses perfumed the air around the Queen as she took this moment to catch her breath from the preparations. The garden always brought a certain kind of peace, to simply sit and look upon nature's beauty, relaxation from the cares of rule.

Not a moment too soon. I swear if I had stayed a second longer, I would have exploded.

Brushing a hand across a blooming flower, Pandora reflected on recent events. These times of quiet brought familiar thoughts to the Queen, lately, of her daughter's anguished soul....

With a sigh, Pandora looked to her surroundings, this garden that had been her mother's. Strange to think that the wicked queen had had a hand in the making of such a beautiful place. Blossoms of all colors spread across the rolling grass, fruit trees lined up in neat rows, bushes cut into ornate shapes dotted the area. This place was a refuge for her; somewhere she could sit, relax, and focus herself.

“Mother...?"

Startled, the Queen turned to see the very daughter who beseeched her mind. There, dressed in a light gown of red and black, stood Feysha. She looked so sickly under the sun.

"Feysha. What brings you to the gardens?" Still surprised at her child's sudden appearance, Pandora stood to face her daughter with open arms.

"I came to talk... That is, if you're not too busy?" said with great hesitation from the crowned princess.

Smiling, Pandora responded with nothing but kindness. "For you I will always have time, my Daughter."