Chapter 19 Amaryllis
AMARYLLIS
Well, Prince Orion is dreamy... He stayed true to his word, letting me ride alone in his velvet-lined carriage until we arrived at the palace.
And then, like a true gentleman, he stopped just before the entrance gate and made sure I had a servant to escort me back to my bedchamber so Father wouldn’t suspect we’d travelled together unchaperoned.
Our meeting on the road would be a secret, just between the two of us.
I’ll admit my heart fluttered as he kissed my hand before leaving me to return to my room.
So right now, I should be happy. He’s so handsome, I should be painting my own lips crimson, insisting Blossom and Camellia join me as I get ready – maybe even Dahlia so she can teach me how to kiss him. Stars.
But no.
Instead, I’m staring at my pale, tired expression in the mirror, wishing I could’ve met Orion three weeks ago.
Because after last night, my thoughts couldn’t be further away from any charming princes. It’s like I’ve been bewitched, cursed to only think about dark leather under my thighs, strong arms circling my waist, his fingers between my hips—
“You look like a dream, my lady.”
My gasp is loud enough to make both maids flinch.
“Sorry.” I wave my hands, grateful there’s enough powder on my cheeks to hide the embarrassment burning my face.
“It’s alright,” Martha says as they share a giggle. “It’s only natural to be nervous. I heard from the kitchen staff that he’s quite handsome.”
“And tall too with strong arms,” Lena, my other maid, adds dreamily.
I sniff with laughter. Just like someone else I know.
Shaking my head, I swallow thickly.
“Everything alright, My Lady?” Martha asks, dropping my hair.
“Yes.” I nod. “I’m fine. Just can’t wait to meet him.” Forcing a smile, I try to think of nothing more than the deep swirling green of Orion’s eyes until a servant arrives to whisk me away to Father.
Blue.
Orion’s eyes are blue. A pale, icy blue as I stare at them from the doorway of Father’s drawing room.
He’s tidied himself up since this morning, dressed in a regal white overcoat that brings out the gold in his hair. A glass of whiskey sits in his hand, which he swirls as he converses with Father. The steady expression on his face is far from the furious prince I saw storming out of his carriage.
Upon noticing me, he lowers the glass and grins, rising from his armchair as Father rises too.
“Ami.” Father marches towards me with open arms.
His drawing room is smaller than I remember. Long curtains block out the sun from outside, while golden statues on pedestals line the cream walls. Elegant furniture fills the room, casting shadows in the light of the crackling fireplace.
It’s strange how dark it is in here, considering our yellow sunburst emblem that sits proudly above the mantelpiece.
It’s even stranger that I’m being pulled into a hug. Father doesn’t do hugs. Not unless something’s wrong or this prince is far more important than I thought.
“Behave yourself today, Ami,” he hisses into my ear, squeezing me tight. “Prince Orion has travelled a long way to see you, and a union with his kingdom could mean great things for us. Do not disappoint me today.”
My stomach dips. “Yes, Father.” That explains the hug. I should feel sad, but I’m too busy inhaling his bitter scent of whiskey to care at all.
“Allow me to introduce you to your new suitor,” Father declares, stepping out of the hug. “His Royal Highness, Prince Orion” He then turns to the prince, sweeping a hand towards me. “And Orion, allow me to introduce my eldest daughter, Princess Amaryllis.”
I curtsy, meeting his gaze as he rises from a bow.
“It’s truly wonderful to meet you, Princess. You are as radiant as your father described.” He shoots me a wink as a smile tugs at my lips.
I suppose he does have a rather nice voice.
Father drones on about the potential union of our two kingdoms, and I try my hardest to pay attention, I really do. But it’s so difficult to focus while Orion’s heated gaze trails down my gown.
It’s odd. Normally, I can’t stand when new suitors do this, drinking me in with their eyes like I’m the newest wine to be had. But today, it’s different. Today his stare only reminds me of the tavern, and of course the tavern reminds me of Kasimir, and Kasimir, well...
My cheeks burn as Orion watches me with a smirk.
“If I may, Your Majesty,” Orion begins, keeping his gaze fixed on me. “It would be an honour to escort Princess Amaryllis on a walk around the palace grounds this afternoon. If Your Grace will allow us?”
Father beams. “Certainly! Amaryllis would be delighted.”
He slides a glance my way as I nod graciously.
“Of course, Father.”
And with that, I’m ushered out of the room, leaving the gentlemen to their whiskey.
The low sun warms the bench I’m seated on as it dips below the winding hedgerows of the palace grounds.
It’s been hours since I was formally introduced to Orion, and feels like days since I last slept, but instead of letting me nap, my maids insisted on squeezing me into a new violet gown and threading tiny ivory flowers into my hair.
Purity – is what Martha had said the flowers represent. I almost laughed as she wove them into a crown around my head.
I’d barely waited minutes before the prince rounds the corner. He’s discarded the overcoat from our meeting in the drawing room, leaving just a thin white shirt to cover his broad shoulders.
I can’t help but sigh as he approaches. He looks good, really good, like some kind of god with his tousled golden hair and the lazy smile that works across his jaw when he sees me.
“Princess.” He dips his head in greeting.
“Prince Orion.” I rise from the bench, returning his greeting with a shy curtsy.
“It’s a beautiful afternoon,” He casts his gaze across the sun-soaked grounds. “And your father’s palace is truly a vision in itself.” He then turns back to me, grinning. “But neither compares to your beauty, my dear Amaryllis. I hope it’s alright for me to call you that?”
I nod. As if any sane maiden would take issue.
“I also took the liberty of providing our chaperone with a different meeting location.” Mischief dances across his features.
“I know it’s improper for us to be alone together, but I thought it best if we got to know each other without an audience – especially considering our highly improper first meeting this morning.
” He chuckles in a warm, inviting way, but it’s not enough to soften the prickle of unease crawling up my spine.
There’s a beat of silence before he tilts his head, adding, “Only if that is alright with you, my dear?”
“Yes, of course,” I stutter back.
I’m being paranoid. So far Orion’s been nothing but courteous. What’s the worst he could do? Bore me to death by speaking of politics.
Forcing a smile, I wrap my hands around his ivory sleeve. “Let’s walk.”
Orion grins. “I cannot wait to get to know you better.”
For over an hour, we wander through the palace grounds.
Arm in arm, I show him the endless orchards, decorative gardens, fish ponds, and we even pass by the stables.
Thankfully, Dahlia doesn’t rush out to disturb us.
No doubt if she knew we were together unchaperoned, she’d have a few curt words to say to Orion, and even worse, I’d never hear the end of her teasing.
As we walk, the prince shares stories from his kingdom, and in turn I speak volumes about my sisters.
By the time we’re passing the playing fields, he knows each of their names, their favourite gown colours, and exactly how to make each of them smile.
I’m astounded when he repeats it all back to me just as confidently as I’d told him – even down to the specific way Camellia takes her tea in the morning.
“With two sugars and a single teaspoon of almond milk. No more. No less,” he recites smoothly as we pass the last field. “I told you I’m a good listener.”
I can’t help but smile. “You weren’t lying.”
Grinning, Orion pauses our steps and turns towards the vast playing fields.
Nobles are scattered across them, playing croquet, while a few young servants have claimed the smallest patch of grass to kick a ball around.
It’s a pleasant sight to see under the hot evening sun, but uneasiness still churns within me.
If it weren’t for Orion, I’d never dare walk this far out into the palace grounds.
Father doesn’t like us leaving the palace, and we’re not supposed to interact with the nobles.
He said they’d ‘taint us’. I’m still not sure what he means by that, but either way, just standing here so close to the rest of the nobility, and so out in the open, makes me nervous.
“Are you alright, Amaryllis?” Orion’s voice makes me flinch.
Blinking, I shake my head. “Yes, sorry, I’m just—”
“Perhaps we should go somewhere more private?” he suggests, wrapping my arm around his. Before I can reply, he guides us further down the grassy path, away from the fields. “Did I see there was a hedge maze signposted? Perhaps we can take a few minutes to rest there?”
“Yes, there’s a maze here,” I reply, a little breathlessly. Again, technically my sisters and I are not supposed to enter the maze, but maybe Orion is right. Maybe being out of sight might ease the tightness in my chest. At least spending some time in the shade sounds appealing.
He keeps my arm around his as we follow the signs towards the maze, passing by several more fish ponds and dipping beneath a rose-covered arch.
Eventually, we arrive at a much quieter area within the palace grounds. Father’s hedge maze stands proud before us, its thorny green walls towering over Orion as he charges inside.
But instead of following, I find myself slipping out of his grip. Something about this makes me nervous. And it’s not the good kind of nerves, it’s the kind that makes my slippers take root in the grass.