A solitary rose blooms,

in the fierce raging storm,

Its petals are flecked with snow,

None other flower survives,

the harsh winds and freezing ice,

The rose stays firm and glows,

It flashes its hue and beauty,

amongst the vast, milky blanket.

Madeleine waited silently for Antoine’s next words. The prince lightly placed a hand over hers, looking into her face hesitantly. He opened his mouth, then closed it.

That’s when her sister and Princess Amabel approached them. “You both looked lovely on the dance floor,” she said, grinning between them. “And you’re such a lovely dancer, Tony.”

The prince and princess stood.

“Only because my partner was equally so,” Antoine complimented, and Madeleine glanced away from his gaze.

She found herself absentmindedly touching the top of her hand where he had placed his own only seconds before.

Courtney eyed him, then gave her sister the same look the queen had earlier. “Indeed.”

“Prince Antoine,” Amabel said, looking him over, “your clothes match Madi’s perfectly tonight. I’d have thought you two were made for each other.”

Courtney bit back a grin.

“Are you two going to find a dance partner by the end of the night then?” Madeleine asked quickly, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

“I’m less familiar with Nebrasian dancing,” Amabel said, “but from what I’ve seen, I think I could pick up on it fairly quickly.”

“I did not take you for the dancing type, Amabel,” Antoine commented.

“There’s a lot about me that may surprise you.” She looked at Courtney as she said it, and Madeleine’s sister searched her face for a moment.

“Well, Tony,” Madeleine teased, “You’re the only man in this group, so I suppose it’ll have to be you—”

“I’ll do it,” Courtney blurted out.

Everyone stared at her.

“You’ll do what?” Madeleine asked, surprised by the outburst.

Her face flushed. “What I meant to say is…Amabel,” she looked back at the Cappeland princess, “may I have this next dance?” There was silence as she extended her hand. Amabel’s expression was unreadable. “That is, unless you don't—”

“I’d be delighted.” She took her hand.

“R-really?” She searched her face, the rouge spreading clear to her ears.

Amabel gave a small laugh. “Don’t act so surprised.” The two princesses briskly walked away while Antoine and Madeleine watched them.

The princess’s mouth was slightly agape as she watched Amabel placed her hands in Courtney’s to begin the dance.

“She knows what she wants,” Antoine mused.

She turned to him. “Are Courtney and Amabel…Do they have feelings for each other, do you think?”

He laughed. “It does seem highly likely, doesn’t it? All I know is friends don’t usually blush when they’re around each other.” He looked into her eyes, and she fidgeted slightly.

“But she is already betrothed to Prince Albert.”

“She said so herself, her parents would be happy to agree to any suitor had she found one on her own. If there was something between them, would it upset you?”

She looked at him quickly. “Of course, not! I wish Courtney the best in every aspect of her life. I’m just a bit surprised is all. We tell each other everything, and she’s never had feelings for anyone before, at least, that I’ve ever known of. I always thought she had no interest in romantic relationships.”

“She hasn’t told me anything either. I’m just speculating based on what I’ve observed, but I can tell they’ve gotten really close.”

There was a pause.

“Tony.”

“Yes?”

“You were going to tell me something before?”

He blinked at her. “Oh, right. Well, why don’t I just tell you later? Maybe somewhere a little more private.”

She searched his face. “Certainly. You can tell me anything, you know.” She gave a friendly smile, though the words stung a bit as she said them when she realized he’d said the exact same thing to her after she’d kept a major secret from him.

“Prince Antoine, won’t you have this next dance with me?” Antoine turned to a woman who’d approached him. “I’m new to the Nebrasian court, but tales of your charm and profile do not do you justice.”

Antoine rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. “R-really? I did not realize such rumors existed.”

“Everyone knows who Prince Antoine is, and any Nebrasian woman would dream of dancing with you.”

“I’m flattered, but my friend and I—”

“By all means, Tony,” Madeleine said gently. “I can’t selfishly keep you all night.”

He watched her. “We’ll talk later, alright?”

She nodded.

Antoine turned back to the woman, nodding his acceptance to which she let out a squeal and dragged the prince across the floor. Madeleine made eye contact with him for a moment before they were swept up in the dance, something hidden and longing in those green eyes.

She watched the couple for a moment, then wandered away. Making her way to the small room with the pastries, something caught her eye.

Along the edge of the wall was a row of windows lining one side. Beyond them was a round garden that the ballroom surrounded, and in the very center was a white gazebo with vines climbing up the sides. The yard was nearly empty of people which made it all the more inviting.

Madeleine followed the windows until she discovered a glass door with a golden handle. Turning it, she pushed it open and let out a small gasp as fresh air filled her lungs. The garden was beautiful and serene, even if the sky was gray with clouds. Strangely, the clouds did not at all remind her of Andveltica and its dreary storms. Standing there in the Nebrasian gardens, she felt that not even a gray sky could dampen her mood.

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She wandered through the garden, every now and then stooping down to sniff an herb or plant she recognized. She found a small wooden bench and sat down, heaving a sigh.

Images of Antoine filled her head, and she felt the top of her right hand again. There was a brief smile on her face, but it melted. Something pulled at her chest as she examined the leaves she had just picked.

What was this feeling? Her and Antoine had been meeting up in the library for weeks now, and she’d never felt so close to anyone before. She felt as he did; that he was similar to a best friend or a brother, but there was something else there. Something that was making her giddy beyond belief as well as apprehensive and sentimental.

What had he wanted to tell her? His cheeks had displayed the uncanny look of rouge, and she wasn’t sure if it was just from the heat of dancing or from something else entirely.

Someone joined her on the bench, and she looked over in surprise.

“Madi, what are you doing out here all alone?”

She blinked back at blue eyes. “Adrian. I just needed a bit of fresh air, I suppose, and well, what are you doing here? What happened to your discussion with the council members?”

He snorted. “I barely escaped them again.” He glanced down at the leaves in her hand. “That’s basil, isn’t it?”

“It is indeed.” There was a short pause. “I’d have thought you’d be in the ballroom longer, talking to those important men, or swept elsewhere by someone else as you always are, not out here with me.”

“I never get a moment to myself, do I?” He let out a sigh. “Trust me when I say that I could not be gladder to be in this garden and away from those people. What I’d give to be alone sometimes.”

She ground the basil into a tiny and very potent ball. “Do you wish to be alone now?”

“Not at all.” He took the clump of herbs from her hand. “I’d much rather stay here with you.”

Her heart skipped a beat and they looked at each other.

A thick drop of water hit her nose then. “Oh!” she gasped.

Adrian held out his hand and two more drops landed in his palm. They both stood, and Madeleine began saying, “Maybe we should—” when the rain came down all at once.

Without a word, they both made their way to the gazebo in the middle. Madeleine held drenched skirts in her hands, feeling cold droplets trickle down her back. Adrian took off his bonnet to shake it off, revealing flattened hair underneath with trails of water dripping off the ends.

“Well, that wasn’t very good timing, was it?” he said once they were under the gazebo, securing his hat back into place.

She looked up at him blankly, very aware of the intimacy of their situation. “Adrian.” She had to shout over the rain.

“Yes?”

“Did you really mean what you said, about wanting to be in my company?”

He projected in response. “Of course! Why would you think I wouldn’t want to talk to you? Have I given you any reason to think…” His words trailed off and he glanced away. “Madi, I owe you an apology. In the garden back then, I was very rude to you.” She stared. “Even though it’s been five years, you still seem to know me better than anyone else. I acted irrationally. I’m sorry.”

She searched his face in surprise before uttering, “There’s no reason to apologize. I shouldn’t have been trespassing in your private garden.”

“No.” He stepped closer to her. “You can visit the garden whenever you like. That place reminds me of all that you did for me as a boy.”

She blinked. “What do you mean? I didn’t do anything. You were the one that was there for me, and you didn’t judge me even after learning what my mother did.” She looked downed.

“Madi, look at me.” She did as he said. “That poem you wrote…I know what you were referring to, and I think you should let the past go.” He lowered his voice even though the rain was still pounding overhead. “No one even knows the truth besides me and you. Don’t let it affect you so much after all these years.”

She felt tears begin to well up in her eyes but blinked them back quickly. She had desired this conversation with Adrian for many years and had not uttered a word about the barn incident since it had occurred.

“How could it not affect me?” Her voice waved. “I already have a less-than-desirable reputation at Court. If anyone knew the truth about her, I’d lose any hope of being reputable. If anyone found out—”

“I don’t think it will ever come to that. No one knows, and it’s unlikely they ever will.”

She stared for a moment then nodded. “Yes, maybe you’re right.”

“And Madi, you really did make a difference back then. You were the only thing that finally helped me begin the grieving process for my mother.”

She recalled his tear-stained face in the secret garden. “Are you still mourning her, Adrian?”

Something flashed across his face, then the blond eyebrows softened. “Yes,” he whispered, and she realized the rain had started to slow down. “It’s been especially bad since becoming king. I wish sometimes that she could be here with me while I rule. My father almost never comes out of his room, so it’s not as though I have him for advice or support.”

“What about Tony?” she asked. “He’s there to support you.”

He hesitated. “Tony has helped immensely, but he’s also inexperienced and has no idea how much I shoulder alone. It’s been so lonely, Madi.” She searched his downcast features. “But I’ve realized recently, in the same way that you were able to help me move on with my life, I hope I can help you move on with yours.” He offered a small smile as he took her hands in his. “I never told anyone your secret, as promised.”

She could not look away from those bright, blue eyes. “And I never told anyone either, as I promised.”

The rain was barely trickling now, and a blur of movement caught her eye. She glanced past Adrian’s head to see Antoine, standing several feet from the glass door with the golden handle. He stood frozen on the spot, a sad expression on his face as he gazed at them. She glanced back at Adrian and their touching hands.

“What is it?” Adrian asked, having sensed something was off. He turned, and Antoine moved quickly to the glass door and disappeared behind it. “That was Tony, wasn’t it?”

She nodded. “He must have tried finding me after dancing with that woman.” She paused before saying, “Adrian, why don’t we return to the ballroom? Perhaps I can teach you how we dance in Andveltica.” She offered a small smile.

“I’d love that.” Offering his arm, she took it, and they made their way to the glass door.

Once inside, Madeleine became aware of how soaked she was. Onlookers stared at her and Adrian, as they walked arm in arm, drenched and conspicuous. Courtney and Amabel waved them over.

When they arrived, Madeleine took her arm back hastily and started playing with the ring on her right hand. She looked around to see where Antoine had gone, but it was difficult finding anything amongst the sea of people.

“My, the rain happened so suddenly I see.” Courtney gave her sister a strange look. “I suppose you two are evidence of that.”

Adrian swept stray wet hair out of his face. “I’d recommend staying indoors.”

“I hope Your Majesty does not get a chill.” Madeleine sighed softly at the sound of Yvette’s voice.

“It’s a warm spring rain,” he replied. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Madi,” Courtney said. “Why don’t I escort you to your room to change out of your wet things? Those skirts look positively heavy, all drenched in water like that.”

“Oh, actually Adrian and I were going to—”

“King Adrian,” Yvette cut her off, “might I have this next dance? Perhaps a few times around the ballroom will dry you off.” She touched his shoulder, and Madeleine felt as though she was watching them from far away.

“That’s a kind offer,” Adrian glanced over at Madeleine, “however, Madi and I were going to—”

“It’s alright,” she said quickly, and they both looked at her. “Courtney is right. I need to change out of these wet clothes anyway. Perhaps we can dance later?”

Just then, Duke Adam approached the king. “Your Highness, if I may—”

“Can’t you see we are about to dance?” Yvette said, glaring at the duke. “You can have your turn with him afterwards.”

“I’ll be off, then,” Madeleine said quickly. “Don’t worry, Courtney, I can go by myself.” She bowed and Adrian stared after her, ignoring Yvette and Duke Adam’s demands.

“Madi, wait!” Adrian shouted. Everyone was silent as she turned back to him in surprise. “If I cannot see you later tonight, then shall I see you in our study session this week?”

Madeleine beamed at him. “Of course. We can talk more then.” She bowed again and was met with a smile from him before she turned to walk away.

“What?” She heard Yvette complain. “Why does she get to meet with you? That’s not fair.”

She bit back a giddy smile as she left.

Madeleine had not the heart to return to the ballroom later, knowing Adrian would likely be preoccupied the rest of the night with counselors and suitors. She’d have to fight to get another moment with him, but she cared not. She felt positively euphoric after their intimate moment under the gazebo.

The princess now lay in the dark, staring upwards wearing a dry, white chemise. Rain continued to pour outside the windows with a pitter patter.

She never did find Antoine again. His still, rigid form standing in the rain came to mind. She thought, perhaps he wasn’t upset at all, but instead was just being a gentleman and giving her and Adrian space under the gazebo, since they were obviously talking. That’s when she recalled Adrian’s hands over hers and frowned. Or perhaps not. She blushed in the darkness as she recalled the blond’s warmth and gentle words.

The ball was still going on, and she could hear the stringed instruments playing a lively tune even from her tower room. She removed the covers and went to the window, but she could see nothing beyond the curtain of rain pelting down the glass in sheets.

Turning back to the bed, she glanced at the large chest in her room. She was struck with the realization that she’d never had a chance to look over the little piece of paper with the word ‘Brûlant’ written on it.

Making her way to her nightstand, she took out her notebook and opened it to the back. The small slip of paper fell into her lap as well as the letter she’d found in the Andveltican library. She held one in each hand, examining them at the same time.

Her eyes widened.

Glancing between them quickly, she took in the similar way the ‘t’s’ were crossed, and the way the ‘a’s’ curved uniquely inward on the left side.

There was no doubt about it. The handwriting was identical. What this meant, she did not know.