It was 9 in the morning when the news reached house Dahlia. The ball was last night.

All the nobles in the house were going haywire. Some proud, others jealous. And here I sit listening my to both my parents ramble blissfully about how I may become the next queen. Hell. It's too early to think that.

I'd either end up dead or a concubine.

Soon enough, my parents ordered the maids to put me in a stunning dress, and fix my hair. For now, I didn't put up a fight or argue. It wasn't worth making a commotion.

The dress was of fine fabric, a luscious blue laces with a couple flowers on it's edges. It was light, easy to move in. And that called for opportunities! That probably wouldn't happen because I'm a wimp and lack the brainpower to make good plans and ideas.

After the maids put my hair into a pretty bun, leaving out strands on both sides of my head, I was accompanied outside house Dahlia where a royal horse drawn carriage awaited. It's color black like the hair of the king, and his son that damned prince. It bore the crest of the royal family, a dark red horse.

At this point I'm not sure if they're ruling the kingdom or just planning to murder us all.

I entered the carriage cautiously, and softly shut the door. Once I was able to take my seat and get comfy, I ended up dozing off until I arrived at the castle.

The castle was a little city of it's own. After entering the first gate, we pass through the barracks. The second gate had a garden and a couple of outdoor activities. And then the entrance to where my doom awaited me.

Standing in front of the giant door to his house, Prince Rowan Quentin stood waiting with his signature smile.

"I'm glad you decided to come without putting up a fight, Riselle. I didn't have to go through the pain of taking lives to get you."

"You're cruel."

He simply laughed at my response to him. Arrogant. Cruel. Prince.

He opened the door for me and we walked inside together in silence. The interior was not overly decorated, walls were a very spotless, clean white.

"Prince, if I may ask. Why do you order for my presence? I am no beauty as compared to the women that are usually offered to you." I ask, speaking more formal than usual. However he only turns to me and smiles.

Just what is up with the prince?!

He's just as mysterious as his father who only shows himself once in a blue moon.

For a while, I continued pondering on possibilities like why the prince would want me here. And soon enough I notice I was taken to a garden where every inch had flower bushes and such. It was much, much prettier than the garden I often tended to in house Dahlia.

"Do you like it?" He asked.

"I do."

"This is my personal garden. The flowers here were all tended by me. And only me."

That was a little bit shocking to hear. I wouldn't think this fearsome prince would spend his time gardening.

"Does it suprise you?"

"A little bit."

"I used to spend hours and hours here with my mother, back when she was alive. She loved nature, and music. Much like you." The prince's expression grew soft.

I often heard stories of the queen from many. She was generous, sweet, loved by all. But more or less 12 years ago, she fell ill and died.

"So the reason you were so invested in me is because I remind you of the queen?" I asked, only to recieve another smile and no response from the prince. "You know it'd be a lot easier if you answered!"

"Riselle I would like you to move into the castle."

"Eh??" Sure I told him to answer me, but I'd expect he wouldn't just change the topic!

"I would like you to leave house Dahlia and live here. I'll order one of my guards to retrieve all your stuff."

"W-wait I didn't agree to that!" I stammer.

"I am not giving you an option, Astor." His expression was fearsome, very very fearsome. I started getting a cold sweat from where I stood, forcing myself to nod my head in agreement.

"Yes, Prince."

"Feel free to just call me Rowan."

"Yes, Rowan."

"Good." Again, he smiled.