Belia- My Secret Garden

Belia watches the Prince's expression as it changes from shock to awe, then back to neutral, a slightly disappointing reaction for Belia.

"This is impressive," he says flatly. Belia has noticed the Prince is very serious and a bit rigid. Timur lets go of her hand and Belia, feeling paranoid, wonders if she had been holding it too tightly.

"Allow me to give you a tour." Belia is very proud of her garden. She had designed every inch of it. From the paths to the plants, to the different water features, to even the programming for the atmosphere and light timers. However, Belia is most proud of her collection of plants, having plants native to just about every planet in the system. Belia leads Timur to an awaiting hover and they climb inside, Belia programming it where to drive. "I have plants here from every moon of Voyna," Belia comments. Timur just looks out at the landscape in front of him, and Belia sighs. For their first moments being together, she gets the feeling it's not going well. Deciding to skip giving him the full tour, she takes him to her favorite spot. A small pond with a waterfall at the far end, and along the bank is a tree with branches that dangle all the way down to the ground. It's a nice quiet spot; the sound of the waterfall, Belia thought, gave it a tranquil feel. Belia stops the hover just short of their destination. "We'll walk from here," she tells Timur as the hover is not suited for the smaller paths. They take the narrow stone path and over a small hill is the pond. Timur and Belia stop at the top of the small hill and admire the view. "This is my favorite spot." Belia takes him over to the tree. She brushes the branches aside and gestures for Timur to follow her. By the base of the trunk is a spot where there are no branches. Belia invites Timur to sit next to her. Under the cover of the branches, the two are well hidden. Almost a little too well hidden; feeling uncomfortable, Belia ties back several branches so they have a clear view of the waterfall. She sits back down next to Timur and after a few moments of silence, she knows Timur feels awkward. Belia tries to think of something to say, but Timur beats her to the punch.

"Who designed this place?"

"I did," Belia says, her face feeling hot.

"You did this?" Timur says with a surprised expression.

"We're not as cold as rumors suggest," Belia responds, a little offended. She knows that's not what Timur meant, but it was implied. "I like to come here to think and escape my parents. Do you have a place to think back home?"

"No, not exactly." Timur keeps his gaze forward, looking at the waterfall. Belia takes this time to really look her future husband over without having her parents in her head. He seems different sitting there than the image of him. The man before her seems very much out of his element. Facing forward, his body language tells Belia he's ready to bolt at any moment, but underneath his rigid demeanor, Belia can tell there's more to Timur than what she's heard about him; there's another side behind his seriousness. Belia also notices Timur is not looking at her and hasn't since he arrived. Belia lets out a sigh, wondering how she's supposed to win over a man who refuses to even glance her way. Timur awkwardly shifts his position several times before he turns to face her. He knows she'd been staring, so Belia makes up an excuse. "I'm sorry, I've not seen hair so, dark." Belia reaches over and gently moves a few stray hairs out of his face. What she feels is soft, like the warm fuzzy linings of traditional Krystaliv clothing.

"Well, I've never seen anyone who looks like you." Belia knows he didn't mean it as an insult, even if it sounded like it. She keeps the conversation going and they sit and have a polite conversation, the kind which they had been taught when they were young. The lights in the dome begin to dim, and Belia panics.

"I hadn't realized how late it's gotten!" The two get up and Belia leads Timur back up the path and over to the hover. Belia has the hover quickly take them back to the transporter. She programs it to take them to the transporter near the guest wing. "Your quarters are down the hall and to the left," Belia tells Timur as they materialize, sensing his confusion. "Good night Prince Timur, may your dreams be pleasant." Belia quickly transports herself to the private wing of the palace. She slips out of the booth and tiptoes down the hall. She hears footsteps approaching. Belia hides around a corner just as her parents were coming in for the night. After they walk past, Belia slips into her room and goes straight to bed the stress from the day had worn her out.