12: The Prince's Pink Roses

“Where were you?” Tanaka asked.

“To the garden,” I replied.

“Didn’t I tell you already that you are not allowed to go there alone,” he said as he walked inside my room.

“Ervin was there,” I said. Tanaka paused, as if he was surprised by what I said. “What’s with the rules that I’m not allowed to see the flowers at the garden? Tell me, is there any reason?” I asked as I sat up straight.

“I cannot tell the reason, because it’s not the right time,” he answered. “And please do not interact with the servants in the garden.”

“Why? I’m not allowed but you and Hanak were hugging them?” I asked in a sarcastic tone. Where’s the equality in this place? “ Also not the right time? What are you even talking about?” I asked.

“I’ll get going now. Have a good night's sleep,” he said as he turned off the lights.

“That’s what you're good at. Run away everytime you can’t answer my questions,” I said as I covered myself with a blanket.

“Watch your words, young man. I’m doing this for your own protection,” he said before closing the door.

Protection? Why do they even need to protect me? Is the gardener that bad? Speaking of the gardener, I heard his name was Fabio. I wonder if he’s alright? He was so nice to me when we first met and he was like a completely different person earlier but why did that encounter make me happy? Is it because he’s so real that he didn’t even bother to fake a smile just because I’m a prince? Is it because I feel comfortable when I’m with him? Is it because of the garden or perhaps the gardener itself?

I woke up early to sneak out and go to the garden. I cannot sleep properly knowing that the gardener was hurt. I don’t know what’s got into me but I keep on thinking about Fabio. He’s so innocent, pure and real. I can feel how sincere he is and how clean his intentions were. I have never felt this kind of comfort before, and I only felt this when I’m with him. I keep on asking myself whether it’s because of the flowers or maybe the garden? Nevertheless the only thing I know is that I’m curious to know more about this gardener and the flowers he had planted that made the garden look beautiful. I realize that I was surrounded by most mysterious people. Everyone’s hiding something, and that made me look like a dumb animal in the middle of a wild forest.

I arrived at the garden without being seen by anyone. I took a deep breath before walking inside. I wonder if he’s around? I looked around and it’s so peaceful and beautiful. I don’t see any reason why they don’t want me to go to this garden when it’s so beautiful here. I was busy looking at the pink roses when I heard someone walking towards me.

“Who is that?” I asked.

“What are you doing here?”

It was the gardener! His eyes were red and his hand was covered with a dirty gauze.

“I’m here to relax,” I replied. “You should keep your wound clean all the time.”

“It’s fine. I would like to ask you to leave before someone sees you here,” he said as he turned his back from me.

I have no idea why he keeps on pushing me away. I know there was a rule about not being allowed to interact with the royals but I don’t want to follow that because they are being unreasonable. What’s so bad at talking to the gardener? Don’t we have our freedom on whom we wanted to talk to?

“You’re very rude,” I said as I followed him. “How was your wound?”

“I apologize. I don’t want to get thrown out.” he replied in a cold voice. “Thanks for asking, it is healing.”

“That’s good, so what happened?” I asked.

He looked at me in confusion, “What do you mean?” he asked.

“You completely changed from the first time I met you in this garden,” I said as I looked into the flowers. “I was just wondering what happened that made you like this?”

“I don’t think a prince like yourself won’t be interested in the life of a servant like me,” he said.

“Well, I’m quite different and I’m interested in you,” I said as I look in his green eyes, just like the grass in this garden. It is beautiful and comforting.

“I don’t know what has got into you, Yamabe-sama. As much as I wanted to talk, I can’t because there’s a huge wall between us. I’m just a servant, I don’t deserve to talk to a high and mighty prince,” he explained.

“Why do people always think that a prince can no longer speak to any peasant. It wasn’t the kind of mindset people had before but now everything has changed. I just want an equal relationship to everyone, including the servants as yourself,” I said as I picked a pink rose. I put it on behind my ear and smile while looking at Fabio. His eyes grew wider and his sad look changed into an interesting facial expression. “What do you think?” I asked.

“You look beautiful,” he immediately responded.

I was honestly shocked by his response. I didn’t know he would be that honest. I laughed to hide my embarrassment.

“Now that you complimented me, how about telling me something?” I said as I walked towards him.

He walked backwards as if he’s scared of me, “What do you mean?” he asked.

“You suddenly change. I wanted to know why?” I asked.

He looked away trying to avoid eye contact. He sure knows how to follow those useless rules.

“Something bad happened, I’m sorry if I was being rude towards you,” he said in a sincere voice.



Ah, I think I’m about to go insane. This man in front of me is too much for me to handle but I want to know more about him. I want to talk to him everyday, even if I need to sneak out. What have you done, Gardener?