I looked around—the leaves on the trees whistled softly, dancing to the rhythm of the wind. The air was fragrant with the aroma of the beautiful fresh flowers in bloom.

I let out a sigh, finally I had found the perfect place to concentrate. I made myself comfortable on the soft green grasses and placed the book beside me.

Closing my eyes I began focusing on my breathing—trying to grasp and feel the energy around me.

I needed to feel the energy, I had to. . . but do I really have to attend those annoying tea parties? My attention quickly drifted away from what my main task was. Lenora's words were ringing in my ear. Damn it! Even when she wasn't here with me her words were still a distraction to me.

I squeezed my eyes tightly, desperate to focus but but thoughts kept slipping through like water through a sieve. I wasn't feeling or grasping anything.

I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples as I pondered on the next action to take—seeing that concentrating on the energy within and around me proved difficult.

I let out a breath and closed my eyes once more.

“If this one doesn't work, I am done!” I said. The tone in my voice was filled with annoyance.

“If you really want to get it right, you have to clear your mind from every thought!” A dark deep voice spoke from behind me. It was oddly calm but had a tinge of mystery to it.

My body flinched hearing it. It definitely didn't sound like Lenora or anyone that I knew. I hesitated a bit, preparing myself to turn around—to see who it was.

“Do not turn around. . . don't open your eyes either!” The voice said rather hastily. I tilted my head, confused and curious by the sudden statement.

“Why? Are you ugly or are you just trying to be mysterious?” I asked wryly.

I could hear him chortle as his footsteps drew closer to me. “If I said the latter—will your eyes still be closed!” He said slowly.

I took a deep breath, contemplating on my answer to his question. Something within me was curious to know how this entire scenario would play out.

I slowly nodded my head.

“Try clearing your head from every thought. You seem distracted by something, perhaps what your maid told you earlier.”

My shoulders grew tensed hearing him. My brows quirked up—curious on how he knew about it.

“How do you. . .”

“Focus more on your breathing, feel the energy around you!” He interrupted.

I pouted, fighting the urge within not to continue with the matter. I took a deep breath, complying to his words. My breathing became even as I slowly began to feel the energy around me—the wind, the sun, the trees, everything around me felt alive and they flowed together in a soothing rhythm.

“The energy around us builds up what is within us. People born with power are endowed with the ability to utilize that energy. . . submitting that energy to their will!” He said slowly as I listened keenly to him.

I do not know the reason, but listening to him made everything I have been trying to do a lot more easier. The tone in his voice was commanding, calm and different from anything I have heard before. I felt compelled to listen to it.

“Now, feel the energy within you, let it flow through you!”.

I took a deep breath, I felt a surge of power course through every fiber within me. It was warm and placating—different from anything I have felt in the past. I suddenly felt it radiate from every pore of my body. I focused more on my breathing, trying to grasp the power and submit it to my will. . . without much warning, a gush of wind blew in my direction_abruptly, my hair covered my face—destroying my concentration.

My hand was about to reach for my face when I felt a hand on my cheek. It was hard and a bit calloused but possessed a cool sensation against my skin. It reached out for the locks of hair and combed them neatly behind my ear.

My heart drummed in my chest as I noticed how close we were. I felt the urge to open my eyes. My lashes fluttered as I struggled within myself to fight the temptation. I needed to see who the mysterious stranger was. My eyelids slightly drew apart and I saw a hazy figure of a man.

“I thought you said earlier that you will not open your eyes!” He said slowly, I could feel his cool breath on my face.

My cheeks grew crimson with embarrassment as I drew my eyes shut “I-I did say that. I am j-just c-curious that's all!” I stuttered.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I could sense him smile, he was probably laughing at my embarrassed face. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

“Now is not the right moment for you to see who I am!” He said in a whisper.

“Why?” I asked suddenly but he ignored my question.

“Continue practicing—you will get to where you need to be!” He said, finally.

The next thing I heard were footsteps. . . they grew distant by the second. I quickly opened my eyes and hastily stood up, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stranger, my hopes withered away when I saw nothing but trees and hedges of flowers.

I shrugged—probably I will not see him again, Mr Mysterious. I stooped and picked up the book I came with when a pair of leather boots which stood a few feet from me got my attention. I slowly raised my head, a tiny part of me wished for the man before me to be the stranger.

My face fell on realizing who he was.

“What do you want Edward?” I asked, crossly.

He sighed, he wore a troubled expression. His face was very sullen and dull. His expression was something I never thought he could possess.

“I came to talk to you!” He said, approaching me slowly.

“Great! So you can say more mean words to me!”.

“No! Not at all. I came to apologize!” He said quickly.

I raised my brow at him, stunned by his statement.

“Apologize?”.

He exhaled, “Yes, the words I spoke to you that night were mean and hurtful. I am your brother I should not have said them knowing what you went through hearing them. It will mean a lot to me, if you would accept my apology!” He paused for a moment “. . .Father has been given me the cold shoulder ever since that night. Leo hardly talks to me either and I can't take the silent treatment any longer!” His voice shot up at the last statement. I could tell how pained he was.

He looked at me expecting a response, I kept mute as I stared at him.

“So, how long have you been practicing the speech?” I asked suddenly.

“Did it seems too sudden?” He asked, a bit nervous.

I gave a half shrug “A little bit!”.

“I have been practicing it ever since you locked yourself up in your room!” He replied “. . . but I am deeply serious about it!” He said quickly.

“I know!”.

“So, do you accept my apology?” He asked slowly. He looked expectantly at me.

“Yes, I accept it. It seems like you are really sorry for what you said!” I stated.

“Yes, I am!” He said, smiling weakly at me, “So, is everything okay between us?”. He looked lighter than earlier hearing my response.

I nodded as I gave a response “Yes! We are cool!”.

He shot me a strange, perplexed look. It dawned on me that he didn't understand the word.

“I mean we are chill!” I corrected,

“Chill?” He was more confused than ever.

I facepalmed when I realized that the other word was worse than the first one. How did I forget not to use slangs with people of this world?.

I took a deep breath and spoke slowly, “Everything is okay between us!”.

He nodded slowly at my statement.

“Thank you, Rosalind!” He said with a warm smile.

“For what?”.

“For accepting my apology!” He replied. He looked more cheerful than earlier, I couldn't help but smile at him. I was glad that he was cheerful once more.

His gaze shifted from me to the book I held. His eyes squinted a bit as he stared at it.

“Do you need help with anything concerning controlling your power?” He asked, the question took me by surprise.

I smiled at him, “It is okay, I had help earlier!” I noticed his face fall. Quickly, I had to think of something to cheer him up, “. . . but if I am unable to control my powers, you will be the first person I will go to for help!” I replied.

He grinned at me, pleased at my statement. My heart felt light like it would float away at any moment, knowing that I finally had people who cared for me. It felt nice, really nice.

* * * *

He had a smile on his face as he walked out of the garden. His heart still raced in his chest as the scenario of their meeting re-played in his mind. A surge of joy slowly engulfed him knowing that he saw her again and not only that he spoke to her.

One thing bothered him still, she was learning the first phase of controlling one's power. He was taught that technique when he was only seven years old after his power got evaluated. He pondered why she was learning it at that moment when she must have been taught after her power evaluation. Something didn't sit right with the situation.

“Your Majesty!” A familiar voice called out, drifting him from his line of thoughts.

He looked up to see Ronald standing a few feet from him.

“We have been looking all over for you!” He said as Cedric approached him.

“The carriage is ready, Your Majesty!” He said, panting.

“Alright!” Was the response he received.

Cedric wore a smile on his face as he made his way to the carriage that rode towards him. Ronald blinked a few times—he must have seen it wrong. Was the Crown Prince smiling? No, that can't be right! The Crown Prince never smiles, unless. . .

He hastened his steps and caught up to him.

“Your Majesty, have you seen your next target?”.

Cedric shot him a strange look, bewildered by the question.

“What?”.

“You are smiling, Your Majesty and you do that when you have someone in mind to destroy or murder or kill!” He explained, using different words with the same meaning.

Cedric had a stupefied look on his face as he stared at his assistant. Pondering on what he would say to him.

“No, I haven't seen. . .” his voice caught in his throat. His gaze shifted to his hand. The memory of his hand on her soft cheek, flooded back to him. Her cheek was as soft as it was warm, her hair was glossy and flaccid. It ignited under the sun, like tiny tendrils of flames. How could he forget her lips, they looked so lush and intoxicating that he felt drawn to them.

He felt heat creep to his neck and slowly approach his cheeks as he remembered the innocent look she bore when he drew closer to her. She didn't flinch at his touch and it surprised him, she was stirring strange emotions within him and he had to admit, he didn't mind it.

“Your Majesty, is everything alright?” Ronald's voice called out to him.

Cedric hid his flushed face, quickened his steps and hastily got into the carriage. Ronald stood for a moment—confused, bewildered, stunned and baffled at his behavior. Something was wrong with the Crown Prince and it didn't seem to be a good one.