The Rose In the Night

house of worship ( extermly rough)

The sound  of servants' chatter scrapes at the edges of my brain like hungry wolves as we move closer to my king's house of worship. This is the only time I was not only allowed outside of my room, but outside. Theo says that we were a local legend in the village. Villagers would tell folklore about us. Having spent almost our entire lives away, we were more of a curiosity to them. I try to ignore their whispers as they examine me as if I were an exotic animal they'd never seen before. Being paraded in front of them for their amusement.

I follow behind two castle guards. Lia walks to my right and then to my left as it's been almost our entire lives. Two castle guards in the back.

I focus on the sea through the large gold windows as I continue to move in unison with my entire household. Smells of earthy salt and Fresh fish come in quick waves. My stomach turns Still getting used to the ocean's unique fragrance. The smells and sounds are so different the those of rivers.

If it were for the large warships guarding our borders the kyrell sea would look so peaceful today. The constant thick low-hanging clouds that always seem to cover the country's capital make way for the spring sun today. It's the first day in weeks without rain.

Allowing Snowy Mount Zyon to tower over the sea proudly. The volcano seems so peaceful down here next to the ocean. The snowy tops seem so close I can touch it. The lakes we grew up playing near always had an end to them. The sea seems endless. I stare at the waves wondering if the monsters I've read about Like whales and sea lions actually live there. I giggle at the thought that it's impossible for something that large to live in the water.

How would any animal that large breathe without air?

I continue to study my new home as I try to ignore the growing whispers. Yet I can feel their words continue to pick me apart. We continue to move through the hallways till we reach the end. The exit way opens up to a garden. I sigh in relief as the whispers fade behind meThe Kings Gardens, are beautiful. I knew My all-white attire stuck out against the bright greenery and vivid flowers. The gardens were so well groomed it felt as if we were moving through a fresh painting.  The large trees tower over our workroom to look like different whimsical shapes. I remember using these gardens as a maze and playing with my sisters. I could hear Aliana gasp at my awe. by my side. The gardens would be a sight to see for anyone. Yet nothing about the gardens excites me after living in the mountains for so long.

Seeing nature being controlled in such a way makes my skin crawl. Growing up in the mountains felt like giving a wolf a taste of her natural habitat just for it to be taken away. Replaced by a plastic version.

i can't see anything past the large bushes. Yet I knew what laid Behind the large bushes were metal fences.

To me, this place was just another pretty imprisonment.

I look up to te volcano imagining exactly where Niran's temple is placed. Growing up there felt like giving a wolf a taste of her natural habitat just for it to be taken again.

I begin to hear crows croak above my head. They couldn't hide the sky. Nor the crows. I can hear Sebastian chuckle ever so softly beneath his breath. No matter where I went the crows would always follow.

My thoughts are cut short by the sounds of my sisters' excitement. My country's enemies have been trying to kill us since we were born. It was a time my sisters looked forward to all week was the very time i loathe. It just was a reminder that I was an outsider with my own blood. no matter how hard.I try to fit in. Nothing could change who birthed me.I knew why the others were so excited. It's  a rare occasion for us to be allowed in the same building let alone the same room. With the prince's arrival, we were beginning to see more of each other for the first time in a decade.  A time my sisters looked forward to was the same time I dreaded. It only reminds me I'm an outsider even with my own blood.