DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. This is a fanfic written for entertainment only.

A/N: English is not my first language. Pardon the bad grammar and stuff... n.n;

DESERT ROSE

Chapter 3: Her

Amir watched the brunette boy as he laughed at the pink-haired girl; one that stumbled upon the sand after tripping on a small rock on the ground. The other pink-haired girl helped her sister stand up, scolding the brunette boy in the process of not being a gentleman and help her sister getting on her feet back. The brunette boy replied by sticking his tongue out and his action earned him another scolding from the same pink-haired girl as he ran away from both girls; laughing along his way to the lake not far from where they're standing. Both girls chased him; the pink-haired girl grabbed the other's hand-the one that fell earlier-and ran after the brunette boy, no longer shouting in anger but instead laughing just like the boy they're currently chasing.

Amir couldn't help but smiled at the sight – he himself recalled the past memories of his own childhood; the moments where everything was as perfect as he wanted it to be; his parents were alive, he lived under a protection of hundreds of guards in the palace – living his life as the crown prince of Janaam Kingdom and most importantly, his time spent with his best friend.

The prince paused at the thoughts of his best friend; a blonde-haired girl which her smile never cease from her face and always been the cheerful type of person ever since he came to known her. The same blonde-haired girl who has always managed to crack a smile – and even a laugh on his expressionless face, the one who emitted a mysterious aura that drawn people into her; befriending her, talking to her, adoring her. His admiration towards said girl knows no boundary; he has always like how she always by his side supporting him during good and-especially-during bad times. Most people-including his other good friends-think that the life you lead as a prince is full with joy and wonders that normal people – peasants can't and will never be able to nibble on such fruit of happiness. Amir never thought of his life in that kind of view though. Your parents will never be able to dote on you when they're busy with their job as the ruler of Janaam. Being a prince-at least in Amir's case-is nothing more than studying how to be a great King, perfecting his swordsmanship and learn more about the kingdom-related stuffs. All in all, it was just matters of economy and politics; ways that can be done in order to shape Janaam to be a better kingdom. Moreover, Amir had lost his mother soon after his little sister was born. He was only 7 years old when he attended the Queen's funeral and his father the King; the one who'd been bitter towards him since the start have turned even bitter since the death of the Queen. The King never remarry and rather than seeking advices and sharing opinions about the kingdom's affair with him, the King turned to the Prime Minister; the one who in the end murdered the King and the one who's responsible turning all things to hell in Janaam.

The white-haired prince's hands balled into fists on his lap. His sister; the only family member he have left in this world stayed back at the palace after helping him to escape his certain death to act as a decoy-or so she said-to cover his track and buy him more time to flee . He wondered if she's being held hostage and wondered if the Prime Minister will sooner or later use her as bait for him to come back to the palace. He fully knows that he will never be able to resist if the Prime Minister taunt him with the safety of his little sister.

Amir bites his lips. "Is there nothing I can do to save her?" he thought to himself; his nails dug even further into his palm, registering the pain in his brain. "I don't have time to dilly dally here..."

"Then why not spend your time thinking how you are going to settle things with the Prime Minister?" a voice interrupted, sending the white-haired prince immediately on his feet. "Oh, my apologies, Your Highness. Did I startle you?"

Amir's eyebrows narrowed. "I would very much appreciate it if you stop reading my thoughts and stop sneaking behind me like that," the prince spoke with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

The blonde-haired woman chuckled. "I'm sorry. I have no intention of reading your mind but the strings of your thoughts alone emitting an aura so strong that I can't help myself plucking on one of them and listened to the melody it created."

Amir stared at the woman in front of her. She was smiling but Amir knows better that her smile means nothing more than just a mockery to the prince whom she sees as a pitiful one; struggling on his own weak power to save his kingdom. It's not the same smile she used to wear back when she was younger and it will never be the same. Not anymore. Perhaps what Dirk told him before is true; he really is the reason she's no longer smiling a genuine smile.

Heaving a sigh, the white-haired prince raked his hair. "What do you want, Desert Rose?" he asked using the alias the woman used, never calling her by that name he used to address her when they were children. "If this is about the pact, I'm sorry but I haven't got time to think about that."

"Oh? What did you do with your time then?" the blonde cocked an eyebrow, staring at the prince. "I doubted that you're practicing your swordsmanship seeing that none of your equipments are with you."

Amir shot the blonde a glare. "Yes, which reminds me; would you be so kind and return them to me?"

"Can't be at ease without your trusted sword with you, no?"

"Cut it out."

Desert Rose chuckled. "Very well, Your Highness. I will return your sword and armour later but for now," she spun her heels around. "Would you like to come and pray with me? It will be just like the old days, don't you think so?"

Amir stared at the blonde's back; thinking whether he should tag along or not. After some seconds thinking, he decided to play safe-since this campsite is her turf-and followed the figure that started to walk away from him. The prince managed to move at par with the blonde and walking side by side with her, he scanned his surrounding; the part of the campsite that he had yet managed to visit. His eyes caught the sight of Dirk talking to a black-haired man with glasses-the same one he's been seeing since last night-and a brunette woman in blue dress. His gaze meets Dirk's and the brunette man scowled before turning his face back to the other two people he's been talking to before; laughing a laugh he concluded he will never see the brunette do when he was talking to him.

"It seems that Dirk harbours a lot of hatred towards you, Your Highness," come the voice of the blonde-haired woman alongside him. "I can't say that I don't understand the source of such feelings but it still amazed me how he, the one who previously was so kind to you can no longer look at you without having the intention to kill you."

The white-haired prince made no feedback to the blonde's previous comment. Both people kept their mouth shut and walked in silence until they reached a tent; its location is somewhat far away and kept hidden compare to the other tents in the campsite. Amir watched as Desert Rose mumbled something before proceeding to move forward, placing her right hand on the edge of the clothed-door. She paused from lifting the cover up and turned to the prince behind her.

"This is just me rambling, Your Highness," she spoke. "But if I were you, I will give the Prime Minister endless pain and despair before he begs for forgiveness and accept me as a superior being than him. There's no better way to pay him back for all the suffering he caused you other than this, hmm?" she chuckled quietly, turned around and entered the tent.

Amir watched as her figure disappeared into the tent. He knows that the blonde-haired woman was no longer Anita he'd used to know. He knows that 'that' event shocked her so much and it was 'that' thing that eventually leads her to become the person she is right now. However, he was surprised at her words of wanting to torture the Prime Minister so much; both body and mind for the Prime Minister, after all, is her father.

. TO BE CONTINUED .

A/N: I have fun writing this story but I guess this might be the last chapter I'm going to post since I'm not sure if anyone actually read this... X'D