The Lost Royal

Something about acceptance

Aaliyah

He was showing me the gardens in the night. It wouldn't be ideal in the night, perhaps a better time like in daylight we would actually have a sense of something. There could be some unprincipled men lurking in the bushes in their lover's embrace, not something I would want a first seat audience to. Nevertheless, I felt my heart jump in my throat. His skin was flush against my hand; the contact was unsettling sending unnecessary sparks up my arm.

"Look." With a wave of his hands, light blinked across the clearing. Two deer-caught-in-the headlights was seen at one of the secluded benches doing god knows what. I knew it. They hurried away gathering their entire attire. Even the man next to me appeared perturbed. Possibly of how his show of beauty was flawed by one aspect. Not one bit.

Then I really saw the gardens at the night. I don't know how he was able to just whisk his hand and decorate gardens with beautiful light like a magician's wand, but I was amazed to see what the sight behold. Truly spectacular. The trees were ablaze with candlelight?? It almost looked like it was on fire.

"It's always like this in the night." I don't hear him because I am awestruck by the beauty, I offer him a complement instead, "you're an amazing gardener." I smile at him. He freezes in place and gives me an incredulous glance, "what??" He folds his arm and scowls.

"What? Did my comment offend you?" I squirm slightly from that obliterating gaze. He might as well shoot daggers on my poor face. A shadow moves across his face, "no, actually never mind," he sighs. He eases his hands to his side, and they unclench. He's very perplexing.

He treads near the fountain and takes an object from the bird's gaping mouth."It's a new invention," he shows me the source.

"So you like being creative?" I ask as I inspect the object. I can't tear my eyes away. "Yes, it's a hobby of mine. I like to tinker with you know - things."

"I think you have amazing talent," I say wholeheartedly. He catches my eye and I just knew then that his eyes were smiling. "Thanks," some of the tension in his shoulder was released as if I understood. He clears his throat, "many would say that I'm just wasting my time." 

"I don't really think it that way. Anything that makes this garden beautiful can be a little more. It's not only decoration, it's a work of art." I reply unquestionably.

"You really think so," he says it like he's not looking for a reply.

"Yeah, of course, you just brought the darkness to life." The gardens are never a place to enjoy in the night but now it can be more available. He appreciates my answer, but quirks his eyebrow, "you know you don't really talk like a palace maid." I blush, " I guess some would say I have more knowledge in some areas." 

"Hmm...I wouldn't exactly say that," he sucks his bottom lip, looking at me for an indication of something else. It was terribly cute.

Kassian

I bid her farewell and retired to my bedroom. On the way, I saw Damian leaning against my door. 

"That was good what you did, but nothing to save my face. I'm crushed."

The old fella just laughed, "you say saving your face like a bad thing. I was totally trying to ruin your reputation to tatters by stumbling on my feet-"

-"which did not help at all because a lady I dare say was entranced by your impeccable handsomeness." I roll my eyes. It was only his built and stature not like she could see how he actually looked.

He barks at me with laughter, "you can't hide these, you should have asked someone else then for the favor," unabashedly showing me his muscles. 

"Yes but he would probably be terrified in obeying me perhaps wetting his trousers while dancing, and that...well it would be embarrassing." I smirk, "and you wouldn't get rewarded with these - " smacking a few good bills on his palms as he accepts them with a satisfied grin, "thanks for doing business with me my friend, til' next time." Damian answers as he bows at me with a flourish of his hat. I wave his unneeded courtesy away, "ah I have no need for them you know." 

He winks, "I respect ya though."