Evening had already settled over the kingdom of Grand. The sun had bid farewell and the crescent moon smiled down upon the two youths strolling along the tree-strewn path inside the palace gates. Deep blue had engulfed them as they let their silence seep through the cool air.
Out of instinct, Rosette looked up and gazed upon the picturesque view she loved to watch so much—stars.
She beamed at the stardust-filled dark heavens, spreading her arms wide, as if ready to pull the night sky into a gentle embrace.
Rosette was so absorbed in her completely absurd actions.
She didn't notice the prince staring at her.
In her shimmering eyes, Prince Vante Osburne saw a sea of stars, all twinkling a bright greeting. During that short fleeting moment, he saw how she saw the world. He saw treasures of the untold.
Her lashes fluttered with elegance, her irises vivid with love, and her face caressed by the moonlight. It was mesmerizing. She was mesmerizing.
He saw his mother within the depths of her soul. His heartbeat quickened its pace.
"You must be enjoying yourself." The young man finally spoke up.
The young woman seemed to wake from her void of dreams, whipping her head to the noble beside her in a hurried panic. The serenity on her eyes had faded away, making him regret his choice.
He shouldn't have disturbed her. He liked watching her beautiful imagery.
"I apologize for my selfish acts, Your Highness!" she bowed down low, hair falling off her shoulders.
The prince looked at her with realization.
Oh right, they were back at the castle. They didn't have to call each other by their nicknames now.
Somehow, he was disappointed.
"I should be the one saying sorry." He gently shook his head, "I must confess, I enjoyed your company today."
Her laughter sounded like a soft lullaby, soothing the prince with ease. "You should take me with you more often. Peggy and the other children might miss me."
"I'm sure they would like to see the Witch of the North again. Also, the Hemsworths are convinced that you're my lover now."
Both of them snorted a chuckle, ignoring the guards giving them perplexed expressions.
"You never told me how good you are with the piano." Rosette beamed, tilting her head to the side, catching a glimpse of the enchanting portrait of the prince beside her.
"My mother taught me. I loved playing music ever since."
Rosette noted the sadness he was trying to hide. Hesitation pulled her hand away when she attempted to pat his back. She shouldn't offer such sympathy. It will hurt him more.
So instead, she took a deep breath and smiled at him. "She sounds like a great mother."
"She was." He apathetically replied.
Was.
She couldn't imagine how painful this must've been to the Grand family. Guilt devoured her. Khaleesi Dulcina Ermengard had betrayed this family. How could she?
The prince perceived the painter's trepidation to talk, and so he sparked another topic to drive away the awkward silence. "I forgot to ask your opinion about the taste of Mr. Gudmund's fresh ale."
Rosette's brows furrowed in disgust, earning a mischievous laugh from the prince.
"Does ale really taste like sour apples?" she instigated, still remembering the foul taste to the said drink.
YOU ARE READING
Slowly and Painfully ー ✓
Fanfiction[COMPLETE] ❝Seven princes stood before me. But which of them is the one I seek?❞ Briar Rosette, a curious girl of the 21st century, was somehow captivated by one of History's greatest mysteries. It was the tale between the Painter and the Musician...
