The red rose

Someone once described women as red roses: beings that deceived others with the power of their beauty and if you got too close, you'd get hurt at last. The same person also said that the reason why these roses were red was that they had been swimming in their victims' blood. What a cruel comparison. But women weren't the only ones who could use that “power”.

I smiled at my reflection as I tied the upper parts of my wavy hair into a half updo. Braiding a few little hair strands together with some small cyan-colored hair accessories turned out to be a good decision. I looked at myself, satisfied with my appearance. The small cyan accessories went well together and complimented my eyes. I had already gotten dressed and now only one thing was left to do. Nails. The part I was the worst at. Taking a deep breath, I carefully started painting them in a simple black. My thoughts started to wander to the thought of being reunited with at least three of my family members. I wondered what they looked like. I was probably taller than Jin by now, though he'd always been on the shorter side, so that wasn't as difficult. Even Shin was taller despite being twins. I snorted. He'd stab me with his sword if I said that out loud.

And Father...

The smile on my face froze. I thought back at the letters I had received from my family. They all, at least once, mentioned Father's wavering health condition. I had tried asking Caleb about the details, he was a doctor after all, but he always avoided answering which just made it worse. I sighed, suspecting what the cause for that was.

His light was starting to fade away.

Five frustrated sighs, a mental breakdown caused by the failure of painting my nails, three conversations with disgusting smelling men, and friendly small talk with servants later, I was finally sitting in the garden on the west side. Alone. I looked at the clock and sighed.

They better not ditch me for some stupid Royal thing now. I even got dolled up.

I sat down on the ground of the terrace and stared at the guards that were positioned here. Their eyes were either blank, tired, or bored. I sighed. How boring. These guards were being way too stoic. No fun at all. I still remembered the guards that were assigned to me when I was little. I had lots of fun with those and they entertained me. Compared to them, these guards here were like total stones.

I was about to ask a servant if my father had sent me a note, but then it happened. I saw something red in the corner of my eyes. It caught my attention, I turned my head around to take a look. And then I saw him. Standing there, at the very back of the other guards. A hidden piece of art. His skin, as red as the very blood that ran through my veins, was caressed by fine lines of ink, creating a painting.

Tattoos?

I couldn't see his face, but I knew he was staring right back at me. My body shivered, feeling as if lightning had struck me. It left me electrocuted yet even more curious.

Could it be...?

I had seen people like him before. In books and just like in those paintings he seemed so mythical and ethereal. It felt as though he was a fabrication of my imagination. I didn't want the image of him slipping right through my fingers like water. I stood up. My abrupt movement startled the guards, but I paid them no attention. The unknown man moved as soon as I made the first step towards him. I got closer, feeling dizzy all of a sudden. It was as though his presence was hypnotizing me.

Such power...

He was emitting such a strong aura, my legs grew weak and I almost stumbled on my own naked feet. We were now only a few meters apart from one another. As if in slow motion, he swiftly took the hood he was wearing off, revealing his handsome face. Another piece of art. I stood still. His pitch-black eyes that shone like obsidian were piercing into mine. Couldn't move, couldn't breathe. I couldn't take my eyes off of him, a shiver ran down my spine. The way he looked at me was unbearable and I felt so small. It was as if he was devouring me alive. Sharp, manly features, tall, well-built yet elegant... What an attractive man. My eyes were wandering to his clothes that were different from those of the guards, then to the sword on his hip. I stared back at him.

This man was dangerous yet...

I couldn't explain it. He just left me speechless. He made me want to leave and get closer at the same time. There was this certain temptation, an unknown feeling was tingling inside me. There was something strange between us, some kind of connection.

Just who was this man?

I opened my mouth to say something but got interrupted. The Emperor and two Imperial Princes had arrived. I froze still, unsure of what to do.

At last, I turned around to greet my family.

I could still feel his piercing eyes on me.

That was the day I met the red rose that changed my life forever.