Indigo

*Adelia**

We made it back to the palace and I hopped off the carriage, not even waiting or caring for the Prince.

I hurriedly rushed to my room and fell on the bed. Memories of that day flooded me and I couldn't do anything but cry more.

Someone came into my room and I looked up to see Adrian standing there. I'm not sure what came over me, because I rushed to him and hugged him tightly, crying into his shoulders

He patted my head and shushed me.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

I had stopped crying. Mostly because I was getting Adrian's shirt wet, but also because I was getting a headache.

I sat on the bed with Adrian beside me, in quietness. I was actually beginning to feel faint, this time.

"What happened back there?" Adrian asked, "You lost it after seeing those sunflowers.

"Nita.... Anita was found holding sunflowers." I admitted.

"But I used to watch you amongst the sunflowers. You loved them." Adrian added.

"Yes, I know, but as soon as I saw Arthur holding them, I don't know why it had that effect on me. I guess it just triggered the wrong memories. "

Sighing, he said,

"I'm sorry for the way I've been acting towards you throughout today. It was uncalled for. "

"What did I do wrong?" I was honestly very eager to know.

"Nothing..... I just..... I was mad you agreed to go out with the Prince. " He admitted..

"I thought, you were falling for him."

I was so confused.

"Why would me falling for the Prince be an issue? That's the point. I have to marry him, so falling for him is making my life less miserable. At least, I won't be married to a man I hate. " I explained.

Adrian just started at me and let out a small laugh.

He simply shook his head and said,

"I meant, I felt you were falling for the Prince and forgetting the plan. You know, we agreed to come here because of the plan."

I nodded my head and stayed quiet, simply thinking about what we'll do to find out the truth.

"We have to sneak out, at night." Adrian spoke up

"Are you mad? We could get caught." I whisper shouted.

"I realize that. Which is why I said 'sneak out'." He sarcastically said.

He continued,

"While some of us, were having the time of our lives, being all lovey-dovey and collecting the wrong type of flowers, the others were observing and being productive. "

"You're never going to let that rest, will you?" I said with pleasing eyes?

He let out a small laugh and said a short "If you knew me, you'd know I'll taunt you with it... even in your grave."

I gave up and gestured for him to continue.

"On our way to the market, we passed a bar. One filled with big, rough and mannerless men. Those are the type of men that will be perfect for that job. What we do is this- We walk in and I try to blend in with the men. You, flirt around a bit...you know, you're a woman. You can talk your way into anything. Ask for names."

" That is the most stereotypical thing I've ever heard. But it sounds like a good plan." I agreed.

"Be nice." He added, pointing an accusing finger at me.

"Look at who's talking. You, be nice."

"I'm a man speaking to men. There's absolutely no need to be nice." He explained.

He was honestly so adamant.

"If you want some information, you have to be extra nice and sweet." I argued.

"Sounds like a headache. I can be nice with my fists." He said while flexing his muscles.

I burst out laughing at that sight and he did too. I doubled over in laughter, since he kept on doing that.

By the time I stopped laughing, I looked up to see Adrian staring at me, with a smile on his face.

"What is it, Adrian?"

"It's nothing, My Princess. It would be inappropriate. "

I stood up from the bed and walked over to him, standing a few feet away from him.

"Adrian, look at me. ", He did, "I am the queen of inappropriate. If we're going to do this, we might as well be friends. And for that to happen, it means you have to be comfortable around me. Forget I'm the Princess." I finished.

He gave. a very loud and deep sigh, realizing he didn't have any other escapes.

"Its just, when you were laughing, I saw your full smile, for the first time. And it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And I wished that everyday, you would smile like that. It's what you deserved."

After he finished talking, I stayed quiet. Not because I didn't have anything to say, but because I didn't want to say anything.

I wanted to kiss him.

So I stayed quiet and in one spot, so I won't do something I'll regret.

I just kept staring from his lips to his eyes, and eventually, I got a grip of myself.

I started walking up to him and he began,

"I'm sorry, My-"

He stopped when I hugged him. I closed my eyes, not thinking about anything, and just hugged him.

It seemed like that shocked him because when I was beginning to release my hands, he regained himself and pulled them back and wrapped his arms around me.

I smiled at this gesture.

After a while, he released me a bit, but still held onto my waist. I looked up at him and just stared into his eyes. He did same.

He began leaning in to me, when there was a knock on the door.

We immediately jumped away from each other and I went back to my bed, flustered.

"My love!" Arthur's voice came through the door.

"I came to check on you to see how you were faring. Are you alright?" He asked.

"Uh..... Yes! Yes! I'm better now. Thank you for asking."

He let out a small laugh and said,

"It's the least I can do for the woman I'm going to call mine."

"In your dreams." I whispered.

That seemed to please Adrian, because he smiled.

"I'll see you at dinner. I love you. " Arthur added and walked away.

"He loves you? He just met you. " Confused Adrian complained.

I just chuckled.

It seems like we both remembered what happened before Arthur came and it made Adrian uncomfortable, because he said,

"I'll let you get some rest, My Princess. We head out later tonight."

He bowed his head and walked out my room. I lay in bed thinking about what just happened.

I remembered how fast my heart was beating when we were hugging and how at peace, I felt.

I fell deeper into the dream world, as Adrian's face and voice danced around in my head, lulling me to sweet, sweet sleep.