Parallel

Chapter XII: Joy and Loss

Auralea

We walked side by side in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both too lost in thought to navigate back to reality. Prince Leopold's brow was furrowed in contemplation, worry or maybe even sadness. I had not been around him long enough to study and distinguish his expressions just yet.

"Do you ever long for a change in...the world? Though things should be perfect, do you ever feel that there is more to life than what you are currently experiencing?" The question itself isn't what takes me by surprise, it's the complexities of it and the emotion felt behind his words. He stares at me expectantly and I nod.

"I often find myself pondering. I wonder if someday I could be more than just a chambermaid from a far off place. I wonder if I will always be labeled as an orphan or if I will find love or if I could ever be as beautiful as the ladies in the portraits around the castle." I flush and clear my throat. "What I mean is that I wonder about these things often." A sheepish grin falls upon my lips and I suddenly feel shy expressing my thoughts. When I look up at him, his gaze is already on me.

"I too am an orphan. My parents both passed when I was young and I was raised by my uncle." There is a tinge of sadness in his voice that expresses my exact feelings about Braxton and the orphanage. "I feel so guilty sometimes. I love the man who raised me and the children I grew up with but I still long for-"

"More."

There is an unspoken understanding between us that makes me feel even more connected to Prince Leopold. He is just like me. Just more rich, powerful and beautiful than I could ever be. I nod. "I never thought someone would be able to think like I do, like you do. It makes me feel like we were destined to meet and become friends. If you ever need to talk about your parents or your feelings or anything, you know where to find me. I am always around and I would love to listen and make you feel heard."

His motion is subtle and in an instant his hand is cupping my cheek. I lean into his touch and sigh, it is so comforting yet so frightening. "Oh, Auralea..." His voice came out as a breathy whisper. His face is so close to mine that I lose focus. I wonder what his lips would feel like against mine. "Leo." A lazy grin stretches across his face as he strokes my cheek with his thumb. "Am I Leo to you now then?"

My eyes widen on their own accord when I realize my mistake. Suddenly losing my composure, I struggle to form a sentence and attempt to step out of his reach but Leopold plants his other hand firmly on my waist. I braced myself for the impact that was destined to await me. "I am so sorry. I did not mean to disrespect you or your title...I-I...it won't happen again. I do not know why-"

"Hush Auralea. I like it. Call me Leo from now on if you please. I love the way it sounds coming from you." His playful smirk leaves me flustered. Stupid smooth talking prince. I bow my head in acknowledgement and smile back. "Are you gonna let me go anytime soon Leo?" He shakes his head, his smirk still present and mischief dancing across his features. "Never."

I bring a hand up to stifle my giggle and wriggle out of his arms. "I believe I was bribed with lunch and I am still very hungry." He raises a brow, almost challengingly. "I suppose I should get some food into you. Back to never letting you go after we share a meal?" Damn him and his way with words that sets my nerves ablaze. "We will see." I tap my chin and pretend to be deep in thought. "If you can catch me." A look of confusion crosses his features before I lift my dress to mid thigh and take off into the maze of the garden. I hear him bark out a laugh behind me.

I navigate through the twists and turns of the garden with a hint of familiarity, trying my hardest to stifle my laugh. When I reach a gazebo surrounded by beautiful black roses, I stop to catch my breath and admire them. I tense and squeal when arms suddenly engulf me and I'm swept off of my feet. Warm breath tickles my neck and I feel more than just my own pounding heartbeat. I feel Leo's lips graze my ear, "I caught you."

"I guess you can never let me go now." The confidence in my voice shocks me. When I am in his arms, or even just around him, I feel different. I feel like a better version of myself. I felt like a seedling or a rosebud when I first came here but being around him makes me feel like I could be blossoming. He chuckles and sets me down onto my feet. I smooth out my dress and look over at the dark chairs surrounding the table inside the gazebo. "May I take a seat?" He nods and pulls out a chair for me. "Of course."

Before going to a seat of his own, he plucks a rose from a surrounding bush and hands it to me. "For you." I smile for the millionth time today and bring the beautiful dark flower to my nose and inhale deeply. "Thank you. For this and for inviting me to accompany you today." His expression of contentment is unwavering. "It truly has been my pleasure, Auralea. You have taken my mind off of all of my usual stressors."

Lunch in the gazebo with Leo is peaceful and playful; definitely something I could get used to. When we hesitantly part ways, I begin to make my way from the east wing and to my quarters. Distractedly, I bump into someone as I am leaving the wing. The rose from Leo falls from my grasp and lands on the ground in front of me. I reach for it but before I can grab it, a heavy foot lands directly on it and crushes it.

He clears his throat and I can feel him staring at me but I keep my head down. I completely avoid eye contact as I see the royal crest on his slipper. "Your majesty, I am very sorry for my clumsiness. Please forgive me." I bow for dramatic flare and ball my hands into fists. My rose. He scoffs at me and saunters off.

I wait until he is a good distance away before I look at his retreating figure. His head is held high just before he disappears from my view. I drop to my knees and scoop the remaining petals into my hand. He destroyed it. I quickly stand and jog off down the hall with tears blurring my vision. I cannot explain why I feel such despair.

He destroyed it. My rose. He stepped on it. It felt the weight of his slipper and was crushed. Defeated. It fell. It is dead now. He killed it.

A/N:

Are y'all feeling Leopold? Who's your favorite character so far?

~S&A