The Elementiels

Ch. 14: THROUGH THE GARDEN

As they wandered deeper into the vibrant garden, Jason stole glances at the princess, his thoughts a jumble of admiration and disbelief. “She’s incredible. The way she walks, the way she speaks—it’s all so graceful. It’s hard to believe someone like her even exists.”

The silence between them was broken as she spoke, her voice soft yet laced with curiosity. “You must think I’m strange,” she said, her gaze fixed ahead. “To sit in the castle and paint while the kingdom endures such hardships.”

Jason blinked, startled by her sudden candor. “No, not at all,” he replied quickly, his voice steady with sincerity. “I think it’s… impressive. And yeah, things have been rough lately, but I’m here to change that.”

Her steps slowed, and she turned her head slightly to look at him. “Hmm,” she murmured. “Didn’t you say you only recently discovered these powers of yours? That must mean you’ve not fully mastered it yet.”

Jason scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Well… you’re not wrong,” he admitted with a wry chuckle. “I have a long way to go.” His gaze shifted upward to the endless sky, his expression hardening with determination. “But I have to get stronger. For the kingdom, and for the people I care about. That’s my responsibility now.”

The princess regarded him thoughtfully, her expression softening. “That’s… noble of you. Not many would take on such a burden willingly. I hope your journey brings you the strength you seek.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Jason said, his tone earnest. They walked in silence for a moment, the garden enveloping them in its tranquil embrace. As they passed beneath an arch of blooming roses, Jason noticed her gaze had drifted upward, lingering on the sky.

“You’ve been staring at the sky for a while now,” he said, tilting his head in curiosity. “Is something wrong?”

Emily blinked, as if pulled from a reverie. “Not at all. I was just… admiring how beautiful it is.”

Jason followed her gaze, his brow furrowing. “Really? What’s so beautiful about…” His voice trailed off as his eyes took in the vast expanse above them—the way the clouds seemed to dance, their edges kissed by golden sunlight. His expression softened. “Wow. It’s… actually really nice.”

“The world is a masterpiece,” she said, gesturing subtly to the vibrant garden around them. “I see the world around us as an artwork, perfectly crafted with love and care.”

Jason listened intently as she continued, her words flowing like poetry. “The flowers that bloom from the earth, the birds that soar through the skies, the sun and moon that light our days and nights… There’s a harmony in it all, a beauty that’s easy to miss if you don’t stop and look.”

She glanced at her hand. “That’s why I paint. To capture even a fraction of that beauty. To understand what it feels like to… create something so breathtaking that it leaves others in awe. To preserve a moment in time, forever.”

Jason found himself staring at her, his chest tightening with a newfound admiration. “She’s not just graceful, she’s brilliant.” He thought.

Realizing he hadn’t spoken, she looked at him, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to ramble.”

“What? No!” Jason said, his voice rising with enthusiasm. “That was amazing. I’ve never thought about the world like that before. No wonder your paintings are so beautiful.”

Her blush deepened, but she quickly composed herself, lifting her chin with a playful smirk. “Well, of course they are. I’ve dedicated countless hours to perfecting them. Soon enough, I’ll be the greatest artist this world has ever known.”