The Book Of Flowers

Chapter 3

I roll over and check the time... 6:26 why do I wake up so early? the lilies are no longer in my vase and my tulip that Sebastian gave me is gone as well... They are replaced with new flowers, they look like daisies. They are quite beautiful, but how did they get there? I get out of bed and walk to turn my lights on. I head over to the closet and grab clothes and put them on. I put my hair in low braids and do light make up so I don't look entirely dead. I grab my shoes and slip them on. I get up and open my door. The guards aren't here right now, they normally switch out guards so the night guards can sleep. I walk through the halls not wanting to wake anyone up. I make my way to the garden to watch the sunrise. It looks quite pretty today, the sky is a beautiful shade of yellow and orange. I lay against the big willow tree in the garden, it's my favorite tree in the garden except for the oak one. The leaves slowly dance in the wind as the sun slowly rises from the horizon. I sit there for about 5 minutes before I hear someone approach me from behind.

"Good morning Estella." Sebastian says.

I look behind me and smile, "Morning," I say while smiling.

He walks up next to me and sits down. It's quiet for a few seconds. "Why are you up so early?" he asks.

"I don't know. I just kinda woke up and didn't want to go back to bed. Plus I haven't gone in the garden and watched the sunrise in ages."

"Makes sense."

"Why are you up so early?" I ask.

"Well as a guard I kinda have to be awake a lot. The only time I go to sleep is when you go to sleep. And one of the other guards told me that you had left your room, so that means my day had officially begun."

"Oh, if I knew that I would have stayed in bed longer." I look down at my hands.

"It doesn't matter, I had to get up soon anyway. My day starts at 6:35. That's when I get ready and head to your door." He says while looking at me.

I nod and close my eyes for a quick second. "Do you know what time it is?" I ask.

"It should be around 6:45, I don't know for sure."

"Okay, I have half an hour before breakfast is served." I say. "It's nice to just hear nature. It's so calming, a break from everyday life." I say while looking at him.

"I guess it is, isn't it?"

"I don't have to do as much as my parents, but being a princess isn't easy and I can't imagine your job being any easier."

"It's not that bad, I get to spend time with you now so it's not all bad. Training days are kind of rough though."

It goes quiet again. Neither of us brought up what happened last night and honestly I don't mind all that much. We are just both content and happy.

We end up leaving together and start walking to the dining hall for breakfast. I always hate breakfast because that's when my parents like to talk about serious stuff. We make it and I head in while Sebastian says outside near the doors. I walk towards my seat and sit down.

"Good morning Estella." Father says.

"Oh, good morning," I smile and look down.

"Me and your father would like to talk to you about something dear."

I look up at her, "Yes?"

"As you know, tensions have been pretty high with our neighboring kingdom, and they have a prince around your age and-" Mother says.

I freeze, she's not saying I get married to him right? "Mother, are you implying that I marry this prince?" I ask frantically.

"Uh. Yes dear that is what I'm implying."