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“Quairken is up and…” Isabella paused when she saw Aironell mouthing the words as she rubbed her chin. “That would be Daniel.”
“Oh yes, I’m sorry.” Aironell shook her head. “I find that to be one of the hardest habits to break.”
Isabella chuckled. “Yes. All of these changes will take time. The king and queen are in the dining room.”
“Thank you, Isabella,” Aironell swallowed and tried to clear her throat. I wonder if you could tell me, err, I mean, um, ifhe’sawake?”
“Your Highness, are you trying to ask me if Alzerion is up?” Isabella forced a blank stare.
Aironell’s cheeks flushed. Her ears felt hot.This couldn’t be happening, she thought. Her eyes shot right to the ground as she rubbed the back of her neck.
“Aironell, don’t be ashamed. It’s natural.”
“Then why do I feel odd asking?” Aironell laid her head in her hands, as her elbows pressed off her lap.
“You shouldn’t. After all, you’re still his favorite.”
Aironell was still avoiding eye contact so she kept staring at her feet, shuffling on the floor. Her face tightened a bit and she sighed. It was like a weight pressing in on her being—it needed to be released.
“There’s more to Alzerion. Isabella ran her fingers through Aironell’s hair. Aironell shook her head side-to-side.
“I don’t understand.” She finally uttered as she slowly picked her head up. “It’s not my fault I was forced away. I can’t separate his nuances.”
“That’s not what I mean. Alzerion is, well, complicated— no denying that, but when you were a girl, he made occasional visits.”
“I know.”
“He also wrote asking about you a few times. He even had us send him reports. Alzerion cared so much about your well-being.”
“Well then I hope he stays that way,” Aironell said, her face growing hot.
“Please don’t be angry, Your Highness, but do you, you know, like him?” Isabella stopped running her fingers through her hair.
“No!” Aironell crossed her arms. “I don’t even know him, not really. If I ever did, I would need some time.” Aironell’s eyes darted back and forth as she felt a slight blush creep across her cheeks.
“Well, that’s understandable. I bet you’ll enjoy his company.”
“He does seem like a good person to talk to,” Aironell twisted the hem of her nightgown.
“He is,” Isabella nodded. Isabella grabbed that powdery plate and stood. “I wish that I could keep chatting, but I must go. I don’t want them wondering where I went.” Aironell nodded. “There’s much work I have to tend to.”
She bent forward and kissed Aironell on her forehead, and walked just barely out the door. She paused and twisted her face back in. “In response to your question, Alzerion is awake. He does his letter writing at this time, though.” Then she left the room.
Aironell turned to find that precious gift. That red rose. She spied it on her dresser in a narrow crystal vase. It was still beautiful with that sweet, luscious smell, as if she was given it just yesterday. Her lips curved up into a smile. Since arriving in Bachusa, Aironell found that she felt lonely when the king and queen were busy. However, when she thought about things, she found herself doing the unthinkable. She could not stop thinking about Alzerion.
He changed over the years. Tall. Handsome. Mysterious. He intrigued her. She got up to put on a rose-pink lace gown with a corset top. She stood in front of her floor length mirror. Her hands ran along the gold trim cuffs and traced the fleur-de-lis on the sleeves. She smoothed it out. The bottom of the dress and the neckline also had gold trim. Then she put a rose-shaped clip in her hair. The clip was ruby-red with real rubies and tiny diamonds to accent it. She turned her face side-to-side and beamed. This became part of her morning ritual. Aironell caught her breath. She couldn’t believe how different she looked.
“You’re gorgeous,” came a voice from behind her.
Immediately, she crossed her arms. She felt like she had been caught doing something wrong. Aironell turned around, slowly, as the figure of Alzerion stepped closer. She tried to level her breathing. She was hoping that she did not look as flushed as she felt.
“Do you really think so?” Aironell mustered.
“Definitely,” responded Alzerion with a confident grin.
He stepped closer once more and pulled a tiny black box out of his back pocket. Her eyes fixed on the edges. They shimmered an inviting gold. She kept staring at the box.
“What?” Alzerion smirked as he thrummed his fingers against the box.
