The Flower bud

**Chapter 4—The Greenhouse**

The two days between the Kruegers' awkward visit and the Conclave flew by in a rush of packing and last-minute briefings. The ancient Luminaria mansion felt a little more modern with the buzz of preparation.

I found my dad, Orion, in the kitchen the next morning, already dressed in a comfortable sweater and jeans, scrolling through his iPad with a cup of coffee in hand. He looked up and gave me a warm smile.

"Hey, kiddo. Your mom filled me in. Sounds like a classic Vince Krueger special."

I slumped into a chair at the large island. "He hasn't changed."

"Some people are slow learners," he said, pushing a bowl of fruit towards me. "But you? You've learned a lot. I heard you handled yourself with grace. Right up until the slap." He winked, and I couldn't help but smile. He always knew how to defuse the tension.

"He deserved it," I said, grabbing a strawberry.

"I don't doubt it for a second," he chuckled. "But remember, you're not just my daughter who gets to slap a jerk. You're carrying the Primordial title now. It's a big deal, even if the full responsibility doesn't kick in until you're twenty-five."

He set his iPad down. "This Conclave isn't a test. It's an opportunity. Think of it like a greenhouse."

I looked at him, curious. "A greenhouse?"

"Yeah. You're not going to war. You're going to cultivate. Some of these relationships are already strong. Some are just little seeds. Your job is to tend to all of them. Be smart. Be kind. Listen more than you talk. And when you do speak..." He smiled. "Make it count. A point made gently is often more powerful than one made forcefully."

It was good advice. It felt less like a royal command and more like a dad giving his daughter a pep talk before the first day of a new school.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime. Now, go pack. And try to pack something other than black, will you? Ryan's got the 'moody heir' look on lock."

The next day was a whirlwind. My mom, effortlessly chic in designer athleisure wear, helped me choose my outfits. The goal was style and confidence, not intimidation. A beautiful cobalt blue dress for the gala, perfect jeans, a collection of elegant tops, and a stunning leather jacket.

Ryan met me at the door, looking like he'd stepped out of a high-fashion ad in dark jeans, a simple white t-shirt, and a perfectly tailored blazer. The only hint of his real role was the subtle, wireless comms piece in his ear.

"Ready to go, lil' sis?" he asked, hoisting his bag. "Time to go make nice with the future rulers of the world."

Our private jet was sleek and comfortable. A few hours later, we were descending toward the legendary Isle of Veridia.

The Conclave wasn't in some old castle. It was held at a stunning, ultra-modern resort built right on a pristine beach. Glass, steel, and infinity pools blended into the turquoise ocean and lush green jungle.

We were among the last to arrive. The main lobby was already buzzing when we walked in. It felt less like a stuffy political summit and more like the most exclusive party in the world.

I spotted Jackline immediately, laughing with a group by a huge window overlooking the ocean. She waved us over enthusiastically.

"You're here! I was starting to think you'd gotten lost!"

The group she was with was relaxed and friendly. Kael of Nysa, in a cool linen shirt, gave me a warm smile. The towering Fjord of the Northern Marches was telling a wild story to a captivated Lyra of Aethoris, who offered me a shy little wave. I saw the twins from Calonia, Aris and Elian, already on their phones, probably checking the latest global markets.

And then there was Vince. He was leaning against the bar, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans, scrolling through his phone. He looked up, saw me, and gave a brief, neutral nod. The air was still thick with our history, but the beautiful, casual setting made it feel less intense.

Jackline hooked her arm through mine. "Okay, time to catch up. You've been ghosting our group chat for years." She effortlessly pulled me into the circle.

"Look who decided to join the real world," Kael said with a friendly grin. "We were taking bets on what you'd be like after six years in Japan."

"Hopefully less predictable," I said, and the group laughed.

The conversation was easy. We talked about music, a new Netflix series everyone was watching, the best places to travel. For a little while, I forgot about titles and ancient duties. It just felt like hanging out with interesting people.

It was Jackline who, not-so-subtly, decided to force an interaction. "Vince," she called out, interrupting Fjord's story. "Weren't you just in Nefaris? Lassiter was just talking about their new tech scene. You two should compare notes. I'm sure it's fascinating." She flashed a brilliant, innocent smile.

The circle got quiet for a second. Vince pushed off the bar and walked over. "Yeah, I was," he said, his tone careful. "Their startup culture is booming, but the infrastructure can't keep up. The internet speeds outside the capital are a joke."

I couldn't help but engage. "That's because they're prioritizing laying fiber optic cable to rural schools first. The commercial hubs are next on the list."

He looked at me, a flicker of real interest in his eyes. "A noble goal, but a terrible business strategy. It slows down overall economic growth."

"It invests in long-term stability instead of short-term profit," I countered.

We went back and forth for a few minutes, debating economic policy and infrastructure. It was the first normal conversation we'd had in years. It felt challenging and, despite everything, familiar.

It was then I noticed the looks. Lyra's shy glance had become something warmer, more appreciative. Across the room, the Calonian twins were watching us, their expressions sharp and intrigued. It wasn't hostile. It was... flattering. A little thrilling. For the first time, the Primordial title felt less like a burden and more like a source of power.

The head event coordinator, a woman with a bright smile and a headset, clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone! Welcome to Veridia! Let's get started!"

A large screen lit up behind her. "We're splitting you into teams of four for our main project! Your challenge: pitch a new business or nonprofit you could build together. You have two days! Let's see the teams!"

The screen flashed and randomized our names before landing on four groups.

Team 3: Lassiter Luminaria Vince Krueger Kael (Nysa) Lyra (Aethoris)

A wave of excited chatter and a few whistles went through the room. Jackline's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide. Ryan, who had been talking to someone from Thorvania, shot me a look that screamed 'you have got to be kidding me.'

Vince and I just stared at each other, the brief connection from our debate vanishing into pure, stunned silence. The coordinator beamed.

"What a fantastic team! Power, innovation, heart, and creativity! Teams, find each other and start brainstorming!"

The room erupted into noise as everyone moved to find their teammates. Vince and I remained rooted to the spot for a long second, the world moving around us.

The greenhouse was open. And we had just been assigned to the same pot.