3 Chapter 03: Azu and Mari

Grammatical errors ahead.

"We were talking." Prince Azu replied in a strong tone, if the 'calling her sister' card doesn't work then might as well confront her with the same aura she's emitting which is strong and cold. No, he is not planning on backing out of this, never.

"May I ask-"

"It's classified." He quickly replied walking past her to greet his Queen Mother. "Mother."

"Calling out for help, I see." Rose said crossing her arms, "the great and almighty Prince Azu calling out for help? Not so great and almighty at all."

"Will you shut your mouth, Rose." Azu turned around and faced her, her hard brown eyes staring back at his cold blue eyes.

"No, I will not. Mari is a dear friend of mine-"

"So is mine."

"Since when?" Rose raised a brow.

"Since 9." Prince Azu answered, turning his head to face Mari, "We have been friends since we were kids."

Rose smiled a bit but then hid it quickly, finally he is confessing. She had been waiting for this moment to come.

"Prove it," She said in a hard strong voice.

"Pardon?" Asked Azu raising his brow and tilting his head to the side.

"Prove it to me."

"Fine," Azu made his way to where Mari stood and took what it seems like a thin chain around her neck, showing a beautiful silver colored lotus flower that is hanging in the thin chain. Azu's hand reached for his neck and took out the same thing that Mari has, a silver lotus pendant. "We have the same necklace."

"Your point?"

"I gave her this 8 years ago." He said with an unwavering voice, standing tall in front of Rose, not backing down.

"And?" Rose decided to push his buttons, seeing him explode in front of his Queen Mother would definitely make her happy.

"By this necklace that I gave her 8 years ago, Mari will be the only girl I will marry in the future."

"Azu?"

"Yes Mother?"

"Alright, before you and Queen Rhea talk about family matters, Mari and I better go to tend the patients." Rose said grabbing Mari by the arms and dragged her to the door.

"Rose, you and I will continue to discuss the matter further later, am I clear?"

"Yes, Your Highness, may you have a great day." Rose bowed along with Mari who is struggling a little with her grip on her arm.

And then she closed the door and continued to drag Mari, Rose's heart leaped in joy. She had been waiting for Azu to tell Queen Rhea about this, all these years he has been keeping this secret and the only person who knows this is her.

Mari on the other hand was blushing hard, Azu confessing like that especially in front of his mother, the Queen. Rose let out a laugh, noticing Mari's red face made Rose's happy heart even more happier.

As both of them walked with Rose leading, dragging the poor girl to the lobby, Mari decided to change the topic to cool her off.

"So, how was your conversation with Queen Rhea?" She asked, Rose lets go of Mari's arm but still continued on walking but this time in a slow pace for Mari to catch up with her.

"Quite alright, I am going on a mission."

"A mission? What kind? You know you are a doctor, Rose. You can't accept the offer, you're-"

"What? Too weak? Do not stress yourself Mari. The Queen asked me to go to Serene and help the Crowned Prince."

"What?"

"Yes,"

"Oh my goodness, I- that's-"

"Shocking, I know."

"I know you are eager to go but what about your father? How will he react? Knowing his only daughter will go on a mission?"

Rose froze and thoughts about her always worried father flooded through her mind, how foolish of her to not think about her father.

"I will tell him once the Queen and I finish discussing about this matter," Rose

"I wish you luck Rose and If you need support, I am here for you." Mari stated placing a hand on her shoulders, "well, I must go and tend my patients. See you later."

Rose let out a breath as she stood in the middle of the hallway, everything is going to be fine, she reassured herself. She made her way to her office to pick up the charts of her patients and to her delight, she saw her assistant carrying the charts.

"Ara!" Rose called out to her, "here, let me help you." Attempting to take a few charts from the girl, Ara moved away and took a step back.

"Oh no, Doctor! I can take it, really. Why don't you go on ahead to the station,"

"No, Nurse Ara, I insist. We all help each other here and it's a long way to the station, let me help you."

"No really Doctor, I'm fine."

"Nurse Ara," Rose gave her a warning tone that made Ara gave up and sigh. Rose smiled at her Nurse's stubbornness, Ara has been like this since her first day here. She's quiet, timid and stubborn, all of thw staffs like her for her helpful and happy nature, every step she takes, every smile she gives makes people happy, she's like a ball of sunshine.

"Okay, okay." Rose reached for the charts that was in the nurse's hands. Letting out a sigh of contentment, she led the way to the station.

"So, how was yesterday?" Rose asked giving Ara a teasing look making the poor nurse to blush, "I assume that it was pleasant, hmm?"

Ara's cheeks turned from pink to red shades. Recalling yesterday, she was with Rose's friend and servant, Jeff Han. Walking through the city holding hands, taking her to places like tea shop and her favorite place in the kingdom, the library.

"I see that you were having fun, Jeff didn't told me that he was with you yesterday." Rose stated giving her a smile.

"I-"

"It's alright," she laughed at Ara, "well, let's proceed our work."

She placed down the charts at the Nurse Station's table and greeted the other nurses around the area.