IRREVOCABLE LOVE

Chapter three: A garden of destiny

"Sometimes destiny does not announce itself with thunder. Sometimes, it arrives as a smile beneath the blossoms of a forgotten garden."

Six Months Earlier…

The Kingdom of Kaldoria basked in the warmth of early springs. In the capital city of Kaldren, a place alive with color, the elegant skyscrapers stood proudly beside centuries-old royal architecture, while fountains sparkled under the morning sun.

Luxury vehicles glided through spotless streets lined with flowering jacaranda trees, while the citizens from every corner of the kingdom filled the markets with laughter, music, and conversation. The towns and streets sang out the beauty of life.

For the first time in years, Prince Danville Harrison had come to Kaldoria—not as a politician, not as a prince, but as the guest of his university friend, Leonard Hayes, whose family owned one of Kaldoria's largest technology companies.

Standing on the balcony of Leonard's penthouse overlooking the city, Danville admired the breathtaking view.

"I'll admit it," he started with a heart-warming smile. "Kaldren is even more beautiful than I imagined."

Leonard chuckled as he adjusted his suit jacket, getting ready for work.

"Just don't let any of my countrymen hear you say that. They might think you're planning to move here."

Danville laughed.

"I think my father would send the royal guards to drag me back to Ashvale."

The two friends shared a laugh.

Leonard suddenly checked his watch, he was almost late for work.

"I have a business meeting with my father this morning. Feel free to explore the city. Just… don't wander near the Royal Palace."

Danville raised an eyebrow.

"Why not?"

Leonard sighed dramatically.

"Because King Lorgart has doubled palace security after receiving intelligence about foreign spies."

Danville placed a hand over his chest in mock offense.

"You think I look like a spy?"

Leonard looked him up and down before grinning.

"No."

"But you look like someone who would accidentally get arrested trying to admire the flowers."

Danville rolled his eyes.

"I'll survive. Trust me, or have you forgotten our school day's."

Leonard smiled.

“Of course not.” There was a little pause. “Alright I give up…you sure know your way. Just be careful.”

He reached for his suitcase and adjusted his tie.

“So, Bud, wish you good luck. Catch you around later.” He concluded and made for the door.

“You too Leo. And make sure you purchase for those kaldorian chocolate's we discussed, that cost a good amount of Kaldoria lira's.”

“Alright…” Leonardo's voice disappeared distantly.

They spoke like they didn't mean it, but little did either of them know...

Those words would change everything.

An hour later...

Danville found himself exactly where Leonard had warned him not to be. Not inside the palace...

But standing before the magnificent Royal Botanical Garden, a place so famous that visitors from around the world came simply to admire its beauty, and experience the flowing graciousness of the whole abode.

Like a bee to a flower, he couldn't resist.

Towering white gates opened into a paradise of roses, lilies, orchids, and cherry blossoms. Marble pathways curved around crystal-clear ponds where graceful swans drifted across the water. The fragrance of blooming flowers filled the air, carried gently by the spring breeze and filtering cool musical strings of nature.

Danville smiled.

"Leonard was wrong," he thought. "This place is worth the risk."

He wandered deeper into the garden, stopping occasionally to admire rare flowers he had never seen before. Danville loved purple flowers and he adored them whenever he came across their unending blooms.

Eventually, he noticed an elderly gardener struggling to carry several heavy pots.

Without hesitation, Danville stepped forward.

"Allow me sir."

The old man looked surprised.

"Oh, young sir, you don't have to."

"I insist."

Danville lifted two of the pots with ease and carried them to the greenhouse.

The gardener smiled warmly.

"Thank you."

"You've saved this old man's back."

Danville laughed.

"My mother says helping people is never a waste of time. And besides, I derive great joy from doing it, making people happy and comfortable."

The gardener nodded approvingly.

"And as I can see, she raised a fine gentleman."

Danville smiled shortly.

As he turned to leave, the gardener called after him.

"Young man..."

"Be careful."

"There are flowers in this garden…"

He smiled mysteriously.

“... yes, flowers…that change a person's life forever."

Danville laughed politely, assuming the old man was speaking in riddles. Though the old man's words were quite humorous and unbelieving— if only Danville knew. Yet, he still believed the old man to be kinda sick in the head.

Elsewhere in the garden...

A young woman knelt beside a bed of white lilies, carefully watering each flower, and making sure each was touched by the water. Her long chestnut hair shimmered beneath the sunlight, as the breeze played gently with the loose strands around her face. She wore a simple cream-colored dress that flowed elegantly around her ankles, making her appear almost like a painting brought to life.

Unlike the palace nobles, she wore no expensive jewelry, not even royal robes. Only a delicate silver bracelet given to her by her late mother.

She smiled softly as a small butterfly landed on her finger.

"You always come back," she whispered. Her smile bloomed like the hibiscus and morning sunflowers.

"You must love these flowers as much as I do."

She continued her dialogue with the insect, making it feel free with her, until her peaceful moment was interrupted by a maid running toward her.

"Lady Precious!" The maid called hastily.

"There you are!"

Precious looked up.

"What is it, Miriam?"

"The Minister has been looking everywhere for you."

"My father?"

"Yes."

"He says King Lorgart has called another emergency council meeting."

A shadow crossed Precious's face.

"Again?"

Miriam nodded.

"The atmosphere at the palace has become tense. You know your father loves your presence." She chuckled.

Precious sighed.

"I'll return shortly." She said reluctantly, as the maid hurried away, Precious remained where she was for another moment.

She looked toward the sky.

…Sometimes…

The garden was the only place where she could breathe freely, away from the luxurious and occupying royal home. Though her father, minister Anthony willes, loved her so much more than any other person and would do what it takes to make her happy. It was fate that destined him to be one of the great ministers of the king of Kaldoria, a position which he forever would remain grateful to.

But even if her father wanted the best for her, the royal gathering still needed the presence of every official member of the royal home and royal title — especially the Minister's family, so it was expected of Precious to always be a part of the royal council.

Being fed up with everything concerning the royal council, she rose to her feet and strode along the garden trying to find any attractive distractions that would keep her within a few seconds before going to the council meeting. Though she admired the flowers as she moved on, none gave her that attractive attention she longed for.

Now frustrated, she gave in to Miriam's words as she dragged her feet reluctantly towards the exit side.

Meanwhile...

Danville unfolded a map of the garden, his countenance highly puzzled to the lightest word. He frowned.

"I could have sworn the exit was this way."

Danville said to no one in common as he walked confidently around a corner.

Then another.

Then another.

He walked around like a lost soul in the wilderness that if you were there with him, you would laugh out your belly. He was quite lost.

Five minutes later...

He stopped.

"This..."

He scratched the back of his head.

"...is definitely not the exit."

Just then, he heard soft laughter behind him and he turned. Standing only a few steps away was the young woman from the lily garden. She had witnessed his entire struggle, which was just the perfect attractive scene she had longed for, and made her mind flow at ease. Now she was trying very hard not to laugh.

Danville smiled sheepishly.

"I suppose I look completely lost."

Precious bit her lip, but the laughter escaped anyway.

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm not laughing at you"

He folded his arms dramatically.

"I think you are."

She finally composed herself.

"Perhaps... just a little."

Danville laughed as well.

"Then I will confess."

"I am officially lost..."

Precious pointed toward a winding stone path before he could complete his words.

"The exit is that way."

He looked where she pointed.

Then back at her.

"I've walked past this path three times."

"Of course I know."

"You watched?"

"I did."

"And you didn't help me?"

She smiled mischievously.

"I wanted to see how long it would take before you admitted defeat."

Danville laughed harder than he had in weeks. There was something refreshing about her.

She wasn't impressed by his expensive clothes nor was she carried away by his good looks. She didn't even recognize him as a prince.

But who she simply saw, was a stranger hopelessly lost in a garden and unable to figure out the exit.

He extended his hand.

"My name is Danville."

She hesitated for a heartbeat before taking it.

"I'm Precious."

Their hands met.

Neither of them could explain why the world suddenly seemed quieter, and appeared as though they were the only souls left in the world.

None could explain why letting go felt unexpectedly difficult.

But far away, hidden behind the palace windows...

A pair of cold eyes watched the garden. King Lorgart Ashken stood silently with a crystal glass in his hand. His other hand pressed to the wall as his gaze rested on the smiling young woman below.

He had noticed her long before today. A beauty to behold! But he longed for her immediately he studied her well created and voluptuous body— for he was the kind of man who seeks for the outside and not the inside. Love was somehow an abomination to him but when it comes to the act of using and dumping, he was actively ready for that. Making this damsel a good taste for him. And having no wife yet at his adult age, added to his longing pleasure for this free lovely damsel.

And for the first time...He saw another man making her laugh... Making her smile.

His expression darkened, his mind clouded dangerously and lust.

He asked quietly,

"Who is he?"

A royal guard bowed.

"We don't know yet, Your Majesty."

Lorgart continued staring through the glass, his mind burning in rage and calculating the young lad standing with the damsel he longed for.

"Find out."

His voice was calm. But there was something frightening beneath that calm.

"Immediately.”