Chapter Six: The Meadow

The sky is a clear blue, the weather has started to become cooler, for summer is now over. The grass is bright green from the special treatments they receive. Butterflies of many colours fly around to land on the many flowers that still bloom. It almost felt like spring… Cows can be heard in the distance as Aaron and Iolene sit together alone for a picnic.

Lexi and Lei lying to them both as they disappeared into the city crowd. Yelling at them to have fun alone. Iolene comes up with the conclusion that it is Lei's idea. The two smart-asses planned this all along.

Iolene now sixteen sits next to Aaron lying down next to her. She looks down at the city of Mille Voix. Still so beautiful and grand looking from a distance. The palace and its massive garden look beautiful most of all. However, Iolene couldn't help but feel sadness, seeing the segregated slums where the slaves live. The factories and apartment-like towers that have not been kept up look chipped and ancient. One day she hopes she can change the way society is.

"I have never thought in my wildest dreams that I will get to see Mille Voix. The illustrations in books really do not give it justice." She says whimsically. They have been in Mille Voix for a few days. But Iolene hasn't had a chance to see the city's full beauty. This is why the four begged Stein to explore the city. Only with the condition Lei and Lexi also tag along and must be always with Iolene including relieving herself. Aaron and Iolene had no idea where Lexi and Lei ran off to. It could be anywhere from visiting their embassies to seeing the art galleries and dragon racing arena.

Wearing the light blue corset gown that was gifted by Constant. The skirt fabric felt so light she can run in it with ease. She has a close look at the flowers beaded onto the dress. Every single detail is on point of the flowers all done in light colours of yellow and pink. The open sleeves looked almost like a cape that reached her knees. Her hair is curled wearing the dragonfly clip that Aaron bought her. She attached colour-matching ribbons that flowed down with her hair.

She takes a deep breath in and closes her eyes as she loved the fresh clean air. Much of the crowded cities always had a lingering smell of waste, Mille Voix was no exception. She then heard some snoring noises as she looks down at Aaron. He has fallen asleep next to her.

She sighs with annoyance. But then quickly realised how peacefully he is sleeping. "You must be so tired after everything…" She says softly. His broken ribs are almost healed thanks to her. She then starts massaging his head. His black hair has grown longer… It was so short when she first saw him. She couldn't believe that he was bald. She decided to let him sleep as she takes out a book from her satchel and begins to read.

Aaron felt so relaxed as he drifted into sleep. He hasn't had proper sleep in months. Always hated sleeping, bringing all of the memories from his childhood and enslaved years. But he slept very little during their time in Unmei and since their travels then. His mind this time couldn't stop thinking about Beau choosing him as a partner… Why? His inner consciousness spoke. The moment in the warehouse the room shined when he rode on Beau's back to escape. Aaron felt stronger and so did Beau… They escaped and now both don't know what is going to happen next. If anything they both avoided each other… He doesn't even know where Beau is at this present moment.

Aaron eventually wakes up realising he fell asleep next to Iolene. She is eating an apple as she read her book.

Shit! Aaron thinks to himself. All of the hassle to get Iolene out here and he fell asleep.

Iolene looks at him and smiles. "Good morning! Don't worry it's only late morning." She laughs as she gets back to reading.

"What are you reading?" Aaron asks.

"The history of Mille Voix, It is very interesting!" She says as she shuffles closer to him. Her head rested on his chest. Opening the book so he can read along with her. Listening to his heartbeat Iolene felt so relaxed she herself wanted to rest. She is proud of him. He has greatly improved his reading and writing skills. He practices when he can… Although when he travels, he does not as he focuses on protecting the group. But the meadow is peaceful… He can relax.

They read together as birds can be heard chirping in the distance.

"Read this Aaron," Iolene instructed.

Aaron clears his throat as he looks at the lines on the pages. "The most popular pet for the…" Aaron pauses for a moment.

"Come on Aaron you can do it!" She says encouragingly.

"Aristocracy…" He says correctly.

Iolene claps her hands and smiles. "Yes!"

Aaron smiles in return for her excitement feeling proud of himself. The two locked eyes as it felt like forever. But it was only a moment. Iolene chuckles shyly as Aaron faces away playing with a blade of grass. He couldn't stop thinking at that moment about how beautiful she is. No wonder Lexi and Stein want to protect her from stupid boys... But unlike them, he couldn't build the courage to say such a thing. Iolene blushes as she picked a little pink flower, to look at. Her heart and mind raced, he is so handsome…

It went silent again as the moment passed. Aaron closes the book and sits up straight creating a tiny distance between them.

"So…" Iolene starts by breaking the silence. "When you were here last time. What did you do?" She asks.

Aaron recounts the time he was here. Complete culture shock compared to Dominus Sahara. He tried a few kinds of cheese as it was the phase of the time. Now it is a thing called a cheesecake… A dessert that Aaron really wants to try. Apart from that, he didn't really stay here long. He trained and then he left. After thinking of such foods he craved cake terribly. Aaron rubs his neck as he knows his weakness is a sweet dessert.

"What do you plan to do while you are here?" Aaron asks.

"The queen has invited me to tea," Iolene says as she picks another small flower. "But of course, it is low-key as she will be disguised. Constant is hosting it… I am so nervous thinking about it." Iolene looks down at the grass. "When I met Queen Hara, I was so nervous. I cannot afford to act like that again…"

"You will figure it out," Aaron said. "Just be your sweet self…" knowing her sweetness can only go so far. One day she will have to make decisions and do things that will make everyone question her. She is a child of the gold Empire a small seed that will bloom into something glorious. But as history has taught him, they all have the killer instinct that is needed to keep the throne. Iolene will one day show that instinct as he knew it would make him sad. Knowing that one day his gentle childhood friend will be someone who can lead to the death of her enemies. It is after all the price of war…

"I wish it was that simple," Iolene replied seriously. Her mind continuously cycles the thought of how to compose herself.

The conversation ended as they embraced the view of the city. She did not know what to say next. Nothing in this world is simple she learned. Akvor, Bandits, Sly, Macdan, Epithymia, the civil war, Iolene felt it is just the beginning.

It was now lunchtime as Iolene opens the weaved basket. Taking out wooden bowls and plates. They didn't know what Constant's chef organised. Iolene simply asked for food for a picnic, with no specifics. But without Lexi and Lei, they had more than enough food to eat.

"Today sir! For lunch!" Iolene yells in a presenting fashion and takes out a small cloche. "We have!" She then lifts the small cloche. "A Pie!" She then places it in front of him.

He claps with playfulness. "Looks delicious my lady!" He shouts happily. He wasn't lying the pie looked delicious, he had to try not to drool. Poking at the crispy gold pastry "Did you cook it?"

Iolene laughs. "No! You know I can't cook!" As she takes a bite of the pie.

They both eat and finish the delicious duck pie followed by strawberries and cream.

Iolene then stands up and stretches. "Come! Let us stretch our legs!" She then grabs Aaron's hand pulling him up. She then let's go and races to the tree which is at the beginning of the forest. "I'm going to beat you to the tree!" She shouts.

Aaron rolls his eyes as he knew he can easily win against her. He decides to run at her pace as they race to the tree. He lets Iolene win as she presses her hand onto the tree. Iolene leans her back on the tree with exhaustion, Aaron scarcely was. He looks at her as she looks at him. It was silent again but this time they kept eye contact. Iolene tilted her face up closing her eyes, Aaron leant forward.

We are no longer children… Iolene thought. These feelings… Feelings that she has never felt before. What is happening? Her heart beating fast, her stomach fluttering, smelling his scent… She raises her hands as she grabs Aaron's arms, clenching him tightly. He holds onto her waist pulling her closer.

She wanted to ignore everything around her. Listening to Stein's voice in her head, she knew what he will say. Aaron is a nameless bastard, not suited to you. You will be Empress but you will not if you marry him… Steins' voice echoed inside her mind. She will one day be wed and it will not be Aaron. Her hands clenched tighter as in that moment she was going to embrace something she has never done before. My very first kiss…

But that moment never came…