Valeriana said she wanted to go to the restroom, but decided against it in the end. She didn’t feel like looking at herself in the mirror at all due to the previous turn of events. Her bladder was empty too. There was basically no reason to push through with it.

Although she shouldn’t be so paranoid about the mishap, there was a thread of defeat that curled within her chest.

“Corvan is such a jinx,” she muttered.

He said she would embarrass herself. And it is due to him that she did.

The corridors snaked ahead until the lines converged in her eyes. The floor was the color of jade, inlaid with marble. She stopped short in her steps and shot a glance at the arching windows wherein the moonlight streamed through.

She eyed the field of bright flowers. Mechanically, she moved towards the window and placed her hand on the glass which was cool to the touch. It was strangely comforting.

There was a sheer reflection of herself on the glass. Azure blue eyes stared back, holding traces of chagrin and admonishment. She held the gaze strongly, challenging her reflection until her brows creased and pushed on her eyes. Only when she saw something move from her peripheral vision did she diverted her attention.

She saw a figure, draped in an elegant cloak of white silk trimmed with gold standing amongst the flowers. A wind blew and the cloth fluttered around him, framing the slender silhouette of his legs from waist down. He held his hood in place, afraid that the wind would blow it off.

Curious, Valeriana looked around for a way outside. She walked, glancing about in search for a door but failed. She turned her attention to the windows again and got an idea. Eagerly walking towards the window closest to her, she unbolted and opened it wide before slipping through the narrow passage it managed to provide.

Once her feet landed on solid ground, she hiked up the skirts of her dress and started to approach the lonely figure. She had a feeling she knew who it was, but it seemed unlikely. Besides, judging from the clothes he was wearing, he must not be just anyone.

As she neared, the sound of her feet crushing the blades of grass gave her away. The person turned in alarm at her presence and his feet shifted very lightly in attempt to flee, but when he saw it was Valeriana, he stilled.

The girl squinted in order to make out the face of the man before her under the darkness offered by his cloak.

“Kyrell?” She gasped.

He looked equally taken aback. “Valeriana?”

“Oh my gosh!” She jumped excitedly. “I never thought I'd see you here!”

“I . . . are you the guest King Laedin said was coming?” he asked.

“I'm not just the only guest, though,” she told him, standing beside him. “What are you doing here by the way? Do you live here? Are you secretly the prince or something?” She jokingly nudged him with her elbow.

“Uh . . . no . . .”

“Then why are you here?”

“I am the prince’s royal valet. And since he is sick, he asked me to pick flowers for him.” He looked at her. “You look stunning today. But why are you drenched in water?”

She glanced down at her wet dress and shrugged. “I choked on my cup,” she said, but felt that it meant something else entirely. “No, I didn’t mean I choked on my cup because goodness me, I’ll be dead if I did. Holy—I know my mouth is big but it’s not that big. I just—”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“No. I understand you completely.” He chuckled.

“I know,” she told him gravely. “I wanted to go to the restroom just now.”

“Are you lost? Would you like me to take you?” he offered.

“No. It’s fine. It’s not like I need to. I just need some fresh air.” She sighed.

“I see. Didn’t the servants dry it for you?”

“Dry it? No. I didn’t want them to.” She shook her head.

“Then let me take care of that. If you would allow me to.”

“What exactly are you going to do?” she asked.

“This.” He extended his right hand, waving gracefully with his fingers.

Valeriana raised a brow curiously. No sooner than a second later, she heard something gurgling. She looked down at her drenched clothes only to see the water being sucked off of it. It floated along the direction Kyrell was waving to.

“Wow,” she whispered, watching him work. “So that’s what they meant. I thought they wanted to pat me down,” she said. “Not pat me down that way. God, what is happening to me tonight?” She hit her forehead.

Once Kyrell managed to completely take the water away, he flicked his wrist towards the direction of the flowers and it sprayed, raining droplets among the plants. Valeriana couldn't help but feel awed.

“You're awesome, Kyrell! Thank you very much!” She smoothed down the wrinkles that appeared from the wet spot before and cursed when her efforts were in vain. “Anyway, this is better than walking around wet. Urgh.”

“I'm sorry for disappearing so suddenly after the duel. I had to leave,” he told her. “I heard you won, though. Congratulations.”

“I didn't even realize that you were gone. I was too caught up in the whole thing.”

“Well, I can't blame you. A warrior's focus must always be on the fight.” Kyrell looked ahead of him and sighed.

“How are you doing, though?” she queried.

“Well, I . . .”

“And those clothes . . . do you always wear a cloak?”

“I have to.”

“Are you a part of the court or something? Even Lord Aeron takes off his cloak when he's outside.”

“No . . . I . . .”

“Then, why?”

“This is merely my preference,” he said. “I feel much more comfortable this way.”

“Oh. Okay. Cool.” She stared at him for a few moments before dismissing the subject completely, bending over to examine a flower closely.

They didn't speak for a few moments. Valeriana continued to observe the flower, her fingertips tracing its velvety petals. It was purple around the center, gradually fading in white as it reached the round tips of its petals. Its leaves and stem weren't green. In fact, looking closely, it was gold.

“You just reminded me of something, Valeriana,” Kyrell said as he bent down beside her as well. “That flower you're looking at . . .”

“It's beautiful,” she muttered. “I wonder what it's called.”

“Valeriana,” Kyrell said.

Hearing her name called, she looked at the boy beside her. “Huh?”

“Valeriana,” he repeated. “The flower you're looking at is called Valeriana.”

Her eyes widened from his statement. “Really? Then it has the same name as me! Or maybe it's the other way around. But, whatever, it's the same anyway.”

“This flower is my favorite of all.” Kyrell told her. “My mother took special care for these flowers. She liked them the most. Aside from being beautiful, they're strong. They can stand through the heat of summer and the cold of winter. They bloom best during spring.”

“It’s lovely and smells as good as it looks,” she said, sniffing.

“I think your name fits you very well.” Kyrell reached towards the flower and plucked it off, handing it to Valeriana. “Here, take this.”

The girl took the flower in her hands happily. “It's mine? Really? Thank you.” She twirled it between her thumb and forefinger.

“The name Valeriana means to be strong and have hope.”

“Won’t King Laedin be angry? I mean, picking flowers like this in his back garden without his permission is kinda . . . I don't know. Illegal.”

“Don't worry. I can assure you that you won't get in trouble.” Kyrell smiled at her. “Taking one of these hundreds of thousands of flowers will hardly make a difference. Besides, you have met him. Does he seem that type of person to you?”

“No. I get your point. But . . . I gotta put this somewhere,” she said. “I don't want it to lose its petals or anything.”

“Try it here.” He took the flower and placed it on her ear. “Now, you look even prettier.”

“Aw, thanks,” she said, laughing.

He smiled and shook his head. Valeriana examined him for a moment, noticing the gleam of uneasiness and worry in his eyes. Valeriana was the same. Perhaps for an entirely different reason, but they were more or less in the same boat. She turned to the direction he was facing and saw a waning moon across the skies.

“Hey, you—”

“Miss Valeriana!” Edeltraud yelled, cutting her short.

They both turned and saw the man heading over, face dark with displeasure. He glared at Kyrell beside Valeriana, who instinctively turned away and turned his back on the man.

“I beg your pardon, Miss Valeriana. The king is looking for you.” Edeltraud made his way to the young woman and guided her almost forcefully away from Kyrell. “And you, go back to where you should be.”

Kyrell nodded stiffly and rushed off ahead of them, disappearing into the maze of halls.