Rose Petals & Musk

Chapter Two

Just before the rose blooms
One wonders

Will today's sunlight
Cause it to flower?

I raised my eyes from that pathetic excuse of a Lord and looked towards my father, who's lips became a grim line. I tried to put myself in his position. Reprimand a prominent Lord with contacts in our military, or fail to and suffer tensions with a bloodthirsty neighbouring country.

I kept my gaze trained on him as I waited for him to speak.

My father finally let out a sigh and was about to speak until the guard I had spoken to in front of the palace loudly arrived to the throne room.

I turned my head to acknowledge him, then faced my father again. "Father, this guard is here to report to me on the state of Prince Damien. May he report it to us before you decide on a course of action."

My father remained completely still, but motioned the guard to enter.

The guard entered and approached and bowed as he addressed each of us. "Your Majesty. Your highness. Lord Provein." He cleared his throat with his hand over his mouth before spoke and said, "Prince Damien's condition has stabilized. The blade he was stabbed with was not clean and we are keeping for signs of an infection. If there is no infection, he will heal gradually."

My father raised his eyebrow, "Lord Provein, is it common for those who accompany you to keep filthy weapons at hand? What possible reasoning do you have for this?"

I looked at my father. "Father, perhaps it is not filth but rather poison. Lord Provein, did you intend to poison Prince Damien, not knowing his royal lineage and not assigning worth to his life?"

Lord Provein immediately paled in realization. "Most certainly not! I am sure that it was my guard that—"

"No!" My father bellowed. "You are responsible for those who follow you."

Lord Provein spoke out, "I have the antidote! I can heal him!"

Finally showing a sign of anger with the furrowing of his brows, my father declared, "bring Lord Provein's guard in for questioning and do not allow Lord Provein to leave the palace until this situation is dealt with and I have come with a further command."

"Father," I aspired coquettishly, "Perhaps you may hold Lord Provein in the room next to the dungeon so that he may reflect on the severity of his actions."

"Lord Provein, you will be held in the hostage room until charges against you are decided. You are to provide the antidote to the poison you administered immediately." My father decided, listening to what I had advised.

I smiled in accomplishment but dropped the smile when Lord Provein started crying out while being dragged out by the guards.

Once he left I turned to my father. "Father, I am quite worried about Damien. He was stabbed in his side, I—"

"No worries, daughter. The guard was more concerened with administrating the poison I believe, than causing an even bigger scene at the tea house. He did not enter too deeply. I was curious myself as to the shallowness of the wound, but knowing that there was poison I understand now the motives."

"Do you think, father, that Lord Provein knew it was Prince Damien that he was attacking?"

My father lowered his head, "Daughter, conspiracies are best met in the shadows until there is enough light to see them clearly. It is only then that you bring your true concerns forward. When the demons have no where else to hide."

"So what shall we do?"

My father grumbled, "I will question and plan on how to deal with this situation diplomatically. Focus on your studies. Your crowning ceremony is near, I shall deal with this on my own." My father reached to rub his grey beard in contemplation.

My father was quite pleasant to look at. With his mid-length grey hair, bushy yet groomed grey eyebrows, and thick grey beard. He looked very comforting, especially with his gentle green eyes. If it weren't for his strong gaze, you would assume him weak. But he was not weak, he was one of the strongest and wisest people I knew.

"Very well, father. I will attend to my duties as prescribed, but I will also be updated on Damien's state."

"Certainly. Go on now dear, I have much to deal with."

I curtsied and turned. I left the throne room with my two ladies maids following me.

As I walked through the halls, I spoke to my ladies maids from behind me. "Alia, take Sienna and ensure that the antidote is administrated. I shall retire to my room for the time being. Meet me in the bedroom in an hour or two with news and to prepare for bed."

They both bowed and backed away. "Yes, your Highness."

Once they disappeared through the halls, I decided to take a detour, and walk through the gardens where my coronation was to be held.

I walked for about ten minutes until I reached the garden, lit up by the red hues of the sunset. The roses, my favourite flowers, had not bloomed yet, as it was still an early spring. I moved through the garden maze until I reached a big clearing, where there was a grand statue.

Once crowned, I had to swear a vow of fealty to this statue. This statue, was very important to our country's history. It was said to be the frozen in stone form of Malik the very first King of Astria. It is said that he had magical powers that allowed him to build a country from scratch from a mother who was not human.

Three years into his reign, as his mother was dying, a terrible curse fell upon Malik. He was to turn to stone slowly and await a day until his true love were to find him, and the statue would crumble. It is said that his true love would come from the roses of Astria. Although we do not believe in this story, we always speak of it hopefully. As a childish fancy that does not pass with childhood.

I turned my face and gazed at the statue, the shadows of the approaching evening covering most of it. He was well dressed, with his crown still atop his head. He looked as if he was looking towards a vision of his own, a sunrise after his own sunset. He holds out his index finger in front of him slightly, too discreet to be a point, but it was still noticeable as an action of it's own.

Each of the sworn in King's and Queen's had to put their finger to his finger as they swore their oath, for in Astria, your sent intention meets with the other's when those two fingers meet.

 I became apprehensive and took a step forward. 

"I, the promised crown
Of nature sound
And intention pure
Swear my fealty
To Your cause and Your way
And to your call I will heed
For fairness and greatness
In word
And in deed"

I curiously raised my hand and my finger to meet his and as it touched, the sun fully set and I heard the sounds of the statue crumbling.

I jumped back, scared, and turned in circles trying to find a way back. I saw a light from afar, and the voices of my ladies maids. "Your highness! Your highness! Are you ok?" They called out as they ran for me, light in hands.

I glanced behind me and swore I saw a shadow before running to meet with my lady's maids.