"I can't believe I'm going to the castle today. I really can't wait. I'm going to see her" We'd met two weeks ago and since she left I've been thinking about her nonstop. Lucky for me she sent for my assistance with her garden.
I carried my own tools into my grandpa's wagon and picked out the best of my flowers before tying them together with a thin ribbon.
I caused my horse Miyan to move at a full gallop down the roads of the town leading to the Castle premisis. It was my first time being there and I ensured I was dressed properly, enough to dazzle.
"Are you the Gardener We're expecting?" I nodded and the draw gate was let down. I could tell Miyan was as excited as I was. She neighed as she rode to the stables and I tied her there with a leash then fed her some carrots I was going to deliver at the food market right after I'm done with the Queen's garden.
The Head Butler identified himself as he approached. We exchanged greetings and he led me to the garden where the Queen was. She smiled as soon as she saw me and she lifted her hand to wave.
I bowed, and presented the flowers "You're looking lovely today My Queen."
"Thank you" she took the corsage and I went with her to her rose plots.
"I don't know why but they never grow. I don't know if it has something to do with the soil. I really want a rose plant —"
"Don't worry too much, I'll find out the problem by examining the state of the genus Rosa" I was pretty sure about the problem. Maybe pests had something to do with it.
I dug a hole and I saw nothing in there, the soil seemed to be perfectly right and i started to wonder, was there any problem at all?
I thought back 'There was nothing in there'
"I've found out the problem. You didn't plant any seeds."
"You are correct."
I raised a brow "was this a test?" If it was, then it'd be the easiest I've taken so far. She replied my question with a nod then she smiled.
I murmured "Is that all? I can go get seeds to plant your flower hedge and I'll likewise drop manure and grow more rare flowers in empty plots..."
"There's a lot for you to do. the more the perspiration. You need to chop down certain trees, trim the shrubberies, re organize the window boxes, pluck out dead blossoms, rake some fallen leaves, uproot some weeds and other things that are contained in the list. I'll be watching you" she said as she walked away and I was left with a scroll. A really long one.
She said she'd be watching but he hadn't seen her for an hour or two. The garden was quite big and he had a lot to do. He saved cutting down the trees for last, he'd prefer starting with the top of the list, like she said they'd be easier. He still had to get Everything done.
He raked the leaves just like she said, he trimmed the bushes into beautiful shapes. On a little incline, he cut the brambles to shape her name, amal. He was certain she'd like It.
He wiped the sweat that formed on his forehead and sat down, resting his back against the bark of an apple tree. He just needed a little break.
A small girl walked up to him with bread and a cup of juice on a tray "The Queen said you'd need refreshments" He smiled his appreciation.
"The bread is still warm. It's best if you eat now." He nodded and keyed to advice.
The taste of the Castle's bread was different from what they sold in town. He wondered how they made food for monarchs and why normal food just like bread would taste like something given from the gods.
He shook his head. He couldn't ponder about unnecessary things. He'll forget the number one thing he came for. Work and get paid.
While working, he heard sobs. He traced where it came from and he spotted Amal crouched down, her hands covering her face to hide her tears, but her sobs were loud enough to draw attention.
"My Queen!" He hurried to her aid and made her stand appropriately thinking about whether she'd fallen and sustained an injury from it. "Did you have an accident? Did my tools cut you? Please answer me" she was silent the whole time with her head low to hide something.
He lifted her head tenderly by her jawline and he saw marks all over. "Who hit you?" He didn't want to think it was the King. There was nobody else who could do such under the King's watch. Assaulting a ruler was a crime, and the punishment was getting their hands cut off with a hot gruff blade. Be that as it may, that standard never applied to a ruler assaulting one another.
"Act like you didn't see this. Just stay out of it for your own good. I beg of you" her words made him sad, and it didn't do justice to his questions.
He couldn't ignore her whilst she cried, he didn't know how to turn back on her when she was in such a state. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him, so close there was no distance between their chest "Stop crying. Please."
She stepped back and slapped him Don't touch me! You don't have the foggiest idea what you're doing. What in the event that somebody sees? aren't mindful of the guidelines?!"
She looked around, especially at the castle balcony where the king normally stands to watch over her garden and look far beyond the hills and mountains. He wasn't there, and so was Viressis out of sight.
"I'm sorry for hitting you, I just need you to understand. I'm still your friend but while we're surrounded with the eyes of numerous that don't care for me. I can't relate with you appropriately and I beseech you do likewise if you want to live." She wiped her tears away and left him with his hand on the cheek that still hurt.
"From the first time we met, I could tell you were constantly troubled and I want to do nothing but help you. I want to make you happy even if the King prohibits you from experiencing joy. I'm willing to face the challenge. I don't have a clue why, yet I will."