Metanoia

Chapter 15

"You actually kept it?" The King pondered, the botany book as far as he remembered, was tragically boring. Only discussing plant life that he already cared little for.

But the witch nodded earnestly, "plants and nature are so beautiful, they help me in my magic, and for that I give many thanks. It's important to thank and appreciate the land of which provides us life."

Yoongi smiled, nervous that the King would make fun of him or tease magics dependency on nature. Truth be told, he wanted the book. The first book hinted at rare and magical plants, a theory that Aithe was actually greatly magical. Of course the book was old, probably long before any of the living residents of Aithnes time. Yet the witch couldn't help but feel curious.

Namjoon held a hand out for the book, to which the witch had to walk around the huge desk to hand it to him.
The King lazily flipped through the dusty pages before looking up at the witch.
"So you really like all this flowers and herbs stuff?"

Yoongi nodded earnestly, "oh yes. We have a big farm back home. We make medicines and such for the palace. My Appa is a doctor of sorts."

"A witch doctor?"

Yoongi nodded with a smile in response, "my Eomma is a chef, she can make the most beautiful dishes from the food we grow in the garden."

Namjoon nodded, genuinely interested to hear the witch talk about his family. He didn't know why, nor did he care to think upon it, but listening to the young boy ramble about his home, made Namjoon feel warm.

The King suddenly stood, grabbing the boys wrist and dragging him somewhere. Yoongi initially fought the Kings hold on him but eventually relaxed. Namjoon wasn't gripping onto him tightly, actually he was rather gentle. Yoongi even noticed what appeared to be the grace of a smile on the Kings lips, which made him even calmer for some reason.

Namjoon dragged the witch through various corridors and up two flights of stairs, until he entered a room the younger had never been in before.

"This was my parents room," Namjoon explained, not meeting the eyes of the young witch.
They seemed to cut through the room, Namjoon still keeping his hold on the witches wrist.
He pushed open another door, and what Yoongi saw simply amazed him.

"Oh my goodness...." he whispered.

It was a garden, a locked away garden. They were on a sub level roof, tall trees and thick foliage covered every corner of the area. Long grass and dozens upon dozens of wildflowers over grew. It was, in its simplest form, the most beautiful example of nature overtaking an area.

"Your Majesty, this is... beautiful."

Namjoon smiled at the witches awe filled face. He nodded, "this was my mother's garden. She liked having an escape from the responsibility of being a Queen. She would read to me here, we would simply just rest for hours just... being here..." he trailed off with the happy memory, but soon his face grew timid.
"I'm ashamed to admit, that after her death I neglected our little safe space..."

Yoongi listened to the Namjoons words as he floated through the thick bushes and tall flowers, loving the chaos and beauty of the garden.

"Yoongi-ah," the King started softly, his gentle tone and kind voice instantly captured the attention of the witch, "would you help me clear this garden? Return it to its once pretty state?"