Her Fear, His Obsession

Like a moth drawn to a flame, something was drawing her in

As they made their way out of the castle, Alia took careful note of exactly how Luca was walking to the outside. Right, left, left, right, she repeated constantly, moving her head all around to try and memorize important markers.

Seeing her look all about, Luca knew that she was likely memorizing the route to try and escape. He laughed, "My love, the garden may be outside the castle, but there is a 30 foot wall around the garden, there is no way past the walls."

Feeling like a failure, Alia felt embarrassed and hung her head down in defeat. Luca lifted her up to nuzzle his nose against her hair. "Sorry, my love, it's all to protect you. I couldn't bear it if someone were to hurt you while you enjoy your garden." 

Hearing this, she couldn't help but smile, but it brought confusion to her heart. She couldn't help but feel at home with this man, but he had kidnapped her and he hurt people. And he had slaves. These were all terrible things. 

All semblance of confusion vanished as he carried her outside. Surrounded by flowers of all sizes, colors, and scents, Alia was in awe. A small brick pathway twisted and turned and as Luca walked her down the path, she felt like she was in a dream. Pink roses, yellow tulips, orchids, blue roses, red roses, purple tulips, white carnations, each flower and color drew her eyes in. Within all the flowers, beautiful lush green bushes were accompanied by even more lush grass, breathing life into Alia's soul. Her smile grew wider and wider with each turn, and Luca felt more and more proud as her smile grew. He knew how to make her happy, and he would continue to do so every moment of every day. Her eyes had twinkled in joy, but they grew even more as they approached the center of the garden, its pride and joy. A massive 40 foot waterfall consisting of 3 smaller waterfalls fell with the sound of waves rushing down the fall into the pool beneath. If she hadn't known better, Alia would have thought that she was in a national park, the view was that beautiful with a sky blue background and tall trees accompanying the waterfall. 

Alia gently turned and motioned, indicating that she wanted to be let down. Reluctantly, Luca set her on the floor, but continued to hold her hand, to communicate and to ensure that she was safe. Dragging him along, Alia made her way to the pool as if in a trance. She silently pulled her  nightgown upto her knees so that her feet and legs could sit in the water. Displeased, Luca let out a little growl, but said nothing. He knew that he was close and the guards knew better than to look at her. 

Watching her continue to watch the waterfall, it was clear to Luca that they would be here for a while. He quickly whispered to a slave standing nearby that they should have lunch set up here without so much as a sound. He didn't want to distract her. But as he was explaining his instructions, he was startled by a loud giggle. 

He spun around, looking for the source, hoping it was Alia, and was stopped in his tracks. Alia was holding a bunny, gently stroking it as it wriggled in her hands, its nose and face burying into her stomach, twitching. She looked so beautiful and serene, her lips parting as she let out another giggle and beamed down at the bunny. Luca was dazed.

Alia didn't even notice the man staring at her. All she saw was the adorable bunny in her lap that was tickling her with its nose. With her legs swinging carelessly in the water, she let herself escape into her happy place. She wasn't going to lie, this garden was pretty damn close to the happy place she had always built in her memories.

Not wanting to move his eyes for even a second, he beckoned the women he had been speaking to earlier back close to him. He whispered new instructions to them and had the two of them scatter as he went to lean against a nearby tree, watching her continue in delight.

Not soon after, one of the women returned with two more bunnies, which she silently placed near the Queen. Alia squealed as she half turned to pick another one up. In that much time, her first bunny squirmed its way to freedom and Alia frowned. The woman standing near her wordlessly began to chase the escaping bunnies and bring them back to her while Alia played with the ones near her. In order to have better access, Alia spun around, remaining seated so that the pool was to her right and Luca could now see her face on. That was not Alia's intention and she was very aware of his steady gaze, but she didn't care. It was bunny playtime and she was in her happy place.