Orchid

Twist left. Twist right. Twist left. Twist right. Her fingers kept braiding, even as she shifted the braid over her shoulder and adjusted her arms to continue down the long trail of hair. Today, her father said, he had a wonderful, big surprise. Bored with the life in Valourdown, Orchid was waiting with bated breath. Anything to end this perpetual boredom. Perhaps a trip? Perhaps they were moving to AardeCrown, the Crown City of the Province? Anything was better than boring, placid Valourdown.

Twist--finished. Orchid reached for a lavender ribbon and tied her hair. A bowl of cut flowers sat on the table beside her and she dipped her fingers within, seeking a specific flower. There was always one, and -- aha, there it was! Her slender fingers plucked a bloom from the bowl: An orchid. With a slight twist, Orchid tied her namesake into the ribbon binding her braid. And just in time; she heard someone climbing the stairs. Two someones; clump, clump, clump. She smoothed her gown and adjusted herself to make herself look at ease. She took up her embroidery hoop and began neat little stitches; it completed the image, even if her mother would realize she had been working on the same hoop for months.

A brief knock, and the wooden door swung open. In strode her father; all tall, slender man, richly arrayed in velvets and silk. Father was dressed his best, so this must be important. The wealth the Aesten family had came from trade with Caskas and Lucht, but compared to some, they were still minor traders. A man entered behind her father; Tall, but not so slender; not obese, but with the look of a man who could become it if allowed the chance. His round face was open and friendly, his brown eyes sparkled. And his huge, potato nose dominated his face. Despite that, Orchid inclined her head politely to both; no need to be rude, even though the man was ugly in a way stories of trolls would tell.

"Orchid," her father began, stepping to the side to allow the man behind him to enter. "This is Gregor, owner of the Happy Hornet Inn." Orchid turned her eyes curiously to Potato Nose - no, Gregor - and considered. The Happy Hornet Inn was the best venue in this town; It had suites and arrayed itself with silks and velvets, yet had two common rooms - one for the common folk of the city and one for those who cared for more elaborate dining.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Gregor," Orchid replied, before turning her eyes back to her father. Her father met her eyes and Orchid felt a chill; something was about to happen and she didn't think she was going to like it. Her father's eyes had that stubborn look, the look he got that meant that nothing she could do would change things. And...she was right.

"Orchid, this is your husband. The contract is signed."

Forced into a marriage she did not want, to a man she did not love, nor truly respect, Orchid's spoiled upbringing brought out the worst in her. After the birth of their child, Fleur, Orchid refused to come to Gregor's bed, despite his pleasant attitude and decent treatment of her. She worked hard to keep her slim figure and became obsessed with appearances; as her daughter grew and took on Gregor's more stocky build, her obsession became making Fleur 'beautiful'.

After Gregor's death, Orchid became proprietor of the Happy Hornet Inn until Fleur reached the legal age of ownership. But before that happened, Valourdown became embroiled in the war with Ijs.