Between the Pages

Chapter 12

Snow turned to the little boy and flashed him a warm smile. "What's your name?" she asked, genuinely curious.

The child looked up at her with big, curious eyes and replied, "I'm Haru."

His voice was innocent and guileless, and Snow couldn't help but feel a surge of fondness for the little boy.

After Haru introduced himself, Snow smiled warmly and introduced herself.

"My name is Snow," she said. "I work here in the palace. It's very nice to meet you, Haru."

She crouched down to his level, "Well, it's nice to meet you, Haru. What brings you to the palace garden today?"

Haru pouted and replied, "I was just playing."

Snow couldn't help but find him adorable. "Do you want to see more of the garden?" she asked.

The young boy's eyes lit up at the invitation.

Snow noticed how Haru's chubby cheeks seemed to glow with happiness as they strolled through the garden. She could hear the sound of the nearby waterfall as the cool breeze brushed their faces. Snow showed Haru the different varieties of flowers and their unique characteristics. She explained the meaning behind each flower and the purpose of their arrangement in the garden. Haru listened attentively, his bright eyes sparkling with wonder and curiosity. Snow felt a sense of joy as she watched the young boy's eagerness to learn.

As they walked, Haru's eyes caught sight of a particular flower, and he pointed excitedly. "Look, Snow! This one!" he exclaimed. "It's my favorite. It reminds me of my mother."

Snow looked at the flower Haru was pointing at and was taken aback by its beauty. It was a pink peony, with delicate petals that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Snow could see why Haru would find it so special.

"It's called a peony," she explained. "They're known for their beauty and grace. Your mother must be a very special person for you to see her in this flower."

Haru nodded solemnly. "She was the kindest person I've ever known," he said softly. "She loved flowers too, just like me."

Despite her curiosity about Haru's mother, Snow decided not to ask, sensing that it might be a sensitive topic for the young boy. She didn't want to cause him any discomfort, so instead, she smiled warmly and said, "That's a beautiful flower. I can see why it reminds you of her."

Haru nodded in agreement, and they continued their walk through the garden. They explored the different areas, marveling at the vibrant colors and fragrances of the flowers. Snow enjoyed spending time with Haru, who was not only intelligent but also well-mannered.

Haru's eyes sparkled with curiosity as they finished their tour of the garden. "I really want to see more of the palace," he said, turning to Snow with an eager expression. "Could you show me around?"

Snow hesitated. She knew that it was not her place to give palace tours, and that the head maid would not approve of it. But she also couldn't resist the opportunity to make Haru happy.

As they approached the palace, Snow's nerves began to kick in. She wasn't assigned to this part of the palace, and if she got caught by the guards or the head maid, she knew she would be in big trouble. But when Haru turned to her with a pleading look in his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to refuse his request.

Although Snow didn't know the young boy personally, his refined appearance suggested that he was most likely the son of a noble. This realization only added to her nervousness, as getting caught would not only put her own life in danger but also jeopardize the boy's safety and reputation.