Survival of the Rose

Deanna found herself face-to-face with one of the men she had seen in the courtyard. His name was Aeon, the captain of the guard, and his master was Prince Maxim. The shock of meeting them was so great that she momentarily forgot her own name as she stared at their handsome faces. Deanna was so distracted that she didn’t notice the queen and Helena approaching until it was too late.

“Deanna!” The queen’s voice and her stern expression made it clear that Deanna was in trouble. Deep trouble.

“Come, Deanna.” As much as she didn’t want to follow the queen, she knew there was no other choice. Helena shot her panicked glances as the two of them trailed behind the queen in silence. The silence continued even when they entered the castle. Deanna was starting to feel scared. She wondered if she could sneak off to her room, but the queen’s stern look over her shoulder made it clear that she had to follow her until told otherwise. Helena and Deanna followed the queen to her study.

“Shut the door, Helena,” the queen commanded. Deanna’s heart pounded in her chest. Helena closed the door slowly. The room fell silent for what felt like hours. The only sound Deanna could hear was her own breathing, which she desperately tried to keep even.

“What do you think you were doing?” the queen asked calmly.

“I was in the gardens,” Deanna whispered, “Picking flowers.”

“You were with one of MY suitors!” the queen suddenly exploded. Faster than Deanna could see, the queen grabbed a leather strap from her desk drawer. Deanna knew the strap all too well.

“Hold her, Helena!” the queen shouted.

“But Mother, she didn’t mean—” Helena tried.

“Hold her!” the queen screamed. Helena yelped as her mother hit the strap against the desk with a loud whack. Helena gave her dear sister an apologetic look before doing as her mother commanded. Deanna obediently leaned over a chair and Helena braced her on it.

“Just breathe through it,” Helena advised. Deanna didn’t need to be reminded. She was punished for one thing or another all the time. The first sting of the leather strap on her back made her gasp and cry out in pain, but she clenched her teeth and breathed through the second and third lashings as her sister had suggested. She received fifteen lashings before the queen sighed and threw the strap to the floor.

“I hope you have learned the faults in your ways,” the queen finally said, allowing Deanna to straighten up.

“I have, Mother. I am deeply sorry,” Deanna lied. The queen nodded and dismissed both of the girls.

“I am sorry, sister,” Helena whispered once they were out of the queen’s study.

“’Tis not your fault, Helena,” Deanna replied.

“Let me dress your wounds at least,” Helena offered.

“Go to bed,” Deanna told her, “The lashing was not on my bare skin so they should be but mere scratches. I do not feel pain anymore.”

“If you are sure then,” Helena sighed, “Good night, dear sister.” She quickly kissed Deanna on the cheek and retreated to her room, glancing over her shoulder and giving Deanna a worried look until she was out of sight. Deanna sighed. She was in pain, for the sting of the strap still bit at her skin, but she hated seeing Helena worry about her. Honestly, they probably were just scratches and probably wouldn’t hurt in the morning. Deanna strolled back to her room. It was very dark and the castle was quiet. All the guests were in their rooms. Save for a few guards, the common areas were empty. Deanna felt relief as she climbed up the stairs to where her bedroom was.

Her bedroom used to be right next to Helena’s. She often would sneak to her room when she had nightmares and fall asleep in her big sister’s arms as she said soothing things and rubbed her back. Deanna smiled at the memory. She was so distracted she didn’t notice a man standing in front of the door next to her own until it was too late to turn around.

“Good evening,” the man said. Deanna jumped. She looked up at the man. It was Aeon, the one accompanying the prince of Summoner. It was their fault that she received such a merciless punishment. She found it hard not to be a little resentful and did not feel like making small talk.

“Good evening,” she replied rather coldly.

“You are the second eldest daughter to the late king, yes?” the man questioned.

“Yes,” Deanna said, “What importance is it to you?” She couldn’t help but notice that he said second eldest daughter to the late king instead of the second eldest princess of Albarel. That’s how all her siblings were referred to. As a prince or princess. She was a bastard.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” the man said with a deep bow, “I am Aeon. I am here with Prince Maxim of Summoner.” Deanna was a little taken aback by the bow and confused. It had been a while since anyone had bowed to her. She was either too friendly with people so she did not require them to bow or people were tainted by the queen’s hatred of her and refused to bow. Aeon looked up at her as she stood there silently looking at him. Now that she was up close she could see just how handsome the man she spotted outside her bedroom window was. He was built very muscular, and his height was a little intimidating up close. His beard made him look older, but she guessed that he was only two or three years older than Helena. He had striking blue eyes that seemed to freeze her to one spot. Finally, she noticed she had been staring again, drinking in the sight of him. She closed her eyes to snap herself out of the spell he had put her under. Why did he affect her this way?

“It is very nice to meet you,” she said, recovering from her shock. Aeon stood up straight.

“If I may, why were you in the gardens so late?” Aeon asked.

“I enjoy walking among the flowers,” Deanna replied with a shrug, “They smell nice, look pretty, and provide many uses from decorating a room to having healing properties.” It was Aeon’s turn to be surprised. He was not expecting such an in-depth answer, but he recovered faster than she had.

“They seem to make great tiaras as well,” he smiled. Deanna looked confused, but quickly realized the flower crown she had made earlier still rested atop her head. Deanna snatched it down and turned a delightful shade of red that made Aeon smile.

“I apologize for the sight you must see,” Deanna said looking down.

“Nonsense,” Aeon argued as he plucked a petal from her hair and showed it to her, “Women should decorate themselves with nature’s beauty more often.”

“Is that how women decorate themselves in Summoner?” Deanna questioned. Aeon frowned.

“No,” he replied, “It is very cold there. Flowers do not bloom in such abundance as they do here.”

“That’s a pity,” Deanna replied, “But I heard your kingdom is blanketed by beautiful water crystals each winter. It is just dreary and grey here.”

“The snow is a beautiful sight,” Aeon agreed, “However, I wish I could see more flowers there as well.” Deanna smiled up at him. Such a beautiful smile she had with pearly white teeth hidden by peachy pink lips. Her skin was tan, and her hair was the color of the bark of the large elder trees in Summoner. Her eyes were dark and deep and seemed never to end as he looked down into them.

“Well, I must bid you goodnight, sir,” Deanna said with a graceful curtsey.

“Goodnight, Princess Deanna,” Aeon said with another deep bow. She again looked at him in surprise.

“Aeon,” she whispered as if to test his name on her lips. And a marvelous test it was. He never appreciated his name before until it spilled from her mouth. She gave him a brief smile before disappearing behind her door. Aeon stood there for a moment before returning to his room. Max sat on the bed.

“I thought you were going to look for— What’s the matter?” Max said, “You look ridiculous with a smile like that on your face.” Aeon looked down at the flower petal in his hand. Deanna, the bastard princess of Albarel, was not what Aeon was expecting, though the rumor that the queen had a deep grudge against her seemed to be true. It was unusual that the girl’s room was in the tower meant for guests instead of with the rest of the royal family. He also noticed that there was something wrong with her back. He had seen her long before she saw him. He noticed her walk up the stairs. She was hissing in pain with each step and groaned with relief once she reached the door to her room. She did not look to be in any discomfort when they had met her in the garden earlier. She must have been punished by the queen for some reason. His suspicions were almost proven when she turned to go into her room, and he saw slight abrasions and tears on the back of her dress as if it had been hit repeatedly by something.

“Aeon,” Max called, “What is going on?”

“There’s been a change of plans,” Aeon replied.