On a wooden bench that had hearts carved into the legs that sat in a garden by peach trees was a prince. The garden was 3 archers and had 2 white marble fountains, rose bushes, apple trees, a pond, 4 bird baths, different trees that had bird houses on them, a vegetable patch that had different veggies growing in it, and wildflowers growing around the outskirts of the garden. The prince was 18 years old, 5'7, had dark brown hair, and gray eyes. He wore a white button up shirt, brown khakis, a crown with diamonds throughout it, and black dress shoes. He sat there and looked off into the distance thinking "how could this have happened?" He began to have a flashback. In his flashback he saw himself 2 years younger and a girl who was age 9. The girl had long dark brown hair, light brown eyes, and was 2'0. The girl wore a light blue dress that cut off underneath the knee, black flats, and a crown of flowers. They sat in the grass by the pond in the garden. The girl jumped on his back and said "Cody, Cody!" Cody laughed and said "you love climbing on my back don't you Lilac?" She laughed and said "I sure do big brother!" She ran around him and sat in front of him. She said "show me the rock trick again Cody!" He smiled and asked "what rock trick?" She said "you know which one Cody! It's the one daddy showed you!" He said "oh you mean skipping rocks. Hmm I don't think I remember that one." She said "Cooooooooody pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaase!" He laughed and said "alright for you Lilac I'll do the rock trick." He got up, got some rocks, and skipped them across the pond while Lilac watched and cheered.
The flash back ended and he looked down. Tears dripped from his chin and he asked "how could this have happened?" He covered his face as tears dripped between the cracks of his fingers.
From the distance 2 servant woman in there late 20s watched him. One of the women asked "why is he always in the garden crying?" The servant women began to walk and the other servant woman said "ah right you're new around here aren't you Olivia?" Olivia answered "yes. I've been here for 2 months and all I've seen him do is cry in the garden. I don't think I've seen him smile once since I started working in the castle. So, why does he go to the garden to cry?" The servant woman said "because that was his sister's favorite place to play. The poor thing lost everything." Olivia said "that's right! Didn't his parents die?" The servant woman answered "yes first his mom, then his dad, and then his sister. I think what did it was the loss of his sister. When she died it was like the final push. It was a great thing that before his father king Kam died he put Darren who was the head advisor and there family friend and now the duke until further notice in charge of Lilac, Cody, and the kingdom until Cody becomes king. I don't think Cody could've handled the kingdom in the state he is in right now. His heart is so broken. Poor child, he hasn't been the same since. He has done this everyday since Lilac's death." Olivia said "wow poor child." The servant woman said "yes. The child needs God. I wish he would come to Him but he refuses. It's this lack of Faith that keeping him in this depression." Olivia said "I will surely Pray for his highness." The servant woman said "I will also Pray. The poor child needs all the Prayers he can get."
The servant women went back to work and as they worked a servant walked over to Cody. The servant bowed while saying "your highness." Cody removed his hand from his face and slammed it down on the bench while saying "what is it?" The servant said "his highness Duke Darren has requested you in the king's office." Cody said "tell him I wish not to be alone." The servant said "he said if you don't come now he will come out to get you." Cody stood up and walked to the king's office to see Duke Darren.
The king's office was 700 square feet and had cream color walls and red carpet floors. In the room was a redwood desk behind it a chair where Darren sat reading a paper. The room also had 4 windows, a glass chandelier, a tree in a flowerpot, a fireplace with a red wood mantle that had a Cross sitting on it, a bookshelf with books on it, a red loveseat, and a picture of a Cross with a Bible Verse underneath hanging on the wall.
There was a knock at the door and Darren said "come in." Cody and a servant woman entered. The servant woman curtsied and Darren said "ah there he is. Please leave us." She left and closed the door behind her. Cody asked "what is it that you need from me?" Darren said "I haven't seen you all day. I was just wondering if you were okay." Cody said "I'm okay. I was just thinking about some things." Darren stood up, placed the paper on his desk, stood in front of Cody, and said "you mean your sister don't you?" Cody said "I just don't understand." Darren said "well maybe if you came to God you…" Cody interrupted saying "I don't understand why everyone keeps telling me that! I'm fine." Darren said "because your depression is getting worse! Cody, you've been so depressed that you can't even become king. I have to take over until your ready." Cody said "well I'll be ready on my own time. I can do this on my own." Darren asked "do you remember how depressed Lilac got when your dad died?" Cody said "yes it hurt her so badly. First mom then dad. I thought she wouldn't make it…" Darren asked "do you remember what happened to get her out of that depression?" Cody huffed and said "don't tell me that story again. I don't need anyone's…" Cody was interrupted by a knock at the door. Darren said "come in," and a servant woman dragging along a little girl by her arm came in. The little girl was 7 years old, had long messy dark brown hair, and purple eyes. The little girl wore a dirty and dingy white t-shirt that had holes in it and was to big for her and dingy and dirty black shorts. She had dirt on her face, arms, and legs and smelled of garbage. Darren said to Cody "we'll finish this later," and asked the woman "what seems to be the problem?" The servant woman shook the girl by the arm while saying "we caught this little thief stealing." Tears ran down the little girl's cheeks and the servant woman said "this brat has stolen from the garden 2 times in a row and today she has the nerve to steal from inside the castle. She should be thrown in the dungeon for this." Darren looked at the little girl, kneeled down to her level, and asked "what is it that you stole?" The little girl cried "food… I knew it was wrong but I was so hungry. The garden was easy to get fruit from but today I smelled warm food coming from the kitchen and I just wanted to taste some. I'm sorry I was just very hungry." Darren said "let her go and leave us at once." The servant woman yelled "let this thief go? She'll just steal again!" Darren stood up, looked at the servant woman, and said "I said let her go and leave us NOW. Don't defy my orders." The servant woman let the girl go, left the room, and closed the door behind her. Darren said "now child, what is your name?" The little girl answered "Ava." Darren asked "how old are you Ava?" Ava answered "7 but I'll be 8 in a few months." Darren said "that's great. Now Prince Cody, what shall we do with her?" Cody said "your asking me?" Darren said "yes. This will be your kingdom one day so you'll have to make decisions like this one." Cody said "I don't care what happens to a thief." Darren said "alright then Ava I see no harm done so you are free to go." Ava smiled, curtsied, and said "oh thank you so much." Ava turned around to leave and Darren said "just a minute." Ava turned around to face them and asked "what is it your highness?" Darren said "before you leave I want to make sure you have a warm meal and a bath. We'll get you some new clothes and Ava you can come and get food from the garden anytime." Ava jumped up and down and said "really? You mean it?" Darren said "yes you may." She said "you are very kind your highness. I'm very grateful for your mercy. God Bless you." Cody glared at Darren and said "may I talk to you outside?" A frown came to Darren's face, he said "sure. I'll be right back Ava," and left the room with Cody. Darren asked "what's is it Cody," and Cody said "so your showing this thief that we don't even know kindness? How can we allow her to walk around the castle premises when we don't even know her and she has sticky fingers. All we know about her is that she is a thief who doesn't deserve any sort of kindness. She deserves to be put where all the other thieves go, the dungeon!" Darren said "well we all deserved to go to hell but God still sent His Son to die for us. You oughta have some compassion for a child who is less fortunate than you and it is rather rude for you to even be speaking in this manner. Have mercy on her and forgive her lesser debt." Cody yelled "I'm going to the garden," and left as Ava came out of the room. Ava asked "is everything alright with the prince?" Darren sighed and said "he's just a little sad have patience and forgive him young one." Ava smiled and said "he sounds like someone who was apart of my life. He's just a little grumpy in need of some love. I will certainly Pray for him to get better." Darren said "yes, I hope he does soon." Ava said "I know God will. God will make Prince Cody all better. I know my God and Prince Cody will get better just you wait. I trust in God." Darren smiled at Ava and said "such strong Faith for God in you." He put out his hand towards her and said "come little one so you can get something to eat." She grabbed his hand and they left and went to go get her something to eat, get her bathed, and get her new clothes.