The Prince and the Pauper •Everlark•

Chapter Five: The Talent

Peeta's POV

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I am left stunned, wordless, as Katniss stands in front of the mirror staring at her image. She snaps her fingers, regaining my conscious of my surroundings. The question I had for her has left my mind as quickly as my breath the minute she stepped out of the bathroom with the dress on.

"My lady," I say, bowing to her. I extend my hand out to her, she laughs. "Would you care to head out for a walk around the castle?"

"Would you be showing me around?" she asks. I look up and see a smirk on her lips. I chuckle, standing.

"Yes, of course."

Pleased, she says, "I would most certainly love to, Peeta." She takes my hand in her gloved one, leaning on my shoulder to slip on white heels to her bare feet. I keep her arm around mine, like how I was taught to be a gentleman, following out.

"Where to first, my lady?"

Katniss takes a minute to look around, then turning to me. "The garden?"

"Ah, yes. The Royal Garden, grown by my great-great-great-great-great grandmother and grandfather. It was an empty space for years until they thought it would be pleasant to add something new to their home. It started with some small rose bushes, along with lilies and other flowers. Their children grew the garden outward, and their children grew vegetables and fruits for the kitchen. As the family grew and left, so did the garden. They all witnessed the gardens colors and secrets, they filled the maze with children and laughter. Along with the deaths, they left behind memories for the next generations of Mellark's to encounter in their own life."

By the end of the gardens history, Katniss and I have already made it deep within the gardens turns. We follow the gravel road that flows between the flower bushes and fruit trees until it ends back at the castle.

"As to me, I have read of most enjoyable times here, having new dreams and desires for my own family. Young children and grown adults have walked these roads and made moments to remember, as well as ones to keep hidden in the beds of the roses. I, for one, want to spend most of my time here with my true love. But, alas, I have not succeeded in finding her. Oh, here you go."

I pick a beautiful, fully bloomed red rose, handing it gently to her, thorns in tack.

"Why, thank you, Peeta. It is beautiful," Katniss says. She takes the rose in her two fingers, lifting it to her nose to smell the intoxicating fumes. "As was your speech."

"But you see, I don't think either are as stunning as the lovely girl beside me." Katniss looks up at me, surprised. It is an emotion exotic to me, I have caught her off. I chuckle at her shyness, the tint on her cheeks. "I guess you aren't one for complements. Let us continue the tour?" She does not answer me, allowing me to ramble on more of the Royal Garden we roam. We have trailed around until we have reached the doors to the indoors. We did not dare get off the gravel trail, keeping on track.

Katniss can no longer keep up with the heat and exercise with her head condition. It is healing as quickly as it can. "I say, let's head inside and out of the heat? Perhaps some tea?"

"That would be lovely. Thank you for the tour Peeta," Katniss answers, almost out of breath. She keeps her arm around mine, a bit unstable in her heels and with her head.

The doors are wide open for us, and we travel up to the third floor of the castle using the elevator. It is old and needs a chafer to open and close the outside gate. The man bows as we exit to walk down the grand hall of family portraits and landscapes.