Thorns of a Rose

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•Y/N: Your Name
•E/C: Eye Color
•L/N: Last Name

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Your POV:
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There was no need for words as we walked to the courtyard gardens. Alton's company was more than enough to clear my tears away, but my emotions from the bath have yet to fade. I couldn't help but wonder what might've happened if the King hadn't been fooling around back there. I was petrified, frozen stiff with terror. He had pulled many stunts in the past, but none that involved something like that.

It was a new level of scary that I didn't even realize I'd have to deal with when I came here, and now, I have to work as his personal maid. How close does he want to keep me just to torment me? I don't understand his motives. He's simply insane. My feet come to a halt when the sun kisses my skin for the first time in what felt like forever.

It's warm and welcoming, like arms opening up for a loving embrace. The weather is fairly warm, but as the breeze swept through and sent my hair flying back in gentle waves, it cooled the temperature nicely. It gave me a fresh breath of air that I didn't realize I needed until now. I was in awe at the presence of the vivid and thriving greenery before my eyes as we start down a stone path to venture into the garden. Peach and apricot trees, ripe with fruit, are picked by women with baskets to take to the kitchen, likely to make a delicious desert, while landscapers shape massive and small topiaries of lions and detailed, humanoid figures with their hedge clippers, cut the lush green grass and water the strikingly beautiful, blooming flowers that seemed to create a rainbow.

Roses appear to be the favorite, as there are many bushes of them of every color one could imagine. I felt as though I had stepped into a new world— A better, brighter world, where all worries were washed away with the wind. My mind is pulled back to reality when we stop at a stone bench, which Alton kindly sweeps off for me to sit there, as if there was anything filthy there to damage my dress in the first place. Everything out here is pristine and clean, much like the palace itself. I bow my head to him in thanks as he offers me to sit first and smooth out my dress as he joins beside me.

"It's much more beautiful up close," I comment aloud with a dainty smile, at ease with the sight presented to me. "It's so colorful." Alton uses a finger to pull down his mask, unveiling a smile of his own.

"The late Queen was a lover of roses; therefore, it was ordered that roses of every color should fill the garden to please her. It was her wedding gift, essentially." He chuckles softly before saying, "I remember, back when our King was young, he would order me to bring his mother a rose every morning at breakfast. He demanded that I had to pick the loveliest bloom of the morning. I thought it was kind of cute, actually. Hard to believe he'd do something like that now, huh?" His shoulders depress as he leans forward some with his elbows on his knees, while I was in shock.

"Really? He asked you to do that?" Yes, it truly was hard to believe that his majesty would've given such sweet and thoughtful orders. It sounded like the exact opposite of something he would do nowadays. The assassin nods to confirm his claim.

"You must keep in mind that he cared a lot about his mother. She was probably the most dearest thing to his heart, so after she passed, he changed." He grips his hands tight and looks off to the side. "He was always... off to begin with, honestly, but he was never like this. He was a lot nicer, more level headed, but as he got older... It gets hard working for him sometimes. I swear he's become heartless."

Just as I opened my mouth to agree, I stopped myself and folded my hands on my lap. In that moment, an image of the King crying helplessly in his bed came to mind. Had something happened to him to bring about this massive change? Alton had admitted that the King had always behaved a bit strangely, but had noticed a big change since his mother's death. Was that all it took to make him flip like a switch, or is there more to it, like with what Alton had told me about the previous king?

"That seems dreadful to lose the person you loved the most, the one who raised you," I mutter, feeling a small sense of pity in my heart for the cruel king. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost my parents." My breath caught in my throat as my worry for them resurfaced. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about such a scenario happening. I could imagine their deaths so clearly.

This was what kept me from acting out around the King. He could do the awfullest things to me, but as long as my family is safe, I will endure it even if it results in my suffering. A sob breaks through me as I cover my face. "How am I going to protect them now that I'm his personal maid. He's going to make things worse on me, I just know it." My hands leak with tears, dampening the ground below. I can't believe I'm crying again. I never used to cry this much. What is this job doing to me? I tense up as strong arms wrap around me, which was purely impulsive. As soon as I realize it was Alton, I melted like butter in his hold and embraced him back while mentally thanking him for his kindness.

"Everything will work out, I'm sure. Your work here isn't permanent, right? As soon as your family's debt is payed, you are free to leave. He would have no reason to keep you no matter what position you're given."

"I- It seem like it'll take forever for that to happen, a- and what if he lashes out if I do quit? You know him, he isn't stable," I cry out against his uniform, my voice broken with sobs, as his hand pets the back of my head.

"You will lose all hope to your fears if you think that way, Y/N. Don't worry about the future so much, just focus on getting through the now, and I'll be here for you whenever you need me." I felt my heart throb as I shut my eyes and give a wavering smile that he couldn't see. His words were completely genuine. I will not have to continue this pain alone. I will have him by my side in trying times. Perhaps, this is the beginning of a deep and meaningful friendship... maybe more. My face flushed at the thought as I held his clothes loosely in my fists, admiring his scent, which had quickly grown on me.

"I'll help you through this no matter what."

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Author's POV:
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Soft laughter echoes through the empty halls, a sound of amusement that came from the King's very own lips as he thought back to that look of dread painting the farm girl's face when he had pulled his little stunt. The idea came to him in the moment and left him chuckling all throughout his bath, much to the confusion of his handmaidens. They dared not question what happened, however, no matter how curious they got. They hoped to maybe ask Y/N the next time they saw her, but judging off the look she gave them after bursting out of the bathing room, they figured it was not something she wanted to discuss. Weston eyes his master as he follows by his side and comes close to the man's hand to brush against it.

The King absentmindedly pats the feline's head as he peers out the windows with a satisfied smile on his face. His schedule is clear with the sudden disappearance of his suitresses, which is a rare, but welcome, occurrence. My, was that a wonderful surprise to wake up to. His little plaything had driven them off, and he couldn't be more grateful. He couldn't help but promote her in that moment.

It was something he had thought on beforehand, but that quickly sealed the deal. Oh, how fun it will be to toy with her now that they'll be even closer than before, though, he has no clue how he will ever be able to top what he had pulled in the bath. His feet give pause, so that he could admire his mother's beloved garden from the window, and contemplates on taking a stroll out there until something other than the beautiful roses caught his eye. At first, he had simply glanced over the pair seated on one of the stone benches until they leaned back enough to reveal their faces. He had to do a double-take to ensure it was indeed the farm girl being held in the arms of one of his assassins.

At first, there was no reaction until the sight finally nestled into his brain, prodding it like a pin. There was a sharp feeling of pain and betrayal brewing in his chest, his heart feeling as though it had sunk down to his gut and got stuck. It did not occur to him that someone on his staff would try getting close to her, so to see this was a shock he did not expect. He was so caught up in playing with her that he didn't consider an outer party. His pain festers into feelings of hate and jealousy as Noah's mind went blank. Alton had made a grave mistake. Screaming out in anger, he drives his gloved fist through the glass, shattering it to pieces and creating a ruckus. He felt no pain in his hand as he clenched it due to the intensity of his rage and stormed his way to the training room, where his assassins often congregate. All he saw was red.

'Now you've done it, farm girl.'

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Your POV:
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I jump in fright at the sound of shattering glass and spin my head in the direction of the noise with widened eyes, Alton doing the same.

"What was that?" I wonder before noticing a busted window on the third floor.

"I'm not sure. Looks like someone broke a window. It was probably just a maid or something, but maybe I should check it out just in case." Feeling obligated to check for any possible sign of a trespasser or struggle, Alton stands up and places his mask over his mouth and nose. Before he could take off, however, I grab his hand.

"Wait, please. I want to thank you for this, for helping me out." I stare at him with gratitude and watch as his eyes soften into a caring gaze that made my insides melt.

"Anytime, Y/N." It seemed as though, if his mask wasn't up, his cheeks would be flushed to compliment a kind smile that would no doubt make me fall even harder. I have not known him long, but I have never had anyone stare at me the way he does, not to mention how sweet and delicate he is being. After dealing with the harshness of the King, it was like the difference between a devil and an angel. I dare say I have a crush. "Will you be out here, then?" I shrug my shoulders as my hand slips away.

"Probably. Apparently, I have the rest of the day off."

"Day off?" He arches a brow to express confusion. "Since when does his majesty bless us with days off?" Of course, we are allowed rest days every now and again, but to be working only to then be told to have the day to yourself was unheard of unless you were ill, especially when you work closely with the King. I shake my head, finding it odd myself.

"I don't understand it either, but I'm grateful," I heave a sigh and lower my head. "He's so unpredictable." I gaze up at him again with a hopeful stare set in my E/C optics. "Hey, may I ask for a favor?"

"Well, it depends. What kind of favor?" The assassin cocks his head, probably wondering what I'm thinking of. After all, what sort of favor do you ask of a trained killer?

"You go outside, into the kingdom, I mean, right?"

"I do." He seemed unsure of where this was going, but patiently awaits my request.

"I want to write my parents a letter, so they can know I'm okay. Do you think you can deliver it?" Biting my lip, I give him a pleading look. I have wanted to contact them for the longest time now, but I had no way of doing that. I know they were sent home to work off the debt on their end, but I've had no access to a delivery service. This might be my only option.

"Is that all?" I could hear the smile on his voice, which set my heart aflame. "I'll see what I can do." I smile happy and jump up to hug him tight.

"Thank you so much!" He chuckles and pats my back before we part. "I'll give you it during dinner."

"Sounds like a plan. Look, I should really get going." His gaze flicks to the broken window, reminding me of why he was leaving in the first place.

"Right, sorry," I apologize, feeling a little flustered for keeping him, but he laughs it off and waves goodbye as he jogs away.

'I suppose I should get my hands on some paper. I'm sure that if I ask around, someone will tell me where I could find some.' I breathe in the delightful scent of the flowers and take my time going back inside, but I am excited to write to mama and papa.

I hope they're doing all right without me.

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Author's POV:
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King Noah burst into the the training room, and immediately, the assassins and knights stop what they're doing to bow respectfully to their leader.

"I require my assassins, now! Step outside, all of you," he calls in a strict voice that shows he is in a bad mood. They obey and follow the man and his pet out, leaving the other's to carry out their training as soon as the door is shut. The assassins all line up against the wall, backs as straight as a board with their chins up, not staring directly at the King. He sees there are four of them, which narrows down who the man in the garden was. Slightly, he felt even more infuriated as he couldn't recall that one's name in his current state, but he was aware that it was the one that was in his service for the longest time. "What is the name of the fifth one?" It was hardly a question, more a demand, and it confused the men momentarily, as they had thought they were being called for a job. Hector bows deeply before answering for the group, his shoulder-length, blonde locks falling over his dark eyes in the process.

"Alton Belverez, your majesty. I'm afraid he is not currently present."

"I want to know if he has had contact with any of my maids." They all gave pause, thinking back to the many times Alton had interacted with the female staff over bets that they have placed. They would often have him flirt with maids to get them all flustered. He never failed even over the toughest girl. They always said he had a gift. Since this happens so often, they had to think back to give an answer.

"I believe he's interacted with Maria Scarven, Josefine Lida and Y/N L/N, your majesty, but those are only the most recent," Quincey answers with slight nervousness set in his pale blue eyes. He was worried for his friend, but he couldn't lie to his king or else he'd end up dead. This news pushed Noah closer to the edge as a muscle in his sharp jaw twitched.

'So, not only has he tried to ensnare the farm girl, but those others as well.' The King was seething. One could practically see the steam coming out of his ears.

'How dare he?! Those are my maids, that is my plaything! I will not stand for this! She is for me to torment, not his to comfort! I'll kill him. I'll kill him!' Even in his current state of burning rage, he knew it would not be simple to kill an assassin that was hand picked by him. He needed a plan. He was going to make that boy suffer if it was the last thing he does, and Y/N, poor, sweet Y/N. He was going to make her suffer the most. She should've known better.

"That is all," he dismisses through gritted teeth while clenching his fists and turning away.

"Your majesty, your hand!" they call out in concern upon seeing the blood soaking and dripping from his glove. The King stops and lifts the injured hand before tugging off the thin, tattered fabric to see the damage for himself. It was cut open, but not too deep. What are they whining about? There isn't even any glass in his skin. He had experienced far greater pain than this. Cracking a mad grin, he darts out his tongue to lick the wounds on his knuckles and discards his glove on the ground.

'How amusing.' He chuckles as he pulls away from his hand with a smirk, lips now blood red.

'I had no idea how much of an effect she had left on me. Oh, Y/N, you are a fool, an utter fool. I hope you enjoy what comes next.'

A sickening laugh expelled from his lips as he continues down the corridor, leaving the assassins wondering if the man had finally lost his head.

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