Chapter 15 - The princess (3)
"We are going to the garden." Esperanza promptly announced to the stupefied princess, who had just finished her congee.
"Why?" She questioned with a suspicious tone. Esperanza chuckled and caressed a few strands of the princess's hair, startling the princess.
"I just wanted to enjoy the view with you." She said.
"Urgh, are you trying to seduce me?" The princess asked as she slapped away Esperanza's hand.
"Yes," Esperanza responded bluntly.
"What the--" The princess couldn't believe the response and she looked away as she sighed exasperatedly. "I've got no words. Let's go."
Behind Esperanza's Villa, was a huge garden filled with lush greenery. The trees looked so calm and serene. In the middle of the garden was a fountain, with water spraying out from time to time, cooling down the temperature. Under the shade of an olive tree were two wooden seats placed, consisting of comfortable cushions for the back's aid. If one looked carefully, the yellow carnations were almost everywhere. It was as if they were the owner's favorite.
Why the yellow carnations? They're not much popular.
The princess wondered, however, people's opinions never mattered to her. Still, for the first time, she had an impulsive urge. An impulsive urge to know why. She didn't get how. She remembered kicking out curiosity long ago from her place.
"Why the yellow carnations?" She accidentally blurted out.
"What?" Esperanza turned to face her. The princess realized her mistake and knew it was too late to turn back.
"I was wondering.... why there are so many yellow carnations? Why does the owner of the garden seem to prefer them?" She continued with hesitation.
"First, my dear princess," Esperanza smiled. "I'm the owner of this garden."
"What?....." The princess was bewildered. "You mean you....?"
"That's right, I grew them." She tucked the strands of her white hair behind her ear. "Second, it seems that our dear princess is oblivious to the meaning of the yellow carnations. hmm?"
"What meaning?" The princess wondered.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA, BAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Esperanza burst out laughing, startling the princess. Her laugh seemed a bit maniacal and crazy. "Heuk, I'm sorry if I scared you, princess." Esperanza wiped a tear off her eye. "It's just.... well, nothing. You will know the meaning in the future." The princess nodded her head and leaned into the flowers to smell their fragrance. Meanwhile, Esperanza's cold eyes twitched when she watched the princess wander around.
So innocent, like a five-year-old seeing the world for the first time. My first step seems to be on the verge of being completed, soon, just soon.
The princess leaned back at the chair, closing her eyes as the warm sunlight fell on her. She sighed as the shade of the tree-covered her. Esperanza too leaned back but as soon as she did, unknowingly she fell asleep.
The princess who was pretending to be asleep opened her eyes. She was reluctant to sleep, reluctant to let her guard down around a human. But who knew, the human was the one to sleep and let her guard down. The princess stared at the lady's face, and she couldn't help but appreciate the beauty. People judged appearance by demeanour. Since Esperanza had reflected a dull and introverted demeanour at the banquet, rumors spread that the daughter of the duke had white hair like an old woman and not-so-beautiful blue eyes.
Of course, she never believed the rumors. Rumors were baseless, just made for the fun of the noble society.
As she relaxed, she realized how much she had let her guard down the past days.
She could no longer keep her emotions intact. She didn't know. Whenever she was around Esperanza, her emotions would keep raging inside her. She couldn't help but smile, laugh and feel secure.
Her thoughts drifted off to her past days. To her mother who ignored her, to her father who used her, and to her two-faced brother.
She couldn't help but smile at the thought of her two-faced brother. Her brother always held a mask, and she was the only one to know about that. In front of their parents, he would act like any other naïve, innocent and obedient child. But his true self was rebellious to his parents, who felt that their actions were not right. He was not a person who would take the path of justice. He was the person to take the path comfortable only for his loved ones. People may call him selfish, but what good would it be to die for someone who never cared?
She had always had distanced herself from him. Acted like a cold, bitchy younger sister who just wanted attention. She knew how much he genuinely valued her. But she could be the one to destroy him. After all, the situation he was in now was only because of her.
As a leaf of the tree fell on Esperanza's serene face, the princess chuckled and gently removed the leaf.
I guess it is safe to let my guard down once. It'll be worth it.
Esperanza opened her eyes and glanced down at the princess who had just fell asleep. After all, the plan worked. The lonely princess was finally opening to her.
That's right. Just like this, give in to me. Trust me more and let your guard down further so that I can be free from this suffering.
YOU ARE READING
Oblivion Of The Heart
Historical Fiction[Ongoing] "Why is being myself harder than anything?" Qing Lin closed her eyes. A girl whose smile gave off the effulgence which seemed to light the diminished world around her. A girl who held such purity in a world surrounded by happiness. A girl...
