13: The Blue Roses

“Hanako. Would you please be more honest to yourself,” I said as I watched her changing the bedsheet of the prince.

“You know I can’t,” she answered. "I'm not as strong as you."

“I know it’s traumatic, but that child doesn’t deserve any of this,” I said as I look into the window. "He's full of love and purity. It is sad to see him suffer because of past mistakes."

I know that he sneaked out to the garden again. I didn’t bother to stop or look for him anymore, because just like him, they both love that garden. If that is what makes him happy and content, then I will not stop him anymore, but I worry about his future. That garden was a curse that made everyone here at the Palace traumatize forever. We had tried to keep the prince safe, but destiny might be more powerful than us. We don’t want the past to happen again, but with how things are going as of now, it looks like we will have to repeat history. Everyone’s at fault, but none of us can do anything to help and save others. Until now, we are nothing but useless. All we do is watch as history repeats itself.

“I know he doesn’t deserve to be treated like that. No one does, but I would like you to understand that I have my reasons,” she said while staring at me. "I never wanted to go through that pain again and regret the things I did back then."

Hanako was the one who got hurt the most, and now that she knew that the past will happen again, she had kept her guard up. Everyone present that day knows how painful it is. We are all walking with a blue rose in our hands, which emits a wonderful smell that makes the people around us curious. Just like the secrets we were carrying and hiding up until now. Everyone's curious to find what's behind the beautiful smell. Everyone wants to know what the blue roses mean.

“The day will come where he will start to find out the truth. I hope when that day comes, you will finally be able to stay true to yourself,” I said as I got out of the prince’s room.

I hope the curse will be lifted with the power of love.

~

“My parents and I got separated six years ago. They were bought by this Japanese politician and made them their servants while I was sent here to the Imperial Palace to be a servant as well,” I said while holding the pink rose that the prince picked up.

“That sounds horrible! Why would they buy a human?” the prince asked.

I’m amazed at how pure his mind is. He has not yet seen any impurities outside his palace. He has known nothing about the real world and how people with money and status treat people like us. I don’t want to corrupt his mind any longer.

“That’s how it works. People like us who have nothing will do everything for a living,” I said as I looked down.

“How did you know they were dead?” he asked.

I smile because of how straight forward he is. He does not hold back.

I was not ready to talk about this, but when I saw his curious face, I cannot help myself but start talking.

“I earn a lot from working here, but it wasn’t enough. My friend Ervin helped me fill up the remaining money I needed so that I can get my parents out of slavery.” I started to tell him what happened even if it hurt my heart. I can’t make myself accept what happens although I know that it is much better than being alive and working so hard until they can’t move anymore. I guess this is the time that I will speak of what happened, and this will be the time that I will accept it.

“I cannot empathize with your situation because I haven't felt anything like this. But all I can say is I will be here to listen to your rant and rave not as a Prince but as a human being. I want us to have an equal relationship,” he said with a smile on his face.

Strangely, his smile is making me feel comfortable. It is strange for I cannot speak of this to my friend, but I easily spill out everything when he’s the one I’m talking with. It is strange indeed, but I don’t want to feel all any of this.

“Why are you entertaining someone like me?” I asked.

“Entertaining? What kind of word is that?" he asked. "I’m only curious about you, and I remember your eyes. Those were the same eyes I saw when I made my first speech."

My eyes grew wider. I remember that day! I forgot to tell Ervin about it, and I always thought it was just my imagination. I never knew I already broke the rules the very first day he revealed himself.

“I didn’t know you saw me. We were hiding that time, and just like you, we are always curious of the Prince,” I said while chuckling. Who knew we were both curious about each other. Even if we are on entirely different levels, I still have a chance to talk to him like this. Even with all of these rules and laws inside the Palace, we still have a chance to talk. I wonder if this will happen again?

“I need to go now. I thank you for opening up to me. I am glad that I can make you feel comfortable. See you soon, Gardener,” he said as he waved me goodbye.

It is sad to see him leave, but he said he would see me again. I guess I would hold into his words. It is funny how depressed I am, but a simple smile and word from him makes me happy and comfortable. It is strange to feel like this, but I wouldn't mind if it was him.