Before The Last Petal Falls

Chapter 8

"I wonder if everything is going okay." Thought Kerian, still seething at the whole thing. He began pacing, he was worried. Worried about the girl with terrified eyes. Just then, he heard something outside the tent, then he saw Arthur appear, he was helping to guide the girl. "Could she not see?" This angered him even more." "Your Majesty," said Arthur. After he helped to guide her into the tent, he said, "I will leave you two now." She immediately looked worried when Arthur said this. She was afraid to be alone with him. Kerian had to fix this. She looked different than any other girl he had ever seen before. This girl had long red hair, with delicate freckles across her nose and cheeks, one brown eye, and one pale blue eye. She was beautiful. Kerian had finally worked up the courage to say something to the girl, even though he didn't know where to start. "Hello," he said. "That was stupid." He thought to himself. "Hello, Your Majesty" she responded shyly. "Please, call me Kerian."  This time she looked up at him. "Oh, I couldn't." She replied. "I insist," he said. "And you said that your name was Andromeda?" She shook her head yes, her eyes still glued to the floor. "Andromeda," said Kerian," she looked up at him. Her eyes were beautiful, yet they still held fear inside them. "I want to sincerely express how sorry I am. I know you have been put through quite a lot tonight. I'm under the impression that my adviser, Arthur, explained the situation?" "He said that it was a mistake," she said. "Andromeda," he said. "I shouldn't be giving this information, but you deserve a proper explanation. Do know of Azurethra's neighboring kingdom, Grimrose?" "I have heard of it, yes." She said. "I'm afraid since my father's passing, we have been under attack." Said Kerian. "We have?" She said. "Why haven't the Azurethrians been informed?" "I am trying my best to defuse the situation, but it doesn't appear to be working." "Why are you telling me this?" She asked. "Well, you see," said Kerian, some of my men were attacked this morning, so you were mistaken to be part of the Grimrose Clan." Recognition appeared in her eyes. "I see." She said. "I hope you can forgive me, and my men. I would never want to hurt you or any of my people, and if one of my men hurt you, just let me know, and I will deal with them." "I'm alright," she said. "But, I was knocked unconscious, and I'm afraid one of my belongings was taken. You see, It's quite important to me." Anger boiled inside of him, he knew that Chamberlain had been lying. "What is this item?" he asked. Her gaze once again dropped to the floor. "It's a rose." She said. A rose? Why would a rose be so important? I will ask my men if they have seen it. and see if we can locate it. Panic appeared in her eyes. "I'm afraid that one of them dropped it," she said. "Well if we can't find it, I will replace it," said Kerian. "You don't understand!" She cried. If I don't find this specific rose, I don't know what will happen!" "I don't understand," said Kerian. "What is so special about this particular rose?" She looked at him again with her panicked eyes. "If I don't get it back, my life could be in danger."