The Royal Flower

Chapter 7 – Different Worlds – His World

Daniel

The laboratory had become my first love after I was thrown out of the monastery. I became a monk at eighteen, almost twelve years ago. Before that time, it was just my mother and me. We were alone against the world after my father left us for another woman. I was not proud that I left her, too, but she later understood that I had the calling.

The urge to go to the forest one more time was also a calling of some sort.

As much as the discovery from yesterday was exciting, I did not know how to explain it. Presenting it to other scientists might have dire repercussions, or it might not make any waves. I did not know which one I was more afraid of. They could probably just nod off as I passionately explain my findings – but of what, exactly? They might question my specimen or want to gather from the source themselves. Whatever credibility I used to have seemed to have flown out the window with a certain blonde. Sometimes, I felt the university and its lab only took me seriously was when I was still a monk, and I could deliver the 2-1 deal of science and religion.

I was a 2-1 deal for Selina, as well. Or 3.

“How were they hiding a hunk like you in the monastery, only to let you out and hide you again in the lab? Don’t they know you are my 2 for 1 – how you can be a sinner under the sheets?”

At that time, I found it cute. I was in love. It still hurt to see her posts on social media. Even though I had unfriended her, a common friend still posted his congratulations.

The 2 for 1 was not potent enough. Selina wanted the real deal. Victor had never been good at school, but he had his share of women. I could imagine that perhaps he was the type of lover women wanted, not someone who had to be taught like I had to be.

When I went for a jog in the forest two mornings ago – a Saturday - I just had the urge to pluck more flowers where I found Carolina. My guest was still sleeping, then. She must have spent hours on her new f*******: account, adding pictures and stalking random people. I shook my head affectionately at the memory of her on her stomach, her furrowed brows indicating she was trying to figure out something.

The trip to the forest was based on just a hunch. I did not know what I was expecting when I grabbed different blooms that looked similar to that one flower that distracted me (She still distracts me). More naked women falling through my apparently slippery outstretched hands? But I only went home with flowers in plastic filled with water. I could have just thrown them in the bin, but I somehow held on to them. At home, I placed them in a vase with water as I originally planned with my lab assistant (I know how strange that sounded, but I was getting used to it). The possibility that other Medieval witches or princesses had tried but failed was chilling.

I knew Caro agreed with my assessment. She had turned pale when I told her that the flowers had the same cellular structures as humans. I was very proud of her, my little quick study. However, I thought that something was weighing on her mind. Her obsession with the Internet had, after all, ended the questions that she used to ask me one after the other in rapid succession. It also made her transition to the guestroom easier. I almost missed having her toss and turn next to me at night. My cheeks warmed at that. There was something so familiar and comfortable about her. Having her there did not feel like I had just ushered a complete stranger into my life.

But if I were to be honest, during her first few nights, I almost thought she would transform into a ghoul or a hag – or worse, a succubus who only wanted me for s*x, almost like Selina. I chuckled at that.

Thankfully (or not), Carolina turned out to be a lot more than just a beautiful young woman and more independent than I thought she would be. She had started walking around town on her own, scouring shops to spend the money she earned at the lab. I felt like she wanted to ask me to accompany her at times, but I reasoned that I was just giving myself more importance.

She was funny, and she was not afraid to show who she was. I knew that if she indeed came from the time she said she was, the pressure on women was more tremendous then.

We spent another day at the laboratory in silence. Though she tended to talk a lot, she was serious at work.

“Carolina, we can now close up for the night.”

She looked up at what she was doing, startled from her thoughts. She then proceeded to clear her workspace and then threw her gloves into the bin. Whatever the rules for hygiene were during her time, she sure learned how to follow all the sanitation rules at the lab. Carolina also got used to showering daily. She confessed that it was not like where (or when!) she was from, but that she was luckier than the rest of her queendom. Yes, that was how she phrased it. What was it with me and dominant women? But Carolina’s strength was more from within, although she was a beauty.

I sighed inwardly. It was not the time to consider a romance. I was not good at it and probably never would be. One day, Carolina would try to go back home. My conscience told me to help her, but something else hoped that she would stay.

“Okay, boss. I am ready.”

Carolina walked side by side with me. She even had the habit of linking arms with me.

“We have to play the role well, Daniel. I don’t want your mother asking you to throw me out of your house.”

“Nobody is going to throw your out.”

“But someone might be trying to take me from this world, boss,” she said, sounding worried. I did not know if she noticed that she had grabbed my arm closer to her chest. She was so innocent, more than I was when Selina came along.

“Do you mean those other flowers?”

“Yes. They will try again even if they have to sacrifice a few more witches.”

“I am right here, Caro. I will never let them do that.”

“I like that, boss. I would like to see a flying and kicking monk kick ass.”

We laughed at the image and how her words were becoming more modern each day.