Chapter Text
Elysabeth had grown up hearing the same classic love stories as everyone else. They never resonated with her the way she saw them resonate with others. She’d often think back to when she was younger and Edey still had story time in the lesson plan. Edey would pick out a story book from Elysabeth’s old sagging bookshelf.
She’d preach the stories of old Ninjago legends of impossible tales from when dragons and demons ruled the lands. Where warriors came and defeated the beasts of old and came home to their villages and married the most beautiful girl in all the lands.
The one that was Edey’s favorite was called ‘Abel of the Seven Realms’. Abel was a man who wielded the energy of the plants in all the lands. He was able to manipulate plants in a way that allowed for him to travel between realms. He went on all kinds of adventures, playing the hero whenever and wherever needed. Edey’s favorite part, however, was the love story between Abel and his neighbor Hanna. Hanna was the daughter of a farmer; she came with no wealth or status. Despite how much lower in society Hanna was, Abel loved her more than life itself.
Every adventure, every journey, ended the same way, with Abel bringing Hanna the most beautiful flower he found on his excursion. And every time, Hanna would accept the gift, kiss him on the cheek, and tell him she would only return his affections if Abel brought her the most perfect flower in all existence.
Elysabeth always thought this was smart of Hanna, she bought herself time. She freed herself of the burden that was marriage. But in the last chapter, Abel returned like he always did to Hanna, but this time empty handed. Hanna opened her door like she always did and but time Abel knelt and spoke.
“I would be complete for the rest of my life even if I only receive a sliver of the love you could give, but I beg of you to at least tell me, what is the name of the flower you seek? So that I may at least know what to search for.” Abel pleaded.
Edey always tried to compose herself before she’d continue reading. But her giddiness would always reveal itself in her voice.
Hanna would reach out and take Abel’s hand and tell him “The most perfect flower will be my wedding flowers. Will you grow me a bouquet that holds every flower you have gifted me? Once it is complete, I will marry you.”
The story continued and after a year of labor and gardening, Abel had completed Hanna’s request and the two were wed. It was the ending to Abel’s saga.
Elysabeth never understood that part of the story. While Edey gushed, Elysabeth pondered over what Hanna saw in Abel. Edey would always return the book to the self, a creaking noise sounding though the room as the shelf took on the weight and reassure her saying that Elysabeth would understand when she was older.
But Elysabeth never did.
So, when Elysabeth found herself standing in the middle of the gala with Cliff opposite to her on one knee. She realized he never really knew her.