Chapter 24 ( Getting to know each other )

Running down those familiar stairs dressed in a simple royal blue dress, it was morning and the sky was bright and the weather was perfect. I saw Rowan standing beside the horse watching me run down with a bright smile on his face, why did he look so happy, I wondered knowing that it can't be because of me. " Good morning" he greater the moment I reached him

" Morning" looking at that familiar white horse beside him, it was his horse I remembered " hey you " I waved at it

" Are you ready?" he asked

" yeap " he raised an eyebrow at the word I used " I mean yes "

" oh " before I could think, he carried me and place me on the horse and then he got on the horse as well. I turn my head to look at him and our eyes met, I smiled and immediately looked away " Already" was his final words before we took off

There was a comfortable silence between us as we rode to the field, his body was warm against mine and all I wanted was to remain like this, close to him. Not long we got to the field and it was indeed beautiful, a very wide open space covered with fresh green grasses and you could find flowers in some spots and the air felt fresher. Rowan helped me down and the moment my feet touch the ground I began to run, run as fast as my legs could carry me, feeling the breeze on my skin I could not stop myself from smiling, getting to a great distance I stopped and lay on the ground spreading my hands and legs, looking into the blue sky, I felt so free.

I lay there with my eyes closed for a very long time lost in beautiful thoughts till I was interrupted by Rowan who I have forgotten was there, he stood above me blocking the sun from hitting my face and I opened my eyes to see the handsome figure above me, he carried a bright smile " I see you like it here "

" Indeed I do " I smile back " Come, lay next to me," I said taping the empty spot on my right. He questionably raised an eyebrow and I assumed that he was not interested in " suit yourself " I closed my eyes again and not long I felt movement beside me and I smile to myself " I thought you didn't want to " I said, I opened my eyes and turn to face him, immediately I regretted it because our eyes met and this time I could not look away, as he smiled at me I felt my heartbeat increase and this made me frown because I noticed that I was no longer crushing on his looks but beginning to develop feelings for him, but why, I was sent on a mission so I have no time for this, I better hurry up and get out of here before I fall in love

I looked away " what is wrong " he questioned with curiosity in his tone

" It is nothing, why?" Making sure I don't look at him

" you look upset "

" am not" I replied

" then why did you frown and look away," he asked another question

" it's nothing important " I replied

" if it's you then it's important" I turn to look at him shocked at his words

" Pardon?" He shrugged

" what's wrong," he asked again, looking at him, trying to think of a good answer, something to change the topic

" you have beautiful eyes and it kills me " I replied

Immediately he jumped up in a sitting position" Oh God Natalia, you couldn't keep it in "

" you asked and I said it's nothing but won't listen, " I said smiling and he kept looking down at me like he wanted to say something but couldn't " if you want to say something then say it and stop looking at me like that

" yours are wonderful" I blinked at his words

" Pardon?"

" your eyes are wonderful, full of life and confidence and it feels warm to look at " his voice was calm as usual, I was fluttered and at that point, I felt my cheek heat up, I looked away so he won't see me blush " now you are blushing," he said and I could feel the amazement in his tone

" am not, " I said making sure I don't look his way

" is it your mother's," he asked at that moment the thought on my mother hit me. I remember what he looked like, she was beautiful, calm and gentle and talked less unlike me, I was nothing like her, not even my looks, I use to think I look like my father but I never saw him and my mother never talked about him so I gave up

" No" I replied

" then who is it because it is absolutely not your father," he said referring to kind Richard

" my grandmother" I lied, well that is what my mother said I won't know because I never saw her

" you miss her don't you, mother I mean "

I sat down as well and looked at Rowan. Nodding my head in response before looking away " yes, yes I do miss her... A lost, from her beautiful face to her smile and the way she talks, I miss cooking in the kitchen with her while she told me stories and her running after me, begging me to take a bath, I miss how positive she was no matter the situation, I miss holding her hand and her warm hugs, I miss everything" I couldn't help myself, I let it all out, thinking of those memories hurt so bad that I wanted to cry but I couldn't, I couldn't even remember the last time I cried, no matter what the tires never came out and I think that is what hurts the most, wanting to cry but can't " when she does I just sat their and I thought, everything was over, I couldn't survive without her. But in the end " I looked at Rowan and gave a small smile " here I am, I can't even believe it myself,"

Rowan gave me a warm smile " I know what it's like " taking his gaze away and focusing on something in a distance, he looked sad as he was lost in thought " when my mother died, I lost everything as well, she always believed in me, told me that I will become the greatest king who ever lived and then she will sit proudly and watch, but now she is gone and I don't know if I will ever be that king she dreamed and besides there is no point, she is no longer here "

" But she still sees you where ever she is, " I said to him, feeling his pain

"Ha " he gave a short laugh " exactly what Eric says " he smiled at the thought of Eric

" Well he's right," I said " she is watching and she is waiting for you to get there "

" and what makes you think I want to get there" he looked into my eyes waiting for an answer and I shrugged

" who knows, you may not want to but you will eventually," I said as I pull myself up trying to end the sad conversation, at least I was getting somewhere with him, I was getting close to the problem " how about we end this here and you teach me how to ride that horse I said pointing to the white horse eating grass on the other side and he smiled and pulled himself up

" At least I know why I like you," he said before walking past me and I stood in my position in shock

" did he just "think about what he just said, did he just say he liked me, no I must have heard it wrongly. I took a deep breath but was interrupted by Rowan

" are you coming " I was my head turning in his direction to find him standing next to the horse

The rest of the day went by and it turns out, riding a horse was not that difficult and I was glad that he thought me, at least I can say I learnt something from the past