IRREVOCABLE LOVE

Chapter Five: The King's Desire

"The greatest tragedies begin when love is mistaken for possession."

The Royal Botanical Garden had become more than a place of flowers.

It had become the place where two hearts quietly learned to beat as one. And these two hearts were gradually becoming fond of each other.

For the next several days, Prince Danville found himself returning to the garden every afternoon. The garden had taken a substantial part in his life, totally turning all his focus and directions to nothing but the botanical garden and the woman of blossoms in the midst of the flowers.

Officially, he told Leonard he wanted to explore more of Kaldren's famous landmarks.

But, unofficially...

He hoped to see one person. Just one person, and he was never disappointed.

Their sudden bond grew so fast that they couldn't stay a day without the sight of each other.

Every afternoon, beneath the blooming cherry blossoms, under the shades of the garden trees, or beside the lily pond, Precious was there waiting, though neither of them would admit they had begun arranging their days around each other.

"You're late," Precious teased one afternoon as Danville approached. But she longed for each moment with Danville.

He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

"Late?"

Precious answered with a warm inquiring smile.

"So sorry for keeping my flower waiting. I was delayed by a terrible enemy."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And who might that be?"

He sighed dramatically.

"Traffic."

She burst into laughter.

"I thought you were going to say palace guards."

"They're easier to escape than Kaldren traffic."

She laughed so hard that nearby birds fluttered into the sky. Precious loved the funny presence of Danville even if he appeared to be like a lost stranger— she would smile or laugh at the slightest joke that he said.

Danville smiled, as he realized something. He had begun living for moments like this, which he thought, should be forever.

*** * *** * *** *

Seconds turned into minutes, minutes into hours, hours into days, and days turned into weeks.

They walked together through flower gardens, visited museums, shared ice cream from small cafés tucked into quiet streets, and watched sunsets from the palace hill overlooking Kaldren, and admired the beauty of Kaldoria.

Sometimes they spoke for hours.

Sometimes they simply enjoyed each other's silence. And most of the time, made jest of all the funny looking people they'd encountered.

One evening, they sat beside a small lake inside the garden.

The water reflected the orange glow of the setting sun and the breeze swirled with rhythms that encouraged the birds to sing more.

Precious gently skipped a pebble across the surface.

"You know…my mother used to bring me here," she said softly.

"When I was little."

Danville looked at her.

"You miss her so much."

She nodded.

"Yes I do. Till forever."

"She always told me that flowers bloom because they refuse to give up after the rain."

Danville smiled.

"She sounds like a wise and determined woman."

"She was."

After a moment of silence, Danville reached into his jacket pocket.

"I have something for you."

Precious looked surprised.

"For me?"

He nodded.

Inside a small velvet box lay a delicate silver pendant shaped like a violet flower.

Its petals shimmered beautifully in the evening light.

Precious's eyes widened.

“Oh…”

"...It's beautiful..."

"I saw it yesterday."

"And the moment I did..."

He smiled warmly.

"It reminded me of you."

She looked at him curiously.

"Why a violet?"

Danville gently took her hand.

"Because purple represents loyalty, grace, and quiet strength."

He looked into her eyes.

"And because from the day I met you..."

“...I've thought of you as my flower. Not just any flower, but my ‘Purple flower'.”

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stand still.

"My... Purple Flower?" she repeated softly.

Danville nodded.

"It's what I'll always call you. Now and forever."

Tears gathered in her eyes, not from sadness, but from a joy she had never known.

"No one has ever given me a nickname like this before."

She smiled through her tears.

"Then I suppose..."

"...I'll have to give you one too."

Danville chuckled.

"Oh?"

She stepped closer.

Her fingers gently rested over his heart.

“Then Danville, You're my Lion.”

He blinked.

"My Lion?"

"Yes. I've always wanted to call you that. You protect people..."

"You make me feel safe."

"And even when you're gentle..."

"I can see the strength inside you."

Her smile grew brighter.

"So yes..."

"You're my Lion."

Danville laughed softly.

"I think I like that. I mean,I really like that."

Precious laughed too.

"I was hoping you would."

Precious drew closer to him and rested her head on his chest. Danville smiled as he stroked her long chestnut hair.

Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked beyond the garden gates. Inside, King Lorgart Ashken watched every moment through the tinted window.

His jaw tightened as Danville slipped the pendant around Precious's neck.

The king's fingers curled around his crystal glass.

Without warning—

Crash!

The glass shattered in his hand and the red wine dripped onto the leather seat like blood.

General Varok looked down.

"Your Majesty..."

Lorgart didn't even glance at his bleeding palm.

"How long?"

Varok hesitated.

"Sorry for the delay, our informants estimate they have been meeting for nearly three weeks."

Three weeks! — banged dangerously in the King's head.

For three weeks another man had been winning the heart of the woman he intended to possess.

His breathing became slow now.

Dangerously slow.

"I offered her the world."

"And she smiled more brightly at the necklace."

He looked out the window again.

"No."

"It isn't a necklace."

"It's him."

Varok remained silent, as though he was a mime. Lorgart's voice became cold enough to freeze the air.

"Arrange a meeting with Minister Antony Willes."

"Tomorrow morning."

"I have a proposal for his daughter."

Varok bowed his head and left, as the king glared at the two couples.

The next morning, the grand council chamber of Kaldoria echoed with quiet conversation as ministers gathered for the weekly royal assembly. They did this weekly, as they reviewed the developments and matters of the country— thereby discussing how to improve the country's income.

Minister Antony Willes stood among them, reviewing reports on national development projects worth over 120 million KL (Kaldoria Lira).

Then, the massive golden doors suddenly opened, taking the attention of everyone present. At the sight of the king, every minister bowed.

"His Majesty, King Lorgart Ashken!"

The royal herald announced.

The king ignored the herald and strode into the chamber with measured confidence. He took his seat upon the throne.

After discussing matters of trade, border security and other urgent matters concerning the country, he looked directly at Antony.

"Minister Willes."

“Yes, your majesty.” Minister Willes answered in a flash of seconds.

The gathering became quiet— everyone stared respectfully at the king, waiting eagerly to hear why he called Willes.

There was quite a long pause and the hall was quiet— except for the breeze that swirled calmly outside the palace windows. The look on the king's eyes pierced through the puris of Minister Willes…

"Remain after the meeting."

The cold voice of the king broke the stillness and Antony bowed.

"As you command, Your Majesty."

The other ministers exchanged curious glances. When the chamber finally emptied, only Antony and the king remained.

Lorgart slowly descended from his throne.

"I'll be brief."

"I wish to marry your daughter."

The words struck Antony like lightning. He blinked in disbelief. Of all he had expected the king to discuss with him, this was nothing to be compared with the least he had thought.

"Your... Majesty?" He stammered.

"You heard me." The king's voice now is so cold and hard, for anyone to bear.

"I have chosen Precious."

"I expect your family's blessing."

Antony struggled to find his voice. It was like the angels of heaven should kill him and then take precious to the sky.

"Sire... this is an honor beyond words."

"But..." King Lorgart's expression darkened.

"But?"

"My daughter deserves the opportunity to choose."

Silence filled the chamber. Lorgart stepped closer, his eyes hardened.

"Choice? Is that what you mean?"

“Well said. But! — ”

"When a king speaks..."

"...there is no choice."

Antony felt a chill run down his spine. He realized the truth! It now dawned on him that this wasn't a proposal…

…It was an order.

Meanwhile...

Unaware of the storm gathering around them, Danville and Precious strolled through the garden once again.

"My Lion..." Precious said softly.

"Hmm?"

"I've been thinking."

"About what?"

She stopped walking.

"I don't actually know everything about you."

Danville smiled.

"Then perhaps..."

"It's time I tell you who I really am."

His expression became serious.

"My name is Danville Harrison..."

"...Crown Prince of Villrede, in the Kingdom of Ashvale."

Precious's eyes widened.

"You... you're a prince?"

Danville nodded.

“How…”Precious stared at him in bewilderment.

“It feels heavy to believe right?”

“I know. I wanted you to know me before you knew my title."

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she smiled, took his hand, and squeezed it gently.

"I fell in love with Danville..."

"...not the crown."

His heart skipped a beat. But before he could answer, his phone vibrated. It was Ethan.

Danville answered.

"Ethan?"

The voice on the other end was urgent.

"Your Highness..."

"Our intelligence has confirmed something."

"King Lorgart knows exactly who you are."

“Whatever you're doing, I tell you, you are not safe. He knows you're an Ashvalian and also about your relationship with precious.”

Danville's smile vanished.

The game had suddenly changed.