Since the little village, that rested on the hills of the West mountains, had been blocked by the military forces and only certified members of the army and the residents could pass its entrance, Aeries had no place left to go and to ask for news other than the palace and the main city. She made it to the entrance door of the palace but as she refused to give away her identity and to reveal her name and her race, the guards told her that she should go away. After all a little girl selling flowers with a hood and no identity had no place at the palace's grounds.
Under the extensive summer sunshine, covered in a her hood and carrying a basket full of roses that she forgot to sell, she wondered out at the city's streets all day long, asking to know what had happened last night, and if there were any casualties. She went back and forth from the city's main harbor to the most refined markets and back at the most bad-rumored pit holes that this city could host. The citizens hardly knew anything specific to tell her. They were all waiting for an official report but the palace seemed far more occupied with the war itself than with the news about it.
Now she recognized that her denial to expose herself to the official authorities made it difficult for her to obtain any kind of inside information; it lead her into despair and agony, guided her to base all her hopes and her fears to one specific pureblood that could tell her the facts from within; Kaname.
And so her thoughts ran to him while she sat at a coffee shop, waiting for the afternoon to come. She chose a distant corner table as remoted from the other customers as possible and there under the semi-shadow that the window's curtains provided, she took a rest. Having no energy to return back at her home and to cook just for herself, she ordered a quick meal. She decided that it was a good time to read the newspaper that she had bought during her walk at the city, even though the news section had no reports about last night.
Now she completely understood why her brother had preferred to be an eye-witness to the events rather than reading the articles. Nevertheless, eagerly she flipped the pages at the news section, just in case she had missed something. Her eyes fell at an article mentioning certain terrorism groups that took advantage of the explosions' covering last night to attack a group of soldiers that were ascending the hills to offer their services to the West front. The casualties were rather insignificant.
Right there, the thought stroke her; could that boy be a member of such an organization? A terrorist? If he was there at the hills, near her house and the little village that would explain his sudden appearance at her door, perhaps he was cut-off of his group or something. With the village blocked, the woods full of wolves and the city too far away for him to walk there, perhaps her house among the trees had seemed to him like an oasis in the dessert. That would also justify the reason he denied to provide any clues about his identity; she was a pureblood and in his eyes, she was also a part of the authority that he had decided to strike, no different than others so he was afraid that she will report him or betray him or give him away. And the food? What did he want with the food? Nothing could explain the food. After all, that might be her imagination or her own wild fantasies. She had finished her lunch and she had read the newspaper and now there was nothing more to do than waiting.
Only that each ticking of the room's wall clock resembled more and more like a lonely eternity than a real time. A real torture…
As the sun retreated back to the mountains so did Aeries retreated to her home, with her basket full of roses and her heart full of questions. She was hoping that Kaname sooner or later would come and tell her the news about what had happened.
She decided to wait outside, not even bothering to enter the house. What for? It had been left empty and so she sat at the stairs of the porch. What if he would not come? What if he did not appear…She almost blamed herself "stupid Aeries, you should be more polite; your mom would tell you that you really have a problem with your manners".
And while she was getting more and more tired of waiting, she finally saw him coming from the woods and her heart out of joy bounced to her chest. She ran to him with a smile; he was amazed to see her dashing like that to him. That was not her normal expected behavior from her, yet he thought he understood the reason behind her delight.
-Aeries, why are you running like that? He said in an amused smile as she approached her.
-Where you've been? Weren't you supposed to come earlier? She said in a nerve.
"Was he?", he did not remember such a thing, actually he had not even clarified to her when his next visit would be but if she insisted...
-Oh I am sorry for being late Aeries, but you see war affairs…
-What happened? What happened last night? What were those fires and the explosions?
-Let's go inside about…They both headed in the house, he walking steadily with his regular pace and Aeries on the other hand galloping around him like a bee a flower. She could hardly wait…
As she opened the house's door, she suddenly realized that there was a slight odor of blood coming from…she could not concentrate right now as she put her basket at the table and her hood at the hunger.
-Aeries were you alone in here? he questioned scanning the room with a discreet look.
Her thought went to boy…she had promised and so did he…His identity was unknown to her but what would Kaname think if he learned that she had spent the night alone with a boy in the house? A young man actually. And worst than that, what would Sawn think?
Trying to think of an excuse she did not even notice how closely Kaname had approached her, actually standing above her head, looking down to her patiently waiting for an answer like a cat waits for the mouse to stop moving before the attack.
She shook her head negatively, avoiding any eye contact. He had no right to ask after all, he was nothing to her, and it her business not his…on the other hand that was what she was scared the most; offending him, then he could say to Sawn even lies… whatever he would imagine about it.
As a million options wondered in her mind, he said soflty; "Have you decided what you will tell me?"…Aeries turned her head in amazement to him. She could not help but laughing. He was softly smiling, a cunning little smile and Aeries could not help but wondering what kind of amusement he found in this situation. Or did he think of something immoral about her?
-No, it's not what you think... and after all…She hold back her flaming nature that would say a rather bitter truth; " it's not your business, don't you even dare disturbing Sawn with such a matter".
She could not afford talking to him that way, she hardly knew him.
-After all? He continued…staring at her with a rather naughty look in his eyes…
-Nothing, she replied.
-After all that matter does not concern me, right? Come on Aeries, let go of that style, I do not eat people….
-Oh fine, whatever, say whatever you like to Sawn…she finally said with a defeated tone of voice. It's not your matter and I won't be apologizing to you, I hardly know you.
-Did I ask you to apologize? Why are you so defending? And what Sawn has to do with it? Do what you want Aeries, this is your house, I am here as a friend, I can not judge you, he said smiling softly. "Unfortunately", he thought and had to confess that his own secrets where no way better than hers. And before you go asking again your brother is fine…
-Can you tell me finally what happened last night? Who attacked you?
-Nobody Aeries, it was us clearing the nearby lands from level-e, burning the lands to scatter away all the enemies and blowing certain passages to secure our basis there so we can further develop and establish our positions. So as you see you have nothing to worry about…there was nothing close to a real battle. We just took under our control certain grounds and we established our positions, we had no casualties.
-You made all of this fuss and no real battle occurred?
-Yes…
-And what about the citizens? They went insane, did you even think of that?
-Aeries this is war, the palace cannot give a report announcing its intentions…that would not be a strategy but a catastrophe.
-And what about today? The rest of the country has no idea what really happened. Have you any idea how much time I spend out there at the streets? I was burned from the sun even though I am not sensitive to it that should tell you something.
- In time there will be reports …the palace is quite busy at this time.
-So what's the next plan? What are they going to do next?
-I cannot share that with you Aeries…
-Why?
-I trust you as much as you trust me…
-But my brother?
-What has Sawn to do this?
-Excuse-me…
-There are limits, I pretend not to know about the blood stains at the carpet, you pretend I do not know their plans…and so we share a mutual understanding about others people secrets, isn't that fair?
"…Blood stains at the carpet…" as he said that her gaze scanned the carpet…"where were the stains?" She looked at the carpets, but she could not see them.
-You are stepping on them.
She removed her feet off the carpet, yes that's where it was. She signed.
-I see…you are right I speak with so many purebloods that I may finally expose you after all, she said in a tensed voice.
- I did not mean to assault you Aeries but I do not wish to trouble you with war affairs, this issue does not involve you, I know what you need to know…so don't worry about it.
-Oh whatever…she certainly did not need a quarrel with him right now or she would lose her only connection to her brother.
Aeries went in the kitchen, the half of her food supplies were missing from the cupboards, she hardly had anything to eat and the entire house needed cleaning. On top of that she was without help…since Sawn…
She returned to Kaname with a rather disappointed look on her face, totally discouraged and tired.
-Did you think about it Aeries?
-About what?
-Presenting yourself to the palace, it can help you now that you are alone…
-I thought about it. This is hopeless, I cannot match with these people even if thousand years pass…last night I actually saw one of them..
-A pureblood?
-A woman, so beautiful and arrogant, full of jewels and prestige…getting out of a car..
-Where?
-At the village, at night when the fires started…
-Did she see you?
-No, I was hidden behind the trees and to be honest I did something rather despicable but I just could not take it; the crowd was in their pajamas up asking for an answer and she just passed the entrance just like she was the Queen.
-What did you do?
-Well I threw at her a small stone at her head, that must hurt her but I was so angry…enraged…she paid the price for the palace's secrecy. But I did not want it...they make me behave that way…so cruel…imagine what would happen if I stepped through the palace door, no I am not like that…
-Believe me I know exactly what you mean Aeries. This is the main reason I do not have any friends in there…
-So why do you stay Kaname?
-Because…I am too deep in that…and sometime ago I took a responsibility, that follows me ever since and now I cannot change it. It's rather pathetic I guess but there will be one day when all of this will end. I will end it.
-The responsibility?
-Yes… Kaname's skeptical look returned back to Aeries who was really processing him; yes, indeed, back in the woods she thought that this was just her idea but now she was sure; he was something more, more than he wanted to show. "What" was her next question that she intended to found out.
-What is it Aeries?
-Ah nothing, I am just tired, I spend so much time alone…
-Just how much?
-My morning and practically half of the afternoon…
-I see…so how what is it? feeling lonely for a whole day?
-Why are you asking such a bizarre question…
-Because I am practically alone every day that is…
-I am sorry about that, here you can come home...if that helps you, at least when you see Sawn you will tell him that I took good care of you…he seems to like you a lot.
-Me too…he is a good boy, now I will leave to let you get some rest. Oh by the way Aeries, tomorrow I will bring you some stuff that Sawn must receive from the palace, you will be home?
-Sure, the afternoon I am free, oh and here since you going to the palace, take these with you…
-Roses?
-I did not manage to sell them in the morning, I kept asking for information…take them for the girls in the palace, they will like it.
He smiled to her and he almost felt like kissing her.
-Thank you again, good-night and if anyone just appears at your door in the night, don't let him enter. You never know what he is really after…right?
-Right…no…wait ..how…?
That was late since he had already disappeared…
It was a beautiful summer night and the sky was full of stars, on this earth he still walked alone, but right now he was holding a basket of flowers to his hands.
He did not wish to see the war; an act for the rescue for the humans or an act for the pureblood's interest? From the worst he had to choose what it hurt less…Guns are roses do not fit together. On the other hand he neither wanted to return back to the golden cage he had built; he wanted to stay there, free under the starry moon-lighted sky and so and he just sat there, at the ground, under a tree, smelling the scent of the roses. Aerie's roses…
He had been true to her when he said that he intended to end all of these one day. Right, when the wars would end, when the vampire society would reach a point where it would be balance and no threats for the human population, then all of this lust resumed back in peace, then he would step down from his throne...finally.
That instant, that moment, he was telling her that, he had felt like he wanted to deposit his whole life at her hand, to redeem from all the sins that he had committed in the past, sins in the name of "humanity" but still sins…He looked at his hands, she had felt guilt for throwing a little stone, he had killed thousands…
She had told him, "I do not wish to see my brother a murderer, living orphans behind", he had committed the murders either with his orders or with his own hands.
He was far too guilty and she was far too innocent. "She will never forgive you, you represent all that she hates" but still the fragrance of the roses was too indulging and in a sense too sinful itself; for its beauty and its smell arouse in him a desire he could no longer tame.
He looked again at the starry sky and wondered; "Since when was love such a complicated game to play?"
" Ever since what you seek is a forbidden fruit, ever since you will keep these roses that they were not intended for you…but you will still keep them ".
"It's the only one I found worthy to be loved and also longed to be loved…even if her love is for her brother and not me…she loves the same way I do…and so even if I don't deserve her I may try to convince myself that one day my dream will come true".
"What is your dream Kuran Kaname?"
He smiled bitterly, would ever that moment come? To step on this earth with a girl to his side, both of them free under this starry sky?"
"No more wars, no more power, no more sins… I do not wish for that…and yet I can neither escape but as long as there people as her to protect I feel that my sins have a meaning…I have a meaning".
"Stupid pureblood games…"
"I love her"
"You love her love"
"I love her, she is different, she is pure, together we will end these wars and we will be free…she will come to me, she will understand, in time I will make her understand...she is like me when she loves…but she is not like the beast I am…she will forgive me, she will… "
"And her brother?"
"He is just a boy…he shall find his own path…"
"And you will make sure that he does, won't you?"
"Yes…"
"You still love yourself more…From all yours sins this the worst…"
"I will pay for it…I will"
"What makes you think that you will make it?"
"She is…"
He smelled the roses again, Aeries roses had something of her scent in them.
"You will keep these to yourself…"
"No…"
He got up and he took the way back to the palace; he would offer the roses to the noble girls of his court whose men had joined the war. They would love it and in him a little part of his consciousness had already retreated into silence.
Aeries was right; the roses brought smiles, soft blushes at their cheeks and quick laughs as Kaname offered the roses to them. But there was one pureblood who did not like at all the whispers and the giggles of the girls who rested at the court.
-Where did you find all of these roses? And why are you giggling?
-The King gave to us.
-That's not how the King acts.
The girls looked at one another…They all silenced and excused themselves, bowing in respect.
Stella remained in thought; "You little liars, he would never ever do such a thing."
He never would unless…the thought that passed through her mind was unbearable, yet she had some indications.
"Cheesecakes", "Roses", "Blood lust"…these were not features of the King she knew. The King which she knew and feared was always serious, cold, ruthless, stricted, controlled, and behaved…and yet somehow lately…
"It does not matter as long as you give me what I want…it really does not matter all", she said to herself and left…After all he was the one who taught her how to be patient, years now.
The next afternoon Kaname arrived earlier in Aerie's home. He had a reason for that early arrival…
-Oh …I came first…
-You came first?
-There will be some men carrying the things that were to be delivered to Sawn so Aeries since you do not wish to be exposed, do you mind leaving for a while?
-Leave from my house?
-Just for a little while until they deliver it…they are just humans, so you can just go upstairs until they go away…
-What kind of things are they?
-I have no idea, I just saw some packages for delivery…I have not opened it…they should have been delivered before the war but…mistakes happen. They are heavy…
-Oh..can it be guns? The thought scared her, she did not want these in her house.
-Eh…I doubt it…He pushed her with his form and Aeries retreated back. Kaname's fingers showed the way upwards…
There you go upstairs and stay there, I will let you know when they have finished…
-But…
The bell rang and they both looked at the door.
-Ah these should be them…Up…Go up…
Aeries protested with expressions of irritation; and with uncertain steps and grimaces of annoyance ascended the stairs. She was chased away by her own living room…
And Sawn had not mentioned anything to her? Of course, like he ever was in the house the last past two weeks or he talked about anything than the war.
She heard noises, steps, packages unwrapping, the men talking to each other and she could do nothing about it than resting nervously on her bed rolling around in complete nervousness and curiosity. After thirty minutes she finally heard the door shutting and Kaname's voice calling her…
-Aeries…
-Did they go? She said coming down the stairs.
-Yes…
-So what did they bring? And why did it took them so long to… She froze suddenly.
-A… what is this? Her eyes had opened like wide restaurant's plates.
On the couch a rested an iron for doing curls at the hair, a hair dryer, a toastier, a fruit juice-machine and several other little appliances…and at the carpet there was a vacuum cleaner.
-And they did all this time to carry these? And Sawn asked an iron to curl his hair?
She was in a complete loss and she just looked at Kaname who shook his shoulders.
-You know your brother…
-He is not… WHAT? Her brother's taste were not girlish…
-Never mind these, the great stuff are in the kitchen…come on…he said and padded her shoulder gently…
-But…she still did not know what to do with these stuff, as she stood there with the hair iron at her hand and her feet stacked to the ground, Kaname put his hands behind her waist, a sudden move that surprised Aeries but she had no time to react as he pushed her towards the kitchen
She stood there in full shock…with what she was seeing…
He decided to make the introductions…
-See? New kitchen…with a double oven so you can cook in half of the time, an alarm clock so you don't waste your time waiting, ceramic plates so you won't get burned and a grill so you don't mess yourself with carbons…Brand new and totally efficient to boil large quantities of food, energy class A for extra economy…
-I am sorry when did you learn that stuff?
-Oh I read it at the manual when they were unwrapping the other appliances…
Kaname moved at the next appliance…
-And here we have a washing machine with extra capacity for clothes, programs for white and black, a special economy program for the half of the clothes and the best part, it washes them and dries it…
-Let me guess, you read that on the manual…
-Yes I did…interesting these manual…and here is an iron machine, so you won't go ironing all of these clothes with your hands. With extra steam and many other features saves you half the time and half of your money in electricity.
-You know you would make a great salesman…
-I know…and the best, what you will like most, is at the garden…
He opened the rear door and exited, going down the stairs…She followed him still carrying the hair's iron at her hand.
-Ah…there is more…? She actually complained.
-Of course…he said in full confidence, there you go an automatic watering system for your flowers…you won't be bothered with them anymore …
-I do not understand…Sawn ordered this? From the palace?
-Probably he did for you to share but then he left…it's logical since he is serving in the army he is paid in many ways for his contribution…Good choice, now you won't spend all of your afternoon cleaning…you can get a rest and be more fresh…
-I am speechless…not to mention that Sawn never said anything about it and more than this I…
-Yes I know but since he ordered it, you wouldn't throw away your brother's stuff…
"Her brother's stuff?", she precisely twitched the hair iron for the curls that she was still holding and placed it behind her back. "Right…"
-But we still have a problem…
-What they want them back? Tell them to come and get them...
-No, the problem is that the men did not know how to set the laundry and the watering machine, they just put the kitchen, so would you mind if I tried…I've read the manuals and it's not hard. I just need you to show me the water supply…You know what? Let me start with the laundry…
-You know I could do this…
-No, no, you go and sit at the couch or take some time to take care of yourself…I am totally capable…
-But…
-Aeries...you let a man do what he should do and you do what you should do…
-That is?
-Don't get your hands dirty with these; take a beauty bath or something…It's not bad once and a while to relax and let others, who may know better, lead a bit, after all you enjoy all the privileges…Here let me take you to the couch…
And then he did it again, slightly putting the one hand behind her back and gently taking her hand to lead her to the living room. She was never treated that way before so she found it strange…and funny in a way…
-Here sit, relax, you are nervous all the time…Kaname pushed her shoulders down and she sat in the cough speechless of all this sudden care that he showed her. He returned back to the laundry and she remained there looking at the wall across the room with an almost blank stare.
"Relax" what was that? …She never relied on others to do her jobs and she was clearly bossing Sawn to help her in the house. Now "relax" under this roof sounded peculiar for her…
As she twisted the idea in her mind she jumped off the cough. No, way that was her house and she wouldn't have him tell her where to sit and what to do. She was the hostess and he was the guest..
-No, no, it's not right, for you to do…I can do it by myself…I will read the manual…
She said marching literally in the kitchen.
-Aeries you are here again? You can be very persistent…
She almost did not see him as he had bend down in the cupboard to connect the laundry…
-This is not right, you are the guest after all…
With that remark he turned around…
-Guest? I thought of myself more than a friend of the house than a mere guest…
-Please, you know what I mean, it does not feel right…I am the one who should be serving…
He left the cupboard and he stood up again. Aeries felt a bit uncomfortable standing so close to him. But he seemed quite comfortable, he put his hands on her shoulders gently pressing her…He bend over and that made her a bit more anxious. He spoke with care..
-You' ve served enough Aeries, now let someone else serve you a bit, it won't hurt your pride as it will mine. All right?
-Hm? She felt totally disoriented, he was so polite and he looked at her with so much kindness and affection that she almost felt her heart had just skipped a bit. She wanted to release herself from his arms and she just nodded "yes". Kaname smiled softly at her and he returned to his work under the cupboard.
She was feeling more nervous than usual, sensing her feelings, Kaname decide to return her to her normal emotional state. He had just to tease her…
-You know if I wanted to tease you in a rather distasteful way I would say that I am not surprised that Sawn preferred the war…you hardly leave some space around you for others…You are a girl Aeries, not a General…
She felt like reattributing the compliment…
- You know if I wanted to tease you in also a rather distasteful way I would say that I am not surprised that you are left alone without a girlfriend, your ideas about sexes belong to the medieval …
-No, that's not true, I am just a controlling figure just like you are, and conditions make us who we are… So as you see we have a lot in common…there it's fixed. Now, to the water system at the garden…
The water system was easier to be set, the only difficulty that it existed it was that it had to be placed separately to each one of the plants.
He had almost finished with the rose garden and there was only one plant left for the water delivery pipe to be placed. He put it on the ground but as he lifted his body he faced it; how come he had not noticed it before; there stood a red rose so beautiful and well-structured, that it was captivating. It was smaller than the rest in size but its scent was more far more than he could ever imagine, he wanted to touch it…
-A no, don't you dare touching this one…she said behind him
- Why?
-If you cut it, it will dissolve in your hands..
-Is it magic?
-Something of that sort…It blooms only once every ten years and my father offered its seed to my mother when they decided to make a family…something like a symbolism, you know as long as this special rose exists…their love with remain. You know silly, romantic stuff…but still it's so "ours" that I would not dream my life without it.
-How beautiful…he said still gazing at the rose and leaning one more time to smell its aroma. He felt like he wanted to delve into this scent…it reminded him, it reminded him so much of Aeries, much more than the rest of the roses.
-Its fragnance…reminds me of you…as the rest of the flowers but especially this one.
-They both gave their blood for this special flower to bloom, when they put the seed in it, they put some drops…they made their own scent…that's why you thought about it.
-So that was not my idea?
-No, you are perfectly sane, but its peculiar and I have never said that story before to anyone, not that I knew and anyone to tell it actually. The rest of the roses were created year after year by its seeds, they are normal flowers, this is the only one…
-The only one…right, I see your point, that's why you don't want it to be touched.
-Yes, anyway you think we can test the system?
-Yes, it's perfectly fine now…Open it. He had so much dirt to his hands, it irritated him so he tried removing some of it…he hardly saw Aeries running with excitement to the side of the garden to open the wheel. He suddenly realize…
-No, Aeries wa..
Aeries started laughing and Kaname just stood there taking a refreshing cold shower along with the roses. The water run down from his hair to his shirt and trouser, in his shoes, he made tremendous efforts not to start laughing with himself. But he liked it. It was summer, it was hot and Aeries was laughing.
She closed the watering system…
-It works fine…, she said trying to keep her laughter inside.
-That's not fair Aeries, look at me, how am I going to present myself to the palace in this way? May I say that a little girl did this to me?
-You said open it.
-And you listened to me? That's a start….
She made like she had not heard the comment.
-Kaname wait here, I'll fetch some towels to dry you…after all this is my responsibility.
"Dry him?" He instantly adored the watering system and little Aeries who had started trusting him; and from here on he knew that his real torture would begin, for this would be his greatest punishment, her trust along with the scent of the roses, that where everywhere in his palace, would from now on remind him the sins he was committing against the innocence. The beast he was. But right now he just smiled to the image of Aeries approaching him with the towels to her hands totally determined to give him a hand in drying…the only problem was she did not clearly know from where to start.
A week later Aeries sat cozy at her kitchen, reading a novel while she was cooking at her double oven. She had invited Kaname to dinner and he had promised to bring her news about the moves of her brother in the West zone. He would talk with certain purebloods who were coming back to take a rest while others would replaced them…, that's what he had said. She was anticipating Sawn's turn to come so he could come home for a few days but as he was one of the youngest it was logical to keep him behind.
The door's bell rang and Aeries went to answer the door…
-Kaname you came ear…
She stood there emotionless, looking in surprise the silver haired boy with the violet eyes. He had brought paint buckets, a stair and several brushes to paint the house.
-Hi, so where do you want me to start painting the house?
She was speechless…he had promised to repay her for the food and he had indeed returned.