The Lost Princess

Green

Keina's POV
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  He's been talking to me the whole time, but I haven't been listening. I've just been looking into the prince's green eyes and picturing all the green I never got to see.

  The interesting guests at Rose's return party? No, only the rich green palace walls that were far richer than my old coat.

  Accomplishments he had made throughout his years in school? No, no. I could only dream of the grass fields outside the palace. The kind that I never got to run through as a kid living in the city.

  His subtle flirts and winks he threw my way? Oh... Well... I sure remembered those.

  I still think he's cute, maybe even a little attractive, but I can't tell if these are real things I'm feeling or if I'm only feeling a connection with one of the only people to ever see me as more than human garbage.

  We kept walking and talking. I even threw in a few jokes here and there, but I forgot all about those green eyes when I saw much more green out of the corner of my eye.

  I turned my head and my jaw dropped. Prince Ashton was going to continue walking forward, but I stopped in my tracks, forcing him to stop beside me.

  "That. That room there. What is that?" I quickly asked, my eyes wide.

  "The... The greenhouse area?" He replied, cocking an eyebrow. "I mean, it's a nice area and all but-"

  And that's when I stopped listening. I was too busy standing still, too amazed to even pay attention.

  An entire house of green. Isn't that incredible? Well, to be fair, it wasn't all green. It was scattered with what seemed to be endless colors. Some of which I felt like I'd never seen before.

  He soon noticed my indifference to whatever he was saying, shrugging it off and leading me into the greenhouse.

  I couldn't believe my eyes, and couldn't even describe how beautiful this area was. Plants were strewn everywhere, fountains were pouring water down their side, and gardeners were tending the never ending rows of flowers.

  One gardener in particular seemed to stare my way. His tan skin glistened with sweat and his curly brown hair was topped with a straw hat. It had a rose red ribbon that matched his uniform.

  Our eyes met, and I noticed that his eyes were an ocean blue. I smiled his way and he smiled back. Before I could formulate a "hello" in my head, Prince Ashton spoke.

  "Evening Evan!" Prince Ashton waved.

  The gard- I mean, Evan, spoke to the prince but kept his eyes on me the entire time.

  "Good evening, your highness," He spoke, walking towards us.  "May I ask who this is with you?"

  "You may! This is my lovely new acquaintance, Keina."

  I waved as the prince continued.

  "And Keina, this is my dear friend, Evan. He's been a gardener here ever since he was a boy." Prince Ashton smiled. "I was never supposed to befriend the gardener... You know, since I'm royalty, but Evan has always been my most loyal friend."

"Thank you, Ash," Evan smiled. He looked towards me. "You know, I'd kiss your hand, my lady, but..." He looked to Prince Ashton. He almost looked slightly disappointed. "You seem to already be accompanied."

I opened my mouth to speak, but with just my luck, a little girl ran into the room, seemingly in a panic.

"Ashtonnnn! Ashy! Ashhhhh!" The girl whined, running to Prince Ashton, and hugging onto his leg as soon as she got there. Her eyes were teary and her pale red dress was obviously tear stained.