A rose in bloom

[Stokedflames]

Anna looked out the window from her bedroom on the second floor. Today should have been different. Today, she should have felt.. something shouldn't she? It was her 21st birthday. Today she took the royal vow, that bound her to her future. Today she turned from girl, to woman.

An unimpressed sigh left her lips as she looked out over the grounds. The meticulous rosegardens, made up in her Great Grandmother's honour. Thousands upon thousands of white roses.. named for the matriarch herself. Their fragrance billowing up in waves, as the summer breeze swirled about the garden below.

She could see him down below. Her closest childhood friend. Summers when they were kids, were spent running around in various games of innocence. Soon giving way to secrets and stories. He'd known things about her, her fears, and dreams, that her own parents didn't know.

But as summers passed, and ages mounted, their play was frowned upon. 'A princess doesn't play with the gardeners son. A princess doesn't PLAY.' She'd seen less and less of him. Stealing moments, when they could. Mainly in the form of late night chats when she could sneak out to the garden unnoticed. Oh the stories he'd tell her. His girlfriends. His adventures. It all sounded so heavenly.

A smile came to Anna's lips as she saw him look up to her window. Casting a quick look around before she waved down to him. How she longed to go down and chat with him. Hear the latest story. Ask him about things outside the walls of this castle.

((Looking for -obviously- the gardening boy. Also various other characters. Gardening boy's girlfriend(s) for instance.. suitors for Anna, and any other character you can come up with. A bit of writing required. An actual story, to unfold over time. Lets see where this goes!))

 

[Ramcio]

Christopher stood in the garden and worked on the many rose bushes that the family had planted through out the years. He took great care of these as he knew that Anna loved them. He knew it was her birthday, and a big one too. 21 years old, he could still remember her screaming and running to him when she first started growing breasts.

Wiping his brow he looked up, it was already getting warm and he pulled his shirt off. He was proud of his 20 year old body. Working in the garden kept him fit and lean. He looked up at her window, hoping to catch a glimpse of his best freind, a large smile came across his lips as he saw her standing there. He smiled and waved back at her. mouthing "Happy Birthday" for her to see.

 

[milfhunter23]

Horatio was by and far the favorite of Anna’s father only she returned none of his attention in return. He waited in the parlor the day was growing long and still she was in her room he was put off by this lack of respect. He father had assured him several time that she was almost ready. He sat with a glass of brandy he had asked for water but her father insisted they drink together while they wait for his daughter. At 23 he was a very eligible and desirable man why she could not see that was beyond him. The room was nicely done and the family wealth well connected and respected but that did him no good if he could not close the deal. He wiped a cloth over his handsome face it was growing late and the theater would not wait for two errant patrons.

 

[Stokedflames]

The smile lit up her features as she read his lips. Nodding she thought of the times when she was younger. When birthdays were of little importance. A party to be had for show. The gifts, more to her father, and the estate, than to her. Her only duty was to be perfect, and to smile politely.

"Good girls were seen, and not heard"

Looking back to her room, Anna listened for Sophie. Her 'Nan'. Probably busy with the preparations for the day. Putting the finishing touches on her 'Presentation' outfit.

To be presented as finally eligable to receive 'suitors'. Anna made a face, looking back out the window down to her friend. Christopher, whos now exposed muscles worked in the beating sunshine. A small private smile worked over her features, as she tried to erase it. There was something so pleasing about seeing him without his shirt. Even though she knew, stealing the glance of a 'commonor' wasn't proper. She could give herself that. Christopher had always been handsome. A trait, she was sure, afforded him the experiences he would share with her, when they could steal the time. The taverns, the late night streets of the town. She could sit for hours listening to him tell his stories.

So a slight twinge, would twist her insides, when he'd mention the most recent beauty he had the chance to spend the eveing with. Anna, always pressed it down again, in favour of more stories. "And then what did you do?" She would urge him on. "Did you go nightswimming again?"

No noise came from the deep recesses of her dressing closet. Anna looked around, stepping quietly towards the back stairway. She'd sneak out for a few moments. Say Hi to Christopher. Bask in his smile, and his stories. Even but for a few moments.

 

[Ramcio]

Christopher finished his work on the roses and plucked an especially beautiful one off its stem. He heard a door open and he turned, his eyes lightening up as he saw Anna walking towards him. She looked so beautiful, but then she always did. He felt a little under-dressed in his shorts and trainers.

He walked towards her and smiled, hugging her tightly before offering her the rose. "Happy Birthday Anna!" He looked happily into her eyes. He knew that a certain way of behavior was expected of her, but her eyes gave her away. All the years of training she has recieved on how to act a proper lady, still hadnt managed to change the look of her eyes.

He looked around the garden to see if they had any company before looking upon her. "How are you today Anna? I noticed the cars out front. Your father must be trying to find you another rich boy" He laughed. They had always joked about all the rich boys that had tried to capture her.

 

[Stokedflames]

The 'Breakfast Gown' Anna wore, was light in weight, to accomodate for the warm summer mornings they'd been having. The breezy white cotton, something Anna favoured to the heavy brocades she was to don in the presence of her suitors. To step outside, in the outfit, would have scandalised her parents. Though form fitting, and flattering, it was more 'common' than innappropriate.

Setting her bare feet, into the sunwarmed grass, Anna smiled to herself, knowing to be 'breaking the rules'. Somehow, that made it, all that much more intriguing.

Crossing the expanse to her advancing friend, Anna smiled as they met. Her eyes giving away the subdued nature she tried to hold. Holding tightly to Christopher, as he enveloped her in a hug, Anna took in the scent of his sunwarmed skin, as her cheek rested on his shoulder.

"Ah, my dear friend. But had I bore the authority, Id cast you out, to enjoy the day for the both of us!" Kissing his cheek, Anna stepped back, her mischevious smile breaking though her 'appropriate' appearance. Taking the long stemmed rose, she buried her nose in it, inhaling deeply its intoxicating scent. This was freedom... she thought to herself. Looking up to Christophers smiling features.

Pulling his arm, so that they walked into the depths of the rose garden, Anna smiled as they became more shaded from the taller roses. A favourite corner of hers. The plush grass almost completley shaded as the two gardens met, to stand stately over their heads. Shielding her almost entirely from the view of the castle. A private nook, to just be herself.

"Not just ANY rich boy." Anna grumbled, landing heavilly in the grass, the cotton layers of her dress fanning out around her. Reaching up to pull her friend down next to her, Anna laughed dryly. "Lord Horatio, and his endless drone of Whippets and Arabians." A beleagured sigh left her lips, as she looked pleadingly at him. Large scary beasts, and strange looking dogs, were to be her legacy. For should Lord Horatio gain her hand, his business would only grow.

"For my birthday, I demand you make me common" She retorted, with a laugh. "Oh to do the things you do. To sing drunken songs at a tavern, to feel the freedom of the village streets at scandelous hours! Tell me dear Christopher. The lastest adventures. Make me yearn for your life. Let me live in your words."

 

[Ramcio]

Christopher laughed and sat down next to her, pulling her down so she lay with her head in his lap. He loved their story times and knew just how much she enjoyed hearing about his "adventures".

"Well Listen closly my lovely Anna. This one is good." He began to speak, gently running his fingers through her long silky hair as he recalled the latest antics he had gotten up to the previous weekend.

He was now rambling. Just happily spilling all the details of escaping the local taverns after a fight or prying away a woman or two. Then trying to sneak back into the grounds because, in his drunken state he could not find his key.

 

[Stokedflames]

Resting back into his lap, Anna looked up to the sky, as his words filled her ears. Grinning as his fingers ran through her hair.

Closing her eyes as tales of his adventures coloured her imagination, Anna put herself there. One of the ladies he tried to convice to join him. A character in one of the stories, he had long ago tried to scandalise her with. Its telling only intriguing her more. Causing her to beg him for more. For that glimpse into his life, that seemed so dangerous and thrilling. That allowed her to laugh out loud, at the 'common' life, that seemed so far removed from anything she knew.

"My new room, is on the east wing!" she grinned up to him. "Should you ever be 'stuck' again, a mere pebble, will afford me to assist you." The teasing smile engulfed her features as he looked down to her. "You can reach the window from the East wall. Next time you're locked out, come to me. Ill help you in." Nodding she laughed. "For a price, mind you. For Ill want to know what you were up to."

His touch was comforting. All the steeds in the world, a thousand gems, new jewls.. really, what she wouldn't give, to spend the day right here, as a simple present. The excitement of his tales, swirling deep within her. Yearning to feel the thrill of his adventures.

Yearning for what she didn't know of.

"Tell me more Christopher! Did you see Lady Violet again?"

Ah Lady Violet. How Anna had reeled when she heard that he'd spoken to her at a tavern. That she wore her hair down, with her veluptous frame, accentuated by a tight corset. That her 'manners teacher' had lived a barwenches life. She'd begged him for every detail. Sworn to secrecy on the information, she sat wideyed as he told of her 'improper' behaviour. How thrilling!

"Did she look to you this time? You are very handsome, she has to have noticed you!"

 

[Ramcio]

He smiled happily as he heard her explain that he would be able to see her at nights aswell now. He smiled and thought to himself that he might even have to fake being locked out when he missed her.

Blushing deeply he sort of explained how The Lady violet seemed to only be interested in him when another woman would demand his attention. "Maybe you need to tag along one night. You can be my lady for the night. See how everyone reacts"

 

[Stokedflames]

Her eyes widening at Christophers easy jest, a loud laugh burst out her lips. Snapping her mouth closed, Anna grinned trying to contain her giggles.

Surely, he knew there was no way she could be seen in public without the 'royal occasion' to accompany such an appearance. Less still to be out at a tavern, on the arm of a Gardener. How she yeared it to be true. What fun it would be, to do something so.. normal. A drink, in a tavern. To see for herself in person, the tales he came back with.

Getting her giggles under control, Anna reached up, touching his cheek, tilting her head apologetically. "You know I don't laugh at you surely. The idea is just so wickedly proposperous!"

Picking up the rose, she smelled it again, reaching up, to run the heavy bloom across his eyes. "You have a farther chance, making this a 'lady of the evening' than getting me to come with you." Sighing, she brought the velvety petals back down to her cheek, nuzzling the fragrant bloom, before looking back up to her friend.

"Id give my crown, to go. To spend one night, as you do. To drink with friends, and hear tales of 'the road'. To see what you see, and to be on your handsome arm my dear friend. That would be a dream come true."

Nodding, Anna shrugged. "But, it would also fetch a nightmare on my parents. But for their daughter do anything but sit and be pretty. How boring, how... "

Her eyes widened, as she looked back up to Christopher. "Could you? A disguise good enough, for a glimpse? A meager few hours? Do you think we could? Run away, like old times?! Oh! But that would be fun.. "

 

[Ramcio]

He laughed and pulled her up, standing he ruffled her hair. Laughing "See? A different image completly! Now strike a pose. Lets see if you have the attitude." Laughing again he took the rose from her and placed it in his teeth. Growling softly at her he spun and posed. A free "cough" non royal person "cough" should be free spirited!

 

[Stokedflames]

Laughing, as he pulled her up, Anna ducked as he ruffled her hair, tendrils falling in her face, as the ringlets seperated.

"I think it might take a bit more work than that." Thinking, she nodded as the glint of mischief sparkled in her eyes. Laughing she tried to strike as stern a pose she could. The ladies of the town she'd seen, always carried themselves with determination, and the stretch of hard work. They never seemed to be questioning over their shoulders for the proper thing to stay, or do. They just did. Anna longed to feel that sure of herself.

"Rye. Straight, with a twist." She ordered. Forcing the wince down, at even uttering a command for a drink. She knew it sounded weak.

Laughing, she shook her head. "Yeah, I could pull it off about as well as a Monkey could replace my father at the throne. Oh.. its such a fun thought though. What sorts of things would we do?"

 

[Ramcio]

He laughed at her ramblings. "You worry too much. As for what we would do." He held out his hand and took hers pulling her close and spinning her around before dipping her, the rose still in his teeth. "We would dance!" He pulled her back up and spun her away form him as he leaped and swung from a low branch. "We'd play!" Dropping down he pulled the rose from his teeh and pulled her close, the only thing seperating their faces was the soft petals. "We would just have fun"

 

[Stokedflames]

Anna threw her head back and laughed as he dipped her so deeply, she felt her hair tickling the grass. His exlamation as he righted her, and spun her away from him, causing Anna to catch her breath.

Her grin only widened as she watched his antics until he pulled her close again. This was why he was her dearest friend. He treated her as a friend. Not with the delicate gloves that everyone else handled her by. He knew how to laugh. Liked to make her laugh.

The soft petals of the rose, tickled her cheek, as she looked past it, to his warm inviting eyes. Impossible to say 'no' to. Harder still, when she was so hard pressed to find good reason to.

"Miss Anna! Where have you gone child? Come back to me, this INSTANT!"

Anna smiled, pulling herself away from him. Pulling on her composure like a heavy coat. One she never quite fit into.

"It sounds lovely Christopher. Shall I survive the day, you have a deal. If you're brave enough." She added, the mishchevious glint, colouring her held features. "Tonight, after dinner, after my 'dressing down' and Nan, is gone. Ill try to come down. If I make it, Ill be in the greenhouse. Should you meet me, Id like to see this 'fun' you speak of."

Nodding, she smiled turning back to the world she was expected to. Stepping forward, she stopped when she was a few steps from the door. Turning back to squint through the sunlight to her friend. "I look forward to it, my friend." She whispered, nodding a formal goodbye before stepping into the scolding hands of her Nan.

"Where have you been? Lord Horatio has been waiting HOURS for you!"

 

[Ramcio]

Christopher smiled into her eyes as she was called and slowly stepped away from her. He knew that thier freindship was secret and would never do anything to jeapordize it. She was his everyting and would never want to put her in trouble.

Nodding at her hushed words and plans of meeting him. "Anna I will show you a world of which you never knew. If you are able to come out tonight, you shall be my lady, my woman. So best be ready for a good time. He winked before she pulled away from him.

He watched his best freind walk away and towards the house and smiled as she turned on the stairs, still holding the rose to his nose he smiled at her and winked playfully.

 

[Stokedflames]

Stepping across the threshold, Anna was thrust back into her world, like jumping into a frigid pool.

"Anna! You're still in your breakfast dress!" Pulling at her clothes, Nan pushed her forward ushering her up the stairs. "Lord Horatio has been EVER so patient. And you don't want to keep him waiting!"

Rushing up the stairs, Anna rolled her eyes. Right. The proper dress, the proper receival. All so she could sum up her life, to be the proper bore for the next lifetime.

Looking out the window, as Nan tightened the strings of the corset, Anna watched the roses, blowing in the breeze. Thinking on the light touch of the petals at her cheek, instead of the constricting confines of her formal dress.

"Stop smiling so oddly girl! He'll think you're daft! Then where will you be?"

The smile faded quickly, as the formal dress was pulled over her head, and quickly done up. Looking in the mirror, Anna sighed.

"Lord Horatio, is a conceited, pompous windbag! How can Father even begin to think..."

Quick hands ushered her forward, rushing her down the stairs to the parlour.

"Princess Anna!" Was announced, before she had a chance to place herself. Eyes falling to the vase, stuffed with white blooms on the piano.

"Lord Horatio.. how pleasant to see you again."

 

[milfhunter23]

End of He smiles trying to keep from strangling her father when they had last met he had made it seem like the vows were all but said. His family was one of the largest and most prestigious military families in the country. When she finally arrived he took her by the hand he needed to speak to her alone. He nearly dragged her to the study “Why haven’t you told you’re father yet if you want to break it off then I should. Want the diamond back” the princess being a practical woman had taken his generous offer of a fist sized raw diamond taken in imperial conquest. He was angry finally he let her hand go it could not be that gardener the one she had started fancying a year ago what he could ever give her that he could not and better.

 

[Ramcio]

He smiled and went back to taking care of the garded. He finished up his work and returned to his quarters, changing and freshening up. As much as he hated to see her and her suiters. He couldnt resist a chance at seeing her.

He stood at the door to the room and watched as she went about her duities as princess. He loved how she moved, how graceful she moved. Still holding the rose from thier morning visit

 

[Stokedflames]

Lord Horatio's tight grip on her arm alarmed her as they moved quickly from the parlor to the study. Casting a worried look to her Nan, the woman's eyes betrayed her, as they fell to the carpet.

A suitor was a transaction. One held in higher steed than her own hopes and wishes. Though she understood that, she couldn't help the desperate twinge she felt, as she was ushered to the next room at the angry Lord's hand.

"Ive done nothing of the kind." She retorted, holding her tongue at the last minute. "The diamond was an offer. Much like the offers on the table from 4 other suitors. The pairing is whats in best interest of my family." She explained calmly, moving to put the table between them. Lord Horatio's angry eyes, up set her. Held up in contrast to the smiling easy eyes of her friend.

"What do you have to bring? What does my family gain? Some tired horses, and odd looking hounds? I have good mind to call it off, you .." Anna bit her tongue, getting her anger under control. Raised voices, weren't proper.

"You know as well as I do, this has little to do with either of our desires."

 

[milfhunter23]

he looks at her coldly “A place far from here I can get you what you always wanted freedom” he holds his breath the commonness of it keeping the item as if it was nothing more then a bribe. He looks at her he knows she is desirable but he can have any whore for that reason. “A travel permit you know you want to see the world to escape form this small dusty country” it was true the actual wealth of his family was small but they held great sway they were the military. He knew the brat wanted to travel he had seen the world savages and sand covered most of it. He looked at her again it was true she had grown in the two years she had been seeing suitors of mind but not of body. He did have the urge to strike her or to take her here and now and show her the place of all women but he needed something from her.

 

[Stokedflames]

Anna looked to Lord Horatio, her breath catching in her throat. Casting dreams, and wishes about, as if he had any right to utter them.

Looking around, to be sure they were alone, she dropped her voice, sending the best scandalised look she could across the small space that separated them.

"How dare you!"

The look he held, was not one of kindness. Nor, was it one that begged provoking. It was the look, Anna had grown weary of. Suitors, pumped up on money and power. With no hope of warmth or kindness. Just here to get what they needed. What they felt they deserved.

"To suggest something so... ludicrous! So.. " Anger licked up, at the thought of her deepest secrets being tossed on the table as a bargaining chip. "To want a place, any other than my rightful one, on the throne. To think you can.. bribe me otherwise." Emotions had moved her forward, so she was standing infront of Lord Horatio, delicate hands balled into fists at her sides.

"You can take your measly diamond, AND your breedstock Sir! Id gladly sit with one of your stablehands, than spend another mere moment in the sights of your eyes. Good Day"

 

[milfhunter23]

Grabbing her by the arm he pulls her into his embrace and kisses her loosing himself in a moment of passion the kiss deepens. “Listen you spoiled child if you think you can ruin my plans then think again. He looks into her eyes shock and anger and a little fear never has he lost control in such a manner so he kisses her again then tosses her used onto a chair. “and don’t think to call you’re father he would never believe you” he looks at her then wipes the lipstick of his face. Should he leave no that would make him look guilty he waits for a response.

 

[Stokedflames]

Clenched fists, crushed between them, as Anna tried in vain to keep a respectable distance. Lord Horatio's rough hands, pulling her towards him. Scandalized as his lips covered hers, Anna pushed harder to be released, which only tightened his grip. His lips stealing more than he had any right to.

When he finally did let go, she was cast into the soft receiving chair, banging her elbow on the hard mahogany rest. His spitting words, lost in the sheer indignation of it. Seeing red, Anna stood up again to protest, his cold words stopping her in her tracks.

“...and don’t think to call you’re father he would never believe you”

Infuriatingly, he had a point. In the royal household, a woman only received, what she well and good asked for. Especially in the eyes of her Father; who's own criticisms hovered dangerously close to reprimand, of her 'antics' in the garden. 'Harmless childhood games, are one thing Anna. You're a grown woman now. You need to ACT like it.'

Stepping back to put further distance between them, Anna cast her eyes about the oversized room. Suddenly feeling very alone. Anger draining, to make way for the small insidious twinge of fear, as she looked over the heavy doors, and leaded glass windows. Working up the courage to level a stern, cold gaze at Lord Horatio, Anna tilted her head up.

"I said Good Day.."

 

[Ramcio]

Christopher had been watching them through one of the windows. He couldnt help himself. He cared too much for her. As he watched thier heated words and angry actions, he to became furious. How dare this pompous rich boy talk to his beloved Anna this way.

His eyes widened in shock as he saw him kiss her forcefully. He couldnt take it. It went right to his heart and he turned, running across the grounds and back to his quarters. His chest heaving with rage. How could he have been such a fool. To love her, hope for them to be together somehow. He could never compare to these men that came from all over the world.