(Requested)

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Everything was simple in my life. There were no disturbances at all. Every day was the same. Tend to the crops, water the king's garden, help the baker make his tarts and streudels, have lunch, then go back to the village and help farm once more. Yeah, it was extremely simple. I was more of a flower person myself. I quite liked tending to the garden, as it was the highlight of my day. The wonderful scents of flowers I just adored, and the marvelous aesthetic they gave was quite nice as well.

Sometimes if I asked nicely the guards would let me stay for just a bit longer as I roamed around the vast arena of fountains and the plethora of trees, lavish bushes, and flowers that sprouted year-round. When nobody was looking I'd dive into the bushels of finely woven trees and lay on the branches, picking at the heart-shaped leaves that they grew.

Ah, how I loved the garden.

But currently, I had my eyes set on another. It was mid-day, around the time I was supposed to be in the royal gardens. I laughed excitedly as I dreamed of what blooms might have opened during the night, and what specimens might have appeared. When I was tidying up the grasses, raking the leaves and disposing of all the wilted buds, someone appeared. I immediately recognized the auburn hair and red and blue outfit. Dropping into a bow, I greeted the prince.

"Your highness!" I gasped, smiling sheepishly. "I didn't expect you to come here!" He looked as equally as surprised as me. I noticed his face was flushed out of the shock, eyes blinking rapidly. His body was moved back in a defensive position, one hand coiled out and the other tightly wrapped around what I presumed to be some type of book. An awkward silence fell before I intercepted.

"O-Oh! Are you coming into the garden?" Prince Callum nodded shyly, standing up straight once more. I mentally frowned, but quickly gathered my things. "In that case, I will head out, so you have the pleasure to yourself, your highness." Before I could breeze past him, he stammered out a response.

"No! No! I really don't need that, it's alright! I-It's really fine that you stay, I mean, I wouldn't want to keep you from working, you probably have a lot to do." I bowed again, touched by his graciousness.

"Thank you, sire!"

"Oh gosh, really no need to call me that, just Callum is fine..." he mumbled quickly, shaking his head and waving his hands as fast as words flew out of his mouth. I nodded and got back to cleaning, a silence overtaking us once more, the only sounds that were heard were the scratching of my rake on the concrete and the light wind that blew the blossoms onto the ground. I often took glances at the prince, watching him in his concentrated manner as he sketched a portrait of the fountain's figure that was delicately posed in the middle of all the blooms.

His hair was the same color as the twigs of fresh rose leaves, his knuckles turned the same color as the yellow lilacs when they clenched. I smiled, quite happy as I took more quick looks at him before scurrying off to my next chore. I'd imagined I wouldn't have seen him again during the day, but much to my surprise, I did.

As I helped the baker unload his fresh pastries from the cart, I noticed a small, puffy, brown head peep out of the back of a trolley. A small hand reached out slowly and nabbed at five jelly tarts, and with a dash, someone took off. I shouted for them to stop as I started to sprint, grabbing at their tiny figure as they bobbed and weaved through the crowd. Once I thought I'd lost sight of them, I groaned and lifted my head up, nearly bumping into someone.

"Sorry, this little kid just took- Prince Callum!" I gasped, face flushed. "I am so sorry! Are you alright, your highness?" He looked just as surprised as I was, and seemed to be looking for something.

"I know that someone didn't take me," he chuckled jokingly. "But I think that 'little kid' was Ezran." I almost coughed. Prince Ezran. Heir to the throne. Smart prince with a good head on his shoulders. Animal whisperer. And I just called him a "little kid." I am so stupid. But while I was panicking over my dilemma with the prince, Callum just sighed and scratched his head awkwardly.

"Look-"

"Prince Callum I am so sorry I didn't mean to call your brother a little kid and I'll do anything to repay you please don't throw me in a dungeon with the sorcerer Viren I swear please he's so scary and mean and dark all the time and I don't know what's wrong with him and please please don't torture me I'm sorry for calling Prince Ezran a little kid I don't know what's wrong with me it's been a long day and I assure you I've done my work please don't fire m-" I stopped rambling and was on the verge of tears when Callum laughed, holding a hand up to his mouth, trying to trap his giggles in. I couldn't help but stare at the tiny blush that formed on his face.

Rose.

That's so cute, what the heck?

"Sorry, sorry-" Prince Callum was apologizing to me. Me! Me of all people! Why? Once he'd finally calmed down, I listened intently to what he said.

"I'm not mad, and I promise I won't throw you in a dungeon or anything. I'm not that kind of person," he assured, still chuckling a bit. "I just wanted to say sorry on the behalf of my brother, Ezran. He's a bit childish, but he absolutely loves jelly tarts. Would it be alright if he stole some just this once? I promise it won't happen again, and I'll have a few words with him about it." I waved it off, smiling.

"Of course! He's the prince, after all. The kingdom always will welcome you two with open arms. You're welcome to the bakery any time as well. It would actually be a pleasure hosting you and your family." His face turned red once more as he sheepishly rubbed his neck.

"Thanks," he quietly squeaked out, returning to his usually shy persona. We both enjoyed each other's company as he walked with me back to the bakery.

"Actually," he quipped. "I didn't get your name."

"It's (Y/N)." He grinned.

"Nice to meet you. By the way, your flowers are really pretty." My eyes sparkled.

Blooming carnation.