Color of Roses

Lover's Dispute

Chapter 11

I ended up running away after seeing Alyn in the stables. After realizing my feelings for him, I coudln't handle being so close. I'm pressing my back against the door leading outside and I lightly slap my cheeks to get a hold of myself. It was just a kiss, don't get so worked up. I take in a few breaths before heading to my room. I round the corner and my heart nearly stops as soon as I see Leo leaning against my door. I start to turn but he calls out to me.

"Are you going to run away again?"

He was right, I couldn't continue running away from him. I had to confront him. I slowly approach him and tilt my head up and lock onto his face. He looks upset. "Can we talk in your room? I'd rather no one hear us."

I reach for the doorknob and we both step inside. He closes the door quietly behind him before sitting in a nearby chair. "About what you saw-"

I interrupt him, "I know what I saw. You were kissing that maid," I say, my voice shaking. I try to keep myself calm but it was rather difficult.

"It wasn't anything serious."

I stop him once more. "You had her pinned down on your bed! If that wasn't serious then I don't know what is."

"Aria, you're being irrational right now."

"I'm being irrational? You come to me one night asking me to marry you and the next you're exploring one of the maids! How am I supposed to react? Just shrug it off and say 'No big deal'? I don't think so."

"I don't care about her the way I care about you. You're different." Leo stands up and tries to hold me but I step away.

"You're just a tease, Leo!" My voice is rising and I'm clenching my fists at my side.

"I like you, Aria!" Leo forces an arm around me and pulls me in for a kiss. I try to push him away but he never loosens his hold. "How dare you!" I yell wiping my lips once I'm released. Tears start to fall and I'm a mix of anger and confusion.

"How can you say that when you're still flirting behind my back? I don't understand. I can't marry someone who is like that." My throat aches and it's hard to breath. Leo takes a step closer but I yell at him to stay back.

"Aria," Leo says loudly but I can't look at him any more. Furious, I open the door and ask him to get out. He stands there, his jaw tight and his eyes dark and pained. After a moment's hesitation, he finally steps out of my room. "I'll show you I can be dedicated to you."

"Don't bother. I've already chosen a suitor," I say and begin to close the door while Leo ponders what I've just said. He stops the door with his foot. "Who?"

Not wanting to answer, I force his foot out of the way and shut and lock the door. I lean against it, the tears continuously staining my cheeks.

(Leo vs Alyn)

Leo stood outside the door to the stables. He was irritated and angry that Aria refused to marry him. He would be lying if he said he wasn't impressed that he finally found someone who refused his charm. Leo had a feeling his beloved brother was the chosen suitor Aria mentioned. He opens the stable and steps inside.

Alyn was grooming his long time friend, readying him for the cool night to come. Without looking, Alyn speaks while brushing his gelding. "Aria, I didn't mean to-" Before he can finish a voice surprises him.

"I'm not Aria." Leo stood a few feet away from Alyn, his body blocking the darkness outside. Remembering what Aria had told him earlier, Alyn gives his brother a cold look. "Why are you here," he asks cooly.

"I just had an interesting conversation with the princess. It seems she's already chosen a suitor."

Alyn's eyes widen. "Who?"

Leo steps closer to his younger twin brother. "I'd like you to tell me."

Confused by Leo's words, Alyn lowers his hand from his horse. His brows draw together and his muscles tighten. "It must have been you the way she reacted when she saw you with someone else."

Leo lets out a devilish laugh. "She's already rejected me."

Alyn stared at his brother, not sure what his reason for telling him all this was. "Why does this involve me?" Alyn tosses the brush into a nearby bucket.

"Dear brother, it seems the princess has chosen you to be her prince." Leo's eyes narrow and his lips curl into a grin fit for a demon.

"What are you talking about," Alyn frowns. "I have no intention of being a prince."

"I'd love to hear you tell her that, dear brother. We both know I'm better suited for the roll of a king."

Anger sweeps over Alyn at his brothers mockery. "A king who is nothing more than a tease."

Leo closes the gap between them and presses a hand against his brother's shoulder but Alyn knocks it away. "Aria might have fallen for you now but she'll soon realize she's made a mistake." Leo grins once more before turning and leaving his confused brother alone in the stables.

(Aria's POV)

My head throbs as the sunlight pours into my bedroom. I rub my swollen and puffy eyes. I must have fallen asleep while crying. I gaze at my reflection in the mirror and I look worse than I thought. Nico steps into the room and nearly drops a tray once he sees me.

"Aria, are you sick?"

"N-no. I just had a rough night," I try to cover the redness under my eyes but nothing seems to work. Another person enters the room, shocked just as Nico was to see the state I'm in. "What in Wysteria happened to you?"

Giles stands in the doorway, a horrified expression upon his face. I cover my face with my hands and run to the bed. "Don't look at me!" I say loudly.

Giles and Nico are quiet. A hand rests against my back a minute later and I hear Giles' smooth voice. "I'm not sure what's going on but why not take the day off. I can't work with you if you're in this condition."

I look up from my distress to see I'm entirely alone.