King's Rose

Chapter 2 - Soon to be separated

"Keep running little lord," Brexter's loud voice resonated around the training hall. The training hall was an open space, alike a dojo. Amongst the space was Ajax, panting furiously. He may only be six but he wasn't going to forget his position and end goal. He had to be the best man. The best man worthy of her. He panted, continuing his 'light' according to Brexter, second jog around the hall. Brexter looked on, grinning. Just a week ago, the little lord had only done one lap and called it quits. The little princess was only two and already influencing the little lord. He kept his laughter to himself as he watched on Ajax.

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While Ajax was training, it was a very different circumstance for Rose. "And then, and then...Ajak take me to this huge pond, so so big, with so many birds..." Rose babbled away at her mother, Catherine. Catherine continued to cook dinner, responding to Rose once in a while.

"Ajax" Catherine corrected. Catherine was glad she had made a friend so quickly. It wasn't easy to live in the King's city, located in Sydney, Australia. It was a place with bustling architecture, festivals, opportunity and water-front views, a perfect mix between city and nature. That however, came naturally with issues such as a higher cost of living and a higher population density. Their place was a small, but cosy apartment place near the fringes of the city; it was hard being a single mum with no support trying to raise a two-year-old. She had moved Rose and her down from Perth, Western Australia, halfway across the country, 4000km away from her hometown to try give Rose the best possible opportunities she can receive in Sydney. It has only been less than a month since they've moved here and she's already thinking about how to find a babysitter, pay for it, and pay for next week's rent.

The next morning, Catherine woke Rose up. Rose rubbed her eyes from her pink coloured blankets, her adorable look made Catherine swoon as she helped Rose get ready for the day. "What do you want to do today Rose?" asked Catherine.

Rose grabbed onto Catherine's leg, looking up with her brown eyes exclaimed, "I want to play with Ajak! Please! Please, please please!"

Knowing there was no way she could deny her daughter, she rummaged through her handbag, finding a neatly written number.

Please call if you need anything – Brexter.

Catherine had no clue how on earth that got in her bag, but as she was unpacking last night, this note had appeared. Making a phone call to Brexter, they managed to arrange a time for Rose to come over to Ajax's place. As Catherine and Rose were walking to the station intending to take the train, a shiny black car appeared in which Brexter was in the driving seat. "Hello ladies, I'm under very strict orders from our little lord to pick both of you up," he smiled.
Catherine was surprised. Again with the 'little lord' she deducted that Ajax must be the son or grandson of an alpha, there were about two packs residing in Sydney, not including the royal pack. As they were driving, the prominent smell of seawater increased as the car stopped in front of the most beautiful, waterfront mansion overlooking the Tasman Sea. Okay, most definitely the son of an alpha or someone super rich, thought Catherine.

Rose was young, but she could tell the place in front of her was grand. She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sight of a handsome young boy in a black t-shirt and shorts. She opened the door and ran out, ignoring Catherine's angry cries. Ajax had his arms open, ready to catch the young girl. The young girl hugged Ajax tightly, her legs and arms around his waist and back. Ajax buried his head in Rose's hair. The delightful scent of pure roses. Catherine followed behind, not happy. "ROSE! You know better than to fling yourself out of the car without my permission. What if the car hadn't stopped yet? You would have gotten seriously hurt!" Catherine shouted.

However Rose didn't seem to be taking her mother's words to heart. She was too busy hugged Ajax. However Ajax was having none of that. Carefully settling Rose onto her own feet, he held her hands in his and looked her in the eye. "Rose, don't be rude. Listen to your mother" he said.

To Catherine's surprise, Rose nodded, turned around to face her mum and apologised "Sorry mummy" she mumbled.

"That's okay sweetie, just be careful," Catherine replied.

Ajax took Rose by the hand, leading her in, leaving Brexter to serve Catherine. This wouldn't be the first time Rose would come over. Over the next few weeks and then months Rose would regularly come over, Brexter had mentioned to Catherine that he would be able to babysit Catherine while she was at work. Being a busy single mum, she was grateful she wouldn't have to spend extra expenses on hiring a babysitter.

Time flew as two years passed. Ajax was now 8 and Rose was now 4. The pair was deeply bonded, often playing, learning and talking to each other. Touching her sparkly clip in her head, Ajax's birthday present when she turned four, she sighed as she kicked the sand on the beach right outside Ajax's house. Ajax approached her silently before pounding onto Rose, making her fall onto the sand, her hair matted with sand particles. Real mature lord, the Fairy Guards hidden away from sight rolled their eyes at Ajax's antics. "AJAX" squealed Rose as she turned to wrestle Ajax on the beach. Ajax smirked, letting Rose push him over, his back landing on the sand.

"What's got you so sad Rose?" asked Ajax.

With that statement, Rose sighed, "I don't want to start school." Ajax snickered. Rose pouted, "Don't laugh!" she said as she blushed, burrowing her head in Ajax's warmth.

Ajax embraced the girl. Mmh...roses. "You'll be a big girl when you finally go to school!" Ajax said.

Rose didn't respond, lying down next to Ajax, closing her eyes. Ajax kept his arms wrapped around Rose, he sighed.

At 8 years old, it was expected that he had to prepare for his closed door cultivation soon at the age of 10. Every prince had done through it. It was a gruelling, long, period. The rumours were this cultivation was designed to shape the future king, a series of trials in which the future king would have to pass. Pass every single trial until they were allowed back out to the world. Ajax's grandfather was known across the continents for his completion of the trials in just two years. Every other king before him had taken at least twice the amount of time to finish them.

To prepare for this, Ajax would have to train both his mind and body for this. He wasn't sure that he would be allowed to meet Rose during his preparation for the trials. And he had no idea how long the trials would take.

But it would be long. Too long away from his Rose. Way too bloody long

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Author's Note
Thanks for reading chapter 2 of King's Rose!
What do you think so far?