crankgameplays imagines

[17] blooming (pt. 2)

(("pls stop" you say, drowning in multi-parts
"i wish i could" i say, writing even more, a single tear going down my cheek))

With a deep breath, you go down a few more stairs to the ground floor of the castle, and slipped out the back entrance for servants. Along the trodden pathway were the occasional wildflower, but none seemed to grow too well. A frown spread across your face at this, but you shook it off, the flowers in the gardens would definitely be better.

Further down the path, you found the fork Sylvester had mentioned, and took the right. In the distance you could see a large glass structure, and around it were sprawling gardens of roses of every color.

You began inspecting the flowers they had available in the greenhouse, but didn't really find any that piqued your interest. "Is there something specific you're looking for, ma'am?" Someone asked, and you whipped around to see a young man in a servant's uniform, dirt caked around it and on his face, but you could tell that underneath it, he was very handsome.

"Oh not really, I just wanted to see the options I had." You explained, and he seemed confused. "I'm Y/N, I was hired to make the flower arrangements for the ball tonight."

"Its very nice to meet you, I'm Oliver." He smiled, wiping some of the dirt off his hands. "I would shake your hand, but I'm afraid I'm a bit dirty."

"It's not a worry to me, I get dirt on my hands all the time gathering my flowers."

"You don't have servants to do that for you?"

"Oh, definitely not. I'm a peasant, from the town outside the kingdom. I sell flowers at a stand in the marketplace to make a living."

"I'm sorry, you were just so beautiful I assumed you came from nobility."

Oliver's kind words induced a bright blush across your cheeks and you averted your eyes to the flowers. "Do you have any blue flowers?"

"No, they're very rare around here." Your new companion frowned. "Is that the Prince's ridiculous request now?"

His disdainful tone furrowed your brows, you were curious as to what he had against him. "That's the theme, so I fully want to comply and do my best."

"Well we don't have any, so you can tell the prince to shove it up-"

"Mr. Oliver!" You stopped him tartely. "Don't say another word against Prince Ethan, or I'm going to have to inform your master of your tongue!"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" His eyes narrowed as he took menacing steps towards you, and you backed up away from him.

Soon, you felt the door of the greenhouse against your back, and his hand gripped your upper arm tightly. Tears filled your eyes as your other hand grappled with the handle behind you. Finally, you managed to open it and ran out. Not knowing if Oliver was following you or not, you ran until you arrived back at the fork in the road. You stopped to catch your breath and wipe your tears leaning against a tree.

"Why are you out of breath?" A snappy voice said from your right. Prince Ethan walked into your field of vision, an eyebrow raised and more casual clothes on than yesterday.

"I'm fine." You stood up straight, holding in the heavy breaths your body wanted to take.

"That's not what I asked."

"I'm. Fine. Now, I'm going to go back into my room to brainstorm arrangements."

Prince Ethan grabbed your arm as you brushed past him. His fingers squeezed the spot where Oliver had grabbed, and you couldn't help bit wince at the returning pain.

"You've been crying." He said softly, loosening his grip.

"I'm fine, Prince Ethan." You tried to yank your arm from his hand, but he tightened his hold, backing you up into the tree.

Despite your protests, he lifted your arm up, inspecting the area where a bruise was already forming. "What happened, Y/N?" He looked into your eyes, kindness swimming in his blue irises. You felt like you could stare into them forever.

"Nothing, I fell and hit my arm in the greenhouse." Your fib caused you to look away from his beautiful eyes.

Knowing that he wasn't going to get anything from you, he sighed and let you go. "Very well. I'll accompany you to town."

"Is that okay?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you haven't really been a public Prince, after all, I didn't know what you looked like until yesterday. I just always assumed it was for your safety."

"I'm thankful for your worry, Y/N. I wish my reasoning was something like that, but its really just that I didn't want to." He admitted, walking with you along the trail.

"Well, you still shouldn't go, you're not the most popular noble around town."

"Hm. You said they don't know what I look like?"

"Yes, you've only made two or three public appearances I believe? When you were younger?"

"When my parents could still make me." The Prince laughed, a mischievous grin on his face. "And don't worry, I have an idea."

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

"How about you accompany me at dinner tonight and I'll tell you more about my brilliant idea?"

"I don't have nearly the proper attire to dine with the royal family-" you immediately started making excuses, and he cut you off with a scoff.

"My parents and I are dining separately tonight, I honestly don't care what you wear, I'm going to be wearing this." He gestured to his casual outfit of only riding pants, a white shirt, and his riding boots.

"Oh, alright. Thank you." You inspected his outfit. "Did you just go riding?"

"Yeah, the stables are down the other trail at the fork."

"I love horses, my dad used to have one to pull his cart in and out of the farm and market. He would let me ride it with him sometimes." You had a wistful smile on your face as you reminisced in the past.

"What happened to it?"

"He had to sell her when my mom got sick, to buy medicine."

Prince Ethan was quiet as you delved into your struggles, and you quickly tried to change the subject. "So where and when should I meet you for dinner?"

"Third floor, left wing balcony, at around sundown."

"Alright." You picked up your pace as the castle got nearer. "I'll see you then, Prince Ethan."

With a cordial nod, you lifted up your skirts and jogged towards the servants' entrance. You needed to brainstorm flowers and arrangements before your dinner with the Prince.

((2k!! wtf y'all that's awesome!!))