Kyo and Tohru stopped dancing once they were on out on the courtyard. They walked hand in hand along the garden trail. Tohru examined every flower near her. Kyo watched the maidens' interest in the flowers.
"Tell me, what would be the flower you would want to receive as a gift?" he asked.
Tohru thought for a moment, "Well, I have different flowers for different occasions. As a gift, it would have to be a very special occasion."
"How about, for a magnificent evening?" Kyo asked.
Tohru was getting curious, "I'll tell you, as long as you tell me first."
Kyo smiled, "Well, I would have to say; the red rose. Roses in general are beautiful, but it is the meaning, I really admire. The red rose is the most meaning full of all to me. The meaning of-"
"Love. You find there is more to a flower then just its beauty?" Tohru asked.
"I find it in everything. I have only just met you, but I can see you do not care about money or power. I see you care for others more than you care for yourself." Kyo answered.
Tohru stared in astonishment, "So you never wanted this ball at all? You would have wanted to find someone special your own way."
"Exactly, but since you entered the room, I am glad I did come. If you had not come, I would have escaped that place. Now enough stalling, what about your flower?" Kyo replied.
Tohru smiled, "I would have to say; a pink rose."
Kyo smiled, "Come with me." He led her through the garden. They passed many assortments of roses. Tohru caught a glimpse of a red rose and quickly grabbed it. Kyo stopped suddenly and pointed. Tohru starred at a large rose plant. The roses were small, but they were beautiful nonetheless.
Akito stood in the shadows and watched intently. She was the prince gently pick a pink rose and twirl it in his hand for a moment.
Prince Kyo's face suddenly turned serious, "This night has been the best night of my life. And I hope it will not be the last. Would you...take this rose as a symbol of my love, and be my bride? To marry me and become my wife and rule by my side until the day I pass?"
Tohru felt her heart beat widely once more, "You say you care more of the meaning and not of the beauty. Would you not care what I really was? Would you wish to marry me if I was a seamstress, a baker, or a servant?"
"I would marry you if you were an animal caretaker. I would marry you even if I weren't the prince. To have you as a wife you mean more to me than living for eternity, it would only be meaningless without you by my side." Kyo replied.
Tohru felt tears starting to form. She had never heard such words of adornment and kindness. "Then I would take this rose and be your wife. I will love you with all I have and more. I would marry you even if you weren't the prince."
Kyo smiled and placed the rose in her hair. He raised his left hand and slid off something. He knelt down in front of Tohru and took her left hand, "This ring belonged to my mother. My father gave it to her, the day they were engaged. Now, give this to you." He kissed her hand and stood.
Tohru could not stop the tears falling from her eyes now. She pulled the rose from behind her back and placed it in his coat pocket, "The meaning of this flower is how I will always feel about you. Now matter what may come, no matter what may be, I will always feel the same way for you."
Kyo gently touched her cheek and leaned closer. Tohru leaned closer and closed her eyes. They seemed so close and so in love, but all good things must come to an end. With the first stroke of midnight, Tohru pulled back. She gasped in horror and ran.
"Oh no, I must leave." She said. She ran towards the ballroom. The prince ran after her.
"Wait, I don't even know your name. How will I find you? Wait! Please wait!" Kyo called.
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