Gardenias and Fir Trees

I was honestly moved but I needed to go to the bathroom first so I ran pass the messages. I was already there so I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower and combed my hair. Threw on a nice but simple outfit, a flamingo pink giles long sleeve satin romper. It fits perfectly with my slim figure and long legs, after one last satisfied look at the mirror I sum up my courage to face him.

I slowly opened the door and saw him standing there in front of me, he slowly raised his face to look at me. His black hair wasn't slicked back as always, it was down. Looking like a mess and covered his face, I could see the dark circles under his eyes, he looked really exhausted.

As soon as our eyes met, his lips slowly formed into a curve showing his dimples on both sides of his cheeks. He was so handsome with his eyes beaming at me and that smile that melts my heart every time.

"I know it wa-" he was apologizing but I just missed him so much that I didn't wait for him to finish what he was saying and pulled him into my room. Quickly closing the door behind me, I wrapped both my arms around him tightly. Startled, he hugged me back a few seconds later. I nuzzled my nose at the top of his shoulder, inhaling the smell of his clothes.

"Wait. I haven't changed. I'm all sweaty from my duties" he tried to pull away but I hugged him even tighter

"I don't care so keep quiet." now, I could feel his heart beating faster

The fabric of his dress shirt smells earthy like soil and a faint touch of floral, maybe he was out in the garden with the King again. But even if he smelled all sorts of things everyday, I could always appreciate and distinguish the smell of his sweat from all the rest and weirdly I enjoyed it.

Before entering the castle, his residence was at the far side of the kingdom where it was covered with different kinds of trees and plants, his mother enjoyed gardening and found it as a good way to recuperate from a long-term illness. She always adores gardenias and fir trees. Monty even gifted the King a gardenia plant on his first day as the Captain of the Royal Guards.

He smells like Christmas, sweet, calm and refreshing like his personality. He's like an embodiment of Spring, his scent let's all my senses genuinely know it's him.

Am I turning into a dog? I thought to myself as I once again savor this sweet moment

After a few more minutes I let go and kissed him on the cheek, he was again speechless by my actions and was left holding his face long after.

"I'm sorry for acting so childish." I said as I sat on my bed. I know it was partially my fault but jealousy got the best of me

"No, it was all on me. I should've been more considerate about your feelings." he said as he sat beside me taking my hand into his

"I should've just told you what I was thinking about. I was planning to after we picked out a dress but you were laughing with that woman and I lost all rationale that day."

"I was asking her what women liked in men, I thought you were thinking of another person that day and it made me feel bad.' he was worried for nothing "She said women adore men who had a good sense of humor and I thought maybe you were getting bored of me because I lack that quality so I asked her a couple of jokes to tell you. It would be rude of me not to laugh when I was the one asking."

I don't know why but I just felt a cold streak down my cheeks after what he had said. It was then I realized that tears were streaming down my face.

"Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry. Please, don't cry." he was panicking and didn't know what to do

"You were worried for nothing." I simply answered

"Huh?" he was so confused, his mouth was left open finding the words but couldn't come out

"I was thinking of you silly! You're the only one I think of, okay?" I giggled as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand

He just smiled back at me and wiped the tears from my eyes with his thumb. Cupping my face with his hands, he rest his forehead on mine closed his eyes

"Promise to never cry because of me"

"As long as you don't laugh because of another woman again. You should only look at me." I said closing my eyes and cherishing the moment

*Knock! Knock!*

"Mia come out now please. Tell me what's wrong, I think I have given you enough time to calm down. You'll get sick at this rate" my mother was calling at the other end of the door

Monty and I were both surprised and quickly scrambled to our feet

"I'm coming inside now. You can't make me leave until I see that you're okay." she said determined to come in

"Just a second, mother" I shouted

He hid behind the curtains

"Not there, I could see you" I muttered "Under the bed quickly" I anxiously whispered

The door suddenly opened, I forgot to lock it because I never really needed to before

"Mother." I said wearily as I come closer to greet her, shooting glances over the bed

"Please sit" I gestured to my mother to sit down in the sitting area.

It was located at the other end of my closet wall. There were four pink modern padded glam velvet armchairs surrounding a magnificent white trapezoid shaped wooden coffee table with glass accents in the middle.

She sat on one which was facing the door while I sat on the one in front of her. I poured her a glass of water from the pitcher on the coffee table.

"What's happened, sweetie? My mother asked sincerely "Tell me."

She doesn't have a clue that I'm dating Monty, we both know that she'll surely disapprove, not because of Monty's social status but because of our age difference. She thinks that he's too old for me. That's why we kept it a secret from everyone and living in a large castle, it's easy to keep secrets.

"I just felt overwhelmed." I answered, it wasn't a lie

"I heard you cancelled all your appointments and lessons for two days, are you sure that's enough? Do you want to take at least a week to rest?"

"No, it's fine mother. I just want to relax and sleep. I feel like I've been too active these past few days."

"How about a vacation overseas? You can come with your father when he leaves for another land to visit." she suggested

My father has been gone for a couple of weeks now, he's always away because of foreign affairs to help Julien with the economy and trading. He also likes travelling, mother often comes with him when he isn't working. They're an amazing couple in my eyes, they rarely fight and father is very considerate.

"I'll think about it."

"Let me know once you've made up your mind, I bet your father would be thrilled!" she excitedly replied

"Yes, mother. Thank you."