1 Camellia: Waiting

One sunny afternoon, a man is seen walking down a stone path towards a deserted bridge.

Once he got to the arch, he leaned on the handle and gazed towards the sea. With a listless face, he breathed in the natural, fresh air and finally closed his eyes to sink in his surroundings.

After half an hour, he started walking again, towards the palace.

A servant came to greet him at the entrance.

"Sir Chen, His Majesty, is waiting for you. He refused to start the meeting before you could arrive."

Chen let out a huge sigh even the servant could understand his hardships. "This man, is he really the king of this country? He should start doing his work whether I'm there to monitor or not."

The man felt conflicted since it is too much of a problem for a mere servant to talk about.

____________

In the meeting, Chen was standing in the front, beside the king.

"We have been in talks with the country north of our borders, it seems like we are still in good terms and will hold a harvest festival together soon," Chen said in a severe tone.

The king, on the other hand, had one hand on his head and looked bored at the man next to him.

*cough cough

Chen tried to interrupt his peaceful daydreaming before continuing. "The other two are still fighting to become our patron, your majesty. That god and goddess, I mean."

"I know. We'll have to invite them to settle this soon. We can't add any more problems as they won't be helping us to defend the northwest border anyway. They have been overpowering the other smaller countries, and it won't be long before they come after us." The king said in a solemn tone.

Those celestial beings have so much power, yet they waste their time fighting over useless things!

"Well that's all we have to discuss, I'll be sending people to gather more information and inform you soon for the other issues," Chen said as he gathered his papers.

"Very well, I trust that you do well, Chen. The meeting dismissed."

Everyone slowly made their way towards the door.

"Wait," the king stopped Chen.

Chen turned his pivotal foot around and bowed, showing his graceful movements trained for years. "What is it, your highness?"

"Lift your head; there's only the two of us here." The king said with a kind smile, "you should come to visit Anne; sometimes, she's been quite sad that you hadn't seen her for a long time."

"I apologize for the lack of attentive behavior. I'll do so soon" Chen replied, stiffly. "It's just there have been too many annoying insects around our country, it's been keeping me busy."

The king looked at Chen helplessly. "You can take a break and go on vacation. You've been working hard non stop for almost two years straight. I don't want people to think I'm a tyrant for overworking you."

He was working harder by the minute, harder than two years ago. He's going to break soon if it keeps up. Were there any hobbies that he can just indulge himself in?!

"Absolutely not, there are so many things to do, and you can't even do them without me, letting me return home every few weeks is good enough as a vacation," Chen said firmly.

The king twitched his mouth, almost seething his anger out. This man is seriously stubborn. Someone seriously needs to straighten him up!!! Is he going to waste his good looks and youth?

"No, do it, that's an order, the others can send in the papers, I can handle it myself." he overbearingly said.

"Very well, if it is an order." Chen reluctantly accepted it.

You only accept it if it's required of you?! The king was shocked. We need to find you a wife as soon as possible.

In the hallway, Chen stopped in the middle of his track to look towards the window where the sun bathed the hall with warmth, while the deep blue ocean was in full view.

Sunflowers seem to fit you and me! A woman and her voice flashed through his mind. His lips formed a straight line.

It seems to fit you more. He thought to himself.

"Chen!!" A woman with extravagant garments ran towards his direction. One hand held a large crown piece on her head, while the other struggled to contain her dress.

"Your Highness! Please do mind your manners! You are a queen." Chen glanced at her quickly before kneeling.

"Geez! Lift your head. It saddens me that you treat me so coldly now!" Anne stopped her tracks and slowly walked towards him.

"It is to be expected of me," Chen replied effortlessly.

"His Majesty and I are at the palace, and you have to travel by yourself elsewhere and go home to only a few servants to serve you. Say, aren't you lonely? I'm so sad you haven't been visiting the palace!" Anne said with a hurt tone.

"I have, but only to see his majesty for work. There's a lot of things going on ever since your wedding." Chen replied firmly.

It was three-fourths of the truth. He's been drowning himself with work that most of it is done ahead of time or was prepared for the future. The other was that he didn't want to see her. She was originally a big part of his life. It was best to create some distance.

Honestly, he let it go quite some time ago, even before the wedding. At that time, it was only remnants left, and he wanted closure. Right now, Chen is relieved that meeting her now; he feels completely normal.

"You-You are so mean!" Anne scrunched her face. Tears were threatening to fall.

Chen gave her a small smile. "Alright, alright, I will do so in the future."

"Just like Li, promising me the same thing! Will you guys even keep it?" Anne sighed and crossed her hands, giving him an annoyed look.

After hearing that name, his ears perked up. "Like Lily?" Chen asked.

"Yes! it's been two years ever since my marriage; there's no sight of her anywhere!" Anne closed her eyes to think until she realizes something. "Don't tell me. Something must've happened to her! Is it because she stayed way too long for my wedding that those scumbags they..!!! She always visits me at least once a year!" Anne cupped her face. Dark lines can be seen, and anxiety had filled her mind.

"I'm sure she's fine! She happily sent you off that time, didn't she? If something happened to her, then wouldn't she tell you no matter the means?" Chen tried to reassure her. "Unless you guys aren't that close." He tried to tease.

"Hmph! We are close! Then I'm sure she's fine because she would tell me!" Anne stuck her tongue out annoyedly at him. How dare he question our friendship.

Chen chuckled said. "Okay, okay, go, do your work."

"Remember to come visit us!" Anne shouted as she ran in the opposite direction. She is seriously like the wind, here for a minute and elsewhere the next.

Chen stood there waving at her until she left entirely and started walking home.