Rose Petals & Musk

Chapter Four

What is love made of?

Passion and determination?

Or the quiet whisperings of perfection?

My father called me in the throne room the next morning to tell me that Damien's father was coming to the castle to visit his son. It was a few weeks before my coronation so we assumed he would attend it as well. We were both hoping that he would not make a scene and deal with the situation diplomatically.

The preparations were being made and Damien had started to feel better. He had healed from the poison and Lord Provein was at home being watched by the guards until a clear answer came to him for his deeds.

I was walking in the rose garden and went to visit the statue again. My maids took care of it quickly and paid off anyone that noticed it break. I ventured to the statue and noticed that it looked exactly the same, thankfully. I was gazing at it until I heard a cough from behind me.

I turned around and saw a handsome stranger, at around six feet tall. He had short brown hair and cerulean blue eyes that stood out and seemed to have a sheen of their own. He was wearing clothing of a man of status, although they did look worn.

"Who are you?" I asked, looking at him.

He smiled. "I am Warn."

"What are you doing in the palace, Warn?"

He smiled, "I am here for the coronation about to take place in a few weeks."

"Ah," I smiled. "Well then, it would be lovely to have you."

He looked at the statue then looked at me.

I looked at the statue he was looking at and then back at him. Wait! I looked at the statue again and back at him and noticed an uncanny resemblance.

"Has anyone ever told you that you look like the original King? It's uncanny!" I bursted out in awe.

He raised his eyebrows and said, "Well," He paused to look at the statue, "I can definitely see what you mean."

"Perhaps you will be crowned instead of I if people were to see you at the coronation!" I laughed.

He gave a slight smile, "You are the princess to be crowned?"

"Yes, I am. I was here visiting the statue."

"Ah, what do you think of him?"

I gazed at the statue. "I think not much of him. Stories and legends travel far ways from the truth, so it is prudent not to invest much thought into in what they claim. I believe he was a King who met an untimely death, but I do not bear much opinion of the nature of his downfall."

He nodded thoughtfully. "That's reasonable."

"Warn, do you have a title?" I asked him.

"I do. But I hardly use it. It hasn't been of use to me for a while."

"Oh, you must come from an old family. Very well then, I will take my leave." I turned to leave.

"Wait." Warn reached out and grabbed my hand. "Enjoy your evening" and he dropped my hand.

I paused, and a strange sensation run up my arm. "Yes, um, thank you. Good bye."

I walked away without looking back.

But I felt a chill go down my spine.

The next morning, I awoke and heard that Damien's father arrived. My lady's maids helped me get dressed and prepare for breakfast with him.

When I arrived to the dining room I saw that Damien was there seated next to his father and my father at the head of the table. I sat on the seat next to my father, at the corner of the table.

I sat down quietly and allowed my father to introduce me. "Harold, this is my daughter, Asiyah. It's been years since you've seen her so I doubt you recognize her!"

Damiens father appraised me in the corner of his eye, and said "hm, yes. She has grown quite a bit. She has blossomed into a wonderful young lady."

My father gave out a happy laugh, "Thank you my old friend."

I looked at Damien on the other side of the table from under my eyelids. He seemed to be quite focused on his croissant. His father was not paying attention at all to what he was doing.

"Ahem, Damien. May you pass the butter?" I eyed him strongly.

He was still looking down unto his croissant.

"Damien!" I spoke louder than before.

It didn't work on Damien, but it attracted his father's attention instead. He turned to his side and nudged Damien. "Prince Damien, the Princess is asking you for something".

Damien seemed to be shocked out of whatever trance he was in before and looked at me. "Yes, Princess Asiyah?"

I leaned forward playfully and raised my eyebrow, "Would you mind kindly passing the butter to me?"

He remained nonchalant and simply passed it to me.

I tried to mask my shock at his coldness, and simply accepted the butter from his hands.

My father cleared his throat a few minutes later, after we were all eating in silence. "So, Asiyah. I have news to bring to you."

"Do tell Father." I replied to him while focused on the food I was eating.

"I and Damien's father have decided to make you and Damien marry eachother some time after your coronation."

I blinked confusedly, but diplomacy was always important to me. "I see, father. And how did you come into this decision?" I had a feeling it was because of the attack of Damien, and that is what his father demanded in retribution.

"They think we're good for eachother, Asiya." Damien spoke up.

I looked to Damien, "Oh, so you knew?"

"I just found out earlier this morning while you were still in your chambers." He muttered softly.

"I see. How do you feel, by the way, Damien. Have you recovered well enough?"

"I am fine Asiyah, thank you for asking."

"We announce your engagement, and all you have to say is some small talk?" Damiens father interjected.

"I'd hardly see this talk as small. Damien was very injured and it is very important for us to make sure that he is recovering. On the topic of the engagement, I will think on it and consider it. I do agree that Damien is a very good catch, but I have seen him all my life as my older brother and not much more than that."

My father looked down, "Asiyah, Damien would be perfect for you."

His father nodded, "Why, he is. And this way I would be able to make sure that none of your out of control Lord's attempted to kill him by "accident" He cleared his throat, as if an itch caught into it.

"Let her think your majesties." Damien suggested.

My father looked to Damien, and responded, "There is not much to think about."

"Ahem." I took my napkin and placed it in my plate as I finished. As I stood up my lady's maids walked to my side. "Thank you for the lovely meal, it was a pleasure to see you again Your Majesty. I look forward to seeing you again. I must now take my leave as I have classes to attend. Have a lovely morning." I took a step back and turned around, making my way out of the dining room.

I was almost out the door when I heard Damien mutter, "I don't know why she always hides her true feelings like this."