13 Chapter 13: Bingo

3rd Person POV

Perseus got the attention of the blue rose guardian alright, while everyone lined up properly at the bottom middle where the entrance of the cavern is, Perseus went alone to sit on the grass and read a small book that he brought along.

Even the prince and his aide who is in the line filled with children looked at his direction, as Perseus was intentionally acting like that to get the interest of the guardian who definitely sneak a peek every once in a while...she was the guardian of the blue rose and yet he...paid her no attention, no one has ever done that before!

Aminu was just scared she may blast him into oblivion, Perseus' parents...well they prayed to the gods that he goes home alive...Perseus laughs occasionally as if his interest in the book was more important that one of the most important figures in the world.

Ruka was definitely slightly annoyed, for her centuries of living and waiting in this cave, she's never been intentionally avoided before. She also overheard him that he wanted to talk to her last...her curiosity was peaked now.

*****

"Shall I call you prince or duke?" Ruka asked once its Edward's group turn which consisited of him, his aide, and Aminu.

His aide, as much as he wants to ask some question, he is more than happy to just meet the person and let the prince do the talking. Aminu talked to her several times before, so he was just here to make sure none of the sides offend each other.

"Whatever you like, you can also call me just by my name." Edward answered "It is a truly joyous and honorable pleasure to finally meet you, milady."

"I'm flattered." she replied "What do you need of me? I can answer many questions if you want to learn."

"Milady, the war despite centuries of peace is progressing worse and worse, my coming here is simple, it is a small request of help, would you choose a lord and come help us coexist in peace?" Edward asked "My older brother is the lord of the red rose, he has agreed to join hands with the future summoned heroes and end this."

"Unfortunately, I would have to decline your offer." Ruka shook her head "I have not found a worthy lord, so I cannot travel far, even though I promised Paradis that I would only children of the village, I've already made up my mind that it doesn't always have to be the case, it's just no one has passed my test."

"What...What if I were to take it right now?" Edward asked

"Unfortunately, you have already failed." Ruka shook her head "Us rose guardians have different tests, as for mine...I will not tell you, but you do not have the qualities I need."

Edward was disappointed that he failed without even knowing the reason why, but he kept his face up and talked to her about many other things.

*****

It was Perseus turn, he couldn't even bother to line up at the very end when it came to his turn, Nyra had to call him and inform him, he got up took some stretches and purposely took his time to walk up to the rose guardian, even yawning while doing so.

"Are you sure you want to do this alone and privately?" Nyra asked

"Of course, trust me, nothing will totally go wrong." he winked and Nyra definitely regretted her decison to leave him alone and went out of earshot.

Perseus then cross one arm against his chest while using the other to scratch his chin as to walk around both Ruka and the rose in a good 360 before stopping without uttering even a single word.

"Not gonna lie, this is pretty underwhelming." He commented

"Heh?" Ruka definitely did not expected that

"I mean it's great and all that this rose is amongst the original rose that was given to the sun goddess, but what's really the point? Isn't it flammable?"

"Are you insulting the moon god's intelligence to not think of-"

"Shut it, grandma." he cut her off while smiling internally opposed to his outward poker face.

"GRANDMA?!"

"Right, I forgot, a woman's age is sensitive."

"Do I LOOK like a grandma to you?! Huh?!" Ruka is offended "I retained my youthful look thank you very much."

"You're welcome." he shrugged as a vein popped in her head

Perseus POV

Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh.

"So, how's your day goin?"

"How's my day going?" her lips is twitching now.

"Right, well before I got here, must be pretty lonely, huh? All alone in a cave, can't you at least put yourself in a mansion with servants? Anyway, that flower's pretty mediocre, it looks just like another rose."

"Just like another rose?" I can see her heating up bad, it's kinda funny.

"The challenge must mean that one of these tiny roses on the hill is the real one and we have to figure it out while you're guarding that okay rose over, well good job for faking it."

"This is not fake." she gritted her teeth

"Sure, and I got chosen by the black rose."

"At least try, because even I don't know where my sister is located." she smirked

She's a bit childish, this might just be easier than I thought.

"Well, bye, this was more underwhelming than I thought."

As I turned, she grabbed my shoulder and forcefully pulled me back.

"I'm not done with you yet." she said "Until you acknowledge me and my worth, you will stay here."

"Look, I get it, oh everyone respects you, I do too, I just don't care enough to revere you."

"Are you not aware of how honorable this is?!" she shouted

"And are you not aware that I don't give a shit?"

"Unbelievable!" she then went on a ramble on how she's never been this disrespected through her life as she threw a childish tantrum by walking around, stomping and jumping in her dress.

I gotta admit, it's taking everything I have to not laugh at the sight.

"I mean, that rose is clearly a scam, that is just for hurting people, for an 'honorable' person." I then did an air quote gesture "You're clearly a coward for making it impossible."

"Alright then, pluck the rose, I'll show you my sincerity." she dared "Go on or are you a little chicken?"

Bingo, you're trapped.