The Land of Phaleno: The Princess's Rebirth (Book I)

Chapter Ten: "A Conversation in the Quiet Garden"

As the echoes of the royal address faded, Princess Aleah turned her gaze towards General Ashbie. With purpose, she glanced at Lady Shireen who stood beside her.

“Lady Shireen, I require a few moments to speak privately with General Ashbie. If you would be so kind as to excuse us for a moment,” Princess Aleah said softly.

Lady Shireen responded with a courteous nod, her demeanor remaining composed. With a brief curtsy, she gracefully withdrew, her gaze lingering momentarily on the Princess and General before she turned and departed.

Once Lady Shireen was gone, Princess Aleah approached General Ashbie with measured and confident strides. The afternoon sunlight kissed her royal attire, casting a gentle shimmer as she drew near.

Her alluring eyes met the General's. General Ashbie, previously standing at attention, now turned his full attention to her.

“General Ashbie,” Princess Aleah said, her voice soft with a hint of warmth, “there are matters of great importance I wish to discuss with you. Might we speak privately?”

As General Ashbie bowed his head in agreement, Princess Aleah gestured towards a more secluded part of the garden, away from the remaining soldiers and the crowd. Together, they moved towards a more private area, where the sounds of training and the royal parade faded into the background.

Beyond the majestic palace walls, a tranquil and enchanting garden lay hidden, a world apart from the bustling palace. Designed as an intricate labyrinth, the garden exuded an air of mystery.

A meticulously laid marble pathway bisected the lush, vibrant gardens. Towering hedges of verdant shrubs formed living walls, while a riot of colorful blooms filled the air with a fresh and soothing fragrance.

At the heart of the garden, an exquisite marble statue stood proudly, encircled by a small pond that shimmered in the morning sun. The gentle trickle of water from the statue’s fountain added to the serene ambiance. The occasional chirp of a bird, a rare sound amid the bustle of the palace, provided a tranquil backdrop.

Princess Aleah and General Ashbie strolled along the winding path, enclosed by dense foliage. The secluded atmosphere afforded them privacy and space for a serious conversation. Among the shrubs and flowers, they discovered a stone bench nestled in a secluded corner of the garden, sheltered from prying eyes by surrounding bushes.

As they seated themselves on the bench, the tranquil garden provided the perfect setting for their discourse. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting intricate patterns on the ground and illuminating their faces with a soft glow. The near silence of the garden added depth to their conversation, allowing each word spoken to resonate with profound meaning. In the privacy of this enchanting garden, Princess Aleah and General Ashbie sat side by side.

Princess Aleah gazed at General Ashbie with a radiant smile. “General Ashbie, your command of the troops today was truly inspiring! I witnessed your leadership during the training exercise. Everything from the highly coordinated movements to your unwavering authority was truly captivating.”

General Ashbie nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Your Highness. I was merely fulfilling my duty."

Princess Aleah couldn't tear her gaze away from General Ashbie's face. "You are always so diligent. Your leadership has made all of this possible. Without your guidance, none of this would have been as effective."

General Ashbie finally looked at Princess Aleah. "I appreciate your kind words. However, I believe the troops felt the impact as well. They are the ones who truly made this training a success."

Princess Aleah's cheeks flushed as their eyes met. She blinked rapidly. Then she turned away, giving a small laugh as she couldn't help but be captivated by General Ashbie's handsomeness. "Oh, of course! How could I not commend you? After all, without you, we might have had chaos instead of this orderly formation."