A Saint and A Flower

He smelled of winter rain with a hint of honey. How long had I waited for a day where I could look upon him at such a close distance? He didn't smile, his young face spoke of a fierce emptiness that surpassed lonesomeness. I wondered briefly how it was that I came to be here, standing in this dark room with only him.  Allow me a moment to explain. I was once nothing but a simple woman who worked as a librarian. I filled my days devouring page after page and book after book. I had not a preference, and only wished to absorb the words like ink on paper. That life was simple, and easy. I had a small family I wasn't close with, and no meaningful relationships to speak of, but I was happy with my everyday living. One day, I had stumbled across a very peculiar book.  It's name was A Garden of Poppies. A historical novel that followed the tale of a commoner woman who was loved by both princes. One prince was born soaked in sunshine, an easily lovable boy that captured the heart of anyone he met with ease. The other was a child casted in shadows, and cursed. Fearing that the curse might spread to the lovable twin prince, the king quickly threw the boy into isolation, in the abandoned Rose Tower, where he grew up alone.  The second born prince, Remly, grew not wanting a thing, surrounded by love and light, while the first born prince, Axel, was born cursed and was quickly forgotten. That was until the protagonist, Amelia, was brought into the palace as a maid. She quickly gained the attention of Remly, and soon after, Axel opened his sealed off heart to her. Amelia broke Axel's curse, and he confessed his love, but Amelia chose Remly.  Heart broken and consumed with feelings of bitterness and envy towards his twin brother, the curse awoke, and a darkness began to overtake the kingdom. Remly killed Axel in order to stop the curse from taking a hold of the empire.  I had finished reading the story, horrified and in tears. I couldn't understand. Remly received everything, and Axel gained nothing. How could Amelia choose Remly, when Axel loved her so tenderly, as the thing he held most precious in his world?  "Poor Axel... everything that should've been yours was given to Remly without hesitation. Your claim to the throne, your parent's love, Amelia's heart... if only I could've been by your side, I would never choose Remly," I whispered, a deep ache throbbing in my chest. Looking back on this, I should've been more careful as to what I said. Those words seemed to trigger something. The leather bound book in my hands started to glow, and at first I thought it had caught on fire, but in a single moment, the familiar library I sat in changed, and I was falling. Blue skies rushed past me, and wind whipped by me, toppling me throughout the air.  I couldn't even scream, and in that moment, words echoed in my ears. "I send my daughter, Esme, to walk amongst the people of Doorn to be a Saintess of this world. A beloved child of God, and a gift. Know, that she is wise, and will bless this empire." That unfamiliar voice spoke clearly, and I knew that it had given me that name, but beloved child of God? I had no time to think, as the ground rushed to meet me, and the blue water of a lake glistened with sparks from the sun as I approached it at a dangerous speed. I closed my eyes, preparing for the harsh contact, but shockingly, none came. When I opened my eyes, my feet were standing upon that blue water, walking. I was stunned, a shock so deep I felt numb, as my body moved on it's own.  I could hear gasps resounding, as I progressed forward, my weight balanced as I looked up. People wearing strange clothes gathered around the dock and beach, watching with disbelief as I made my way towards them. Even as I struggled to gain control, my body moved on its own, as if on auto-pilot. I stepped onto the dock after a moment, the crowds of people making way as I looked at their faces.  "Take me to the house of God, and you shall be blessed," The voice that left my lips was unfamiliar, and cool.  There was a moment of silence as the crowd murmured amongst themselves, before the dirty face of a young child quickly stepped forward, his ash blond hair covered in grime and filth, and his clothes torn and ragged. Without hesitation, he offered his services. "Please follow me," He spoke, his voice soft, and his green eyes shaking slightly, unsure. The crowds parted as I moved, almost as if they were under a spell as they watched me with wide, unbelieving eyes.  "She descended from the heavens!" "She walked across the Black Lake!" "Is she some sort of angel?" The whispers of bewildered voices echoed through the throngs of ever gathering people. I followed the young boy while my body moved on its own, but my mind raced to comprehend what was going on. Doorn was the Empire from A Garden of Poppies, and the book had suddenly glowed only moments ago before I fell through the sky. Had I somehow fallen into the story?  Looking around at the people, they were dressed as if I had stepped back hundreds years into the past. The Black Lake was also mentioned in the novel. This couldn't be a coincidence, but none of this had happened in the book. Though there was the Saintess Yana, she appeared long before Prince Axel had been born, or even his great grandfather for that matter. How was I here? A tall building with an ivory peak began to make itself known ahead of us, and it stood out amongst the common, wooden buildings and cobblestone roads. In front of the gate, a man in a white robe stood, a slightly nervous expression on his face as we approached.  "How can this slave of God help you both?" He asked with a hesitant smile. Was he waiting for the Saintess to appear?  "I am Esme, the daughter of God," My lips moved.   The man immediately bowed his head, murmuring the word Saintess, before inviting me into the church. I turned to the young boy, whose bleak green eyes watched me. My hands moved, and placed itself a top his head. "Do you wish for something?" I asked him. "Can you bring me back my brother?" "Your brother is in a happier place. He cries no more, he hungers no more, and he lives his days loved and in laughter. Do you still wish to bring him back?" The boy was quiet, but then shook his head.  "What do you wish for?" I asked, my voice now softer.  "I... I wish to serve you. Let me stay by your side, and I will be useful." After a moment, I nodded and followed the priest through the gates, only glancing behind me to make sure the boy had followed. When will I gain back control of my body? I had only a moment to wonder, but as soon as my foot hit the first step of the church's building, I stumbled as I regained control. "Saintess?" The priest called concerned.  I shook my head, clearing my distracted thoughts. "I'm fine," I answered, righting my position. My body felt weak now that I could move it, but I pushed forward. I ignored the shaking in my legs as I observed the inside of the Temple. My mind raced to understand the situation I was in, and for a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming. I pinched my arm, and felt the sting, but even then, I was in disbelief.  As we walked through the halls, I turned my attention back to the boy who had promised to serve me. "What is your name?" I asked him. "You may call me whatever you wish, my lady," He spoke softly. I hesitated for a moment, but quickly remembered that in the novel, slaves were never granted names. As I looked at the dirty, poor boy beside me, I wondered if he could be a runaway slave. I sighed before facing forward.  "Adom," I finally decided.  "That will be your name from now on."