4. Meet Prince Avery

Ariadne evaporates more this afternoon. The girl was just tired of following Elie's movements that grew farther and farther away. Elie is explaining how to plant crops. Even Ariadne who hears all of Elie's words is not seriously listening.

To Ariadne, all elie's words are like wind. Goes in the right ear out the left ear. Just keep going, and Ariadne is bored enough.

Ariadne has intended to play in the royal garden. But not this way. She just wanted to play sand or pick flowers. It's not asking to be taught to plant properly.

"Stop elie, my feet are tired." Ariadne's upset.

Elie looked down politely. "Okay, princess. Take a break in the lawn chair. The servants will get you a fresh drink."

"I want to drink fresh fruit. That have grapes, strawberries and watermelons." Demanded Ariadne.

Again and again Elie nodded politely to Ariadne's every request. "Well, make it what the princess wants." Talk to one of the servants.

"Elie.."

"Yes?"

"Can you just get out of here?"

"What do you mean princess?"

"I want to be alone. Without you and the servants. Just get Darian here to accompany me."

Elie looked down again. "Okay, princess. Darian will be here after this." She said, then go with the servants to the royal kitchen area.

Ariadne smiled widely. Her face grew very cheerful now that he was alone in the park. The girl took off her glass slipper made of diamonds. She saw her own feet, so they were rather reddish and sickly. The glass slipper is very stiff, and Ariadne doesn't like to wear it.

Ariadne happily steps her bare feet toward the sand of the garden. A lot of freshly injured grass on their feet disappeared. Ariadne pluck one rose and tuck it in her left ear.

"You've always been beautiful, princess." Darian's sudden impulse.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. You look just like your mother."

Hearing that, Ariadne is speechless and listless. She remembered clemmie's cheery face as she invited her to play in the park.

"Forgive me, princess, I didn't mean to remind you of the queen."

"It's okay darian, I'm fine. Elie said I should start growing up. But I don't understand how to be an adult."

"Someday you will be a very mature and wise princess. And I will remain beside me." Genuine verbal.

"Thank you, Darian."

"You're welcome, princess."

After that came a servant with a box tray. The tray contained the full bowl of ice Ariadne had in mind. Exactly what she asked for. It contained red wine, strawberries, and diced pieces of watermelon.

"Please enjoy, princess." The attendant retorted politely.

Ariadne bowed a little in reply to her maid's respect. While Darian only chuckled small.

"Why do you laugh at me, Darian?" Said Ariadne after the maid left.

"Curtching to return the gesture is only for guests or important people, princess. Not for the servants."

"Am I wrong that I would also like to repay a sign of respect from a servant?" Asked Ariadne.

Asked like this makes Darian unable to reply or answer Ariadne's question.

"My mother taught me to be polite to everyone. And no separating people. Whether it's servants or someone important."

Darian was amazed to hear the reasoning of Ariadne. "You've grown so much, princess."

"Does that include growing up?" Ariadne asked innocently.

"Yes. Of course."

The little girl chuckled happily. "Ah, at least I remembered my mother's message."

"Prince Avery enters the kingdom." Yelled a royal doorkeeper.

Ariadne hearing that is surely a bit surprised. And she was just about to eat the ice.

She noticed many armored and iron guards entering the palace. They all have swords and shields. Looks like there's about twenty people. And there was a handsome man in the middle of the guard. The man had two distinct bluish eyes mixed in with the color of gray. His gaze was sharp. His hair was thick with blond and looked so dashing coming down from his horse.

Elie ran from the garden door to Ariadne's side. The woman's breath was heard racing.

"Elie, who is he?" Said Ariadne afraid.

"Prince Avery Frederick fitz. Prince of the kingdom of pearls." Answer elie.

While Darian immediately stood so upright in the presence of Ariadne. To guard the princess in case of surprise attack.

"Who is he? I don't know him." Said Ariadne.

"He's the son of a friend of the king and queen. He's darian's age. Say hello to him, princess. He is the most handsome prince in the land." Blurted with a smile.

Darian somehow got wind of elie's speech, didn't like it. Darian's gaze was sharp at Avery, with his hooks as he moved closer to them.

Avery's step stopped exactly two meters from Darian standing. The prince was half asleep. Show respect to Ariadne.

While Elie immediately ordered darian to stand at the side only. For obstructing a meeting between Avery and Ariadne.

"Good day, princess Ariadne. Let me introduce you to Avery Frederick fitz. I'm from the kingdom of pearls. I met you when you were six and I was nine." Blurted Avery and gave a handsome smile.

Ariadne also bowed kindly and smiled. "What brings you here?" She asked.

Avery looked down at darian and elie. "Can I leave you two alone?" He asked.

"Can't. If you come and remain guarded by guards, then I will keep the princess safe until you leave." Darian says.

Avery chuckled. "Okay. I only want to give flowers to princess Ariadne, after all."

"Woah, flowers? I love flowers." Ariadne said enthusiastically.

Overheard Avery immediately asked one of his guards to fetch a bouquet of flowers that he was carrying on his horse.

"I present this red rose to you princess Ariadne." Avery said, presenting the flower to Ariadne.

Surely Ariadne would welcome the flower and immediately breathed the sweet smell of roses. "Thank you.. Ah, what's your name again?" Ariadne asked innocently for not remembering Avery's name well.

"Avery. Prince Avery of the kingdom of pearls." Avery blurted plainly.

Darian only looked at Avery with his keen eyes. And Avery looked down at Darian, too.

"All right, prince Avery, please come in. I'll prepare the food. Have dinner here with princess Ariadne." Elie said politely.

Avery nodded. "Okay, if that's what you want. Is that all right, princess?" He asked Ariadne.

"You may. I've been dining alone. And it's so quiet."

And Ariadne's answers made Avery happy. But darian can only keep his annoyance to himself.

***