It's been two weeks since I've last seen Kai. I wonder if he's mad at me. I wouldn't blame him, I'm mad at myself as well. Mad that I couldn't have just run away that night. Mad that I couldn't have just done something to prevent what happened. But I didn't... And now I'm stuck on this throne with a man I'll never love in a castle that makes my stomach turn.

I sigh deeply and rest my head on my hand. "Are you alright?" Xavier asks me. "I'm fine, thanks." I force a sweet smile to him. He doesn't say a word to me after that. God, my life is terrible. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be in the garden alone." I say and stand up hurriedly. "Are you sure you're fine, Julia?" Xavier asks worriedly. "I'm fine. I just need some fresh air." I reply, without looking at him. "Alright." He says. I walk outside to the big, beautiful garden.

I stand in the middle of everything. The memories come fresh in my mind. Mother and I used to plant Daisy's together. Those were always my favorite. When I was little, I used to sneak out here at night and just lay on the grass. Though, Ace would always find me. I remember, one night, Ace had come out and he joined me on the ground, gazing at the stars. Ever since then, I would ask him if he'd lay with me again. He did a few times, but it ended when I turned fifteen.

I hear footsteps approaching me so I turn to look. "Ah, Ace. You're so quiet." I smile, "What brings you here?" He smiles back to me, "You have a visitor, Miss Julia." He says. A visitor? I think to myself and gasp quietly, Could it be Kai? No, maybe I'm just getting too lost in thought. It's probably just one of the towns people, asking for help or advice. "Yes, thank you." I say quietly and walk back in the castle. I walk back to the throne room and turn to look at my visitor.

Just looking at them makes me feel lightheaded. "Kai!" I shout happily and run towards him, giving him a tight hug. I realize what I'm doing and push him away, hitting his shoulder. "Why haven't you been visiting, jerk?" I ask him angrily. "I've just been a little busy. I'm sorry, pr-.. Queen Julia." He says. I take a close look at him. He's got bruises and cuts on his face and arms. "What happened to you?!" I ask worriedly. "It's nothing. I'm fine." He smiles to me. "Nonsense!" I say and take his face into my hands.

"Ahem..." I hear Xavier cough. "Oh!" I gasp and hurry to my throne. "My apologies, Xavier. He's an old friend of mine, we're very close." I say meekly and smile to myself. "Yes, okay. What have you come for?" Xavier asks Kai. "I've just come to deliver something for the Queen." He says and reveals a stunning purple rose in a vase from behind his back. "If I may approach your highness." He bows. "You may." I say with a smile. He looks up to me with his beautiful yellow eyes and smiles that heart-melting smile of his. He walks up to me, gets down on one knee, and hands me the rose. "Thank you." I say kindly and take it from his hands.

He gets back up and turns to leave. "Thank you for letting me in your castle, Queen Julia. It was an honor to be able to see you." He smiles at me and proceeds to walk out. I feel my heart grow cold again as I stare at the rose. Now that I see it closer, it's not just purple. The edges of the petals are indigo but the inner part of the petals are a beautiful shade of purple-pink. It has golden sparkles in the rose. I let out a small breath as my eyes sparkle from the pretty rose. "Must be a great gift if you have to look at it for so long." Xavier says in an annoyed tone. I shoot an angry death glare at him and say, "Of course it is! I haven't seen him in what feels like forever, you think I'll just throw this away?" He sighs and rests his head on his hand, closing his eyes.

I roll my eyes. "Ace!" I call and he comes walking out from the kitchen doors. "Yes, my highness?" He asks. "Take this to my room, please. Make sure it never dies. It's precious." I say politely. "Yes." He nods and takes the rose away to my bedroom. I hear Xavier sigh again. "I'm sick of hearing your sighing, Xavier. I'll be out in the garden." I say just as Ace exits my room. I stand up angrily and quickly walk out of the dreaded room.

I sit on the swinging bench alone, deep in thought. I swing lightly, enjoying the fresh air and sunlight. The smell of flowers fills my nose with a sweet scent. I think about Kai and his wounds today. The flower he brought to me would be impossible to get, so how did it end up in his possession? He really is magical... Now I know for a fact, I'm better off with him. But, I guess I knew it from the very start.

I was so lost in my own train of thoughts that I didn't realize Ace had sat down next to me until he called out my name. "Huh?" I hum. "Oh, Ace. Hello." I smile, "It's nice to see my best friend is with me." I say nicely. "I'm honored to have earned that title, Miss Julia." He says. "Please, just call me Julia right now. I can't handle being Queen right now." I say with a stressed tone. "Alright. Then I'll talk casually too, just for you." He says. "Thank you." I let out a breath.

"So, I saw how happy you were when Kai came over today. Would you rather be with him instead of Xavier?" He asks. "Yeah... I would." I reply sadly. "But, Julia, you could have such a great life here instead. You can have anything you want and you'd get it." He says. "That's the thing, I can't have everything. Kai is what I want but I can't get that now, can I?"I say. He sighs. "I know. That's just the way life is, isn't it?" He asks and laughs out of pity. "I guess so..." I sigh.