And so, Yao became the little Prince's caretaker. Every day, in the Prince's cold room, the Eastern man helped him dress and wash, always meticulously brushing his silver hair until it settled and picking the best clothes for each day. Sometimes, Yao went into the garden that the little Prince so treasured and brought him back the flowers that he loved so much.
Prince Ivan loved the feeling of another human near him, so he stayed near Yao as much as possible. He treasured the flowers that the petite man brought him, listening to the man talk in his beautiful Eastern accent. Because when Yao brought him flowers from the garden, the Eastern boy talked about the meaning of each flower, and Prince Ivan always listened very carefully.
On the Prince's tenth birthday, Yao came running back from the garden with a small bouquet of baby's breath, black-eyed susans, yellowed carnations, bronze chrysanthemums, gardenias, hyacinths, and geraniums. "Here," he said breathlessly, placing the hastily tied bundle in Ivan's hands. "I was in a rush after the Queen dismissed me, so it isn't that good…" Yao looked at the floor.
Ivan was staring at the flowers in fascination. "Yao-Yao," he asked, "tell me what they mean."
Yao smiled. "Baby's breath means festivity, black-eyed susans mean encouragement, yellow carnations mean cheer, bronze chrysanthemums mean excitement, gardenias are joy, hyacinths mean sincerity, and geraniums comfort."
Ivan smiled brightly. "Spasibo, Yao-Yao." The ten-year old Prince then pulled a tiny bouquet of lilac and yellow chrysanthemums and placed it in Yao's delicate hands. "Here, I took them for you… I do not know what they mean. Can you tell me?"
Yao took a look at the flowers and blushed. "Maybe at a later date…"
Ivan did not know, but yellow chrysanthemums meant "secret admirer" and lilacs meant "first love".
One day, when Ivan was thirteen, Yao came back from the garden with a few small white flowers, similar to cherry blossoms.
Ivan was waiting eagerly on his bed, staring at the flowers. Yao handed them to the not-so-little Prince and said, "These are apple blossoms. My family used to grow them near our house." He smiled. "Apple blossoms tell you to take on new challenges and renew our strength. It also signifies immortality and youth." Yao smiled again, sitting down next to the Prince. "But I chose it because it represents a promise."
Ivan frowned. "What promise?"
Yao laughed and patted Ivan's head of silver hair. "My promise. I will always stay by your side and protect you until I draw my very last breath."