ARABELLA

Chapter 12: The Rose

Philip had noticed that Arabella seemed to blush easily. He liked that; it meant she was still innocent. "Perhaps you are not used to being spoken to like a woman, rather than a child?" he asked gently.

Arabella cast a forlorn glance back towards the castle. "Mother and Father do treat me like a child. They say…" she paused. She looked back at the Prince and blushed again. She had very nearly told him that they wished her to marry soon. She struggled to find something to fill the space. "…they say that I spend too much time out of doors."

There. And that was true, her mother had often chastened her for lingering in the garden so long after she had been called.

Prince Philip cocked his head to one side and gave her a searching look. "Is that all they say, your Highness?" He had noticed her eyes cloud over when she looked at the castle, and had caught the pause in her speech.

Suddenly flustered, Arabella turned and began to walk towards the door to the castle. "It is growing late. I must get to bed or everyone will worry."

Philip looked back towards the ballroom. It was still very much alive with music and laughter. It occurred to him that the Princess was probably not on the minds of the King and Queen at that particular second. "Please wait. May I see you again?"

Arabella paused, surprised. She turned to face the handsome Prince. "You…wish to see me again?"

Philip laughed softly. "I wish to hear again the magical voice that has bewitched my soul." He moved closer. "I wish to gaze upon the beautiful face that threatens to capture my heart."

Arabella felt her heart flutter inside her, as though it were a butterfly trying to free itself from a jar. Philip was now standing directly in front of her. He leaned in, and for a wild moment, the Princess thought he might try to kiss her. She closed her eyes and waited for the world to stop spinning.

Arabella felt his hand in her hair. Surprised, she opened her eyes. The Prince had taken the rose from her hair, and put it to his lips. Then he traced the delicate red flower across her own lips, and tucked it into his belt.

Philip smiled at her. "Something to take with me, since you must take leave of me, fair Arabella."

Arabella smiled shyly and whispered, "Good night." She turned to go indoors and stopped. She had almost forgotten to answer his question. "Yes, you may." She hoped he understood what she meant, because those were the only words that she could force out of her mouth. For some reason, she was tongue-tied after the romantic display with the rose.

Philip smiled broadly, and plucked the rose from his belt. Kissing it once more, he turned and strode from the garden.

Arabella ran inside and closed the door, leaning on it heavily. She sighed. And sighed again. "What has happened to me tonight? What have I begun?" she wondered as she made her way upstairs.

A/N: HI!!! I'm back! I'm SOOO sorry to have taken so darn long to update. I've had a heck of a lot of stuff going on lately. This story is turning out a little differently from the way I imagined it going…a little fluffier, mayhaps…but a little fluff never hurt anyone. At least, not that I know of. Anyway, I'm back and continuing my stories, so go ahead and celebrate. and Review!!