Once in a lifetime // Prince Raji

Chapter 3 - like a flower

"please, follow me this way" I said with a small smile on my face

"Of course" he replied

The air seemed tense which disturbed me. The silence wasn't nice either, it was more or less awkward between us and I just didn't know what to say

'Say...Prince Raji?" I stopped and turned to face him

"I- Yes?" He stuttered and looked at me directly with a slight tint of red on his face, it's good job it was barley noticeable.

"would you like to see the herb gardens? We have some exquisite flowers and combinations from around the nation, along with a separate flower garden if you'd like...?"

Silence

"Prince Raji the princess is talking-'

"Yes I am aware sakaki!" Prince Raji blurted out in a rushed tone and spun to face me once again, "yes..i guess."

"Why the hesitation your majesty?" I pondered as we stalled towards the gardens side by side

"H-Hesitance? I'll have you know that i am very Eager to see the gardens!"

I couldn't help but giggle at his behaviour suddenly, i put my hand over my mouth gently to muffle the noise. "My apologise Prince Raji, its just you're quite interesting when it comes to your change in moods." Did i really just say that? Prince Raji...Interesting?!

For the rest of the walk there we were in a comfortable silence, the only things that could be heard were nature at its finest, gosh i loved that sound.

When we arrived at the gardens Sakaki stationed himself right at the gardens entrance to let us spend some time together 'alone', by alone he means with the other guards stood around the garden posts, pretty common in Clariness when having visitors for the day.

We wandered into the gardens side by side, he occasionally stopped to gaze at the bushes of flowers and herbs

"These gardens are quite beautiful i must say, we also have a herb garden back at Tanbarun." Raji stated confidently

"Ah really?!" I blurted out excitedly "my apologies..." how embarrassing...

"You could...come to see them one day? Only if you want you do!-"

I cut him of from any further panic "i would love to, thank you for the invitation!' I smiled at him genuinely.

The silence thickened once again, the garden tour had been quite long but i have to admit spending time with the so called snobby prince of Tanbarun worked out.

We had gotten to the last section of the countless gardens. We wandered as the wind occasionally brushed our faces but i noticed prince Raji had stopped walking and was staring down at something.

"Him? Prince Raji is everything alright?" I gazed back at him and took a few steps back to his location

"This flower is...beautiful, what kind is it?" His tone softened as he kneeled down and stroked the petals

"Oh! This is a glaze lily its actually my favourite flower.. i asked to have it put in the garden actually" i let out a small giggle at the end but stopped as i saw Prince Raji staring at me deeply.

"Prince Raji...?" I raised my eyebrow with a smile on my face still

"This flower.. really does remind me of you"

"what?" My face turned red from the sudden comment i quickly turned my head away from embarrassment "why?" I said quietly

Prince Raji shot up with blush on his cheeks "Nevermind! I didn't say anything? Did you hear something? Hm? No" he crossed his arms and stood up quickly, i did the same as my face was still red from his unexpected comment.

I followed him by his side as we continued to explore the areas in silence, occasionally there would be talking but only a simple question or two.

The air was tense and awkward until we had to depart, brother Izana had to discuss matters with the prince of Tanbarun. I gave a small curtesy and a wave before he turned his back

I sighed and bit my lip, that felt like hours...

"Miss..?"

I jumped startled at the sudden interaction "Oh Shirayuki, what's seems to be the problem? And please call me Aerin." I stated

"Your hi!- i mean Aerin!, i know prince Raji can be very difficult and seem hard to please but i just want to see him be a Prince i can be proud of who rules my home country one day, I want him to get better for the sake of the kingdom and your fate, but just know fate can be changed instantly, if you don't want to go through with this marriage please speak up...coming from somebody with hardly any power it sounds hard to do but i have faith in you Aerin!" She half shouted with her hand on her chest, she seemed breathless like she ran here.

"Shirayuki, thank you. Thank you for giving me courage, i really needed that, i would also hope for prince Raji to be a ruler who his kingdom and nation can be proud of but also a Prince who i can be proud as the only Princess of Clariness."

Shirayukis face was bright red as she muttered a thank you and bowed as she hugged the books to her chest. "I better be off, and please come and tell me how it goes if you have the time!!"

I waved to her as she ran off, I listened to the things she said clearly but

I wasn't the only one listening, Izana and Raji were standing near the window the entire time, and Raji well..he was surprised that somebody even had the guts to say something like that. And Izana just let out a low laugh like a child.