Tada! Enjoy chapter two.


Roses

Lady Louise clasped her right hand around a brass door handle, pulling the elaborate door open while balancing a tray in her other hand, She did so with such grace and silence that one could presume that she simply floated through the wall like an invisible phantom. "Breakfast!" she sang as she approached her erudite husband.

Count Reglay paid no attention to his wife, who set the tray on his desk. He simply glided his index finger across the feeble page of his ancient tome, calculating and memorizing its contents.

Louise studied him with concern. His face had become wan and gaunt over the past few days; his chin was speckled with newborn hair that he neglected to shave. He only received a few hours of sleep which was revealed by his dry, drooping eyes. Sunlight poured in from a small window, illuminating the dusty papers scattered on his desk. A few pots of sand lay on the floor, some broken and others with shriveled, misshapen plants sprouting from the top.

She knew he was curious about the item in the desert sands. Whenever he became intrigued with his studies, he would seclude himself in his room or his library and completely disregard anything else. "He has been over-working himself for much longer than usual, I fear…," she mused.

She put her soft hand on his back, gently rubbing as a sign to show that she was there for him. She patiently waited for him to make any response, but she decided he would not say a word.

When she felt she should leave, she stepped into the hallway. "Farewell," she chimed, though quietly adding, "Just ask me if you need anything, my Lord Pent."


Little swirls of sand drifted from the peaks of the orange dunes as a gentle wind touched their surface. Louise stood beneath the pointed arches of the palace's porch, which led directly into the endless miles of sand. Standing on the flat stairs, she watched the dull wasteland while sorting out her emotions.

"He always does this…I know I should not be concerned, but normally this only lasts a few days. It has been a week, I believe, and he is becoming malnourished. He has told me before that he does not want me to worry about him, but…"

She sighed, casting her amethyst eyes downward. "Not only that, sometimes I wonder if he even cares that I want to help him. When he studies like this, I feel ignored, almost…oh, what am I thinking? That is selfish…"

A warm hand gripped her shoulder.

"Ah!" She flinched and put her hand over her heart, "Oh, Lord Athos…you gave me quite a scare!"

She smiled once more to dispel the distressed look on her face. "Lady Louise, what troubles you?"

Her smile faltered for a moment, and she glanced away. "Lord Athos, I am just very concerned for my husband, Lord Pent. He spends countless hours reading and searching; he is at the point where he does not eat or acknowledge anything else," She looked into his keen grey eyes, ones that had seen a thousand years. "I just get worried about him, though I know he does not want me to feel that way. I cannot help it."

"Lady Louise, it is normal to feel that way about the one you love. Many dedicated sages spend much time learning and reading. Lord Pent has become accustomed to it, I believe; he will be fine if you stay by side."

Louise perceived a wrinkling in his white beard; the elder was smiling. "He appreciates you more that you realize," he chuckled with a wink. "One day, you will see."

Lady Louise remained silent for a moment. "Thank you, Lord Athos."


The sun was shining again, bringing a new morning. Louise had already prepared and delivered meals for the two palace occupants. When she finished her good deeds, she decided to wait outside her husband's room. She desired to be with him, close to him, but she did not want to disturb him. Just to be nearby would satisfy her. She played with her golden locks, twisting them into a loose braid.

Just as she decided to leave, the studious count hastily opened the door. "Oh, Lady Louise, forgive me if I have startled you," he apologized with a boyish smile.

"Oh, no, no, my lord…may I ask what is the matter?"

"I have just mastered a new tome…I must show it to you," he declared excitedly.

"Oh, that is wonderful!"

Lord Pent retrieved an old book, the same one he was studying the other morning. Louise glimpsed into his room; sand and broken pottery smothered the floor. "What has he been doing?"

Linking her arm in his, Lord Pent led his wife outside. He acted as if he were a child with a new play toy, excited and anxious to show it to others. They went down a lengthy hall and came to the arched patio.

"Stand here, darling," Lord Pent instructed, leaving her at the last step.

The count took a few steps forward. Stretching out his hand, he chanted a few words, and soon a bright glow encased his hand. The ground before him began to tremble slightly; the sand jiggled from the subtle vibrations. Lord Pent took a few steps back, reaching for his wife's hand when he was beside her.

A stem emerged from the sand, followed by several others. They entwined and spread, sprouting thorns and leaves. Finally, the vibrations ceased. The stems were decorated with delicate crimson roses. There were dozens in the broad patch of plants.

Lady Louise stood with wide eyes, amazed. She felt paralyzed until her husband wrapped his arms around her. Whatever petty doubts she had in previous days were dispelled when they kissed. "You see, Louise," he started, "I knew you would miss the beauties of Castle Wrigley…so when we came to this desert palace, I decided that I would learn this ancient magic before anything else…"

She put her index finger on his lips, wearing a smile with a brightness that could have rivaled the desert sun. Nothing more needed to be said.


For some reason, this seems a little cliché to me….? Oh well….and yes, I am aware that anima magic doesn't necessarily deal with plants or anything, but for the sake of romance, make an exception! (laughs) And maybe the characters were OOC too, but come on, Louise has got to be concerned for her husband when he starts studying non-stop…oh whatever… I hope you liked this chapter, anyways…which pairing should I try next?