Chapter 2 - The Young King

(July 10th)
My mother smudges on just a tad more coral gloss on my lower lip before I enter the garden. I'd insisted I not have a grand entrance, but everyone turns and goes quiet upon my arrival anyway. My short heels allow me to delicately across the grass.
Uzimaki is the first to approach me, offering me an arm as I make my way to my seat.
"You look great Eevee!" His grin is as big as ever. "I've always considered you like a little sister so you better keep in touch no matter what!"
"Of course. I'm so glad you're here. You're the only one I can trust to cover it up if I pass out." He rewards me with a chuckle.
"I already have a plan." He pulls out my chair. Once at ease it's quite fun. I'm constantly surrounded by potential suitors but my family and friends do a commendable job of keeping everyone busy until I want to talk. I even get up to seek out some of the shyer men. I've already spoken to everyone at least twice when I relax back at my table.
Uzimaki is talking to my academy friend Hinata while leaning against the aged wood.
"How are you doing kid?" he asks when I sigh and pick up a glass of champagne.
"I'm great. This is more fun than I thought it would be."
"Everyone you invited seemed genuine and they relaxed quickly. This garden is amazing and cozy, like home-cooking."
"Thank you, Mother and I keep it as a hobby."
"No way…"
"Eevee." My grandmother clears her throat. "Come with me please."
I look up, shielding my eyes from the mid-day sun with a hand on my brow. "What is it?" I whisper.
She says nothing further just offers me a hand. She brings me past the garden to the gate we rarely use. There's a second gate beyond with a space in between that only a few yards that is where deliveries are left. Gran runs her hands through the bits of hair framing my face.
"I'll be back in five minutes," she tells me, her eyes fierce. Then she pushes me through the gate.
Pulling back a cloak hood my eyes are gifted with a breathtaking sight. Hair redder than autumn leaves. Flawless pale skin that looks more like ceramic. Teal eyes survey me giving away little.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to make an appearance." He holds out a hand. "It's very nice to meet you."
I swallow. "You too your Majest-" His hand is only in mine for a moment before we're separated and my hand falls to my side cold and lonely.
"None of that," he tells me. "Just Gaara is fine. I'm just here as a man not as your king." His voice is unexpected, his whole presence is. It doesn't make me feel small or inadequate but rather I'd like to be closer.
"How are you here?" slips from between my coral lips. "I mean I'm very glad you are but I never thought you'd actually be able to."
The faintest of smiles softens his perfect mask. "I set up a meeting in the area last month and slipped past my guards when we got close. They're sure to find me any minute."
"Then we should be fast and to the point with questions and answers. Want to go first?"
"Very practical. Why'd you invite me?"
"I like your eyes." This seems to surprise him as his eyes light up and his lips part as though he'd like to say something but he waits for my question. "Do you have many girls trying to catch you?"
He laughs, making my body warm. "No. The Council wants me to marry but I can't say many would be thrilled to be courted by the Demon of the Sand. You seem bright, did you go to finishing school?"
"I did. My father believes women should pursue knowledge first. What do you usually spend your time doing?"
"Your father and I share this credence." He sighs. "I spend almost every hour of every day in an office doing paperwork. I want too many things and all of them demand time and work." When he seems my unsatisfied expression he continues. "Sometimes I sneak out the office window to look at the stars. What about you Eevee?" He tentatively uses my given name. It sounds so beautiful coming from his, sending a thrill down my spine.
"My mother and I garden. We've accepted no help and I'm very proud of what we've accomplished."
"I'd like to see but I fear my appearance would cause my time with you to be cut quite short."
"Why would you go through so much trouble to see me?" is my next question.
"I was very curious what kind of person would want to meet me. I'm not disappointed. You're interesting and sharp. I…"
He's interrupted by the gate leading out opening up behind him. "There you are!" A brunette man steps in. "I can't believe you made me look for you! Come on, they're not going to be happy you were unguarded for…" He's eyes finally land on me.
"Kunkuro, I need one more minute and I will come back without a fight."
"Fine," growls the man, "but only because she's cute." His steps behind the gate once more, closing it loudly.
"Can I see you again?" I ask softly.
"Take this." He pulls a small golden pin from his cloak pocket. "Only people I know personally and trust have them. You're welcome to see me anytime. Until then, your grandmother knows how to reach me." He takes me hand when I take the pin and kisses it. "Goodbye for now Eevee." And he's gone.
"Goodbye Gaara." The words fall from my lips anyway.
Feeling as though I'm dreaming I wander back to everyone saying their goodbyes.
"Well?" Gran asks.
"I want to see him again."

When night arrives we meet for dinner. I sit down to a summer salad, roast duck, and a velvety raspberry sorbet. I'm working on my salad when Father finally sits down.
"I believe that was an excellent party. Those young men were most kind indeed." My father's smile reaches his eyes.
"It was splendid," mother agrees. "Eevee dear, did you get to meet everyone you wished?"
"I did!" I beam. My heart feels light and a bit shaky. Am I still nervous? Maybe it's excitement?
"Then do tell dear," my father encourages. "Which one's are your favorite? Who has you blushing such a lovely shade of pink?"
"Sabaku Gaara!"
My father's fork drops. Mother's eyes fix on me with a mixture of surprise and horror. Gran hides her smirk behind her champagne flute.
"I… I didn't see him there," my father sputters.
"Gran had him meet me at the gate so he wouldn't cause a scene and he only had a few minutes. He was breathtaking and I could talk to him for hours."
"Is this true Mom?" Father's heated gaze falls on Gran.
"It is. A month ago he responded to my invitation to explain that he's not allowed much freedom without guards, and he didn't want to arrive with a dozen guards. Yet, he was more than curious about Eevee. I told him I could supply a way to meet her if he could make it here. Apparently he's quite gifted at disappearing."
"Can I please meet him again Daddy?" I purposefully ask. He turns pink.
"Anything to make you happy dearest… but he's the king and I don't know how you'd…"
I set my gold pin down on the table. Everyone leans in.
"Wow. He must have really liked you to give you a royal pin," Gran remarks.
"He told me I can come anytime I want. Can we go this weekend?"

(July 13th)
The week drags on. I handwrite personalized thank you's to everyone who attended my party. Then I write to Gaara to tell him about my plan to come visit on Saturday. Gran sends it out, and I continue the monotony of my routine. My portrait is completed and my father hangs it on his study. The time that I'd used for my portrait is replaced with my tutor. Dancing instruction and edicate.
"I don't think he's like that…" I object to Mrs. Finch. She's been my dance instructor every fall.
"What do you think?" she snaps.
"He didn't behave like a royal would. He was calm and said things honestly and simply."
"Only because he didn't respect you. A murderer like him will never change." I keep quiet after she tells me this. I'm not going to say anything that will change her mind.

(July 17th)
In my previously favorite dress I twirl through the streets as we approach the palace. We made some additions to make me look fit for a king. Lace detailing and a fresh layer of sheer pink and tiny blossoms speckling the skirt.
"I was hoping to be the stern father . 'Don't you hurt my daughter,' and 'do you really think you're worthy of my little girl?' but how am I supposed to do that to our king?"
"Aw, just be nice. I really like him."
We reach the gate. I flash my pin and they open without a word. "Lord Gaara is in the second floor office."
"I wasn't expecting that to work so smoothly." My finger nervously rings his hands.
"It's going to be okay," I tell him.
A guard opens the doors for us. Our pace is cut in half as we admire the old pristine palace. The ceiling is high with paintings of war stories. Statues of the previous kings watch us as we mount the stairs. When we found the door we were seeking I gave it a shy knock.
The brunette from before opens it with a frustrated grimace. "Lord Gaara is b… Oh, you're that girl." He steps aside to reveal a spacious study with shelves bowing in and a large wooden desk with piles of papers, towering on each side of the redheaded king. When he sees me his whisper of a smile returns.
"You weren't kidding." I step in as my family hovers in the doorway. "That's a lot."
"Yes it is, but here you are to rescue me from these mighty towers."
I press my lips together so I don't smile like a complete fool.

Gaara rises. "You're all welcome inside." My family slowly approaches, Gran in the lead. "Mr. Ardor, take my seat. My legs have fallen asleep and I need to stand."
My father's brows shoot up and even though he seems unsure, he does. He settles into the king's chair having to suppress his own wide grin.
"It's brilliant to see you again Lady Druid. Your letters always make me laugh. You have a sharp wit." They exchange meaningful glances before he moves over to shake my mother's hand. "I regret not meeting you or seeing your garden. I've heard many positive things about you both." Gaara's presence and words set my family at ease; practically putty in the king's hands.
"So," my father begins. "What's our plan? Everyone wants to catch me up?"
"It's up to Eevee and L… Gaara." Gran clears her throat.
I look at him from under my lashes. "We've only had but five minutes to talk. Perhaps we can decide what the future holds when we're better informed?"
"You're right," my father agrees, rubbing the leather armrests of his grand seat. "But your circumstances have you quite busy."
"There's a meeting on the first of October with the Council. Everytime I meet with them they pester me about marriage without fail. If Eevee still wishes to continue to see me then I'll mention her as a potential next queen. If not your family will still always be welcome here and we'll hopefully still be friends."
My father is speechless. The plan set before him is beyond generous and practical. How could he argue? We've all gone silent from his words. Marriage. Queen. We hadn't reached these distant conclusions yet. I understood that this is what I was seeking but it hadn't felt real until those heavy words had left the king's lips.
"Well until then we'll just have to take it one step at a time," my father eventually says.
"How about we start with a walk through the gardens?" Gaara suggests.
"Yes please!" my mother bursts up from her seat.
"I've heard it's quite a labyrinth! You'll keep us from getting lost, right?" Gran asks.
"Gods no, I've barely set foot in it. I'm hoping to get lost and have a moment of freedom."
"You coming dear?" my mother asks as we're all in the doorway but Father is still nestled in Gaara's tall chair.
"I'm going to stay here…"
"Do me a favor. If anyone asks where I went tell them I'm taking a nap."
"Why would you want that?" Father grips the golden tips ends of the armrests.
"I'm an insomniac. It'll send them in a different direction. Will buy me some time."

***
Mother and Gran stay a few yards behind us as we walk through the maze, my arm linked with Gaara's.
"You got so serious there."
"Was I too harsh? I just wanted to make my intentions clear." We make a turn but it's a dead end so we turn back.
"Mmm, no, it was good. I just wasn't expecting it. You still feel a bit like a dream to me."
"A dream?" he asks, his gravelly voice giving me chills.
"Well yes, you're our young king but you're also breathtaking and amiable. You're far too good to be true. I'm waiting to wake up and discover you didn't sneak away from royal guards to meet a teenage girl in a rose garden."
Gaara pasues pulling me to a halt. "There's so much wrong with what you just said." My heart sinks. "Eevee, I want to see you and spend time with you. Don't think you're not worth my time. Also, I don't think anyone's ever used the word 'breathtaking' to describe me ever."
Face newly flushed we continue forward. "Your portraits really don't do you justice," I shyly add.
"I think most of them find me scary. I was. They were right in this portrayal."
"I don't find you scary."
"Because you're in no danger from me, but anyone that knew me before I left knows how terrifying I can be." We turn another bad corner. "I wasn't a good person, but I'm making amends. I'm not going to pretend like that wasn't me."
I hear him, and I understand, but I get enough lectures about who he used to be from Mrs. Finch. Perhaps I should offer up a game? Maybe a way to secretly touch him?
"Never mind all that, I just want to prepare you for the way others will treat me."
"Lord Gaara!" shouts a voice thickly between gasps. We turn to see Gran and Mother moving aside to let a man sprint past. He hunkers down, leaning on his knees and taking in large lungfuls of air. "Y… You left w… without a guard."
"I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself." The words seem scripted as though he's said them dozens of times before.
"If there's another attempt on your life…"
Gran and Ma have caught up to us. "You should have told us if it's dangerous for you to be out…" my mother starts, but Gaara corrects her.
"There's been assassins trying to kill me since I was born. From everywhere. These stories about me, well, some are because I'd personally take them out. After my father started sending his own after me, I left. Now that I'm king the Council thinks keeping blood off my hands will improve my image."
"It's also not worth your time!" the guard adds.
My blood feels cold, but my opinion has not changed. He's so willing to talk about these things. That means I can trust him, right?
"Please return with me Lord Gaara."
"Sorry we have to cut this short." Gaara sighs.
When we've been escorted out I give his hand a squeeze. "Can I return next weekend?"
"I'd like that."
I feel cold without him. My family talks cheerily about how spectacular the palace is and how the king wasn't what they expected. The somber moment where he'd explained that people are always trying to kill him isn't mentioned.
"I'll take it upon myself to escort her next Saturday," my father informs us very matter-of-factly.
"As her mother I am the most practical accompaniment to maintain my daughter's innocence," Ma counters.
"Well we can't all go and weigh down the poor man," Gran remarks.
"You'll have to take turns," I tell them as I watch the palace fade away.
"Eevee, I'm so proud of you. I never imagined you'd be queen."