Gazing At The Moon

Chapter 5

Amaryllis sits in her room, reading. Unlike the eventful days that had passed, today is dreadfully dull.

She's already finished two books. Mainly mystery novels. The one she's reading now is quite romantic. Not like her normal taste. For some reason, her interest was piqued. It's a tale of a lady on the run, finding safety with a dangerous and lonesome man of all people. Who came up with this? Why?

When the words and letters start to blur together, she sighs and closes the book. That's enough.

For a moment she spaces out, thinking about something she can do. Her parents are out, they told her not to leave the castle grounds. She crinkles her nose. I'm an adult...

She glances out her window, at the dew-covered gardens.

Amaryllis opens her door and speaks to the nearest servant.

"You."

"Ah-! yes, Princess?"

"Bring me Sir Abel."

--

After a bit of a wait, there's a knock on her door. "Come in."

"You asked for me, Lady?" Abel asks, walking in and closing the door behind him.

"Yes. What took you so long?"

"Apologies, I was in the middle of eating lunch."

"Ah." Amaryllis bites her lip, she didn't want to cut in on his free time.

"But that's alright. What can I do for you, Lady?"

"Just come walk with me through the gardens."

"Oh? Alright, if you say so." He bows his head. "Any particular reason?"

"I just need something to do."

"Very well, then shall we?"

"Yes."

The walk to the gardens is quiet, but not uncomfortable. Unfortunately, Abel seems... quieter since last time she saw him. More formal too. Maybe he's still shaken up from the tournament. Amaryllis can't blame him. A few servants greet Amaryllis as they pass, though a lot of them only stare warily at Abel.

The tournament never should have happened.

He might have won, but people are still unsure how to handle that. Amaryllis doesn't like the attention, neither does Abel. She sighs, and Abel does notice, but doesn't say anything.

The gardeners aren't here today. The gardens, lush and grand, are empty. A few birds like sparrows dart off at the Princess's arrival. There's barely a path to speak of, consisting mostly of stones placed on the dirt through the thick foliage. The royals like it that way, Amaryllis does too.

"I've only been in the gardens a few times... I don't know my way." Abel suddenly speaks, almost... embarrassed. 'Do you know the way, Lady?"

"Of course." She looks at him and then at the garden. "...Come on." She hooks her arm in his, which surprises him a little, and starts walking down the path.

Vines grab at Amaryllis's hair and attempt to grab onto Abel's helmet, but to no avail. Soft plants stroke across Amaryllis's dress as they walk past them. She knows exactly where she's going, but Abel looks around as though he's in a new world entirely. There's something profound about it; the Princess, normally the guided, taking the role of the guide for once. It makes her smile, just a little.

"Where are we going? We've gone quite far..."

"I know a secret little spot near the back," She says simply, pulling him into a clearing with a tiled circle surrounded by round hedges.