The Blood Of The Rainbow

.:Chapter 10:.

The week went by painfully slow. I wasn't allowed to leave my room for three whole days. On the fourth day I was finally able to see Solaman, and I still haven't stopped apologizing. We started slow, walking around the room together, then the palace and now the garden. I found out over these few days that Solaman and I were very similar. With our mixed blood and our attitude we were basically the same. Right now we were walking around the garden around in the late morning and it was gorgeous. The morning sunlight gave a hazy glow, and everything from the trees to the littlest flower seemed to have a filter over it. I felt warm all over.

I noticed Solaman's limp again. "I want to say, I'm sorry again, Solaman. Especially with your job. You must have worked so hard to be head knight and your father must have been so happy about it and now I took it all away—"I took a breath to continue, but Solaman cut me off.

"Stop apologizing. Yes, I worked hard as hell to be where I am, but that does not make it your fault. My blood is different and that was bound to happen. I had to work extra hard as to protect myself from ever bleeding, but it was inevitable. Plus, I have the favor of the queen and the boys. During the queen's pregnancies I was her friend and companion. The king was far too busy with royal duties so I was there for her. That being said, I have no idea how she feels about blood. It's my time to step down. Someone to take my place. I'm not as good as I used to be."

I nodded at her wise words, but still I felt anxious.

"Anyway, you should be far more worried about your own trial. You could lose your life. That's far more serious then my job."

I didn't say anything. It was too much to think about.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a small house.

"Hey, Solaman. What is that?" I asked, pointing to the small house in the distance. Though small, it was grand in decor. From even here I saw little designs etched into the house's marble walls.

"It's the royal greenhouse. It's been here for as long as I can remember. The previous queen had it made but never revealed why."

I nodded.

"I'm gonna go look at it. Want to come?" I asked, already going toward to the greenhouse.

"No thanks. I'm going to keep walking. I need to keep exercising, anyway." Solaman bid me goodbye before she continued.

"Okay I'll catch up!" I yelled, jogging to the greenhouse.  As I got close I noticed all sorts of flowers and plants blooming. There were small bushes filled with small, vibrant berries and trees full of fruit, ready to be picked. It all was well maintained and beautiful, not a leaf out of place. Somebody who owned this greenhouse obviously was someone of organization and expertise. It was nothing but pure life in here. I walked in, the bright fruits pulling me in. Before I got very far I ran into a firm chest, losing my balance and falling.

"Oh, it's you, Violet. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. People usually don't come in here." It was Judas. I laughed and shrugged it off. I noticed he looked a little embarrassed that somebody had caught him in this greenhouse.

"It's okay, your highness. I didn't mean to intrude. Your greenhouse is lovely," I said as he helped me off the ground.

"Thank you. My grandmother gave it to me before she passed. She loved to take care of it. It's my place where I can calm down." He looked around with a slight tinge of grey on his cheeks. It was starting to get uncomfortable, and as much as I wanted to explore these private gardens I didn't want the prince watching every move.

I started to walk out.

"Oh, wait!" Judas exclaimed. I waited while he walked around the greenhouse, snipping a plant and picking a few fruits. He took a basket from nearby and gave them all to me. "Corriander, a daisy, an apple and a pear."