CHAPTER 5

The Cattaneo princess remained afraid and wary, people were not always kind, and assuming that everyone was good because they have sweet-talked you can be lethal. For the next few days after she met Ares, Rose maintained a safe distance. What if he was merely engaging and indulging with her because he was nice and she was his sister's friend but in reality he hated her. What if he was disgusted with her? the thought brought nothing but pain and agony to the innocent girl who felt her heart breaking. It was morning when she sneaked out after having breakfast, Ares was in a meeting so he had sent a female guard to give Rose a hearty meal of whatever she loved, the black-haired beauty was moved by his kindness and told to thank Ares in return from her side. When the guards watched the thirteen-year-old girl bouncing in the gardens from one rock to another and plucking red strawberries they turned a blind eye and minded their own business. Rose was content, she searched the whole garden filled with creepers and plucked the biggest and juiciest of the berries, till now she had a handful of those so she decided to ask a nearby guard for a basket. "c-can I have something to keep these?...please." the guard bowed when he saw her palm filled and the things overflowing her dainty hand. The said the blue basket was filled with fruits after an hour and had become too much heavy for her to carry so Rose decided it was best that now she returns to her room and sleep for a while. The idea sounded perfect and she hummed a euphonious melody while walking as her white frock swayed with the wind. The breeze was light and the season cloudy, with every inch of the ominous sky being covered with a blanket of clouds Rose stopped at the wooden bridge to look at the reflection of passing clouds in the lake, the swans were nowhere in sight, most likely they were under the bridge in their nest but what attracted the girl most was a big white lotus flower in the middle of the lake. She looked around and none of the guards were at this inner side of the mansion, the girl who never got into trouble before decided to be a little rebellious that day and went down the bridge, taking off her shoes she dipped her toes in the water to check the temperature. The artificial lagoon was shallow and was not at all enough to drown her, also her dress would not be dirtied if she would be careful. The girl stepped her foot inside the water raising her dress above her knees to stop it from getting wet, with cautious baby steps she went further in the middle towards the lotus she wished to have. When the desired bloom floated near her she was too excited to notice the mud beneath it making her feet slip as she fell down in the mud with a heavy thump. The mafia prince was searching for her when he saw a white visage from far away in the pond and the pretty princess lose her footing, Ares ran towards the girl. "Rose!" Rose was blank for a moment, all dirtied by mud with soil splashed on her face ,flock all stained, her ears started ringing as soon as she heard Ares's call. She did not even dared to look up as tears filled her eyes. The water sloshed and Rose trembled in terror, now he would not be nice to her, he would truly hate- "Baby" Ares cupped her face gently, wiping off the mud on her cheeks and nose. "Here, don't cry doll. You almost made it there." The man plucked the big white lotus from its floating leaves and kept it infront of Rose, who looked at him in utter surprise, the shame washing away. Those dusty cyans had nothing but concern and longing. "Y-You got dirty for me?" Her voice was a whisper as she saw his shirt no better than her own dress. "Absolutely not! I saw a fairy in pond and wished to catch hold of her. My intentions are pure evil." Rose giggled forgetting every little insecurity as Ares spread his arms to welcome her into his hold to take her out of this mess. _______________________________________________________ "Half of your berries belong to me now." Rose gasped as Ares took a handful of her hardwork washing it in the sink. Her hair was wet from a fresh bath, clothes new and fresh while Ares changed too. Rose pouted when he also took the lotus from her hand washing its petals, before she could protest he cut down the dark green stem placing the snow lotus on her shiny black head making her look as if she descended from a ancient tale. A flash made Rose blink in surprise as she realized Ares has taken a photo of hers with the flower at the top of her head which was bigger than her face. "See, I caught the fairy." Rose blushed at his compliment while he ate the strawberry appreciating her. "This one is juicy" She nodded shyly as he kept the berry infront of her mouth as she took a bite. "You broke the rules again....are you ready to pay for your sins." the girl slowly chewed on the fruit inside her mouth as her cheeks turn pink. "O-Ok" "Let me kiss your head then."