The next day, things got even weirder
I spent the whole day trying to avoid Arthur which was sort of hard considering I'm his servant. But every time I was with him, he would always find a way to touch me. Whether it was my arm or my hand, he would just casually touch me while I was working with him. It was so surprisingly out of character for Arthur that I was beginning to worry. He also was asking much more about me. Not personal things like my family but just trivial things. How my day was going or what I planned to do later. He just wanted to always converse with me. My replies usually consisted of short, basic answers. For meals, I would pop in and set the food up and sneak out before Arthur even arrived at his room but I think he might have tried to seek me out during the day. For example, he was supposed to be in training when I was running an errand for Gaius.
"Merlin!" a voice exclaimed from close behind me, "Just the man I was looking for!"
I nearly had a heart attack when I turned around to see Arthur arm's length away from me. He had his hands behind his back and brought one up in between us. In his hand was a single red rose.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Arthur smiled.
"It is, sire," I agreed. It actually was very beautiful; the rose was perfectly fresh and full.
"Red roses symbolize many different things," Arthur continued, "The red rose is associated with passion and romance. It's often called 'the lover's rose' and in full bloom are a symbol of a lasting or enduring love."
I didn't really know what to say at this sudden information so I decided on nodding. Red roses were great and the one Arthur had was very nice but was it really worth stopping me when I'm working? I was about to excuse myself when Arthur spoke again.
"Here," Arthur said as he extended his arm out towards me, "I want you to take it."
I hesitantly took it with my free hand, looking at it puzzled, "Who do you want me to deliver it to?"
"No one," Arthur shook his head, "It's for you."
His face looked so soft and vulnerable. He had hope in his eyes and he was smiling at me. He looked as if he was proud of himself, like a big weight was lifted off of his shoulders. But as for me, I stood there like a dofus. Obviously this had been a joke with the other knights, maybe a dare of some sorts. Haha, very funny! I complained to myself. Might as well humor them. I'll get them back later.
I looked down at the rose in my hand, "Uh, thank you?"
I didn't mean to make it sound like a question but the only thing that was running through my mind at the moment were questions. Arthur bowed his head at me and I just nodded back. I honestly don't know how I even managed to move, I felt paralyzed from shock. Again, I felt the sudden urge to get out of there before I did something embarrassing so I told him I needed to deliver some medicine and thanked him again for the rose. I swear I could have seen Arthur wink at me before I turned away and began to walk down the hallway. Maybe I was going to need something stronger from Gaius.
Sorry for the short chapter, just trying to get some work out and keep it fresh x