The Garden

I sit down on the rock, looking down at my feet. I put them slowly in the freezing water, shivering as soon as it laps at my skin.

As soon as they are submerged I look around my beautiful garden. I see every part and I know all. Nothing escapes my gaze.

The gardener once made me unhappy with the upkeep of my favorite part: the green roses. I made certain that he never did that again.

...

The gardener had always tried to do his job well, never leaving anything out of place, pruning properly, watering evenly. For he loves his job, making things look lovely. And he likes the look that lit up his madame’s face when she saw it all.

But he also likes living. Keeping his head has been a priority in this job, one that you’re not told about when you acquire it.

She is not awful, she simply wants everything to be perfect, wonderfully so.

“And isn’t that also what he wants?” He asks himself. “Yes it is. So there is no problem at all.” He carefully snips a small branch off a rosebush and whistles.

...

Never had the prince seen such a spectacular grounds as he now walked across. The lawns are exact, the flowers vibrant, everything perfect.

“I must meet the gardeners.” He remarks. “Any men who keep things as emaculate as this are marvelous workers. I wish to congratulate them.”

The small woman walking beside the prince laughs. “Oh no sire, ‘tis on‘y one man ooh does all thee wark. ‘Es a smart fellow, good at ’is job.”

The prince stops in his tracks and throws his head around, amazed.

“One man does all this!” He exclaims, “how does he keep up with it all?!”

The woman’s smile stranes a bit. She had stopped walking when he had, and she now sits on the short wall on the side of the path. She is still smiling and yet it does not appear so happy now.

”’Es good at wat ’e does.” She says, clenching one hand in the fabric of her dress.

The Prince is now uncretain how to proceed. He has always tried to be kind to servants, but decorum must be upkept. You cannot pat them on the shoulder for instance.

”Well, I would like to meet him myself but it may not be possible. Could you pass along my wonder at his work, please?” The prince says, still unsure of how to act.

“Of corse sire, no pr’blm.” She stands and begins moving once more. “Right thiz way.”

...

”Well, look at that.” I thought to myself, pulling the curtain aside to look out the window.

“Ma’am?“ The young girls light steps could pull me out of my thoughts at all times of the day. It is as though she is trying too hard to be quiet.

”I see them.” I say without turning. “Tell the butler I will be down shortly.”

”Yes Ma’am.” I hear her feet scrape and then her retrearing steps. I will have to talk to her superior about that lack of noise, nothing drastic will have to be done. At this point in time at least.

Now, what to wear? The boy is a prince so he likely seen all of the most extravagant things. The point of this meeting is not to impress him regardless of that. It is for the “introduction of our two countries monarchies.” To quote myself from my letter.

The text in question had been addressed to the king and I would have preferred if he was the one here today. However, in his returning message he spoke of his previous arrangements, and displeasure at being unable to attend.

I decide upon wearing something that will tell him I am serious about this discussion. At the same time it will make him aware that I will not be taken advantage of. My kingdom is my own, I alone will provide for it.

...

”Her Majesty will be down as soon as she is able. She has had a busy morning.“ The has a way of talking above someones head, not looking at them. It’s making the prince uncomfortable and he resists the urge to check behind him for someone else.

“Thank you sir. Is there somewhere I can wait for her?” the prince asks, hoping to take advantage of seeing more of the building this mysterious queen lives in.

“Right this way, sire.” The butler says, waving his hand and turning slightly sideways.

The prince follows just behind the butler, wishing that he could take notes. He had already learned so much about this woman. He may not be able to remember it all for his father.

...

”He’s a good lookin’ boy. Nothin‘ like ’is fatha.” The maid says, hanging the laundry. “I hope he don’t judge the mistress too much. Outsidars are not often kind to her.”

The other maids and manservants nod. There had been many a guest who received subpar service because of their comments about their dear madame.

The servants had found that the wealthy often forgot that while the subject of discussion wasn’t there, listening ears still lingered. Serventa truly could disappear for them.

...

The prince had been waiting for about ten minutes when the doors of the library swung open.

“Hello dear prince!” The lady exclaimed. He had thirty seconds to observe her before he was swept up in her arms. Two kisses on his cheeks left his head feeling jerked around.

“She’s wearing pants.” He thought to himself.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I got distracted with various things.” She leads him to a table and he cautiously sits.

“No problem, your majesty. I enjoyed looking at the books.” He looks around in wonder at the huge shelves stacked full of paper.

“Yes, it’s quite large.” They sit in a comfortable silence for a few seconds before she speaks again.

“I hope you don’t mind my choice of clothing. I find it to be so much easier to do my daily tasks in than anything else. And I have no husband to tell me otherwise.” She chuckles at her small joke, but it seems that her words are a threat as well.

“No, I am a guest in your house. However you dress is none of my concern.” The prince feels the diplomatic dance beginning and hopes he does well at it.

“Thank you.” the queen raises her hand and a manservant quickly walks over. She whispers in his ear and then he hurries off to take care of her wishes.

“Would you like to see my most prized possessio?” She suddenly asks, sitting forward in her chair slightly.

The prince is taken slightly by surprise, the look on her face is more intense than one would normally expect. But then he recalls his diplomacy. A smile grows on his face.

“It would be my greatest pleasure.” He bows his head a degree.

“Wonderful.” She stands and begind walking to the doors. “Follow me this way then.”

...

How to explain the prince the importance of what he was about to witness. This was the basis of everything I do. My very existence depends on it.

We walk down the front steps, the golden light shimmering.

Stepping onto the gravel, I get more excited with every step closer. I love being here and showing it to someone is more joyful than I would have thought.

“Here it is.” I say, approaching the glass doors. I throw them open and breathe in the scented air, perfectly perfumed.

I step back so that the prince can see it. There is so much to take in and I want it presented in its full glory. He steps through the doors, staring at everything in wonder.

“This,” I say, following him through, “is The Garden.”

To be continued...