The Scarlet Lillie

Getting to Know You

Chapter 16

I guided the young prince through the crowd of guests, stopping once I found a place for us to dance. We positioned ourselves automatically- his left hand on my waist, my right hand on his left shoulder, his right hand holding my left- and began to waltz.

"I wish to apologize on behalf of my uncle. He's not a bad man, I promise. He's simply under a great deal of stress." Aragorn told me, keeping his voice low.

"Thank you, your majesty, but you need not to apologize. I discovered long ago that everyone has a reason for their behavior. You may not know what it is, and they may not wish to share, but there is an explanation for their actions." I informed him.

"How did you come to this realization?" He inquired.

"Through a novel I was reading."

"Please, explain more."

"Your majesty, I wish not to bore you with my simple stories."

"But you wouldn't be boring me. On the contrary, I find it interesting that you realized something like that in a simple novel." Aragorn insisted, his eyes sparkling in the light.

"In the novel," I began hesitantly, "there was an artist being critiqued for his work. His piece was magnificent, one of the best he had ever done. Unfortunately, other people saw it as the worst. They could not grasp the message of the painting, nor why the painter would create such a hideous thing. The painter couldn't explain his work to them, for he knew it would be a futile attempt. It was at this moment I realized why he thought this: no one can understand something the same way you do. They can try if they want to, but the real reason can never truly be grasped." I chanced a glance up at the prince's face, wondering if I had spoken too much, but he looked as kind as he had before.

"Fascinating. You must be very wise to have realized this." He said, awe in his voice.

Heat rose to my cheeks. "Thank you, your majesty."

He smiled. "Did I say something I shouldn't have? You are blushing."

I blinked. "N-no, your majesty. You have done nothing wrong. I am just warm since there are so many people in this room."

Aragorn slowed our pace. "Then shall we leave?"

"Only if you wish to, your majesty." I insisted.

"It is kind of crowded in here, isn't it? Come, milady." He said and stopped dancing altogether. He kept my hand in his and guided me towards the open doors leading out to the garden.

When we stepped through the doors, he released my hand. I readjusted my shawl so that it hung over my shoulders. It wasn't chilly out, no, it was still July, but I felt as though I should cover up more now that we were alone.

"It's gorgeous out here." Aragorn cooed.

"Thank you." I responded.

"Do you like coming here?" He inquired.

"Very much, your majesty."

"Where would you say is your favorite place in the kingdom?" He asked.

I pondered this for a moment before responding. "I'm not usually permitted outside of the castle grounds, so this garden is my favorite."

"Pardon me if I'm over stepping my boundaries, but why can't you leave the grounds?"

I hesitated. I know I shouldn't tell him everything my father had told me, so I decided to use a little white lie. "I'm not entirely certain as to why my father is extremely protective over me, but I would like to think it is because I'm his only child."

He nodded in understanding. "I see. Then would you allow me to change my question?"

"Of course, your majesty."

"Thank you. Alright, then; if you could go anywhere outside of the palace grounds, where would you go and could you please explain?" He asked.

"That is two questions disguised as one, your majesty." I pointed out.

He chuckled. "You saw through it. I'm impressed. But will you still answer them?"

"Of course, your majesty." I told him then paused to think. "I would like to go somewhere I have never been before. A land where I can discover many new things, such as customs, food, and the way they are ruled. I choose this unknown place for I wish to hold more knowledge so that I can become the best queen possible for my people."

Prince Aragorn gazed down at me with longing eyes. "You have yet to visit my kingdom, no? Syndryle, is its name."

I shook my head. "No, your majesty. I have only read about it."

"You would be more than welcome to visit me and my family there." He said.

"Are you certain I would not be bothering you or anyone there?" I asked, disbelief flooding my body.

"I know that it this is a fact; my family and kingdom love it when we have guests." He insisted.

I smiled widely. "Then it would be an honor and a pleasure to visit Syndryle, your majesty." I said, adding a slight curtsy at the add.

We reached the end of the garden. "We can't seem to hear the music any more." He said.

I looked back to my home. "So we can't. Your majesty, how would you favor meeting my father?"

The prince blinked. "That in itself would be an unbelievable gift."

I looked to his green eyes. "Then come, I'm sure he would love to meet you."

The prince presented his arm and I hooked mine around his. Together, we walked back to the ballroom.