Helia's pov
I look at Flora, a tiny smirk grace upon her gentle lips, waiting for me to explain. I feel so embarrassed and nervous since I have no clue what she is going to say. She leads me into the empty café. It was a nice and honey presence to the place. The air felt warmer than outside but not too hot, there is a small little fireplace near the door and a small little counter with tasty looking pastries and treats behind the glass. The door in the back opens and a tall, slightly built, African man probably in his early thirties walked out with a cheerful smile on his face.
"Hey there princess," he says walking to her and giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"Hey uncle C. Helia this is Cal Joseph. He works here in the shop," she introduces us.
"As in the Prince?"
"Yes, uncle."
"Nice to meet your majesty," Cal shakes my hand smiling before bowing.
"The pleasure is mine," I reply with a smile.
"Come on Helia we can sit here," Flora says while walking to a booth in the back.
"Call if you need to, princess," Cal says walking to the back.
"So Helia you were explaining something to me," she reminds me with a worried look on her face.
"Yeah. It's kind of embarrassing."
"It can't be that bad."
"Well, its starts two days ago when I was in the garden. I really don't marry Diaspro so I start to think of the girl I want to marry. I had this vision of her. When I finished I knew then that I would marry the woman I drew only if she loved me for me. So when I and the guards went to the marketplace and I saw you I looked back at the picture I drew. I drew you, Flora. That's why I want to meet you because I wanted to see if my vision of you real," I take out my drawing of her out of my pocket.
For a while, she sat there in pure silence looking at the picture. She looks back and forth between me and the drawing. Cal comes by with an iced coffee for Flora and a glass of water for me. I get up to leave after 4 minutes but she stops me when she touches my hand.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so quiet. It's just, it's not every day a prince tell a peasant like me that he drew her without even knowing her. Please back down. I want to know more about you," she says with a hint of blush on her soft cheek.
"Okay. It's fine really. I just thought you were going to laugh at me," I sigh in relief while sitting back down.
"I would never laugh at you."
"So tell me about yourself."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything," I take her soft hands into mine. "I wanna know you hopes and dreams, to your fears and anxieties. I wanna know what makes you cry what makes you laugh Flora. I wanna know everything you are willing to share with me."
"Well, I'm sixteen years old. My favorite colors are green and pink. Um, I never had a boyfriend but all of my friends do. I was born on the western side of Helix. I love plants and nature. Oh, I love the arts too. My hobbies are reading and taking care of my plants. I also have a major sweet tooth for candy. Mostly chocolate. I think that's it."
"They are some amazing things, Flora."
"Thank you."
"What are your parents like?"
She freezes when I ask my question. She let out a long sigh while setting down her drink down. A tear slowly falls down her mocha cheek down to her dimpled chin. Flora quickly wipes it with her free hand.
"My parents passed away five years ago. Yesterday was the anniversary," she says in an upset tone as more tears fall faster than she can wipe them.
My heart shatters when her small form begins to tremble. As sobs escape her mouth while I wrap my arms around her tightly. I rub her sides slowly while kissing her honeycomb hair. I pull her tiny form against my slightly muscular chest while I rub her back soothingly and wipe her tears.
"It's ok Flora. Don't cry. I'm so sorry for your loss," I tell her while tightening my grip on her.
"Thank you."
"Can I ask how they died?"
"My dad was a scientist and my mom was a healer. My dad warned the other scientist about their experiment but they didn't listen. My parents stayed behind to stop it from spreading. They didn't make it," she explains while crying on my shoulder.
I'm in shock to what she tells me. I have heard of this incident happening before in meeting with the royal council members, but never have I met a survivor or a relative of one. I cuddle her closer to me; trying to protect her from the world.
"It's ok Flora. I'm here. Sh. Sh. Don't cry. You're breaking my heart," I soothe her while wiping her porcelain face.
"Thank you, Helia. You are so sweet. I'm better now."
"You're welcome. Take a sip of your drink," I coax her while holding her drink to her pink lips.
She smiles at me while taking a sip. She rests her hand on my chest while she sips her coffee. After about four sips she takes the drink from my hand and sets it on the table.
"Enough about me and my life. Tell me about you," she says while looking up at me.
"Well, I'm a prince for starters. I'm seventeen years old going on eighteen in seven months. I'm an artist and a bit of a poet. I love drawing nature. My dad wants me to be a warrior but I don't want to be one, though. I want to be my own person. I especially don't want Diaspor by my side. She is just a spoiled princess who wants my father's money and royal status. I get she is of royal blood but believe me, her title means nothing. Did you know that there is a rumor that she is sleeping with my father?"
"Those are some great talents. I love to see your artwork one day. Wait, that's what happened to her last fiancé. And the other ones she had."
"Something is not right with her."
"Everyone says that. You know that she dated Sky right."
"He never told me."
"My friend, Bloom, is dating him. She told me that he told her that Diaspor tried to kiss his father during a gala. He flipped out on her and broke up with her on the spot. Then my other friend Stella said that her boyfriend, Brandon dated Diaspor but she cheated on him with his friend and my friend Musa's boyfriend, Riven. Riven would hook up with her when he and Musa were on a break. But that stopped when he caught her with Nabu his friend but that didn't get far when she pinned Nabu against a wall and kissed him. He tried to get her off but she used her magic to trap him. Layla his girlfriend and my best friend freaked out on her and almost killed her. Diaspor had to face Bloom, Musa,and Stella on top of Layla on that night. She had a restraining order placed on all of them. The girls messed her up so bad that Diaspor had to have thirty stitches in her leg and arm. I can't believe they didn't tell you," Flora explains looking at me like I'm crazy.
"How do you know all of this?" I ask while laughing slightly.
"Girls know things on other girls. Aka gossip at the spa."
"Do you honestly think that I should marry her?" I ask.
"No. You deserve someone honest, loyal, truthful, and loving to you. You deserve someone way better than her." She says.
"How about someone like you?" I ask while grabbing her chin gently and kissing her passionately.
She squeaks before moaning as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Most people say that they see fireworks when they share a true kiss, I, on the other hands, see her walking down the aisle. When we part I place my head in her neck and place feather light kisses on her jaw. She squeezes my shoulder tightly as I pull away. She leans into me and kisses me again but chaste. When we final stops all the kissing I laugh slightly with made tear glisten her eyes. I feel horrible,of course, so I pull her closer to me.
"What's wrong?" I ask while rubbing her arms.
"You laughed at me," she mumbles to me.
"No. It's just you taste like chocolate strawberries and a mocha coffee."
"Sorry."
"It's fine. So do you want to go on a real date sometime."
"Oh Helia, of course, I would."
"Come. We better get home before my cousins kill each other."
As we get up to leave my phones rings. I look to see Riven rushing into the cafe looking angry and slightly frantic.
"Heila, we need to get you back to the palace now. Diaspro is looking for you."
"Dammit. Is there a way to get out of that?" I asked while looking at Flora with an apologetic look.
"She called my phone six minutes ago. She is on her way back to the palace. You have to beat her there." Riven explained.
"Alright. Sky, come and get Flora and Riven will take me to the palace."
"What about me, Timmy, and Nabu?" Brandon asked.
"When Diaspro leaves I'm coming right back to Flora's and I don't her cousins touching her," I order while see Sky arrive on his leva bike arrive. "My flower, I will see you as soon as I'm done with Diaspro. I'll be back at your house soon my love." I hug Flora tightly while kissing her temple.
"Alight sweetie. You take care of whatever you need tot ake care of. I will be waiting for you Heila. I love you," she kisses me goodbye softly, making me more addictive to her lips.
As we part ways I get on my Riven's bike and we head off back to the palace.