Julian Archon
"As an Archon and the future Duke of Athens, I believe it's high time you choose a bride for yourself, Julian," my uncle remarked as I listened carefully. "And as your elder, I think the princess of Sehara might just be perfect for you."
My lips twitched. "Of course your highness. I believe you will only choose the best for me." My eyes held no confusion in it when those words left my mouth. "However, marriage can be done after I have become the Duke of Athens. So, instead of rushing me for a baseless act of relation, I think the king should be more worried about the industrial matters than mine." My lips barely touched the wine's glass when The Queen barged in. She just had not known about my today's meeting with the King. I sipped on my red wine while watching her smile fade away.
"I know how you think of marriage. But as the royals, the Marriage ceremony is equally important to any kind of duke or king. And you cannot be a duke unless you find the perfect Duchess for Athens, son." I knew his words held nothing more than affection and love for his nephew. But no love or affection would make my disgust for marriage or love life, a not-so-disgusted thing. My father let go of his title because of love. Woman. For one single woman. Who appeared to be my mother. I had watched that woman leave my father so that she could be free. Love was suffocating. It was a heap. A trap where you might fall once and never be able to free yourself from it.
"I understand, your Highness." I let go of that anyway. "I should take my leave now. Please give my regards to Damian for becoming the Prince. I will be visiting him soon hopefully." I gave them my sincere bow and kissed The Queen's hand before leaving the meeting room.
'Still as suffocating as it was 15 years ago.' I walked down the corridor capturing my pictures and Archon's hierarchical pictures. I stopped at my mother's Picture. I had my mother's eyes. and Father's feature. My father had fallen for those eyes. I had always wondered what was so great in those evil-like red jewels. And why in the hell do I have to get the eyes that I hate the most?
This Kingdom never needed a duchess in the first place. And no woman in this world will ever be suitable for that title as well.
"Disgraceful bees! Why don't you be attracted to the flowers of the Archons? I am just holding one flower goodness!"
My ears twitched at the melodious soft voice. It was familiar yet distant. I poked my head out only to see a butterfly being bullied by some bees. I nearly let my laugh out in amusement. Yes, Vasilikis was just full of amusement.
I walked near to her. She didn't seem to notice me looking at how busy she was, a mere bee was bullying her.
Her constant squirming made her come closer to me sooner than I expected. My arm guided her to wait automatically. I was once again reminded of how small she was. Would she reach till my jaw? Barely. As soon as she felt me. She stopped her squirming and stilled completely. I noticed how my breaths were fanning her messy blond hair. Her head slowly turned up to face me.
"My...my...Lord...?"
Her emerald eyes grew big making her eyes look clearer than ever. I thought of teasing her just a bit. A thought that never crossed my mind before.
"I think the bees are attracted to this flower, not the one you're holding Vasiliki."
I pinched her waist where the embroidered white flower was. Her eyes widened a bit more. But she didn't move or say anything to me. In contrast, I was looking for something mischievous in her emerald eyes.
"My... my lord, that is not very appropriate." She barely whispered her words which only made me want to mess with her more. I let my arms rest on her hips, she blinked at me. Gosh, those emerald eyes.
"Is a mere flower girl going to tell me what is appropriate and what is not?" Her eyes wandered around, avoiding mine completely. It wasn't pleasing seeing someone ignoring my presence. My hands guided themselves to grab onto her chin lightly. I allowed her to face me. Her pupils are shaking.
"I don't remember telling you to avoid my gaze, Vasiliki."
"My lord, if someone comes in..." She breathed. Gosh, all she smells like is freshly baked vanilla bread and the flowers of Archon's Garden.
"Who dares to come in? When the lord himself is present?"
I lied. It was the queen's hallway, attached to her bedroom. Any of her maids, even the queen herself can walk by and see us. But looking at how she tried to hide herself. It sparked something in my adrenaline.
"Let...let go of me, my lord." I held her more firmly.
"The bees, it's still here." She quiet down, to hear the buzzing sound of the bees.
"It might sting you, my lord. You should get away from me." This girl never shuts up, does she?
"Don't tell me what I should do and what not Vasiliki."
My tone came out harsher than I accepted but this time she stayed quiet, quiet for 5 minutes.
"I...I think it's gone now. I can't hear it's sound." She looked around from the little gap we had between us. Her eyes scanned the whole room and landed on my gaze. The eyes begged me to let her go. I wondered why she wanted to get away from me so much.
Emilia Vasilikis
I believe I wanted to report him to the council. I still wanted to but he had also kept me safe from getting a sting.
"My lord?" I spoke out again. This time he finally let me go. The closeness, warmth, and heat left my body at once. It felt almost annoyingly cold.
"Thank you-" Before I could speak, The queen herself entered following the maids.
"Oh, Vasiliki?" She looked at me and paused at another presence. Her eyes moved between me and The Archon. I blinked my eyes and moved a bit more far from Julian. My lips and hands were cold due to the stress.
"Greetings Madame Queen." I bowed down to her not forgetting my morals. One of the maids whispered into the queen's ear about my presence. While Julian didn't bother to explain anything and took his leave from there.
"Oh, Vasiliki. Pleased to your visit here. Is there something you need?"
I shook my head. "Madame, I was just here to greet you with the newly harvested flowers from my grandfather for you." She looked around the room pleased with the flowers.
"Oh, I see. This is amazing. Thank you so much for all the hard work" She held a set of flowers in her hand. "This looks lavishing."
I smiled at her. She looked happy. " Thank you, Madame."
"Right, don't we need a florist here to decorate my hallways, and bedroom with fresh flowers every day?"
One of the maid agreed at her words.
"Vasiliki, why don't you do it for me sweetheart?"
I blinked multiple times. What?! " Madame, me?"
"Yes, love. You. I'll see you from tomorrow onwards." With that, she left.
Good grace, This is going to be very hard.