Every Rose has a Thorn

An Offer and a Choice

"What," Carmen whispers. Percy sits up rubbing his eyes.

"I want you to be my regent." he replies as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"You do realize I'm only seventeen right? I also have zero training in politics, etiquette, etc.,"Carmen says pacing. "I wouldn't make a good regent!"

"Of course you would," Percy says," it's easy enough to learn and you are already strong and smart!"

"But I'm not even a noble! No one would accept me as regent!"

"Hmm....well.....," Percy shuffles his feet nervously.

"Out with it Perc," Carmen says.

"Perc?"

"Yeah Perc, you're new nickname now quit stalling tell me."

"Ok fine. Since I'm sixteen they're gonna start trying to partner me up with someone and they wont accept me as King if I don't have someone with me who can help handle the burden."

"Oh I get it! So we find you a good Princess or something and then you will be able to become King!"

"Actually I was thinking that you could be my fiance...," Percy mumbles.

"WHAT?!"

"Just as a fake fiance! Just until I get used to being King and can find a real wife."

"Oh..... ok I get it but still why me?"

"You'd give me a new perspective. I mean sure I can fly but I've never been outside the walls of the palace."

"Okay then we have a deal. I'll be your fake fiance for the next two years and help you get practice in as King."

"Great! Which means you will have to start learning about palace life tomorrow!"

"Wait what?"

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The Next Day......

Carmen is pulled by Percy as he races towards the end of the hall.

"Um Percy where are we going?"

"Well if I'm going to introduce you as my fiance today we need to get you all cleaned up and in a new dress," he replies.

"But..... there aren't any doors that way...," Carmen points out confused.

"I know," Percy says and pushes open the window at the end of the hall. He climbs onto the ledge and holds out a hand to Carmen.

"Percy... what do you think you're doing?"

"It's a lot faster to get there by flying!"

"Ha no way. Nu uh!"

"Come on believe in me! I wont let you fall," Percy says giving her a bright smile.

"Fine.....," Carmen says with a sigh. She grabs his hand and he jumps out the window pulling Carmen with him. Carmen shuts her eyes tight in fear as they plummet. Everything seems to stop and a light breeze seems to surround her.

"Open your eyes Carmen. It's amazing to see it like this," Percy says his voice reassuring.

"Nu uh," Carmen says shaking her head vehemently.

"Carm.... just open them," Carmen finally gives in and opens up her eyes bit by bit. Carmen gasps as she sees them flying high above the spires of the castle. She sees the beautiful gardens and a waterfall cascading into a pond. Percy looks down at her with a smile seeing a sparkling joy in her eyes. "Come on," he says after a moment. " We need to get going."

"B-...okay," Carmen says with a small sigh.

"I'll bring you back here again okay? We can have a picnic near the waterfall!" Carmen slowly nods and soon smiles.

"Alright!" Percy holds Carmen's hand and lets go of the rest of her that he had previously held in an embrace. Carmen gasps and clenches her eyes shut. Percy chuckles.

"Seriously Carm? You're scared of heights? And here I thought you were brave and strong. Guess I was wrong," Percy says with a disappointed click of his tongue. Carmen's eyes fly open.

"How dare you! I am NOT weak!"

"Ha! As if! You wouldn't even open your eyes cause we were high up!"

"You would be scared too if you didn't have an ability to save you."

"Good thing you don't need one," Percy says as they hit solid ground. Carmen stumbles and looks around in surprise. She hadn't realized that they were moving. She looks back to see a mischievous smile on Percy's face.

"You angered me to distract me?"

"Yup! I knew you could do it," he says and hugs her. She stiffens in his embrace. He starts to pull back mumbling an apology when she hugs him. His chin rested on top of her head as they embraced. Carmen pulls back and looks at Percy.

"So which way now," she asks and Percy smiles, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to a large set of double doors.

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2 hours later.....

"Are you done yet," Percy calls out in exasperation for the hundredth time.

"Every time I have to stop to answer you just wastes more time. And anyway you're the one who made me dress up in these fancy dresses," Carmen replies teasingly. Percy grumbles and crosses his arms as he sits in the couch outside of the dressing room. He'd already changed into a suit and informed the guard that he was okay. He'd gotten a huge talking to but since he was going to be King soon everyone was too afraid to really do anything about it. He hears the door open and sighs in relief. He stands up and turns around. His jaw drops to the ground. Carmen stands there in a dark red flowing dress, with a bejeweled top. A black belt stretched across her thing waist, a silver Petunia. Her short hair covers one of her mismatched eyes. Her silver eye shines just as much as her emerald eye. They entrance him. She clears her throat and he blushes.

"Ready to go," he asks extending his arm.

"Yup," Carmen says with a smile as she rests her palm on his. She glides alongside him as if she'd been born and raised among royalty. As they approach the top of a large staircase music and the sound of clattering plates reaches Carmen's ears. She takes as deep breath and begins the descent next to Percy. Percy smiles at the crowd but everyone's attention is on Carmen. She raises her head knowing that she couldn't show fear.

If I do those greedy people will pick up on it and think I'm weak. Carmen's heels hit the bottom of the stairs and she gives a bright smile to the crowd almost effortlessly. Some smile back while others glare. Percy clears his throat and begins to speak.

"Good morning everyone I have invited you here today to hear an announcement that I hope will instill as much joy in you as it has in me. This girl here beside me is my fiance, Carmen Maria Rose and she is your future Queen." Carmen sucks in a breath at those last few words.

He's just saying that to convince everyone, she thinks and relaxes. A man slams his hands down on the table in front of him which echoes in the quiet of the room.

"You expect us to accept this common blood wretch to be our Queen? WE WONT ACCEPT IT," he screams.

"Good thing we didn't ask you then," Carmen says with a dangerous glint in her eye.

Key Flower Meanings:

Petunia  Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Soothes Me

(More will be added as they come into play)