The sun washes the garden with a golden glow brightening up the colors of the flowers and trees and the buzzing bees surf the open space from flowers to flowers desperately seeking for pollens, as the morning birds began to sing about the wonders of the world.
Zara was humming a melody while admiringly watering the vibrant blooms. Her favorite flowers were lilies since they made her happy every time.
"You watered the flowers with such admiration," said Eric, who had been observing her.
She proclaimed, "They are my favorite," as her smile widened upon seeing Eric.
"Pity for the other flowers, who can not have the love you offer them," he said, approaching to stand next to Zara, who was giggling.
"The others are also loved, but lilies capture my interest more,"
"There is always that one thing that grabs our attention more," When he stated that, Zara could not help but think of his partner, but she chose not to bring up the subject so as not to spoil their moment.
"As you are aware, lilies symbolize fresh starts and innocence; my personal favorites are the white varieties. Do you have a favorite flower?"
Eric answered, "I do not know..., Maybe roses, because everyone loves them too," as they both burst out laughing.
She remarked, "Roses are also gorgeous," while concentrating on watering.
"What is the name of the flowers over there?" he said, pointing to the tall, yellow bloom next to the lilies that really caught butterflies' attention.
"Dandelion, they stand for hope."
"Whoa..., good meaning,"
He pushed his hands into his pocket and broke the stillness again, saying, "You act more like a commoner than a princess."
"Well.. what were you expecting," she chuckled.
"When I was hearing about you , I thought you would be that perfect princess that captures everyone heart with her and can't lift a thing," he demonstrated by wiggling his finger.
"I apologize for not fitting into that idealized princess persona,"
"Do not get me wrong, I am not judging; in fact, I like you better... like this," he paused to explain when he noticed a smirk on her face; he was feeling a little bashful after complimenting Zara.
"How about we go to the village together ,"
"you go to the village? "
Of course, I know a lot of exciting things we can do together in the village," she smiled nervously.
"Maybe we can fix a date,"
"We can go now, if.... you want to," she shrugged, biting her lips and maintaining minimum eye contact.
"Okay...," He nodded his head before informing the guards behind them to notify their parents.
"There us no need to use the carraige," Zara informed him after seeing how he ordered for one.
"You sure," he inquiried, wrinkling his face as Zara just nodded.
"Okay let go then,"
***
A group of women could be seen singing native songs while others played instruments; their music provided joy to passersby, including Eric and Zara.
"Come get yours here; I have beautiful goods for perfect couples like you two," the marketers attempted to entice them.
"Endoria is such a lively place,"
"Of course it is; you know when I am upset or unhappy, I usually go to the village; I prefer the snacks in the village to the ones in the palace; the cooks at the palace are always concerned about our royal bodies," she said, laughing along with Eric.
"You know those are my favorites," she said, pointing to a small canteen opposite them. Inside, there was a grey-haired, fat elderly man serving Zara's favorite milk biscuits to customers.
"Would you like some,"
"Sure," his response gladden Zara's heart,
"Hey," she grabbed his hand and ran straight to the canteen.
"You are back today, my gorgeous customer, and you came with a boy," he laughed heartily.
"Are you guys lovers?" he said, raising his brows and smiling quizzically.
"We just...,"
"Yes," he replied before Zara could clarify.
"Wow, you both look amazing together, therefore I am offering you a couple discount."
"Is there a discount for couples?" Zara inquired.
"Just for you my favorite customer," he smirked, packing Zara's usual for a thirty percent discount.
"You didn't have to say that," Zara stated, taking a bite from her milk cookies,
"There is no deception in that; if we marry, we will become lovers, right?"
"Right," she replied, taking another bite of her milk biscuits.
"You know..., I've never really thought of it that way,"
"Then you should start thinking of it that way, I will be your husband soon," Zara said to Eric before they both erupted laughing.
"I have spoken with my parents about fixing the date of our marriage; both our parents should have fixed it by now."
"Sometimes I wonder if it is our marriage or their marriage."
Zara replied as they both started to giggle, "I know right, they are the ones who organized the marriage and they are the ones planning it."
"It's crazy right,"
"My dear, do you want me to read your palms?" a blind fortune teller remarked, perched on a wooden chair next to them. A young girl was standing just next to them, holding a dish full of coins and cash from a previous client.
She attempted to persuade them, "Dont you want to see what lies ahead of the future?" Zara agreed, but Eric was a bit hesitant.
"It's probably lies she'll tell, she just in need of money," Eric told Zara, who just shrugged.
"Then let play along," Zara concluded, taking some of the coins out of her purse and placing them in the dish the girl was holding. The elderly woman held up her hands for the hesitant Eric, who initially glanced to Zara for approval.
Zara responded, "Go ahead," stretching his hands to lay them on the elderly woman.
"Hmm," she said, lightly stroking Eric's palm.
"You are from another land, I see danger and war surrounding you if you don't make the right choices," Eric rolled his eyes, yanking his hands forcefully from the woman.
"I told you they are make the same false prophecy,"
"Atleast she's right about you being a foreigner," Zara shrugged before giving her palms to the old woman.
"Hmm, I see you..., I see you moving to another kingdom," Zara turned to look at Eric who kept a downturned face that almost made Zara to laugh, she shake her head before turning to focus on the prophecy the woman was giving.
"Be careful of who you will trust and the path you choose, you may never know what dark magic lies behind those corner.