Hunted

Chapter 3

-Neve-

The royal garden was the most beautiful place in the whole kingdom. At least to me.

Almost immediately, the fragrances of the plants hit me like a tidal wave all at once; Jasmine, honeysuckle, gardenias, rose. Just about any that I could think of. The first thing that I could see when entering was the pops of color from the begonias–my mother's favorite.

My father told me when I was a little girl how she built this garden for the whole kingdom to visit. Children could pick flowers for their mothers, and young bachelors could craft bouquets for their sweethearts. Even more outstanding, her herb garden brought many medicinal opportunities to the kingdom. It seemed like one of the few things that I had of my mother. But a few years ago, Delphina closed it to the public.

Now it just seemed unkempt and overgrown.
The garden was almost like a maze. Hedges were lined all along the cobblestone paths, moss settling in between all the cracks. I stepped over every one of them as Francis and I walked arm-in-arm along the path.

He was dressed in his traditional tunic with embroidered gold and his coat of arms laid on top. I wore one of my day gowns, much more comfortable for taking walks around the palace.

"You should have seen the look in her eyes, Francis. I've never seen her like that before." As I explained the horror that happened yesterday, I felt my grip on his arm tighten.

"I'm sorry the both of you had to endure that. I'm sure the queen will forget all about it in time." He placed his hand against mine, gesturing to Audra as well. She was walking beside us and had picked up flowers that had fallen along the path and weaved them through the crown of her hair. Francis offered his hand to her, and she gulped.

"Oh, thank you, Your Highness, but I'm only supposed to be chaperoning the two of you."

"I insist." He smiled at her warmly, and I couldn't help the swell in my heart. Audra stared at his gloved hand for a moment before taking it, and he linked his arm with hers so he was walking in the middle of us.

"I will say, I might strike up the most interesting reputation walking with two beautiful ladies on my arm."

"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Francis." I slapped his arm. "Besides, Audra is looking extra magnificent today with the flowers in her hair, don't you think?"

"Your Highness..." She gave me a look that was telling me to control my tongue, but I couldn't help myself.

"Yes, she looks very beautiful." Francis agreed and placed a hand on hers, which was wrapped around his bicep. "How are you faring after yesterday's events, Audra?"

I could tell she was blushing. "Well, I can't say that I'm completely over it. She threatened my security. My home. If I wasn't allowed to come back here... I don't know where I would go."

"I would sneak you back in, without a doubt." I cut in. I didn't want her worrying about her safety, especially at the hands of the queen. Once I became queen, I would give Audra forever sanctuary in this palace.

"Thank you, princess, but we must be realistic. I'm disposable. If I was gone, the queen would fill my shoes in the blink of an eye."

"Stop saying things like that!" I couldn't help my frustration, not with Audra, but with the queen. She so easily made my best friend feel small. Insignificant. "You are one of the most important people in my life. I think so, and so did my mother."

"Your mother?" Francis curled a brow, looking between me and Audra.

"It's a long story..." She sighed, looking on toward our cobblestone path as it split into two other directions. We continued to walk straight.