If it gives you peace, I forgive you

The duchess's daughter

Ferns swept along with the wind, birds spun melodies in the trees that surrounded the garden and inside. Roses let their scent drift with the wind, winding their way to small giggles and talk at the center of the garden. 

"Ellis, dear! Lower your voice will you? We can't have the king finding out!"

A pretty lady chuckled. Her blonde, curly hair danced with the wind's rhythm and the rose's scent.  Her crystal eyes flickered for a moment towards the hidden entrance, tainted with a shadow that even her beauty couldn't hide.
"Certainly not, Cordelia," Ellis chuckled slightly, a soft smile tugging his lips. " though I was in a way, starting to favor ancient runes,"

"Not as much as your love charms you, I hope?"

Cordelia replied. Putting on a rather teasing smile, edged with a pint of something Ellis couldn't quite put his finger on. 

"Oh definitely not!"

Ellis grinned, a little lopsided but genuine. He reached forward, tucked a small strand of Cordelia's curl behind her ear. 

Ellis loved her curls, the way they were iridescent under the sunlight, the way they moved with her, everything about her entranced him really. 

Cordelia, noticing the little gesture, corrected Ellis's round glasses. She loved how they magnified his warm brown eyes, which in turn housed all the visible love he had for her and only her. 

"Pfft, what time is it now?"

Cordelia chuckled lightly. A laugh to most but a melodic tune Ellis strived for everyday. 

"It's 10 o'clock sharp, I better get going to lunch and 'Ellie, you have a brunch to attend with some ladies right?"

Ellis replied, checking the clock in a vine covered corner. Cordelia's eyes lingered sadly over to the clock, glassing over.

"Duty calls..., see you Ellis,"

Cordelia said, turning her attention back to her lover. Ellis hugged her tightly before planting a light kiss on her lips. He tripped lightly at the ivy wall that separated the entrance from the rest of the garden.

"Careful now, your Greatness,"

 Cordelia teased lightly, with Ellis rolling his eyes, before crossing the wall herself.

...

The dinner hall was vast, a place that was draped in red velvet adorned with gold accents cherubs. Nothing like the airy garden.  A large dining table lay in the middle, draped with a long table cloth which was the same color as the walls. 
Ellis stepped in, carefully arranging his hair and adjusting his crown. Sighing lightly, he headed towards the end of the table, where he sat opposite his father, the king. His mother, the queen, sat on his right, gazing at him. 

"Good noon, sir,"

Ellis adverted his eyes from the king, keeping it focused on an old painting. He didn't find anything exceptional about the painting though, considering he would rather much be looking at the garden if the dining room had windows. That was another feature that made the walls oppressing and haunting.  

"Elliot, I expect you to inherit my throne soon,"

The king always gave short handed and curt answers, and had the same sort of emotions. He really never recalled his father ever laughing before, at least to him. 

"In-indeed, sir,"

Stuttering lightly under the king's intense gaze. Anything but the mention of the throne. 

"When it was my time, I had to choose a bride, a queen who would rule by my side and do her marital duties as well as royal. You are eighteen now, correct?"

Ellis froze. He knew where this was going to end. The mere mention of the throne set him off guard, but a bride, a queen who wasn't his Cordelia, was an unsettling thought. No, no, this wasn't going that way, the king was not going to put him in an arranged marriage with another woman, who was, with little doubt, in the same situation as him. Forced.

"Y-yes, yes, sir..."

"I've chosen some girls from other kingdoms, choose. They'll be here by the next week. All of the kingdom will be present for your choice. The girls will bring an object of their making and present it to you, from there, your choice will be made,"

The king explained. The longest he had ever spoken to Ellis in one sitting - no doubt the most impactful too.

Ellis found himself drowning out the words. He knew this would eventually happen, whether he liked it or not.  He wouldn't be Cordelia's anymore. She would go on to marry some grand duke and marry. They were all living in a mold which was carved by the older, a mold both would never escape from. 

All this while, the king observed his son carefully and silently. It was a gaze that pierced through Ellis's heart and soul, seeing everything yet nothing.   

"Excused,"

One word was enough for Ellis to pick himself up from the firm grip of the grappling news. Walking head on towards the door, Ellis ran out, preferably towards his secret garden with Cordelia. She was still at brunch, but no doubt she would here the news of his future engagement with some random lady overseas. 
The announcement would be echoing around the kingdom by now. 

... 

The garden held secrets, wept tears and fits of giggles and laughter. It changed everyday, and for today, the garden only held Ellis's devastated tears. Crying his heart out in the garden, holding a little lily in his hands for comfort.

What will I do now? What will happen?

Silent questions and answers that burned your heart slowly. 

...

Little A/N:

Hi! Finished the first chap today and working on the second. I hope you enjoyed it! 

My update schedule is a little rocky, so bare with me on the climb!

Fact of the day: Lilies are Cordelia's favorite.