(* Authors Notes: I cant believe I am posting this. Anyway, like I said, this is my first attempt, so be nice. If you like it, great. If you dont, tell me why. If you want to send comments privately, you can send them to jessiebear01@hotmail.com. kthnxbai.)
* * * * *
Those who know the real me are few. They are the intuitive. No words needed to be spoken for them to understand, and in turn, they will never breath a word of my true self to anyone. They are masters of the deception.
The first is my sister, Genevive. She has remained my companion though the rest of our family has turned their backs on me. She is my confidant now that I am a female General, and that is inexcusable.
The second was King Til, may he rest in peace. He knew that behind the hardened shell of a soldier, lurked a delicate flower, trying desperately not to be crushed by the ideals of others. When he fell ill, he ordered hundreds of rose bushes to be planted around the castle. He expressed that I should always have time to stop and smell the roses, and , hopefully, the sweet scent would remind me of him. He died not long after that.
Having never known my father, the King had filled the paternal void. Needless to say, his death hit me hard. This is how the third, and final, person came to understand the inner me.
Sir Adelbert Steiner of the Knights of Pluto. It happened simply enough. Alone on the dock late one night, the smell of roses full in bloom permeating the air, I stood and reflected on my life. I though of the mother who disowned her 'boyish' daughter. Of the sisters who were being slowly married off, one by one. Of my absence of father, and the death of my surrogate. Of the hopelessness of the situation before me. Twenty-three years old and responsible for the entire army.
I was suddenly hit by a surge of emotion, and I began to cry. They tears streamed down my cheeks freely, and inwardly, I was quite relieved that no one was awake to witness my weakness. I had spoken to soon however, as the Captain came apon me. I looked a mess, I imagine, with my tear stained cheeks, eyes red and puffy.
He didn't say a word. He simply walked to me and held me against his chest. Although I had known him only a shortly, he didn't ask a word, and I was thankful. We remained like that for what seemed like hours, and when my grief dissipated, he walked me to my room and put me too bed.
When I awoke the next morning, a single blood red rose lay apon my vanity, with a note that simply stated "Believe". Ever since that day, I have awakened to find a fresh rose in the place of the last, and that same clear-cut note.
The End