Pink Roses (Part - 1)

Florien sat on a chair beside Kaia's bed, his expression looking disgruntled.

Kaia chuckled looking at him. "What's the long face for little flame? It's not your fault."

Florien looked at Kaia, with eyes glistening in guilt and remorse. She really does know him like the back of her hand. 

"I did not even notice that you were unwell and ran off to assess that Lucifer."

Kaia looked helpless. "You weren't the one that made me sick dear. And you aren't a physician to notice that I'm sick with a simple glance. Even I wasn't aware of it myself until I woke up."

Seeing that Florien still looked distressed Kaia felt helpless and exasperated.

"I'm well now see, it's not like someone poisoned me, so cheer up."

Florien immediately pursed his lips and frowned. His was expression stiff and his eyes were dark with turbulent emotions brewing underneath them.

"Don't say that." He said sharply surprising Kaia.

"Not even as a joke."

Kaia looked at Florien and felt pained in her heart. She knew she shouldn't have carelessly said those words and immediately pursed her lips. 

"Alright"

Just then there was a knock on the door and Kaia heard Alexandra's voice. "Your Highness it's me Alexandra."

"Come in"

Following Kaia's voice, Alexandra gently opened the door. She stood aside as Athena pushed inside a trolley which had both Kaia and Florien's breakfast. 

They were supposed to have lunch by now but Kaia had woken up late and Florien did not have any appetite that morning as he was worried about Kaia and he was even more anxious since Hanson did not let him see her until she woke up in the afternoon and thus he had to wait outside her door from morning till now.

Kaia just had porridge but Florien was thoroughly enjoying his steak right before her, heartlessly ignoring Kaia's longing and jealous look.

After their meal Florien still sat by Kaia talking about trivial affairs that happened during the time they had not seen each other, mainly his escapades from the palace and his romantic endeavours.

If there was one thing the two can relate, it was their habit of sneaking out of the palace frequently. 

But although Florien chattered endlessly as usual, he was extremely careful not to broach any topic that might relate to Leortes.

But how could Kaia not know his thoughts?

He was her childhood friend whom she had known even before Leortes and Alexandra. He was her brother not borne of the same parents. He was the first person who truly cared for her. So how could she not know?

If she were to be honest, Florien is the most important person in her heart. 

Even more so than Leortes. 

Leortes may be the man she is in love with, but Florien is the brother she loves and cherishes. Her care for him had been instilled in her bones. 

She only agreed to further pursue her relationship with Ashton after Florien's approval. 

If he had told her not to do so, then Kaia would've left Leortes without a complaint.

Now, seeing him being so cautious with his words so he would not hurt her, when he usually speaks his mind out without reserve, Kaia couldn't help feeling doleful. 

It wasn't her fault, yet it was hers.

Was loving Ashton her fault? Yet it seems to be so.

If it weren't for Florien and the people she held dear, Kaia would want to end all this.

Ashton was the force that helped her heart beat, while Florien was the flesh that made her heart. If he too isn't here then Kaia would rather dig out that organ of hers with her own two hands.

She once made a stupid decision in despair.

That was the only time she was extremely selfish and ignored his existence in her heart, choosing herself over him. 

She let her emotions take control and paved way to her own demise.

If it weren't for Cynthia finding her at the right time, she was sure she would've left Florien in the same despair she had felt. She was grateful to the little girl for it. She'd rather suffer by herself than let Florien suffer.

She knew she was his only family just as he was hers. They both were raised in extremely similar situations with uncaring parents and for him adding an uncaring brother.

He was left in Wales, like a pet the owner lost interest in, as they found it too troublesome to take care of.

It was not surprising since his mother and Kaia's mother were bosom friends. Birds of a same feather after all, they were.

She could still remember the first time she met Florien. It was surprising since that was an age where one would hardly remember the things later on in life.

Kaia was a toddler who just learned to walk few months ago at the time. Although her parents were overprotective then and did not allow her out of the premises, she wasn't restricted as much at the time and was allowed to freely roam the palace and the garden, as long as she stayed within the palace walls.

As every child of her age, Kaia was just as curious of the world.

When the two year old Kaia heard the clamour outside her room, she stood up from the floor and picked up her favourite brown teddy bear, which was half as big as her, from among the various stuffed toys that were strewn around on the carpet.

She waddled all the way towards the window, all the while as she dragged her teddy and peeked outside. 

The curious little girl tilted her head as she was met with a rare sight of the servants busying themselves in a fervent manner. Suddenly she saw a familiar face among the many helpers.

"Lincoln, Lincoln."

A young brunet who looked around seventeen stopped walking when he heard the sweet little voice calling out his name.

He looked around in bewilderment and finally found a tiny little head peeking out of the window beside him. The little Princess could barely reach her head over the window sill and had to stand on her toes to look outside. 

Lincoln couldn't help but chuckle as he could only see a mop of curly light blond hair and a pair of soft round eyes that looked even rounder as the little child widened them in curiosity.

"Yes Princess?" He responded gently with a smile.

"What are you guys doing?"

"We are making preparations as the Queen is receiving a guest, your Highness."

"A guest?" Kaia tilted her head and blinked.

"Yes Your Highness, they are arriving from Steins. It's the Queen of Steins and her Majesty the Queen's friend." Lincoln replied gently.

"Mah's fwend?" The little child asked innocently. 

Though the little girl was too young, she was quite intelligent for her age. She could understand normal conversations between adults well, although she could not speak those complicated words yet.

Lincoln chuckled. The little Princess was really adorable.

"Yes Princess."

Lincoln was one of the gardeners in the palace. He was still under apprenticeship but he was blessed with hands that could even save a wilted plant. So the old man who was the main gardener put him in charge of the garden around the Princess' palace.

Kaia had known Lincoln for as far as she could remember. He always took care of her whenever she went to play in the garden. He taught her about flowers and even secretly taught her about gardening when no one else was around. 

Kaia really liked this kind big brother.

To the current eighteen year old Kaia, he was one of the very few people who were good to her further in the years as she grew up. Although they did not stay for long their kindness was unforgettable to Kaia. Even when she was a child who knew not the world she knew that they treasured her. 

Little Kaia nodded at him and waved him good bye as she went back to play with her toys. She knew Lincoln and others were busy and she did not want to bother them. She wanted to go out and explore but she knew she would only get in their way. So she decided to stay in her room and leave after her mah's friend arrived.

Later that afternoon, Kaia was having her nap after lunch when she was abruptly woken up by her nanny. 

Kaia always felt afraid of her nanny. She was extremely strict and always followed her mother's orders. 

At that age, a child wouldn't know dislike and would trust people unconditionally. So, Kaia could only feel afraid and listen to everything she was told without reservation.

Little Kaia did not even whine when she was forced awake roughly. She just let the maids wash her up and dress her without complaints.

Soon, she was brought in front of the Queen's study room.

Kaia could hear merry laughter of women from across the door. When the nanny knocked on the door and announced their arrival, Kaia heard her mother's steady and autocratic voice sound through the door.

"Come in"

When the nanny took her in Kaia noticed a new face sitting on the sofa opposite her mother in the lounge. The dark brown haired woman noticed her too and her entire countenance brightened up seeing Kaia.

Little Kaia was dressed in a baby pink frilly frock adorned with white ribbons and her curly mop of hair was arranged well with a ribbon tied atop her head. With her soft white skin and clear big blue eyes, she looked every bit like a live doll.

"You have an adorable daughter Anne" The woman chuckled with her eyes still trained on Kaia.

Kaia noticed her mother sitting regally over the antique sofa. She was wearing a maroon silk dress adorned with golden threads which perfectly complemented her fair skin. Her posture was elegant and calm as she held a cup of tea in her hand. The few rays of sunlight passing through the translucent curtains illuminated her side profile defining her beauty that the entire nation marvelled over.

The woman opposite her wouldn't lose either. She was dressed in a dark green velvet dress which enhanced the appeal of her golden light toned skin. Her dark brown hair was done in a loose plait with emerald clover hair ornaments decorating it. She had a sunny smile on her fair countenance as she looked at Kaia. One could tell from the laugh lines at the side of her eyes that she was someone who loved to smile.

If Kaia's mother was the gentle spring breeze then this woman would be the brilliant morning sunshine.

Had Kaia the power to look into the future, she would find the lady's face extremely familiar. After all, Florien completely resembled his mother.