Master of Minds, Master of Me

My gaze lands on a beautiful garden. So beautiful and exotic that my brain can’t even comprehend it. I don’t recognize any of the flowers in it. Or maybe some I do, but they are oddly colored. Are these from another country or something? I guess the Royal Family would have the money and connections to make something like this happen. It’s just so stunning that I can’t do anything but stare at it.

“So, was I right? Do you like it?”

I hear the Crown Prince’s voice next to me, but I can’t drag my gaze away from the beautiful scene.

“Do I like it? I think saying that I like it is a huge understatement.” Somehow my voice sounds a little different than usual, not sure why.

“In that case, do you care to look closer? Or do you just plan to stay there like a beautiful statue?”

I suddenly realize he has already moved further into the garden. So I walk toward him, still gazing around in awe. I stop next to some very unique light-blue flowers. They somehow glisten under the sunlight, reminding me of the ocean. I crouch down to look at them more closely and slide my fingers against the silky petals. The scent is mild but fresh and gentle.

“That’s Azuregleam. It’s a flower from Belentzi, the southernmost country.”

“It’s captivating.”

“Well, it surely is pretty, but there’s something even more captivating in this garden than them.”

My eyes focus on the flower next to them. It’s purely white. The flowers faintly remind me of a sunflower, but smaller in size, with petals slightly larger than a sunflower’s.

“That one is called Frostbloom.”

I turn my head to look at him. “Do you know all the names of the flowers?”

“Of course. It’s my secret garden, after all.”

When I look at him, my chest tightens slightly. It feels rather odd. Am I allergic to some flowers here? I surely hope not.

I get up, and we keep walking through the small garden. He tells me the names and even some other information about them. He really does like flowers if he knows this much about them. When I watch him talk with his usual bright smile, it feels unreal to think what will happen in a couple of months. And it’s sad that this beautiful garden will probably be destroyed among the chaos.

I slightly shake my head, trying not to think about the future. I won’t be here then, so there’s no need to pine over it. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve already tried to stop it far too many times. I’m not going to stray from my peaceful path by going back to that. I just need to separate my emotions from all of this. So when I see it all destroyed once again, it won’t be any more painful than usual.

“So, have you remembered to call me Felix yet?”

I snap my focus on him. I still don’t understand why he’s so persistent about this name thing.

“I take your silence as a no. You really are killing my spirit here. Being turned down like this so many times. Utterly defeated,” he says far too dramatically.

“It’s just a name, Your Highness.”

His face brightens as he leans closer to me. “Exactly my point! It’s just a name. Meant to be used. Don’t you think it’s a shame that I have a name nobody uses?”

“I’m sure you’re just being dramatic. Surely someone uses it.”

“Well, okay, one person uses it. That’s it. Don’t you think it deserves more users?”

I furrow my brows. Only one? I’d guess a lively person like him would have tons of friends. And what about his family? Surely his father calls him by name? Or is that one person his father? Or is he just messing with me?

“I see you doubt my words. I might be rather dramatic from time to time, but I assure you I’m not lying. You know, when I was a child, I insisted on getting my own parrot, only so I could teach it to call me by my name. So I had at least someone to call me Felix”

I kind of feel bad for him, but I’m not sure why exactly.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, rather curious.

He tilts his head lazily and smiles. “Maybe so you’ll start to pity me and start using my name?”

“If you wanted that to happen, why would you admit it? Doesn’t that ruin your intentions?”

He chuckles lowly, and that stirs something inside me.

“Maybe. But did it work? Even a little bit?”

I turn my head back to the yellow flower in front of me. Amusement rises within me, and I fight the urge to smile.

“Maybe.”

I guess it wouldn’t be too bad to just call him Felix in my mind. Right? I side-eye him, and he looks rather pleased. We continue our journey through the garden. He talks a lot. I mainly remain silent and listen to his chatter about the flowers. I try to keep my focus on them, but I notice my gaze lingering on him from time to time. He looks so happy, so excited while talking. He’s clearly very proud of his secret garden. And I fully understand that, since it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. For a moment, I even think that maybe just seeing this place was worth forgetting to deliver that letter.

“Oh, and you’re going to love this.”

Felix snatches my hand and drags me with him. I stare at his hand touching mine. The weird tingling sensation travels through me, just like yesterday when he helped me up from the ground.

“What do you think about this?”

He lets go of my hand, and I raise my head to see what he’s talking about. In front of me is a stunning pond, filled with flowers. They’re similar to water lilies, but the blooms are much larger and come in various colors. They almost paint the whole pond like a painting. A small bridge crosses over it. I slowly start to walk across.

“I kind of feel like I’m just repeating myself here, but they’re beautiful.” I admit.

I crouch down and let my fingers glide over the bright-colored petals, completely mesmerized once again. I look at them so intently, trying to burn the sight into my memory so I won’t ever forget it. Not even if I live this endless loop a hundred more times.

But suddenly, I feel his breath against my neck and his voice.

“I totally agree.”

I startle at his sudden presence so close to my neck that I yelp and fall back, my ass hitting the wooden bridge. I hear his sudden “Woah!”, and a splash follows it.

I quickly turn to look and see Felix in the middle of the pond, lying on his back. Panic rises within me. Did I just accidentally push the Crown Prince into a pond? Make him fall? Soak him completely? What the hell is wrong with me? How could I do something like that? No wonder I don’t deserve redemption from my curse. I stand up and turn to face him.

“I’m so sorry! I really am! I didn’t mean to push you like that! Please forgive me!”

Then I hear him chuckle. “Relax, Lorelia. It’s just water. It was my fault for startling you in the first place.”

“But your clothes are soaked! You could get sick, and it’s all my fault!”

He studies my face for a while, still keeping his amused smile on.

“Well, if you feel bad, you can offer me a helping hand.”

He lifts his upper body and reaches out his hand. I grab it, preparing to pull him up. But to my surprise, he just yanks me forward, and I fall into the pond, right on top of him. I let out an even louder yelp and close my eyes, bracing for impact.

I hear his laughter and feel his chest rise along with it beneath me. I feel his hand wrap behind my back. I place my hands on his chest and push myself up slightly, still shocked about what happened.

Did he just pull me into the pond on purpose? I stare at his amused face, not sure what to think, say, or do.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. You were just way too adorable worrying about my clothes, so I figured maybe soaking yours too would make you feel more at ease.” He chuckles. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“No, I’m alright.” I just keep staring at him.

The flowers surround us. His hair is all wet, but he still looks rather… what? What was I thinking? I shouldn’t think anything like that. I should get up. We could both get sick.

Then I notice his expression change. He looks at me intently, like his eyes could drill right through me. His left hand lands on my waist, and some strange heat fills me. His hand glides slowly upward, his gaze following it. Shocked. Stunned. Panicked. I’m not even sure what I’m feeling right now. But the closer his hand slides to my breast, the more that feeling intensifies.

“Wh–What are you doing?” I manage to muster.

His eyes snap back to mine, and a smirk spreads across his face. He leans in closer, his lips brushing against my neck. I swear my heart stops beating, my lungs forget to breathe. Then his alluring voice follows.

“I’m doing exactly what you want me to do.”

“What?” I say with a shaky voice.

His other hand starts to glide along my waist too, moving closer to my breasts. My whole body feels like it’s on fire.

“There’s no need to deny it. You. Want. Me.” He whispers in my ear.

I really don’t understand what’s going on. I press my eyes shut, wishing this is just a dream. I still feel his breath against my neck. Then I open my eyes again and the whole scene changes.

His hands aren’t touching me. He isn’t leaning close. Felix is just sitting back in the pond, supporting himself with his hands, looking at me with concern, brows furrowed.

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you? I really didn’t mean to pull you that harshly.”

I just stare at him. Was my mind playing tricks on me again? What’s wrong with me? My eyes drop to my hands resting on his chest, and I suddenly realize I’m basically sitting in his lap. Panic consumes me, and I dart up, but stumble on his feet under the water and fall back on my ass again.

“I–I’m sorry,” I mumble, not sure what I should do. I’m just too confused, too messed up.

He gets up and soon lifts me in his arms. I yelp and instinctively wrap my arms around his shoulders. He walks onto dry land and sets me down.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. It was a rather hot day, after all. So it was refreshing and cooling to take a dip,” he says with his usual bright smile.

Cooling? I feel like I’m on fire inside. That’s far from cooling. I can’t even look at him. I’m way too embarrassed. I just keep my usual calm exterior as I finally force myself to speak.

“I’m pretty sure making a Crown Prince fall and ruin his clothes is something to apologize for.”

“Relax, they’re just clothes. And I can easily dry them.”

He lifts his hands, and I slowly see small droplets of water rising from our clothes. In just a couple of minutes, our clothes and the rest of our bodies are completely dry. I didn’t know you could do something like that with water magic.

“I think I should go,” I say quietly.

“Are you mad at me for pulling you in?” he asks, furrowing his brows.

“No, of course not. I deserved it since I caused you to fall.”

He steps closer and lifts my chin with his hand, forcing me to look at him.

“I was just trying to be funny. I’m sorry for ruining the mood.”

Oh, it was definitely me who ruined the mood. Me and my broken brain. Me and my weird thoughts. I just need to get away from him. I take a step back so his hand leaves my chin. I bow politely.

“Thank you for showing me this place, Your Highness. It really is beautiful. I apologize once more for my clumsiness, but I really need to go now.”

I turn around, attempting to leave, but he grabs my hand. I turn to look at him.

“You can’t get out of the barrier without me, remember?” Oh, right. I didn’t think about that. “So I’ll escort you out.”

Felix still holds my hand as he starts walking toward the exit. I stay silent, not knowing what to say, just listening to him talk.

“And if you ever want to visit this place again, feel free to ask. I’ll gladly enjoy your company here again.”

I answer with silence.

“Are you sure you’re not mad at me?” he says, turning to look at me and narrowing his eyes.

“Of course not, Your Highness.” I’m mad at myself, not at you.

“I’m not sure I believe that. If I weren’t a Crown Prince, would you then be mad at me?”

“What? Why would that make a difference?”

“Well, usually people sugarcoat everything with me. Not sure if they’re afraid something might happen to them if they’re straightforward. It’s just not hard to notice that everyone is always walking on eggshells around me.”

I fall silent. I guess I am walking on eggshells around him. But it’s not because he’s the Crown Prince, it’s because I know what he’ll do in the future. But I can’t exactly tell him that. We go through the barrier, and I see the Palace garden again. I try to pull my hand away, but he won’t let me.

“Are you walking on eggshells with me?” I can somehow feel some kind of pain or ache in his voice.

I lift my gaze to his, and something in his expression makes my heart ache. I shouldn’t pity him. He’s the one who’ll cause the civil war. He’s the reason I’ve died in so many excruciating ways. I shouldn’t pity him.

“Your silence is enough to answer me.” He finally says when I don’t answer.

The pain in my heart tightens when I look at him. I feel like I’m the villain somehow. When it should be the other way around. He lets out a deep sigh and smiles brightly.

“Well, I’m not the one giving up so easily. So I’ll just stomp all the eggshells to pieces so there’s no need to be wary of them anymore.”

He still holds my hand as he leans in to kiss the back of it. The tingling electricity travels through my body once again, and I feel like my heart stops beating for a moment.

“Thank you for today, Lorelia. I very much enjoyed the experience of you clinging to me in your white wet dress. It truly was a sight to behold.”

What? What does he mean by that?

He straightens up, lets go of my hand, and heads back inside the barrier.

“Can’t wait for next weekend. I’ll see you then, Lorelia.”

I just stand there, stunned, unable to answer as I watch him disappear behind the barrier. What does my white dress have to do with anything? And I didn’t cling to him. I just took some support! And next weekend? Why do we have to see each other next weekend? I already saw his garden. And after what happened by the pond, I’m not stepping inside that place ever again.