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Rosemary’s Pov

After what feels like eternity , I pull away from the hug – his once cold metal armor is now warm from the warmth that my body gave out. As soon as I pull away , that creepy uneasy feeling returns ; I instantly want to hide in his arms again but decided against it. We both start to walk along the garden , we both know it like the back of our hands as we were the ones who played a big part in creating it the way it is. There is a peaceful silence between us for a while , as we take in the garden’s beautiful nature. We let our memories resurface , as well as our sibling love that we had.

“So how have you been Andy?” I break the silence , actually concerned and interested in his wellbeing after all these years. He stays quiet for a while , he does not say a word. This causes me to look to his direction and I watch his face intently. Though his face shows kindness , there’s an unknown scary look upon his face now.

“Growing up…. is hard Rosemary…” is all he says. I look to my feet and watch as my toes come into vision with every step I take. For some reason , I feel lie Andrew has been through hell and back – all I wish to do now is to make his life peaceful and enjoyable now.

“I finally became a honored soldier…like my dad always wanted me to be..” his voice quietens down when he says the last part. With just those few words , I knew what was troubling him.

“You did not want to be a soldier…did you?” I ask him , curious about his sulked attitude. He looks to me , without answering he just smiles with his pearl white teeth.

“Enough about me…how have you been sissy? Have you fellow to wed yet?” I let out a frustration groan which makes him laugh. My face grows crimson with embarrassment and frustration.

 “You are just like father!” I scold him , making him wail in laughter.

“Why does everyone wants me to get married , I am still young , am I not?” I huff in frustration while walking ahead of him – leaving him behind as he now chuckles at my frustrated self. He takes a few big strides and has finally caught up with me.

“You are the princess , you father wants you to get married so that when he steps down from the thrown someone else can take his place…which would be your husband” he explains to me calmly. I know this , my father has explained it one two many times to me – however , the thought of getting married makes internally shiver. I want to wed out of love , not because I have to in order to pass the crown.

Love…

 I wonder what it feels like – how can I wed if I don’t know what love feels like. Sure , I feel my fathers love my friends love – but romantic love , what does that feel like? I find myself keeping quiet , my brain is working at 1000 thoughts per second. Andrew notices this.

“But… if you are not ready to be married , you do not have to – I doubt your dad will force you into marrying , so you are good..” he adds in , obviously noticing my change of demeanor.  I feel my jaw unclench , and the tension from my eyebrow release – he is right! My dad can not force me into getting married , he never has. All he asked or tried to do was help me find someone I am willing to marry – but under no circumstances did he force me. This lightens the mood and gives me hope.

“What about you?...Are you married?” I ask Andrew as we pass the fountain. I go to the fountain and sit on it’s edge , paying no attention to the dirt that may rub off on my dress. I look to the water , and giggle at the fishes that swim. I had fought with my dad to add fishes to the fountain and after many days of sulking , he finally did. I dragged my finger onto the water , feeling it’s coolness spread from my fingers to my entire being. I became very daring as I let my index finger glide gently over a fish that passed my finger – this made me giggle earning a chuckle from Andrew.

“Still the same…” I hear him whisper to himself.

I look to him an await his answer. He slowly strides towards me , and takes a seat next to him. I watch his eyes flash with an emotion that I never saw before.

“I am not married…not yet at least….My wedding is in 4 months…” I can not help but squeal in excitement. I lunge forward towards him , grabbing him in a skull crushing hug. Looks as if I am more excited than he is.

“Tell me everything about her , pleaseeeee” I beg him. I want to hear his love story , I want to see the love he has for her – maybe then , I will be able to understand what true love is like.

“Well…” he rests his chin on his hand.

“I was on duty one day in late winter…and I happen to notice this girl just hopping along – though she was a grown up , I could tell that she is a child by heart…and without even seeing her face , I fell in love with her” I felt my heart grow with an emotion that makes me long to feel the love he feels towards her.

“Though father did not approve of our relationship at first , he started warming up to her as her loving personality melted him” he says closing his eyes and throwing his head back. A peaceful breath filled with bliss escapes his lips as if just the thought of her makes his entire being relaxed. I envied him and her – I envied the love he has for her , and I envied her for having someone who loves her this much. I looked at the sky and sighed a long side with him. Once again , I feel this uneasy feeling – it starts from my legs and rides up all the way to my face. I feel my heart shiver in fear , and then my body begins to quake. Andrew notices this and looks at me with concern on his face.

“Are you cold?” he asks and looks around , trying to feel if there’s a breeze in the air . I nod my head yes and start rubbing my arms.

“Stay right here , I will get you a covering…” I watch him stand up and walk away. I am all alone now – and this frightens me. I feel the gaze become more intense , and all I want to do is hide away so that it’s burning does not burn my skin. I wake up after a while , and make my way back to the hall – however a noise scares me. I turn to the bushes that are behind the fountain – ever so slowly I make my way over there. Call me brave , or call me stupid – but my curiosity kept my feet moving forward to it. I went closer and closer to the bushes which are actually a lot of creepers on the wall. I went closer until I realized that there are actually nothing. However , before I could turn around I am harshly pushed against the wall. My face is pushed through the creepers and now is harshly pinned to the wall , the walls tiny gravel pokes into my cheeks.

“Ahhh”, I let out. My arms are both brought to my back , and is held by a strong pair of hands. The more I struggled , the more higher the person brought up my arms causing it to pain. I began to start crying , I have never been put in a situation like this. I feel that burning stare again , I feel it at the back of my head – this is the person who causes me to feel so uneasy.