I wish to know you

As noon calms along, I retire to my assigned chamber for a while, surprised that Miss Motan didn't introduce me to any men at the welcome lunch. It's a rare and unexpected reprieve from her usual matchmaking efforts.

Just as I'm about to rest, one of Flora's handmaidens knocks on my door, her face a picture of urgency. "Princess Daniella, please come quickly! Princess Flora needs you."

Fearing an emergency, I rush to Flora's room, my heart pounding with concern. But as I burst through the door, I'm met with an entirely different scene.

"Sister!" Flora exclaims, her eyes sparkling with joy as she twirls through the room, surrounded by a rainbow of dresses. "Look at my chambers!"

The room is filled with luxurious fabrics and elegant gowns, each more beautiful than the last. Flora grabs my hand and pulls me towards a particularly stunning dress adorned with intricate beadwork. "Isn't it magnificent?" she says, her excitement infectious.

I can't help but laugh, relief washing over me. "Flora, you nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought something terrible had happened."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Daniella," she says, her smile widening. "I just couldn't wait to show you all these beautiful dresses. They're gifts from Prince Maxim's family for the wedding festivities."

I take a closer look at the dresses, admiring the craftsmanship and detail. "They are indeed beautiful," I say. "But why the urgency?"

Flora's expression becomes a bit more serious. "I wanted your opinion on which one to wear for the dinner tonight. You always have the best taste, and I want to look perfect."

I smile, touched by her trust in my judgment. "Let's see what we have here," I say, examining the dresses more closely. "This one," I say, pointing to a deep emerald gown with gold accents, "would look stunning on you. It complements your complexion beautifully."

Flora's eyes light up as she takes the dress in her hands. "It's perfect! Thank you, Daniella."

As we are still chatting, the guards announce the arrival of Princesses Flavia and Faraha.

"I thought those two would arrive tomorrow," says Flora, getting up from the bed. Our sisters walk in, and there's a flurry of hugs and greetings.

"Can't believe you'll be married in a few days," says Flavia. "Sadly, he's not a crowned prince."

"Does it matter?" I ask Flavia, a hint of irritation in my voice.

"Daniella," says Faraha sternly, "don't engage in conversations you don't understand."

"Yes, sister," I reply, my tone clipped. "In that case, I shall excuse myself."

"That was mean," I hear Flora say as I exit the room.

"I didn't mean to be rude," Faraha responds. "She will never get married." As the doors shut behind me, their voices fade, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Needing a moment of solitude, I decide to tour the castle. A few handmaidens follow me to ensure I don't get lost. As I wander, I come across a grand garden, enchanting in its beauty. The garden is small, but every flower and herb seems meticulously selected and cared for.

I take a walk through it, admiring the different flowers. One plant catches my eye: a dull flower facing down, its branches crawling up onto others. Despite its unassuming appearance, it seems to exert a certain control over its surroundings. Intrigued, I approach an old man tending to the garden and ask about the plant.

''Excuse me, Sir,'' I say as I point to the plant,'' What is that plant?''

"That is a deep," he says, his voice gentle but wise. "It's ugly during the day but blooms at night, only when the moon is out. It doesn't have any roots, so it feeds on others, but not too much to kill them."

"How beautiful," I remark, fascinated by the plant's unique nature. "Does it have any medicinal properties?"

"None that I know of," he replies, continuing to prune the nearby bushes.

We fall into a companionable silence, the peaceful ambience of the garden providing a welcome respite from the tensions of the castle. The old gardener's presence is calming, and I find myself reflecting on his words about the plant. There's something poetic about a flower that blooms only under the moonlight, thriving in the shadows while relying on the support of those around it.

As I walk away, I can't help but draw a parallel between the flower and myself. Like the deep, I often feel out of place during the day, overshadowed by my more vibrant sisters. But perhaps, like the flower, I too have my own time to bloom, even if it's not under the bright sun.

I find a peaceful spot next to the garden seat where I decided to settle and relax with a good book, soaking in the tranquil ambience as the intensity of the noon sun began to wane. As more royals and VIPs continued to arrive, the banquet seems to stretch on endlessly. With an official welcoming ceremony scheduled for tonight, I already felt a wave of fatigue washing over me. My efforts to concentrate on my book were constantly interrupted by my wandering thoughts.

In need of some refreshment, I call over one of the maidens and requested some water. Two of them promptly leave to fetch it. Sitting there, I couldn't help but contemplate the upcoming longest 5 to 10 days of my life, knowing that I had committed to staying next to Flora for at least a month to assist her with adjusting to her new surroundings.

My musings is interrupted by the sight of Miss Motan and my father strolling into the garden in the distance, engaging in conversation. The thought of facing Miss Motan, who I was certain would attempt to bully me without my father's support (knowing they were as close as two peas in a pod), led me to seek refuge in the nearby bushes, feeling a strong aversion to interacting with them.

As I pass through the foliage, I happen to run into Vider. Startled, I pause, unsure of what to say. He looks at me with his usual calm expression, but there's a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Didn't expect to see anyone," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant.

He raises an eyebrow. "Hiding from someone?"

"Why are you always everywhere I am?" I snap, frustration bubbling up. "You're not my bodyguard. You're Sinbad's bodyguard." I try to avoid his gaze and attempt to create a portal, but to my dismay, I remember that most castles have limits on teleportation magic or any invasive magic.

"I want to get out of here," I say, my voice tinged with desperation. "I don't have the mental capacity right now to deal with anyone"

Vider's eyes soften slightly, offering his hand. "I know a place,'' he says.

Hesitating for a moment, I take his hand. He leads me through a hidden path in the garden, away from the prying eyes and incessant chatter of the guests. We walk in silence, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of the banquet.

Eventually, we reach a secluded part of the garden, a small clearing surrounded by tall hedges and shaded by a large oak tree. A wooden bench sits under the tree, offering a perfect spot to escape from the chaos.

"Thank you," I say, genuinely grateful. "This is perfect."

Vider nods, releasing my hand, "I'll keep watch and make sure no one disturbs you," he says.

I settle onto the bench, feeling the tension slowly leave my body. Vider takes a seat on the ground a few feet away, his presence reassuring but unobtrusive. The tranquility of the spot, coupled with Vider's quiet strength, provides the solace I desperately needed.

As I close my eyes and take a deep breath, I realize how much I appreciate this unexpected moment of calm. Despite my earlier outburst, Vider's quiet support makes me feel understood and protected, a rare comfort in the tumultuous world of court life.

We sit in companionable silence, the garden around us a sanctuary from the demands and expectations of our respective roles. For the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of peace, and it is all thanks to Vider's quiet presence.

"I see Sinbad isn't dependent on you," I say, breaking the silence.

"His majesty is capable of handling himself. I'm just here for backup," he replies.

''How did you come to be Sinbad's guard?'' I ask, trying to start a conversation.

"He bought me from the slave market," he says, and my heart sinks a little.

"I'm sorry," I murmur, not sure what else to say.

Vider shrugs, a small, bitter smile playing on his lips. "It's in the past. Now, I serve Sinbad, and he treats me well. Better than most ever have."

We sit in silence for a while, the gravity of his revelation settling between us. I glance at him, wanting to understand more but wary of prying too deeply.

"Doesn't it bother you?" I finally ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "Being bound to someone like that?"

Vider looks at me, his eyes thoughtful. "It's not about the bond, Princess It's about what you make of it. Sinbad gave me a purpose and a place where I belong. It's more than I ever hoped for." 

We lapse into silence again, the peacefulness of the garden surrounding us. I don't know when, but I eventually drift off to sleep. When I wake up, it's sundown. The sky is painted with hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the garden. I glance over at the edge of the tree and see Vider standing still, a silent sentinel.

"Don't tell me you stood there the whole time," I say, rubbing my eyes.

Vider's expression remains neutral. "It was no trouble."

"You didn't have to," I reply, feeling a twinge of guilt. "You could have sat down or taken a break." I stand up and stretch, the events of the day coming back to me in a rush.

"It's getting late. We should head back before they start looking for you," says vider.

I sigh, the prospect of returning to the chaos of the castle filling me with dread. But I know he's right. "You're right. Let's go."

As we walk back through the garden, the quiet companionship between us feels comforting. Vider's presence is a steadying force amidst the turbulence of court life. We reach the edge of the garden, and the sounds of the castle come back into focus, a stark contrast to the serene haven we just left.

"Thank you, Vider," I say as we near the entrance.

"You're welcome, Princess," he replies, his voice calm and reassuring.

We part ways, and I head back to my chambers to freshen up for the evening's events. The thought of the official welcoming ceremony looms large, but the brief respite in the garden has given me a small reserve of strength to face it. As I prepare, I can't help but think of Vider's unwavering support and the unexpected solace I found in his company.