Stel stood by the rose garden and inhaled deeply. The scene looked same as usual, the bright red flowers swaying in the wind, the attendants trimming and pruning along the hedges, the soft chirping of birds in the trees across the yard. She exhaled, and sat down on the lawn.
'I think I'm getting too comfortable. I'm supposed to be a slave here' she thought aloud and glanced at her delicate fingertips. She looked up and stilled herself, the grass behind her rustled again and again, following the rhythm of footsteps. Soon enough, Blake stood beside her.
'A lovely day to bask in the beauty of the surrounding creations. The god of this land is merciful, Blake's voice came through clearly. He pointed to the space beside her and she nodded, allowing him to sit. He did so happily and inhaled deeply.
'So tell me, what exactly do you like about the outdoors?'
'The fact that I could enjoy the quiet, in peace, alone' she replied. Blake looked at his palms and chuckled. He turned his gaze to the bushes all around them, which were in full bloom.
'I already told you I am nothing like my sister' he said and stood up.
'I can't really believe you, unless you prove it?' She replied and dusting her dress walked into the rose bushes.
Blake looked after her as she left. He lifted his left hand and it was covered in a faint blue glow. He grinned slyly and turned to return to the castle.
Later that day, while Dolores was out making preparation for Delvin's trip, Stel was reading in her room. As she was about to close to sleep, she heard a knock on the door. Her attendant came in to tell her who it was, but before she could speak, Blake walked in behind her. The attendant fell to her knees begging Stel for mercy. Stel dismissed her, and stood up to receive Blake.
'What are you doing here?' She asked. Blake sighed and wiped his face with his hand.
'I came to prove that I am different from my sister' he replied. He stretched his arm toward her and smiled. 'Join me for an outing, will you?'. Stel stared at the outstretched hand and rolled her eyes.
'You realise there is no way I'm going to love this room for the purpose of an outing with you?'
'You don't have to' he replied and Stel found herself seated under a canopy in the garden.
'How?' She asked and Blake smiled.
'There's a lot you don't know about me princess' he said and lifted his elbow toward her. 'Shall we?' He said. Stel hesitated. She remembered Dolores' words and exhaled deeply, 'Fine but don't try anything funny' she said and linked her arm through his.
The duo walked through the gardens to a back exit that seemed to lead out of the palace. Stel stopped and looked questionably at Blake.
'What's going on?' She asked and folded her arms across her chest. Blake walked to the door and held the handle.
'You see princess, just like this door, there's more to me than meet the eye' He turned the handle and the entire wall vanished like an illusion. Stel stumbled back but she was even more stunned by the view previously hidden by the wall. A valley covered in a variety of flowers and trees , all in bloom. She stared in awe at the wonder before her.
'After you princess' Blake said inviting her in. She grabbed her gown and happily frolicked into the grass.
Meanwhile, Delvin sat in his study going through official appeals and infrastructural documents. Sheila sat a little distance from him with a basket of yarn beside her. She was knitting something and hummed an old song as she did. Delvin looked up from the work he was doing.
'What are you knitting?'
'A scarf for the journey' she replied. Delvin straightened up.
'Okay, but will you finish it before we leave?' he asked and dropped a file unto the pile of finished ones. Sheila chuckled, ' if I don't, I'll continue on the journey She replied. Thy heard a thud in the room and turned to the source of the sound to find Belinda standing there.
'You are going on a trip?' She asked and rushed toward Delvin, 'why wasn't I informed? Where are you going? When are you leaving? ' she bombarded him with questions. She reached out to hold his hand but he stood up and moved away from her.
'Yes, I am going on a journey, but where and when. I go isn't your business' he said and exhaled. 'Who let you into my study?' He asked. Belinda smiled.
'I am carrying your child, I wanted him to see his dad today. He's already started kicking.... I don't have morning sickness anymore... But my feet at killing me, they're so swollen...' she began rambling. Delvin covered his face with his hand and sighed.
'Okay, hello little guy, you've seen me, now you can go' he said and gently nudged Belinda towards the door.
'But I wasn't done' she complained.
'I'm busy' he replied and shut the for behind her. 'By god she's annoying' he said and returned to the chair.
' When do we leave anyway?' Sheila asked, she held up the scarf to see her progress. It was already long enough for a small child.
'In a week' he said walked out of the study. Sheila quickly packed up her basket and hurried after him.
Stel skipped down the garden path towards the castle. Blake followed behind her smiling as he clasped his hands behind him.
'Have fun?' He asked . Stel beamed as she twirled and stopped so she was facing him. 'It was tolerable' she said and then continued on her way. 'Would you like to do it again?' He asked. 'Maybe' she replied as they reached the canopy where they first appeared outside. 'And thank you for a tolerable day' she said and walked away. Blake stood smiling. 'And think you princess for being so stupid' he said and vanished.