***Author's Note- The third Chapter of this story has now been divided into two separate Chapters. Chapter 3 is now entitled "Melancholy of the Prince", while Chapter 4 retains the prior's Original Name.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Moments later, the disoriented young prince found himself once more in the Royal Garden. His eyes gazed wearily at the flowers as he casually walked on. He drew in the distinctions between every flower as he continued to wander around.
As he went deeper into the garden, awkward feelings of nostalgia slowly filled him.
“My mother once explained to me of my Father’s responsibility, the role of the king, as such:
That looking over a kingdom is much like caring for a garden. Each flower must be properly provided for. And all flowers must thrive in order to retain its full beauty, to remain as a whole garden.
Naturally, I was drawn to this task to better understand the philosophy behind kingship. But in doing so, I came to understand that it isn’t so simple…
I could not simply spread the water around and declare my job done.
There was the occasional invading weed that had to be disposed of;
The regular chore of pruning to prevent overgrowth;
And of course, the inevitable trouble of unfavorable weather conditions that left the garden in the whims of fate.
It became clear to me that a proper leader must be constantly ready and capable… he must be highly competent.
But then there is the fact that I’ve retained in my mind the whole time=
People are not Flowers.
The people have more thoughts and feelings they can act upon,
Dreams and Aspirations higher than simply survival they look forward to,
As well disinterests and fears that may hinder them.
As a King, I do not have the convenience of caring for a kingdom as please the way the gardener can for his garden.
The people can openly object to your methods, and the worse possibility that could result from misrule, perceived or factual, would be a revolt resulting chaos.
Therefore, the best a King can be is a provider and protector to keep his people from suffering whenever possible… to keep his kingdom whole and beautiful…”
Eventually, his wandering eyes came across a wilting red rose. A cold chill ran through him as an image of his Mother flashed in his mind. He slowly made his way towards the dying flowers, then stretched out his arm to let them rest gently on his palm.
“I can’t allow another life to be lost in my presence… I have to become capable… I have to be strong.”
For a long time, he continued looking at the wilted rose with wistful eyes…
Chapter 4: The Three Flowers
Somewhere else in the royal garden, the three maidens continued to talk amongst themselves.
“I still can’t believe our parents gave us all this free time after getting done with that whole thing! It certainly gives us the perfect opportunity to explore this garden further!” the spirited Briana grinned.
“I believe that’s the point. You can say this is Castle Arvol’s way of showing off its splendor to us, so our parents would be more than happy to accept this flattery. I must say, the royal gardeners have certainly taken great care of it. Not a blade of grass is too long, and each flower is filled with plenty of life.” The astute Danielle noted.
“I heard… the Prince tends to the garden personally at certain times.” Castella uttered in a curious tone.
The other two maidens turned towards their friend.
“What, do you find gardening an appealing hobby in a boy or something?” Briana questioned.
“Well, in a sense, it does make our Prince seem more refined and cultured, were the rumors to be true.” Danielle answered. “Many would consider horticulture a special art, after all.”
Castella shook his head. “It’s not that exactly. But to me, it seems that someone to have that sort of patience to care for this vast garden must be really dedicated.” She explained in fascination.
“Maybe not the WHOLE garden. I’m sure that’s why the guy has servants to do it for him, right?” Brianna interjected.
Danielle took a moment to ponder over the idea. “It’s strange… but I do feel this aura of personal work that went into this place. I did notice the meticulous care put in this garden rather quickly.”
“Then he must have quite a bit of free time to be able to devote some of it towards this work, right? I guess he lives a truly privileged life compared to the rest of us…” Castella sighed.
“Well, of course! He’s a boy! It’s the always nobleman’s sons that are allowed to gallivant around and have grand adventures on horseback while us girls are supposed to be stuck in our homes being fixed up to be all “refined”!” Briana gripped. “It makes me sick that they raise us to be dolled-up servants to our future husbands! Come on, Castella! You can relate to me! You always went on and on about the kind of adventures you wanted to have and finally be on your own!”
Castella cringed upon hearing that.
“Briana, please calm you! I know how much it frustrates you be bounded by noble decree, but reminding Castella of her own deprived dream isn’t going to make things better for any of us.” Danielle protested.
Brianna groaned. “Yeesh, I’m not trying to be the bad guy here! I was just making a valid point…” she grumbled.
“No, no. It’s alright. She speaks the truth, after all, and there’s really nothing much else to do about it.” Castella said.
“Castella!” Brianna cried in concern.
“Castella… it will be okay. Even if you can’t fulfill that adventure you desire, there’s still much you can do to warrant your worth without having to---“
“It’s not about my dignity.” Castella interrupted. “I’m just…jealous of him. The Prince.”
All three girls paused. The maidens in blue and yellow looked silently upon their friend in red as she herself gazed intensely at the flowers.
“Ah… I thought we were going through that.” Brianna said frankly.
Danielle sighed, then answered with a gentle hush.
“I’m not speaking about the greater privilege he holds. It’s about his role for this country compared to mine. Even if it is a great burden and responsibility, there is no doubt he is doing something of certain importance for our nation.” Castella explained.
Brianna fumed with Danielle approached her dear friend with civility.
“Don’t underrate your current role so severely. It may not seem like much on the surface, but there is a reason why we are taught these ways. As expected wives of nobles, we become knowledgeable in politics and capable in caring for our noble husband’s needs. We are essentially their physical and emotional support, and despite the subtly, holds a profound effect on government issues.” She informed her friend.
“I know, but somewhere in my heart, that still sounds like a bunch of convenient excuses…” Castella sighed.
She then reached out towards a flower and held it gently in her grasp.
“No matter how I look at our set role, I feel like that in the end we’re simply pretty flowers that are trying to stand out among the rest as noble breeds.” She explained.
“Wha… a flower metaphor? Why can’t you just say what you mean straight out?” Brianna griped.
“Brianna…” Danielle sighed.
“I can’t ignore it. Something within me keeps telling me that I can be more than a simple flower, that I can offer more than a pleasing presence to its people. This voice tells me I can actually help cultivate our nation with my very hands, and I want to follow it so much. I’m yearning to experience it… I’m yearning to understand it… I’m yearning to protect it… yet so much keeps me from doing so.” Castella voiced with deep regret.
Her two friends looked at her with amazement and sympathy.
“Wow… you actually sounded very knightly there for a minute.” Brainna answered in awe.
“So, that’s why you always… I’m sorry… I should have caught on sooner.” Danielle apologized.
“Besides, even if I were to find the means to actively serve my country in such a weak, I’m still too weak…” Castella uttered painfully.
“That’s ridiculous! You’re one of the best fencers I’ve ever seen! Your opponents have a hard time keeping up with in a duel, you know!” Briana argued.
Castella nodded. “Simple bragging rights are all it is. I still can’t be assured certain victory in a mismatched fight with no rules. And any potential opponent that I come across outside of sport always takes my feelings into consideration. I know how a true conflicts work. Going into a fight with little strength and being bound to pointless rules will only make me easier prey in the end.”
“You’re really starting to get into this talk, aren’t you?” Brianna said uneasily.
“But she does speak the truth. I’m amazed at the sheer inside you hold in the world of combat.” Danelle replied.
“Unfortunately, it isn’t so useful if I can’t apply that knowledge.” The maiden in red sighed.
“Please Don’t give up.” The maiden in the blue advised.
A curious Castella slowly turned her head to see Danielle.
“I think I understand now… what you want isn’t just for yourself. I feel a vital vision from you, and I can tell it’s for everybody. You’re still so determined, so I doubt you’ll be feel weak forever.” Danielle encouraged her.
“…Yeah… come on, show those pretenders how a true fighter handles herself! We’re all still girls here, and I’m sure you’re still held back by inexperience, but I’m sure you outdo the whole lot of pages in training whining to their Masters about their lack of glory!” Brianna cried.
The young lady dressed in red gazed at her dear friends in amazement, then slowly smiled in gratitude.
“You two…” Castella uttered softly.
The blue-clad maiden calmly approached Castella, until she got close enough to kneel right at her side to watch the flowers wit her.
“If you still see yourself as a flower, then consider yourself a rose. You have thorns: All you have to know is how to use them properly to protect others.” Danielle explained.
As she said this, Castella immediately observed the red roses and brought her finger close to a thorn.
“Like a deadly rose, huh?” she thought to herself.
Brianna gave her composed companion a peculiar glare and sighed.
“Seriously, must you continue to use flower metaphors?” Brianna groaned.
“I feel it’s been an appropriate running theme for this conversation, don’t you think?” Danielle replied with a grin.
“Sure… but I feel really strange comparing ourselves to flowers all of a sudden. Actually, the idea that many actually look at us like that makes me mad.” Brianna answered back.
“That’s just how it is, sadly. At the very least, we’re still considered valued members of high society, right?” Danielle cheerfully retorted.
Brianna squinted at the composed brunette. “You can just be way too calm about these sort of things. Honestly…” she groaned.
The light-hearted brunette simply chuckled in response.
Suddenly, Castella caught something in the corner of her eye. She turned her head to her left and noticed the silver prince a good distance away.
“Prince…Cedric? What’s he doing back in the garden so soon?” she uttered.
A sudden curiosity compelled Castella to approach the sullen Prince, leaving the other girls in speculation.
“What? Castella? Wait, where are you going?!” Brianna called after her friend, but to no avail.
On the other hand, Danielle observed Prince Cedric in a few moments. “Oh, I see. Arvol’s 1st Crowned Prince is over yonder.” She noted.
“You mean Cedric? Hey, is she going to be alright?” Brianna asked in concern.
“Oh, not to worry. I’m certain there aren’t any laws against befriending the Crowned Prince during his free time.” Danielle answered.
“You never stop, do you?” Brianna sighed. <span id="test10972117">. . .</span><br/><div id="post10972117" style="display:none; margin-right:75px;"></div>
[img:f91fcaec17]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m244/Chicken_Yuki/College/Catherine_Mcdonald.png[/img:f91fcaec17]
[i:f91fcaec17][b:f91fcaec17]Voiced by Caitlin Glass[/i:f91fcaec17][/b:f91fcaec17]
 Chicken Yuki · Wed Jun 13, 2007 @ 08:17am · 3 Comments |
