Royally Interested

Chapter 15

After an hour of talking about everything that lied heavy on our hearts, we both apologized and came to an understanding. It wasn't easy - that much I could tell you - but we both decided that for my own safety - and the safety of his heir - I was to be bedridden for the last few weeks of the pregnancy.

Now that in itself was a particularly difficult thing for me to do -since I was used to constantly moving around and keeping busy -but atleast it gave me some time to relax and unwind before I had to go back to my chaotic life back home. So I tried my utmost best to welcome the stillness , though not always as much as I should...

"Miss Avalon, you have to get back to bed. If king Rysand sees you , he'll -"

"I'll be alright Darla ," I reassured the poor young girl. When Rysand had instructed me to 'not lift a finger' he also assigned me a babysitter. Silly , I know. But I knew Darla was only doing what she was told so I tried not to give her too much to worry about.

"I don't think the king would approve of you moving around like this." She said carefully while linking her arm with mine.

"That's why I'm doing this while he's in a meeting ," I playfully replied though I could tell she didn't find it very funny "I'm just getting some fresh air. I won't even be five minutes. Promise. " I tried again , as I saw her blow out a defeating breath before helping me sit down on the bench outside.

The air was growing colder ; I could tell summer would soon be relieving us from it's burning gaze, only to be replaced with the cold winter nights that would soon send a wave of stillness through Wedlyn... I liked the winter. Not because it was the most beautiful time of the year , but because only for a moment ; everything comes to a stop, the world grows quiet as it almost seems as if the mere thought of it all appears to be unfathomable. It was like magic , like a dream I never wish to wake up from. I liked the winter , it ... almost felt like home.

"I see you're disobeying me already."

I turned my head to see Rysand stand behind me , not with a look of anger or disappointment but ... amusement ?

"I was just -"

"Escaping ? Yeah, I know these walls can seem a little confining at times. " he said in a little hearted way that showed he understood what I was feeling, while sitting down next to me.

"I ... guess so. I'll only be a minute ."

"There's no rush. You're not doing anything to strain yourself so why deprive you of such a beautiful day ? " he answered -standing up again - as I watched him look at the Tiger lily's with such care and interest.

"They're beautiful." I voiced making him turn around.

"There are ...they're so dainty and precious though they're the only flower who can withstand even the most extreme conditions ."

"I... did not know that. "

"They were my mother's favorite. She taught me everything I know. I remember we would sit here for hours on end as I listened to her talk. I guess... having them here in my garden reminds me of greater times when, life almost seemed simpler." He said deep in thought as I couldn't help but feel some type of compassion towards what he must be feeling.

"She sounds like a wonderful woman to have known ."

"She was ," he said through a realizing puff of air , as he sat down next to me again. "She was kind , gentle, caring , loving, she was the type of person who's smile could light up even the darkest of places. She had such a wonderful outlook on life that it was difficult not to see it the same as she did . She...was the best person you could've ever known. "

"I'm really sorry ..."

"For what ? " he asked confused, turning towards me.

"For bringing such a deep and personal thing up. I shouldn't have overstepped -"

"Avalon ," he interjected - placing his hand over mine - "it's quite alright. I love talking about my mother. She really was a remarkable woman. And yes , it was an extremely difficult time in my life when she passed but , it's good to talk about her like it's still normal. Like... she's still here with me. " In this moment I couldn't help but see Rysand in another light. In... a way that didn't show he was this merciless king who only wanted what was best for him alone , but as someone who loves and cries . Someone who knows what it feels like to lose someone important and to be man enough to admit he was broken. Someone who... is not just another face in the papers but a real person with real emotions and feelings too...

"That's... really nice. Thank you for sharing that with me . "

"Thank you for reminding me that the fewer things in life are just as important. " he said with a grateful smile.

"I... should probably get back to bed. " I voiced as he helped me back unto my feet before Darla escorted me back upstairs. The entire way back , I couldn't help my thoughts from growing towards a distant place. A place where Rysand almost seemed normal... a place where he wasn't just another spoiled and privileged prince who thought the world owed him something, but someone with a mom and a dad . Someone who grew up laughing and playing , someone who smiled in the face of diversity and yet somehow ; at one point in all of our lives ...the grown up within us took over.

I couldn't help but see Rysand in a completely different light. And maybe , just maybe , things were finally looking up around here.

Alrighty my loves! Thank you so much for reading. Remember to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time keep howling my wolves ❤🐺