Roses for Aria

Chapter 2: Black Rose

Because anxiety was eating her up, Aria could feel her legs trembling as she swung the club again. The ball was thrown to the other side of the garden. She looked down after him.

Francis gently tapped her shoulder. “It is alright, Aria. There is no need to be ashamed if you miss the ball. We can all make mistakes. As long as you do your best, this is the best way to learn and to get better.” Aria glanced at him.

“Next time, you should not try to make your legs treble while you play croquet. You should try to make your knees relaxed so that you will have a solid stance when you swing the club. Also, if you’re going to swing the club, just think of it as you are just moving your body and not trying to swing the club.” Francis instructed her. Aria guessed that Francis was right about it as she stared at

him performing his turn.

“Well, have you already realized that Croquet is not for a little girl like you,” Clarisse said in a teasing manner. Briana rolled her eyes.

“I know that I’m still a beginner.” Aria pouted as she hid her clenched fist. “I’m not a little girl anymore, Clarisse.” She gave her sisters a warning look.

They saw Francis’s ball kicked off Briana’s. Finally, it was Keith’s final turn. He got the farthest ring again. Keith smiled happily as he got the farthest.

“Finally, I won again!” Keith shouted as he clenched his fist.

“Congrats, Keith.” Aria said with her soft voice.

Keith then picked up the ball. “Thanks! I appreciate your compliment about how I did today with this game. Sorry, Aria. You need to take the sessions with you, Francis, and me.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Aria smiled bitterly.

“Lady luck was on your side today, Keith.” Clarisse said as she fanned herself out of

the garden. Francis gave Aria a warm hug to calm her down. “You don’t need to worry, Aria. I know

that this could hurt your pride. But I am sure that you will win the next time we play croquet. Don’t let this defeat hold you back.” He said with optimism.

“You are still young, Aria. You still have so much time to learn and to get better at playing.” He placed his hands on both her shoulders. “I want you to cheer you up.” He said while giving her a sweet smile. “If Keith won’t do it, I

could teach you every trick in the book on Croquet, if you want.”

“Hey! I am still here.” Keith protested. Aria was surprised when Francis hugged her. “Sure. Actually, I enjoy the entire

game.” Then, she thought for a moment. “How about I teach you how to play the piano, then you’ll teach me how to play croquet?”

“Don’t forget to find time to play croquet with me, Aria,” Keith interrupted. Aria nodded to him. “Sure, if you have free time too.”

Aria was quite surprised when she woke up from her sleep. On the side of her bed, she saw a long-stemmed white tulip. Clarisse asked her once if someone had been given a white tulip. It meant that he was yearning for new love or new hope. It also signifies purity and elegance. She picked it up and smelled the white tulip. The sweet smell made her like she was an angel flying above the white puffy clouds. Then, she thought for a moment about where it came from. She assumed that might be from Francis. He’s a gentle person and finesse. Unlike Keith who had a kind of rough personality. It could also be Henry who was silent. Maybe, he’s her silent admirer.

Carefully, she replaced the water inside the vase. She put the white tulip, after she removed the dried flowers, on the top of her desk.

“Aria, can you help to prepare some breakfast in the kitchen?” Briana asked her after she opened the door.

“I would love to help you. I guess that you want to impress someone. Am I right?” Aria smiled as she saw her sister’s cheeks turn red. “Is it Francis, Keith, or Henry?”

“Oh, I am not impressing those Harrisons. I just felt that I was missing baking something, and Henry told me that I could check it in the kitchen.” She folded her arms. “Are you in, Aria?”

“Of course. I love it too.” Aria quickly took her white apron ensemble and tied it with her silver negligee.

---~~~---

Aria helped Briana to create some cookie dough. However, some flour powder remained on the sides of her cheeks. She didn’t mind it all. Then, they set those cookies inside the oven before the two Harrison brothers came in.

“Good morning.” Aria happily greeted them. “Do you have some sweet dreams?”

Francis gently held her hand. “Of course, I do.” ‘If I could just tell that my dream is to have you forever…’ He noticed that Aria looked puzzled when she stared at his green eyes. “Did I something weird, Aria?”

Aria shook her head. Then, she bumped her head at Keith. “You better watch out where you’re going, young lady.” He gently wiped off the flour powder on her cheeks with his fingers. “How about you? Do you have a sweet dream too?”

“Well…I…”

“The cookies and the banana loaf are ready!” Briana exclaimed as she carefully opened the oven door with her mittens. “Aria, please help me here.” Aria followed her instructions. The Harrison brothers watched them decorate the sweets. Francis helped them to place the sweets on the tray. Keith carried the trays for them.

“Here’s yours.” Keith carefully poured the hot chocolate into Aria’s cup. “Do you prefer some marshmallows too?”

“Okay.” Aria watched him put four little colorful marshmallows inside her cup. Slowly, she took a sip of her hot chocolate. “This is great for having breakfast with the one you love.” She quickly covered her lips with her cup when her sisters stared at her. “Oops, sometimes, I’m a bit carried away.” Then, she sipped the remaining liquid inside her cup.

Keith could see the hot chocolate stains on her upper lips. “Here.” He quickly wiped the chocolate stains with the table napkin. It made Aria’s cheeks turn red.

“Do you want another slice of banana loaf?” Francis took a slice of banana loaf when Aria nodded. “Here, you go. You can drizzle some caramel sauce on it.”

“I just wonder who gave the white tulip on my bed a while ago,” Aria quickly said. It made Keith cough after he sipped his coffee. Francis turned to Henry. Henry remained silent as he watched Aria taking a bite of her banana loaf. “To whom who gave it me, I want to say a million thanks to him. It’s my first time to receive a flower.”

“You’re not the one who received one, Aria.” Clarisse sipped her coffee. “I received a yellow tulip.”

“While me, I received a pink one.” Briana replied.

“Oh?” Aria looked at them with dismay.

Francis held her hand. “Why don’t we visit the city in the afternoon? I want you to explore our city, Miss Aria.” It made Aria’s bluish eyes sparkle. “I love you too.” Francis could see the sweet smile on Aria’s face when she replied. “It’s settled then.”

---~~~---

Aria walked to the portrait gallery of the Harrison mansion after Francis told her to meet him in the library after fifteen minutes. He had some important errands to work on. However, she couldn’t believe that she had forgotten to ask him where it was located again. It seemed that her short-term memory came back again. Then, she stopped at one of the beautiful portraits in the middle. It’s a lady wearing a green dress. She looked exactly like Keith, who had bluish eyes. Her hair was lighter yellow like Henry’s.

“That’s my mother,” Henry said with his baritone voice. Aria turned in his direction. He was wearing a lilac suit and a white ruffled collar in the middle of it. “Sadly, she died after I was born.” Aria stared at his blue eyes. He had the same marvelous eyes as Keith too.

“Uhm…” Aria folded her arms. “We suffered the same fate.” She looked down. “Queen Beatrice died the same night I was born. She referred it to her mother, who she had never seen at all throughout her life. Only through the made-out stories coming from her grandfather and father, had she learned to know about her mother’s whereabouts before.

“It must have been hard for you all throughout your life, Milady,” Henry sighed. “I can imagine how tough it was for you. It makes me sad to hear a story like yours. It makes me miss my mother even more.” He looked at Aria with a concerned look drawn on his face. “Do not worry. I am here for you if you need someone to talk with. If you ever feel alone or lost, I will always be right here if you need anything.” Then, Aria could feel his hand placed on her shoulder in order to comfort her.

“T-thanks, Henry.” Aria tried to give him a smile. “D-did you paint this all by yourself? Francis told me once that you actually love to paint.”

Henry nodded as he looked at the painting. “Yes, I did paint this by myself. I love making art within my passion. It helps me express how I really feel.” He smiled at her. “I always take my time with my paintings so they can have a lot of detail and character to them. With this painting…it’s one of my first, which is why it’s a bit flawed. Do you like it?”

“Yes, I do love it. It seemed that she looked like she was still alive. I wish my mother also looked like her too. I could only hear her from the stories of my grandfather and my father. They said that she had long, red hair, and bluish eyes just like mine. I did not inherit her hair color because I have a blonde like my father…I envied my elder sisters who got their chance to spend their time with her. They said that she spoiled them a lot.” Aria explained.

Henry gently grabbed Aria’s shoulders and stared at her beautiful blue eyes. “Do not let your mother disappear in the shadow. You may not have gotten her features, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t with you. Always remember that she is still a part of you, so never think she will be forgotten. I promise you; she will never be forgotten.” He got closer to her and gave her a hug.

“Do you have any hobbies, Aria?” Henry tried to change the topic.

“Oh, I forgot about the promise that I needed to go to the library. Francis told me to meet him there to play the piano with him.” Then, she looked down. “Too bad, I forgot where the library was.”

---~~~---

“Finally, I got this jewel from one of the poor families who got a large debt from me.” Tucson, the jeweler carefully rolled the jewelry machine to check if the emerald stone in the middle of a white-gold plaited ring was an authentic. “The old woman told me that it’s worth millions of sterling compared to diamonds that could be mined everywhere in Transvale. I never thought that I could get this for an easy task.” He stretched his arms. Then, he placed the ring back in his jeweler's vault.

Tucson went downstairs when someone called him out. The wind jeweled the curtain of his room where the jeweler's vault was located. There was a young man who had blonde hair wearing a black suit and a red cape who entered his room silently.

Aria lost track of Francis when they crossed to the streets of Lion’s Gate city, the capital of Myth Gates. It made her a little bit nervous because it was her first time to explore the city. Plus, she forgot to borrow the map from Francis. Her stomach started growling because they left the mansion and missed out on the afternoon tea. Aria sighed and stopped for a while. Maybe Francis was also looking for her too. A newspaper flew into her hands. Her eyes looked straight at the headlines. A jewellery thief called Black Rose robbed a jewellery vault from a certain jewelry shop yesterday.

Aria was flabbergasted when she heard a loud noise. A young blonde-haired man wearing a black suit and a red cape landed in front of her. He was wearing a white mask. Under his mask, he had beautiful eyes. Aria was confused about whether it was blue or green. He had the same facial features as Keith or Francis. There was a black rose placed inside the pocket of his suit. Aria was supposed to say something when they heard the policemen were coming to their side.

The young man covered his mouth with his hands in order to prevent any noise from occurring. Then, he pulled her to the dark alley.

“You have to stay quiet, Aria.” He whispered in a softer voice. Aria wondered how he knew her name. His voice seemed familiar. However, she remained quiet because it might endanger her life too, since she was with a stranger. “We have to keep quiet until all of them leave.” “Alright?” He asked, as only a mere whisper could come out of his mouth.

When they felt that the policemen were already passing by, Aria turned to the masked man behind her. “W-who are you?” It’s quite unusual for her to stutter in front of a stranger. The masked man did not say any single word. “H-how do you know my name? Do I know you? Have we met before?”

The masked man cleared his throat. “I’m just a normal citizen.” He took a deep breath. “You might’ve seen me before somewhere, since I often pass by.” He said as Aria could feel the nerves mixed in his voice. It was a very close call for the two of them. Plus, he was scared that Aria might expose his identity. He then placed his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath. “I’m going to see if they are already gone before we are out.” Aria nodded and waited for him. Quickly, he entered the corner and poked his head a little to see if the policemen were away on the main street.

“Uhm… They’re already gone.” Aria said with her soft voice.

“You’re right, they’re gone.” The masked man replied as he let out a deep breath. He was scared to imagine himself getting caught. Then, he gave a short-stemmed black rose to Aria. She received it and glanced at his bluish eyes.

“I shall go before you. Be careful of not getting caught.” Then, she waved her hand before she ran away. Then, the masked man waved his hand at her. He took his rope from his hidden duffel bag and leapt to the other roof.

“Aria!” Francis shouted as he ran to Aria’s side. He almost lost his balance; Aria could hear his breathing heavier. His sweat dropped from his forehead to both sides of his face. “T-there you are…” He bent his two knees and stared at her “Where have… you been? I have been looking for you for so long.”

“I’m so sorry if I let you worry too much.” Aria held his arm. “Shall we buy some refreshments before we check the local bookstore?”

“O-ok.” Francis wiped his sweat drops and tried to put back his composure. “Just promise me that you’ll not leave me again. It made me worried for so long.”

“Yes, Francis. I won’t leave you again.” Aria smiled at him. Thus, Francis felt the caress of her breath on his cheek.

----~~~---

“Hold still, Aria.” Briana tied the red ribbon behind her waist. Aria closed her eyes as she could feel the ribbon tighten. Her older sister sprayed some floral-scented perfume on both her wrists and neck. “This will be perfect for you at the ball party.” Briana carefully knotted the red fabric on the middle of her golden hair. “Remember, you need to dance with someone tonight. Have you chosen among the three Harrisons?”

Aria couldn’t talk about her choice. She’s still confused between the three. Francis was more refined than Keith. Henry was taller than her, so it could be harder for her to dance with him. Plus, she can’t remember how to dance a waltz. If she wobbled out on the dance floor, it might ruin the whole night. She remained silent as she listened to Briana’s whereabouts.

“Ladies…” Clarisse gently opened the door. Her red hair was perfectly matched with her emerald green empire-cut dress. Briana wore her pair of white gloves that matched the white gown full of crystals. Aria stared at herself in the long-standing mirror. She’s wearing a white and red off-shoulder gown. “We should go downstairs now.”

Briana agreed. “Now, remember this. You must try to be confident on the dance floor. Do not worry, young one. One of the Harrisons will guide you since it will be the first for you to do it.” She’s right. It will be Aria’s first time to dance for a lot of people.

Aria was left in Briana’s bedroom. She could hear the Blue Danube music had started on the dance floor. Anxiety almost ate her up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy that you have come tonight to our charity ball to support the Lion’s Gate hospital. Thank you for coming. Now, one of the primary sponsors of this event, I may present to you, my oldest among the three. Francis Harrison, would like to address you all.” Francois happily announced. Aria stopped for a moment to have a little peek at what was going on.

Francis smiled at them. “Thank you for coming here. I know that many families, especially poor families, will be helped after this event. However, not just here, there are other countries that need hospitals like ours with some adequate facilities. Especially in Estoche.”

“Es-toche?” Aria stopped and listened to Francis’s announcement. Estoche was 24 miles away from the capital. It’s the last town and there is only a small population living there. It’s famous for mining emeralds. Emeralds were more rare than diamonds in Transvale. Only brave people decided to stay there because it’s near the entrance going to Kaldea. Kaldea was home to dark creatures---probably monsters lurking in the middle of the dark forest.

“That is why I’m counting on everyone to continue to support me and my foundation as well.” Francis raised his glass of champagne.

Francois turned to the Countess of Petrova. “Nice to meet you, Countess Lana Petrova. Did you enjoy your stay here?” He kissed the palm of her hand.

“Of course, I am.” Then, Countess of Petrova glanced at Francis. “Wow, you grew up so fast and manly. Well, I want you to meet my only daughter. Eloisa Petrova.”

Eloisa wore a pink gown and her brown hair was neatly tied in a French style. “I’m Eloisa Petrova. Thank you…” She curtsied in front of Francis. “Inviting us here at the mansion. I’m truly honored.”

“I’m Francis Harrison. Nice to see you here. I’m honored to make you one of your acquaintances.” He smiled at her.

“Today’s Eloisa’s debut at the ball,” Countess of Petrova happily said.

“Really? Is that so?” Francois asked.

“I thought that she must have a dance with Lord Francis then.”

“I agree.” Francois nodded.

“She’s still a child. I just wonder if my Eloisa can please your oldest son.” Countess of Petrova took her feathered fan.

“Of course, she will. She has inherited your beauty, Countess. Plus, we could tell that she might be compared with Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty. Don’t you think, Francis?” Francois turned at Francis.

When Aria heard that Francis was about to dance with another girl besides her, she decided to sneak off the dance floor.

“My apologies.” Francis saw Aria sneaking off of the dance floor. ‘Aria…’ “I don’t know how to dance.” He lied and followed her to the rose garden.

Silently, he placed the glass of champagne on the balcony. He watched Aria mimic the steps of a waltz in the darkness. That impressed him so much. He couldn’t stop himself from watching her. As he watched her dance steps in the dark, Francis then spoke to her. “Aria, are you dancing? I didn’t know that you knew how to dance.” Francis proceeded to grab her hand and then looked directly at her in a curious and loving manner.

When Aria heard Francis’s footsteps coming in her direction, she suddenly hid herself in the darkness inside the rose garden. Soon, she could feel her feet beginning to get sore because of the highheels. She sat on the other side of the golden pavilion.

Francis, who was currently searching for her, tried to look in every corner or every side of the rose garden that she might be in.

“Aria? Are you there?” Francis called out to Aria. He was concerned at the same time. He was afraid that Aria might get lost in this big garden. Francis was also afraid that someone might find Aria before him. His heart was pounding fast, and he was almost thinking something worse if he didn't find her immediately.

They didn’t know that Keith was also there too. He watched them, on the other hand, while drinking his own glass of champagne.

Francis went to the other side; he was shocked when he saw her sitting on the other side of the golden pavilion staring at the night sky. Slowly, he went to Aria’s direction. “Aria…are you there?” He whispered to Aria.

Aria turned her head in Francis’s direction. “I thought that you were going to dance with other ladies inside.” Then, she changed the tone of her voice. “W-what are you doing here? Why don’t you join them instead?”

Francis continued to listen to Aria’s cute voice. At the back of Francis’s mind, he couldn’t help but think about what she said. “Oh yeah, I can’t waste my time dancing with other girls. However, none of them has beauty similar to yours. It’s your beauty who caught my eyes.” He was very happy with what he said to Aria. Then, he sat next to her. “Aria, can I ask you something?” Francis asked Aria out of curiosity.

Aria stared at his green eyes. Those words made her feel a little bit curious. “You can tell me what it is, Francis. What is the question all about?”

After a few seconds, Francis looked at her straight. “Aria, do you like me?” He held her hand. “I just want to know if you like me. Do you really like me?” Francis asked in a calm and confident tone. It made her heart skip a bit. ‘I know your answer, Aria…’

Aria shrugged her shoulders.