Chapter Ten

The two young adults headed to the castle gardens after touring the main castle. King Jaden made sure to keep the tour as entertaining as he could to please his guest. Yubel made sure to keep an eye on the prince , in case he needed help. However she wasn't too happy of Jaden holding the knight's hand. In fact, the king seemed to harbor some attraction towards her.

"These flowers are beautiful." Alexis commented.

Jaden nodded. "This is my mother's garden. We still keep it presentable even in her death. She's actually buried here as well."

"I see.." she whispered sadly.

Jaden gave a smile. "Don't worry, this was her request. Um...would you like to sit with me?" He asked.

Alexis nodded and Jaden slowly released her hand, the two sat next to each other while admiring the scenery around them. A variety of flowers bloomed about and the birds chirped a calm melody. The weather wasn't too hot or cold, but just right. Jaden looked at the woman next to him. He noticed that her legs are crossed as she sat and likes to keep her hands in her lap. She also looked serene and calm, while her cheeks contained a rosy complexion.

"So...would you like to sniff the flowers?" He asked awkwardly.

"Sure, I'd love to." Alexis replied.

"There's some roses over there." He pointed.

"Alright, then I'll be right back." Alexis headed over to the rose bush, she carefully tried to reach for the bright, red rose that caught her eye.

"Oh Alexis, be careful of the thorns!" The king warned.

"Don't worry, Jaden. I'll be fine, I've- Ouch!"

Jaden immediately rushed over and Alexis winched, pulling her hand away from the rose. He held her hand carefully, seeing a small cut, fortunately it was only that one cut.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Alexis bit her bottom lip, embarrassed and in pain. "I-It's nothing compared to the military." she replied.

Jaden then took out his sword and sliced a piece of his cape, before carefully wrapping the piece of red cloth around her finger. "There.."

"B-but your cape.."

Jaden chuckled. "Don't worry, its just a cape. Er...why don't we just sit down again? You know just chat."

Alexis nodded. "R-right." The two sat down on the bench again, Alexis already felt her cut healing. "Thank you.."

"Hm? Oh for the cut?" Jaden asked. "Really, there's no need to thank me. In fact..I used to get cuts by those thorns all the time. So you're not alone."

"How?" Alexis asked.

"I used to run into the bushes playing hide and seek." He replied truthfully. "Heh...can't believe I was such a kid back then."

"You still are sometimes." Alexis joked.

"Oh hush!" Jaden laughed. "I changed a lot, believe it. Besides, you and your brother still quarrel."

Alexis playfully pouted. "Only because he started it…"

"Your brother really likes girls." Jaden commented, reflecting at how easily Atticus made his maids swoon with just one line. "Or should I say girls really like him."

"He had a girlfriend at eight years old." Alexis admitted truthfully. She always knew her brother had a knack for charming women; honestly it was something that Alexis found annoying, yet she was used to it.

"Oh..a girlfriend at eight years old? Wow, I guess I'm late for the party. I've never had a girlfriend before."

"Don't feel bad." She spoke. "It only lasted for a week anyways. Besides, usually people court each other when they're older than that."

"Even at my age?" Jaden asked.

"How old are you..if you don't mind me asking?" Alexis asked.

"I turned twenty this year." He replied.

"Oh..so did I!"

"Sweet!"

They both laughed as they continued chatting. Meanwhile the young maiden, Blair Flannigan, peaked from the bushes; she spied on the friends, recognizing the Knight of Dragon known as Lady Alexis Rhodes. The petite girl wondered what those two were going on about; it couldn't be that entertaining, could it?

"Ugh..my dress is getting dirty.." she complained at the brown spots and loose leaves on her baby blue dress, however that was the least of her worries.

Blair was shocked, the two looked so casual and they looked as if they were into each other. She had never seen the king be so relaxed with another woman. Blair was also surprised that the woman he was speaking to was quite breathtaking.

"W-what the..the prince is getting cozy with that Knight.." Blair panicked mentally. "Oh if only it were me! I'm a Noble's daughter! My father is very influential throughout this kingdom! It should be me, he's courting! Not her!"

Blair then scurried off before anyone could catch her. Jaden swore he heard something, but then decided to ignore it.

"So Alexis, are you...by chance seeing anyone?" Jaden asked half jokingly.

Alexis shook her head. "I'm not, nor have I ever had a boyfriend." She replied.

Jaden was surprised, shocked even. "But she's the perfect package, how could she not?" He wondered.

"Hm, are you okay?" Alexis asked, not really bothered by not having a boyfriend in the past.

"Oh um..I guess I'm kinda surprised honestly." He replied.

Alexis blushed slightly. "Don't be...I was in the military so I didn't have time for romance, plus I've...never met a guy who caught my eye back then." She admitted. "Besides, Dueling was my passion."

Jaden nodded. "Yeah..I can understand that. I mean, the dueling part. I guess I was surprised I mean..you're pretty great! "

Alexis only smiled. "You're sweet, you'll find someone, and when you do, I'm sure she'll be the luckiest girl in the world."

"So are you…" Jaden gulped, feeling as if he was running out of air. He debated if he was in the mood to make any bold or risky decisions right now. Even the smallest of choices can cause a big impact since he was the king. "Alexis...can I give you something?" He asked politely.

"Hm? A present?"

"Well I mean..I guess it can be…"

"Go on.." Alexis replied.

The king gulped...even as the most powerful man in the kingdom, he still felt like shivering due to this one young woman. The king moved closer,he placed his arms around her and pulled her close with only centimeters between their faces. Jaden then soon sealed the space by pressing his lips against hers.

Alexis's eyes widened at the action, still feeling his lips against hers. He kissed her like he didn't seem to care who was watching. She couldn't find herself pulling away; she didn't want to move a single muscle away from the sensation.

"What is he doing...what am I doing?..H-he's kissing me...he's really kissing me…"

In pure bliss...the blonde found herself soon returning the kiss with equal passion, with her hazel eyes slowly closing shut. They both only sat there, enjoying the moment while sharing their first ever kiss.

To be continued…"