Blossom in Full Bloom (Book 4: The Pink Blossom Series)

Royal Affairs

I could stare at Apollo's face all day, but I soon remembered, it was not appropriate to let him carry me. Get it together!

He placed me down on my feet. "Is this better, Your Highness?"

"No need to be so formal." I just wanted to hear him call me by my real name.

"As you wish, Miko."

Say it again! Say it again!

He stretched his hand out to me. "Would you do me the honour of joining me for a stroll just outside the castle walls, Miko?"

HOW DID HE KNOW?! Yes! Yes! Yes! Simmer down! Play it cool! "That sounds fine."

He gave me a dashing smile, as he gently took my hand and led me outside the gates. We walked for awhile in the forest and then he stopped. He bent down and picked a Columbine and tucked it into my hair, behind my ear.

"I just want to show this flower how incredibly beautiful you are."

"Really..." I never heard someone say that to me before.

"Your beauty makes the morning sun look like the dull glimmer of the moon."

"Wow..."

"You're looking a little flushed, my dear Miko." He scooped me up in his arms again. "Perhaps we should head back?"

"Why rush? There is still plenty of time leftover." I wasn't in any hurry to receive my punishment. I knew it was inevitable.

"You've only started to recover. I don't want you to push yourself."

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"I would like to keep it that way for my surprise, I have for you later."

If we go back, I doubt I will even be allowed to enjoy his surprise. That's no fair. "But... we could have the surprise right now."

He chuckled at me. "Eager are we, my dear?"

"You could say that."

"Unfortunately, there are a few things I need to do first. You wouldn't want only half of it, would you?"

"I guess not..." If I didn't have a choice, I would have to accept that.

We went back to the castle.

After Apollo left, I was met with a less than impressed Father.

Of course, I received my punishment, to be expected. Locked in my room, with nothing but my books to comfort me. I was so bored!

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Zen was working in his office as per usual. The tension he felt, was still bubbling inside of him, still thinking about how careless Miko was these days. He wondered about her attendants' abilities to keep her out of trouble. He, of all people, knew how stubborn Miko could be, when she has got an idea in her head.

If Desti can't stop her, then maybe he didn't mean as much to her, as Zen originally thought. Could Zen afford to hope for that? Even so, it is becoming more important than ever, that Miko learns some responsibility. How long can she keep up this childish fantasy, before she becomes so in over her head, that no one can help her?

What will she do, when she has to marry a noble? She will not have the freedom to run around like a peasant, when she feels like it.

Maybe, spending some time with another noble, will help her to gain some perspective. She might finally grow up.

He wondered if it was a good thing that Apollo was here. He certainly seems to be sticking around. Perhaps, he is just the man, who will tolerate her insolence and teach her, what Zen could not. If she falls in love with Apollo, it may be a good thing, except Zen hardly knew the man. He saved her, Zen could at least trust that gesture. "... but I hope Apollo wouldn't stick around, just because of her hair color or for her title. I will have to be very attentive for now..."