7 Deadly Sins

6. Sloth

In her happiest, earliest memories, there was a garden. A beautiful garden, filled with all sorts and colours of roses. Yellow, white, pink, blue, and her favorite, red. The Blankenheims were famous for their rose garden, and the fame was well-earned.

A boy and girl, about six years old, sat on a small bump of land and grass.

"Hey, May?" asked the green haired boy, playing with a rose in his hands.

"Yes, Drew?" the brunette smiled back at him, showing her dimples and sweet face. When she grew up, she would be quite the beauty.

"When we get older, let's get married and have lots and lots of kids!"

May's eyes sparkled. "Okay!" she cried enthusiastically. She held out her hand. "Promise?"

He took her hand gently, like a lord would take a lady's hand. "Promise. I love you."

Maike never forgot those words. She never took any lovers, always politely refused any suitors, keeping faithful to the childhood promise.

She never knew how she much she would regret that decision, nor the consequences that would take place.

Maike Maple Blankenheim smiled, her pale hands reaching out towards her green-haired husband with the precious medicine.

"Please, husband," she said softly. "Sleep with this gift of mine. You'll be able to sleep well once you drink this."

Her husband smiled at her tiredly. "Yes, I do need sleep," he admitted, yawning. "Thank you, my princess."

Empty words...

"As long as you are happy forever." She smiled her perfect doll-smile, and left the study.

Flashbacks

"It's not fair." Announced her little brother, Maximillian. "Why do you have to marry the Marquis? Father isn't even the ruler of the city!"

"Hush, Max," soothed Maike. "I still love him, you know."

"You're stupid, May." Replied her younger sibling. "I bet he forgot all about you." With that, he left the room.

"That's mean!" she called, but her comment was unheard. Sighing, she straightened her white dress. Such a lovely dress! The Blankenheims had sent a talented seamstress with rich, expensive silks, gauze and satins for her wedding dress. Why, surely Andrew loved her!

...

"Do you, Marquis Andrew Hayden Blankenheim take Maike Carolina Maple to be your lawful, wedded wife?" asked the priest.

"Yes," he replied, his trademark smirk present on his face. Flicking his hair, he finished the traditional words. "I do."

"Do you, Maike Carolina Maple take Andrew Hayden Blankenheim to be your lawful, wedded husband?"

"Of course." Unlike many women, she was calm. It was her destiny, her fate to marry him. Why should she be nervous?

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife." Announced the priest. Maike wondered if it was possible to die of happiness. Andrew leaned in and kissed her. Now, their childhood promise was fulfilled.

...

"Andrew? Where are you going?" the silent plea for him to stay with her wasn't heard.

He smiled back at her, a false smile, every bit as false as she knew the answer would be. "To take care of business."

She let a loving, graceful smile adorn her face. "I love you." She said with all the truth from her heart.

He looked away as he replied back. "I love you too, May."