Pokemon : Beauty and her Beast

Chapter 2 Celebrations with The Noble Beasts

Rosemarie

"Ta-da ! Here we are, Marie-it's our very own love nest  !" Rio exclaimed looking very much like the golden Cocker Spaniel that Sariel considered him to be. "You wish ! This is actually... wow, this is AMAZING ! I bet the whole bookstore could fit in here with room to spare !" 

Looking around, tbe fancy chandelier, the luxurious bedding, ans the furniture, tasteful but not too gaudy. It was different from her bedroom in town.... "It's a bit daunting, isin't it ? But you know what ? I'm here with you, so you're gonna be fine ! And I reckon you should enjoy yourself, and live it up a little while you're here !" 

It was like he read her mind, chaising ever doubt away. "You're right. Thanks, Rio. I feel a lot better, knowing you're here with me."

"Rosemarie..  I'll always be here for you, no matter what !" His words had a teasing edge but she knew he meant it.

Wandering the palace halls she stopped and took an appreciative sniff at the scent of roses, so delicate and delightful was walking toward the source of it. Rose vines twined along the balcony blooming in a cacophony of reds, pinks, whites and buttery yellow that offset the view of  Rhodolite beyond 

  I don't think I've ever seen such an amazing view even after living in the capital for so long, she thought in surprise. "It's so beautiful," she commented in a hushed whisper before something inside her prickle....

She wasn't alone. Leon ? He stood there silent and alone, staring up at the sky as bright azure began to darken into a burnished gold and deep maroon. A breeze swept, toying with his hair to reveal those amber eyes.

   "Rosemarie ? What's up ? You look a bit dazed there." No longer did he look lonely. "Oh, um," she began feeling flustered could she say the scent of roses lured her over ? Leon grinned as he gestured for me to join him at the railing, after a moment she found herself joining him. "Do you blame me for looking dazed ? This place is huge ! I'm going to get lost just trying to find the bathroom ! Oh and-" "Hm....." His expression was open and friendly, just as it was before when I first met him earlier.

Flashback

"Thank you so much for helping us. We're indebted to you. Would you mind if I asked your name ?" Dressed in plain nondescript black clothing, "It's Leon. And you don't need to be all formal with me."

  "Well-thanks, Leon. So you know that guy ? The one on the white horse ?"  "Yeah, but we've never really talked that much."

"Do you remember when we first met in town earlier ? Why did you make it sound like you  barely knew Chevalier  ?" It seemed odd to her that tbe two brother's treated each other like passing acquaintances. "Because it's not that far from the truth. I wasn't kidding when I said we don't talk much," Leon explained.

  "Okay, I guess I get that," it was still odd to her. There was an age gap but even she was close to her little brother Ambrose, "But I had no idea you were royalty, either. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you at the palace !" I threw him a quick, ruefill smile, and he turned towards me, his lips catching upwards as he leaned in to catch my gaze.

"Sorry if it felt like I qas keepong secrets from you. How about I do sonething to make it up ?" Leon offered.

 "Oh, you don't need to do-" "Sure I do. And tonight they just happen to be holding a festival to celebrate Foundation Day. Festivals are way more fun in the evening than they are during the day, you know. Can you hear that music on the breeze ? And the streets look amazing at night, all lit up with laterns." He smiled, looking so confident that Leon was wearing down her.