The Mysterious Stranger

I looked around, the leaves on the trees whistled softly, dancing to the rhythm of the wind. The air was perfumed with the aroma of the beautiful fresh flowers in bloom.

I let out a sigh, finally I had found the perfect place to concentrate. I made myself comfortable on the soft green grasses, placing the book beside me.

Closing my eyes I began, focusing on my breathing, trying to grasp and feel the energy around me.

I needed to feel the energy, I needed to… but do I really have to attend those annoying tea parties? My attention quickly drifted away from what my main task was. Lenora's words were ringing in my ear. God! Even when she wasn't here with me her words were still a distraction to me.

I squeezed my eyes tightly, trying really hard to focus but it proved difficult, I wasn't feeling or grasping anything. I sighed, rubbing my temples as I pondered on the next action to take seeing that concentrating on the energy within and around me was extremely difficult.

I let out a breath and closed my eyes once more.

"If this one doesn't work, I am done!" I said, the tone in my voice was filled with annoyance.

"If you really want to get it right, you have to clear your mind from any thought!" A strange but soothing voice spoke from behind me.

I felt startled hearing it, it definitely didn't sound like Lenora or anyone that I knew. I was about to turn around, to see who it was.

"Do not turn around and don't open your eyes either!" The voice said quickly, I tilted my head a bit confused and curious by the statement.

"Why? Are you ugly or you are just trying to be mysterious?" I asked.

I could hear him chortle as his footsteps drew closer to me. "If I said the latter, will your eyes still be closed!" He said slowly.

I took a deep breath, contemplating on my answer to his question. Something within me was curious to know how the entire scenario would play out.

I slowly nodded my head.

"Try clearing your head from any thought and focus more on your breathing, feel the energy around you!" He said.

I took a deep breath, complying to his words. My breathing became even as I slowly began to feel the energy around me, the wind, the sun, the trees, everything around me felt alive and they flowed together in rhythm.

"The energy around us, is what builds up what is within us. People born with power are the ones gifted with the ability to utilize that energy, submitting that energy to their will!" He said slowly as I listened keenly to him. I do not know the reason, but listening to him made everything I have been trying to do a lot more easier. The tone in his voice was commanding, calm and different from anything I have heard before. I felt compelled to listen to it.

"Now, feel the energy within you, let it flow through you!".

I took a deep breath, I felt a surge of power course through every fiber within me, it was warm and placating, different from anything I had felt earlier, I suddenly felt it radiate from every pore of my body. I focused more on my breathing, trying to grasp the power and submit it to my will… without much warning, a gush of wind blew in my direction, abruptly my hair covered my face, destroying my concentration.

I was about to reach for my face when I felt a hand on my cheek, it was hard and felt a bit calloused but offered a cool sensation against the skin of my cheek. It reached out for the locks of hair and combed them neatly behind my ear.

My heart drummed in my chest as I noticed how close we were. I felt the urge to open my eyes, my lashes fluttered as I struggled within myself to fight the temptation, I needed to see who the mysterious stranger was. My eyelids slightly drew apart and I saw a hazy figure of a man.

"I thought you said earlier that you will not open your eyes!" He said slowly, I could feel his cool breath on my cheek.

My cheeks grew crimson with embarrassment as I drew my eyes shut "I-I did say that. I am j-just c-curious that's all!" I stuttered.

I could sense him smile, he was probably laughing at my embarrassed face, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

"Now is not the right moment for you to see who I am!" He said in a whisper.

"Why?" I asked suddenly but he ignored my question.

"Continue practicing, you will get to where you need to be!" He said finally.

The next thing I heard were footsteps, they grew distant by the second. I quickly opened my eyes and hastily stood up, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stranger, my hope withered away when I saw nothing but trees and hedges of flowers.

I shrugged, probably I will not see him again, Mr Mysterious. I bent down and picked up the book I came with when a pair of leather boots which stood a few feet from me got my attention. I slowly raised my head, a tiny part of me wished for the man before me to be the stranger.

My face fell on realizing who he was.

"What do you want Edward?" I asked, crossly.

He sighed, he wore a troubled expression, his face was very sullen and dull. His expression was something I never thought he could possess.

"I came to talk to you!" He said, approaching me slowly.

"Great! So you can say more mean words to me!".

"No! Not at all. I came to apologize!" He said quickly.

I corked my brow at him, stunned by his statement.

"Apologize?".

He exhaled, "Yes, the words I spoke to you that night were mean and hurtful. I am your brother I shouldn't have said them knowing what you went through hearing them. It will mean a lot to me, if you would accept my apology!" He paused for a moment "Father has been given me the cold shoulder ever since that night. Leo hardly talks to me either and I can't take the silent treatment any longer!".

He looked at me expecting a response, I kept mute as I stared at him.

"So, how long have you been practicing this speech?" I asked suddenly.

"Did I rush into it?" He asked, a bit nervous.

I gave a half shrug "A little bit!".

"I have been practicing it ever since you locked yourself up in your room!" He replied "...but I am deeply serious about it!" He said quickly.

"I know!".

"So, do you accept my apology?" He asked slowly. He looked expectantly at me.

"Yes, I accept it. It looks like you have really realized your mistake!" I said.

"Yeah, I have!" He said, smiling weakly at me, "So, are we alright?". He looked lighter than earlier hearing my response.

I nodded as I gave a response "Yeah! We are cool!".

He shot me a strange, perplexed look. It dawned on me that he didn't understand the word.

"I mean we are chill!" I corrected,

"Chill?" He was more confused than ever.

I facepalmed when I realized that the other word was worse than the first one.

I took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "We are alright!".

He nodded his head slowly at my statement.

"Thank you Rosalind!" He said with a warm smile.

"For what?".

"For accepting my apology!" He replied. He looked more cheerful than earlier, I couldn't help but smile at him, I was glad that he was cheerful once more.

His gaze shifted from me to the book I held, his eyes squinted a bit as he stared at it.

"Do you need help with anything concerning controlling your power?" He asked, the question took me by surprise.

I smiled at him, "It is okay, I had help earlier!" I noticed his face fall, quickly I had to think of something to cheer him up, "...but if I get stuck you will be the first person I will go to for help!" I replied.

He grinned at me, pleased at my statement. I felt an overwhelming amount of joy knowing that I finally had people who cared for me. It felt nice, really nice.

****

He had a smile on his face as he walked out of the garden, his heart still raced in his chest as the scenario of their meeting re-played in his mind. He felt a surge of joy engulf him knowing that he saw her again and not only that he spoke to her.

One thing bothered him still, she was learning the first phase of controlling one's power, he was taught that lesson when he was only seven years old after his power got evaluated. He pondered why she was learning it at that moment when she was meant to be taught after her power evaluation. Something didn't sit right with the situation.

"Your Majesty!" A familiar voice called out, drifting him from his thought.

He looked up to see Ronald standing a few feet from him.

"We have been looking all over for you!" He said as Cedric approached him.

"The carriage is ready, Your Majesty!" He said slowly, trying to catch his breath.

"Alright!" Was the response he received.

Cedric wore a smile on his face as he made his way to the carriage that rode towards him. Ronald blinked a few times, he must have seen it wrong, Was the Crown Prince smiling?. No, that can't be right! The Crown Prince never smiles, unless…

He hastened his steps and caught up with him.

"Your Majesty, have you seen your next victim?".

Cedric shot him a strange look, bewildered by the question.

"What?".

"You are smiling, Your Majesty and that only happens when you have someone in mind to destroy or murder or kill!" He explained.

Cedric had a stupefied look on his face as he stared at his assistant. Pondering on what he would say to him.

"No, I haven't seen…" his voice trailed off as stared at his hand. The memory of his hand on her soft cheek, flooded back to his mind. Her cheek was as soft as it was warm, her hair was glossy and flaccid. It illuminated under the sun, giving off a fiery look and her lips looked so lush and intoxicating that he felt drawn to them.

He felt heat creep to his neck and slowly approach his cheeks as he remembered the innocent look she wore when he drew closer to her, she didn't flinch at his touch and it surprised him, she was stirring strange emotions within him and he had to admit, he didn't mind it.

"Your Majesty is everything alright?" Ronald's voice called out to him.

Cedric hid his flushed face, quickened his steps and hastily get into the carriage. Ronald stood there confused, bewildered, stunned and baffled at his behavior. Something was wrong with the Crown Prince and it didn't seem to be a good one.