Chapter 12 - A Late Visit and a Gift

Alexandra was carrying a basket once again. She never grew tired of picking flowers and flower arranging, it was fun and it helped her relieve stress and anger at the same time. Ever since Harrison arrived, he told her a lot of confusing things especially about him being older than what he looks and being able to change his form which she gradually accepted. This world is filled with unexpected things, him being very older than he looks and being able to change his form is one of those things, she thought to herself and plucked out a wildflower. Harrison went away, he told Alexandra that he got some things to do that's why she is alone, picking flowers instead of annoying each other. Mari was left behind at the picnic table, Alexandra doesn't want anyone to follow her around at the moment.

Alexandra picked another wildflower and eventually, she noticed that her basket was getting full and she turned around to return to the garden. She walked towards the direction of the picnic table and saw Mari sitting staring at one of the seats. She placed the basket on top of the table gently and took a seat. Another 2 baskets laid on top with roses and carnations of different colors. Mari eventually noticed her presence and she stood up, "Mari, could you go up to my room and take the flower vases whose flowers have withered? I'm going to replace them. And also, there's a small green box inside the drawer beside the bed, please bring it." Alexandra asked her gently while she took out all of the flowers on the basket one by one, organized it into a group. Mari nodded, "As you wish, young miss." Mari bowed first before she turned around and walked the path towards the palace.

Alexandra watched the back of Mari slowly getting far from her and disappeared when she entered the palace. I wonder where Harrison went, she thought to herself while she looked at the clouds at the blue sky. Still, what great weather today. And after Alexandra waited for minutes that seem like hours, Mari came back holding three vases, two small ones and a large one. A small green box laid on top of the vase she was holding. She was walking slowly and gently, being careful not to let go of the delicate flower vases and shattering it into pieces. She gently placed it down the table. "Thank you," Alexandra said and opened the green box. She started to do her thing—flower arranging— which lasted for an hour and a half.

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Alexandra and Mari, with the help of Diana who happened to find them carrying vases while climbing the stairs, carried the vases to Alexandra's room which was at the 3rd floor, her room was the only room found at that floor and aside from that, it was circular and had windows around it. They arrived at her room, panting. It was far and they have to climb each floor. Alexandra just held the small green box because they are afraid that the vase might be too heavy for her to carry and she will stumble backward while going up the stairs. Diana carried two vases while Mari only carried one. It was true that the vases were heavy because she had trouble carrying it with those fragile arms of hers.

They placed it down at the desired places Alexandra asked them to. And after they finished, Mari and Diana bowed. "We'll be taking our leave now. May the glory of the Queenilia Empire shine upon you." They both bid their goodbyes before they left the room. It was just 3 o'clock in the afternoon and she wants to do something. She stood up and walked towards one of the bookshelves of her room, she took out a book and began reading it. She was so indulged in the book that she was reading that she didn't notice Diana calling out to her name for it was already dinner time.

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Alexandra was tucked in the bed by Diana. "Diana, tell me a story." It didn't sound a command but it's more like a request because of her gentle tone. Diana paused for a moment to think of a story, a story that would Alexandra like and make her interested. She doesn't like those typical children's books, maybe she likes legends? Diana thought to herself and immediately she thought of a story. She cleared her throat before she spoke, "Do you know the legend of the crystal rose?" Diana asked her. She sat beside Alexandra's body.

Alexandra became curious, "No." She answered and Diana smiled at her. "You see, people say that the crystal rose never existed, some say that only the worthy would be the only one to see and obtain it. It's located somewhere far, somewhere cold and a place where people can't reach. The crystal rose never wither, it is an immortal flower. Strike it with a sword and the sword breaks, throw it at the wall, the wall breaks. Anyone who possesses this flower will have great mana and knowledge." Diana said excitement was shown in her eyes as she spoke. It was clear that she was also interested in the crystal rose. Alexandra became more curious than before, "Where did the crystal flower come from?" She asked.

"It was believed that a goddess died at that palace, she loves flowers very much especially roses, the leakage of mana after she died caused the roses at that place to become crystal. She was a strong goddess who had high mana or strong magic, she was also intelligent. A fragment of her soul was placed on each one of the crystal roses," Diana paused for a moment before she spoke again. "But that was what they believe. Nobody knows if the crystal rose really do exist or it was all just an imagination." Diana continued.

"That's all, it's almost past your bedtime and you need to sleep," Diana said and patted her head. Alexandra nodded as a response. Diana bowed, "Good night and sweet dreams, young miss. May the Queenilia's sun shine upon you." She bid her goodbyes before she walked towards the door and turned off the lights before she completely walked out. Alexandra watched the door closed and she looked at the ceiling of her room, sighing. The story piqued her interest and she can't sleep at all because of it. It was bothering her, she wondered what the flower looked like, does it glows like the wistalia flowers? Does it look like a gem? Is it heavy?

Her train of thoughts kept coming not until it was cut off by a familiar child's voice. "What are you thinking?"

Alexandra yelped in shock, "Please stop appearing suddenly!" She said and she sat up, her upper body leaned against the headboard and she looked at Harrison standing in front of her bed, the moon's light shone upon his face, she was able to see what face he is making, he had a blank look on. She calmed her heart first, no matter how many times she does it, she never gets used to it. "Why?" Was his response. "It's bad for a child's heart," Alexandra answered. Harrison just hummed and he suddenly throws something at her, "Catch."

Startled, Alexandra almost failed to catch it, when she caught it, she almost dropped it because of its weight. Is there a rock inside? She was confused and stared at the paper bag he gave her. She looked at Harrison and she made a 'What-is-this?' face. Harrison, with a bored look on his face, just shrugged. "Open it." He said. Alexandra looked at him, doubt was seen in her eyes, "Are you sure that if I opened it, something poisonous or something that will kill me will not leak out or appear?" She asked and he groaned and acted that he was hurt by clenching his hurt and making a sad expression. "How could you say that? I'm hurt, I might cry." He said and wiped the fake tears in his eyes. This kid…

She was just joking and the way he reacted made her eyes roll. Of course, even though he is mischievous, playful, annoying and evil at some times, he will never do that. Because if he wanted to kill her, he should have done it from the time she fainted at the lake or the times they were alone. "But seriously, open it." He came back to his usual self, the bored look on his face was there and his red eyes looked at her. Alexandra looked at the paper bag and opened it gently, and saw a book, a thick book with a cover that was actually hard. She took it out of the paper bag and she read the title under the moon's light because the lights weren't turned on.

'All About Flowers'

"Picked it up at the bookstore, though you might want it." He just simply said and Alexandra remained silent, staring at the book on her hands. It was new, the pages are all white not like the books on the library that has old covers and brown pages with tears and fold marks. "Harrison…" She called out to his name, low like a whisper. "I know, I'm amazing, you don't need to thank me." He was still narcissistic and proud of himself. She lifted her gaze and she smiled at him, brightly and cheerfully, her smile was warm like summer sun and it was bright and attractive like a flower. Gratitude can be seen from the face she was making, she thanked him with the use of her smile.

He just looked at her, "Have a good night." He said before he disappeared before her very eyes.

He was very unpredictable. She thought to herself and placed the book gently on top of the drawer beside her.