Aliena's personal garden was unlike any other space in the palace. Hidden within the sprawling estate, it was a world of its own. Designed with a balance of elegance and natural beauty, it featured carefully maintained greenery stretching along intricate cobbled pathways. Marble archways entwined with flowering vines framed the entrance, while ornamental fountains provided a gentle, rhythmic sound that blended with the chirping of exotic birds perched in the shaded canopy above.
At the heart of the garden lay a circular seating area, an intimate space designed for close gatherings. A grand stone table rested at the center, surrounded by plush cushions embroidered with intricate golden patterns. The foliage overhead provided ample shade, while the walls of dense shrubbery ensured complete privacy from wandering eyes. Between the columns, hanging lanterns infused with soft, magical light illuminated the area during dusk, casting a warm glow over the lush surroundings. Every detail had been crafted to provide an atmosphere of comfort, friendship, and quiet retreat.
Today, this space was filled with laughter and conversation.
"I swear, I thought he was going to bite me," the chimera, Lady Vashara, said, her lion head speaking while the goat one simply rolled its eyes. "I held Alex for the first time, and he looked me dead in the eyes like I owed him a life debt."
The dragon princess, Tzila, let out a laugh, leaning back on her cushion. Her scales shimmered faintly in the light, shifting hues of deep red and gold. "That's a royal baby for you. Born with the judgmental glare of someone who already knows all our secrets."
"He gets it from his mother," the elven mage, Sylara, teased, nudging Aliena's shoulder. "You always had that unnerving stare, even when we were kids. Don't act surprised that he inherited it."
Aliena rolled her eyes but smiled, shaking her head. "He's observant, that's all. Maybe he just knows how much trouble you all are."
"I take offense to that," Vashara said dramatically, placing a paw on her chest. "I'm an upstanding member of noble society."
"You literally clawed a duke for insulting your mane last year," Tzila pointed out.
"And I was justified!"
The group chuckled as a grand soldier ant stepped forward, then suddenly stiffened. His posture shifted subtly, and his normally rigid voice took on a smooth, controlled cadence. "It is far more efficient to speak directly," the soldier intoned before sighing in a tone that did not belong to him. "Tamssnako, at your service. And before anyone asks, no, I do not appreciate being called 'Tako.'"
Sylara grinned. "Of course, Tako."
"Unacceptable," the soldier-ant muttered, though the exasperation in his tone suggested he had already accepted his fate.
Aliena smirked. "And yet, here you are, participating in conversation willingly."
"I am here for observation," Tamssnako declared. "But since I have taken control of my vessel, I may as well indulge in whatever trivial discourse you all—"
"Perfect" muttered the alchemist axolotl, Lioris, their form shifting slightly mid-stretch. Their skin rippled with soft pink and blue hues as they adjusted into a more comfortable shape. "This tea is amazing."
Aliena chuckled. "I should have known you'd be focused on the tea."
Lioris waved a hand. "Excuse me, but alchemy is about precision and balance, and this tea is a masterpiece. Sylara, you've been holding out on us. Did you make this?"
Sylara grinned. "Maybe."
"I need the recipe," Lioris declared. "I must know what makes it so—" they took another sip and sighed, "—divine."
"You're such a drama queen," Tzila said, shaking her head.
"Excuse you, I am a scientist," Lioris corrected, tapping their temple. "A scholar. A connoisseur of fine things."
"A lab rat with a taste for luxury," Vashara corrected.
Lioris gasped in mock offense. "The audacity!"
The group dissolved into laughter, the easygoing warmth of old friendships filling the air.
In the corner, a quiet presence observed them with sharp eyes. Velka, a lynx beastkin, sipped her drink with an amused smirk, her ears twitching slightly at the banter. Unlike the others, she wasn't a noble, a scholar, or royalty. To most, she was simply a citizen, but those who knew her well understood there was more beneath the surface.
"You're awfully quiet today, Velka," Aliena noted.
Velka shrugged, her tail flicking lazily behind her. "Just enjoying the show. It's not every day I see royalty bickering over tea."
"We are not bickering," Tzila protested. "We are discussing."
"Uh-huh," Velka murmured sarcastically. "Very regal of you. Waiting for your Prince Charming."
"Oh, god! That reminded me about Tzila's upcoming marriage!" Vashara interjected, eyes glinting mischievously.
Tzila, who had been sipping her tea, choked. "Excuse me?!"
Lioris clapped their hands together excitedly. "Oh, yes! I heard a rumor about this. Something about a suitor with 'impressive lineage'?"
"Who told you that?!" Tzila demanded, eyes darting around the group. "There is no—"
"Then why are you blushing?" Sylara teased, leaning forward with a knowing smirk.
"I'm not blushing! It's just my scales!" Tzila huffed, crossing her arms. "Besides, unreliable males are the last thing I need in my life right now."
Velka, who had been quietly sipping her drink, finally spoke up. "Agreed. Most of them wouldn't survive two weeks without us handling their messes."
Vashara snorted. "And yet, the same ones will claim we're 'too much' to handle."
Tamssnako's soldier host tilted his head. "It is highly inefficient that partnerships are determined by such emotional complications. Ant colonies avoid such issues entirely by maintaining a singular, superior ruling structure."
Lioris waved a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes, your queenly efficiency is noted. But come now, Tzila, you must have some thoughts on the matter?"
Tzila groaned, rubbing her temples. "I swear, all of you thrive on gossip."
Aliena simply smiled, leaning back into her cushion. "Of course we do. What else are old friends for?"
Sylara smirked, taking a slow sip of tea. "We do have a rule, though—if someone truly doesn't want to talk about something, we drop it. Happy days shouldn't come with discomfort."
Tzila exhaled, her posture relaxing slightly. "I appreciate that."
As another round of laughter spread through the group, the atmosphere remained light and familiar, a rare escape from the weight of responsibility each of them carried. Here, in this small circle, there were no titles—just old friends, sharing stories and laughter in a garden hidden from the world.