Flora

꧁Chapter 2꧂

Playing: Aram Khachaturian- Masquerade Suite- Waltz

Home is a place where one can feel assured of solace and security. Home can come in many form however, it seems that Prince Ben of Larkspur has failed to acknowledge the point upon laying his eyes on a flimsy tree house built on a Sycamore Tree in the vastness of the woods.

"Do come, Mister Ben. It's certainly getting dark and who knows what might lurk in the shade." She reminded him, successfully cutting him off his trance caused by utmost dissatisfaction. He had been looking forward to lay down on a mattress for quite a while now and it appears so he will have to wait longer than desired. He trailed behind her but refused to immediately head up which caused her to furrow her eyebrows in confusion.

"I am well-aware of the fact that I have disappointed you as this was clearly not the home a Prince would envision, even if he's out in the forest but you must make haste and head up here." She reminded him with impatience in her tone.

"I am afraid that is not the reason for my delay of ascending there, ma chérie. I am a gentleman myself and I cannot head up after you when you are in your skirt." He reminded her. Boastful he may be, yet he admired ladies so dearly that some may think of him as a womanizer which certainly he is anything but.

"Now that I am already up here with no underwear threatening to be seen, I believe nothing shall be bothering you anymore. Now, you certainly need to make haste before I lock you out there cowering over the thought of some hideous creatures to pounce upon you amidst your not so comfortable slumber." She commanded causing to oblige. He head up the treehouse and entered unveiling an interior he does not expect from a gal. He saw her quarry of various animals. He was awed to see a grizzly bear as he himself could not catch one during his hunts in the past along with his brothers. Hunting was the very reason why he ended up being here now. He read on a book that a certain forest in the north holds a huge array of wildlife. In doing so, he plucked up the courage to head to the forest with no chaperone to accompany him. He did not tell a single soul about going to such place, not even his personal assistant Kai. His eldest brother apparently ran away from his duties, he presume while his second eldest brother is currently filling in the role his eldest brother has chose to abandon.

"I suppose you're a proficient hunter." He said, glancing at her.

"After saving your life by shooting an eagle dead midflight, I bet you should." she said in an amused tone.

"So, where shall I sleep?"

"There is a small mattress right around the corner. I covered it with a cloth since it gets pretty dusty upon my absence. We shall sleep on that after laying it flat on the floor." She stated whilst sauntering towards the mattress, oblivious of the awkwardness that might transpire later on.

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Her cousin perhaps know her too well. They had been each other's best of friends for as long as they can remember and they're practically kindred spirits.

"I suppose it's your turn to speak of what's been bothering you this time around Julia." She said, directing her gaze to the elder gal.

"Mother has said she does not trust me to rule the country on my own." She said with a weak smile.

"My apologies." Catherine muttered grabbing Julia's hand and intertwining them with hers.

"You needn't to be. It's certainly frustrating but it made me reminisced the days when my papa was still alive and well. He would defend me against mama when she scolds me or Little Jinni. He would listen to my stories and I would listen to his. Stories of his voyage around the world was my favorite, He would prepare a story of his voyage of different destinations each night before I go to sleep. Perhaps he has been to every corner of this world and there was too many to tell. It was certainly a shame he wasn't able to tell me everything. I would laugh at his jest and argue at his exaggerations because he was quite fond of exaggerating things. He said that he saw a ginormous ant the size of his shoes when he ventured through the vast expanse of the Amazon Rainforest. Those were the days." She said with a hint of longing in her voice.