Obligated Love ~Book One Of The Prince's Promise Series~

Chapter 5

The new understanding of her circumstance gave Amelia a drive. She wanted to learn the ways of these upright people and decode the hierarchy that stood ominously before her. Surely the superficial manners and ever-formal behaviors gave Amelia the right to deem those beings lower than herself with the depths of her emotional intelligence. With her decision set to study these interesting creatures, her mind led her steps as she approached her bedroom.

Lost in thought Amelia was unaware of the footsteps closing in behind her. A light tap on her shoulder wrenched her from her inner self with a sudden jolt. Amelia turned abruptly to see icy blue eyes creasing at the corners.

"Amelia I need to show you something!" Garin exclaimed with enthusiastic urgency. He grasped her hand and rushed down the hall with the confused young woman trailing behind him.

After a few minutes of light jogging, Amelia was released when her leader made a sudden halt. She leaned over the ground with her hands on her knees to regain her breath when she heard the giddy young man clear his throat confidently. Amelia raised her head and her eyes widened, her pupils retracting at the sudden light. In front of her lay a lovely garden in the center courtyard of the home.

"Oh my!" Amelia exclaimed, losing her breathe again. She was enveloped by the curves of the bushes, the long drooping branches hanging overhead, and the delicate petals of the blossoms that filled the surroundings with an abundance of colors.

Garin grinned at the delighted expression on the young women's face then bent over a nearby rosebush. Carefully picking a flower at the stem he began meticulously removing the thorns. When he was satisfied with his work he softly lifted Amelia's hand, studying it intently.

"I wouldn't want to risk hurting your delicate hands." He said in a low voice, locking his gaze with hers. Moving his head closer to hers at an undetectable speed he placed the blossom in her hand.

Amelia's heart fluttered at this treatment, fingering the gift in her hand. "Thank you," she said with her eyes on the flower. "It's beautiful." She lifted her face abruptly, noticing the closeness of his breath. Her emerald orbs were trapped in his stare as he lifted his hand to trace her jaw. "As are you," Garin said, pressing his lips together then parted them slightly as his eyes fell to her mouth. Amelia froze with a swirl of emotions circling in her mind, surprise, confusion, and delight. She was freed from her trance when a servant walked nearby.

Garin noticed the servant as well and pulled back to a respectable distance then bit his lip as he stared at the ground with frustration. Amelia took the opportunity to take several steps back, "It's getting late, I think I need to retire to my room." She said as she began retreating.

"Wait!" Garin said quickly grabbing Amelia's wrist. She looked at him with shock, feeling the tightness of his hand. He relinquished his grip with a look of shame. Kicking the dirt he said, "I'm sorry."

Amelia looked down and noticed that she had squeezed the flower in her hand from the stress. She dropped the remnants of the rose on the ground and walked inside.