章 3: Crown prince's One-side love

The One-Sided Crush

The palace gardens were a tapestry of vibrant colors and intoxicating fragrances, a paradise within the Nejra Empire. Birds chirped melodiously, and the gentle rustle of leaves added a serene backdrop to the morning sun's golden rays. Amidst this idyllic setting, Crown Prince Aidan Taur found himself in a rather peculiar predicament.

Aidan, with his flowing silver hair and piercing blue eyes, was the epitome of regal charm. However, today, his usual confident demeanor was replaced with nervous energy. His heart thumped loudly in his chest as he spotted his target: a petite palace maid named Lila.

Lila was known for her shy nature and delicate beauty. Her soft brown eyes, framed by long lashes, often darted nervously around, and her chestnut hair was always neatly braided. She was timid, often scurrying about her duties with an almost ethereal grace. And Aidan was completely smitten.

The problem was, Lila seemed to be utterly terrified of him.

Aidan approached her cautiously, trying to appear non-threatening. "Good morning, Lila," he said, his voice a tad too loud, causing her to jump slightly.

"Oh! Good morning, Your Highness," Lila replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she curtsied, her cheeks turning a rosy pink.

Aidan cleared his throat, trying to muster his courage. "I, uh, noticed you like to pick flowers from the garden. It's... um, it's a lovely day, isn't it?"

Lila nodded quickly, her eyes darting around as if looking for an escape route. "Yes, Your Highness, it is."

There was an awkward silence. Aidan scratched his head, trying to think of something to say. "Do you... have a favorite flower?"

Lila looked surprised at the question. "I... I like daisies, Your Highness. They're simple and pretty."

Aidan's face lit up. "Daisies! That's wonderful. You know, I think daisies are my favorite too."

Lila blinked at him, clearly skeptical. "Really, Your Highness?"

"Absolutely," Aidan insisted, nodding vigorously. "In fact, I was thinking... maybe you could help me pick some daisies? I mean, if you're not too busy, of course."

Lila glanced around nervously, her hands wringing her apron. "I... I suppose I could, Your Highness. If that's what you wish."

Aidan's smile widened. "Great! Let's go then."

As they walked through the garden, Aidan tried to keep up a conversation, though it was mostly one-sided. He talked about the different flowers, the weather, and even the latest palace gossip. Lila responded with polite nods and the occasional soft-spoken word.

At one point, Aidan tripped over a small rock, nearly falling face-first into a rosebush. Lila stifled a giggle, and Aidan, red-faced, chuckled awkwardly. "I guess I should watch where I'm going, huh?"

Lila's laughter was like a delicate chime. "Yes, Your Highness. That might be a good idea."

Aidan felt his heart soar at the sound of her laugh. "You know, Lila, I think you have the most beautiful laugh I've ever heard."

Lila's face turned crimson, and she quickly looked away. "Thank you, Your Highness," she mumbled.

As they continued picking daisies, Aidan found himself increasingly enchanted by Lila's quiet grace. He longed to know more about her, to break through her shyness and make her smile more often.

"Do you have any hobbies, Lila?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

Lila hesitated. "I... I like to read, Your Highness. And sometimes I sew."

Aidan's eyes lit up. "Reading! I love reading too. What kinds of books do you like?"

"Mostly stories about far-off places and brave heroes," Lila said softly. "It's nice to escape into a different world."

Aidan nodded enthusiastically. "I know exactly what you mean. Maybe... maybe you could recommend a book to me sometime?"

Lila looked at him, genuinely surprised. "You... you want me to recommend a book to you, Your Highness?"

"Absolutely," Aidan replied with a warm smile. "I'd love to know what you enjoy."

Lila's lips curved into a shy smile, and Aidan felt his heart melt. "Alright, Your Highness. I... I can do that."

As they walked back to the palace, Aidan felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could win Lila's heart. He was determined to try, no matter how many daisies he had to pick or how many awkward conversations he had to endure.

The Timid Heart

The next morning, Aidan was once again in the palace gardens, waiting for Lila. He had a book tucked under his arm, a story about a brave hero in a far-off land, hoping it might be one she liked.

Lila arrived, her eyes widening slightly when she saw him. "Good morning, Your Highness," she said, curtsying.

"Good morning, Lila," Aidan replied, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of her. "I brought a book. I thought you might like it."

Lila looked at the book, then at Aidan, her cheeks turning pink. "Thank you, Your Highness. That's very kind of you."

Aidan handed her the book, their fingers brushing for a brief moment. "I hope you enjoy it," he said, feeling a surge of nervous excitement.

Lila nodded, clutching the book to her chest. "I'm sure I will, Your Highness."

Aidan took a deep breath. "Lila, I was wondering... would you like to have tea with me this afternoon? I'd love to talk more about books and... and other things."

Lila's eyes widened in surprise. "Tea, Your Highness? With me?"

"Yes, with you," Aidan said, smiling warmly. "I think it would be nice."

Lila hesitated, her mind racing. She had always been intimidated by the Crown Prince, but he seemed genuinely kind and interested in her. "Alright, Your Highness," she said finally. "I'd like that."

Later that afternoon, Aidan nervously prepared for their tea. He instructed the palace staff to prepare a small table in the garden, adorned with Lila's favorite flowers—daisies. He wanted everything to be perfect.

When Lila arrived, she was stunned by the beautiful setup. "Oh, Your Highness, this is lovely," she said, her eyes wide with wonder.

"I'm glad you like it," Aidan replied, pulling out a chair for her. "Please, have a seat."

As they sipped their tea, Aidan tried to steer the conversation towards Lila's interests. "So, what did you think of the book I gave you?"

Lila's face lit up. "It's wonderful, Your Highness. The hero is so brave and kind. I love the way he helps everyone he meets."

Aidan smiled, relieved that she liked the book. "I'm glad to hear that. I thought it might be something you'd enjoy."

They continued talking about the book, and Aidan found himself captivated by Lila's insights and gentle passion for the story. He had never met anyone quite like her.

At one point, a butterfly fluttered by, landing on Lila's hand. She gasped in delight, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, look, Your Highness! Isn't it beautiful?"

Aidan watched her, his heart swelling with affection. "Yes, it is," he said softly, though he was looking at her, not the butterfly.

Lila blushed under his gaze, feeling a strange warmth in her chest. "Thank you for this, Your Highness. It's... it's been a lovely afternoon."

Aidan reached across the table, gently taking her hand. "Lila, I know I may seem intimidating, but I want you to know that I care about you. I want to get to know you better, to spend more time with you."

Lila's heart raced, her mind spinning. She had always seen Aidan as the distant, unattainable Crown Prince, but now, he seemed so sincere, so genuine. "I... I don't know what to say, Your Highness," she whispered.

"Say you'll give me a chance," Aidan said, his voice earnest. "A chance to show you who I really am."

Lila looked into his eyes, seeing a vulnerability she had never noticed before. "Alright, Your Highness," she said softly. "I'll give you a chance."

Aidan's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Lila. You have no idea how much this means to me."

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the garden, Aidan and Lila continued their conversation, the awkwardness slowly melting away. They talked about their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future. For the first time, Lila felt truly comfortable around the Crown Prince, and Aidan felt a glimmer of hope that he might one day win her heart.

And so, amidst the laughter and shared stories, the timid palace maid and the smitten Crown Prince began a tentative, yet promising, journey towards a deeper connection. The road ahead would undoubtedly be filled with challenges and misunderstandings, but for now, in the soft twilight of the garden, everything felt possible.

Closer Encounters

The days that followed were filled with a mix of sweet, awkward moments and blossoming affection. Aidan found himself looking forward to his encounters with Lila, often planning small surprises to see her smile. Lila, although still shy, began to open up bit by bit, her initial fear of Aidan slowly dissipating.

One sunny afternoon, Aidan decided to surprise Lila with a picnic by the palace lake. He had carefully selected an assortment of her favorite snacks and laid out a cozy blanket under a large, shady tree.

Lila approached hesitantly, her eyes widening as she took in the picturesque scene. "Your Highness, this is... so thoughtful," she said, her voice filled with wonder.

Aidan beamed. "I'm glad you like it, Lila. Please, have a seat."

They settled down on the blanket, and Aidan couldn't help but notice how the sunlight danced on Lila's hair, giving her an almost angelic glow. He cleared his throat, trying to focus on the picnic instead of his racing heart.

"I made sure to include some of your favorite treats," Aidan said, handing her a plate with an assortment of pastries.

Lila's eyes lit up. "These are my favorite! How did you know?"

Aidan shrugged nonchalantly. "I might have asked around," he admitted, his cheeks turning a slight shade of pink.

Lila giggled, and Aidan's heart skipped a beat at the sound. "Thank you, Your Highness. This is very kind of you."

As they enjoyed their picnic, Aidan tried to think of ways to make Lila laugh. He started telling her stories from his childhood, often embellishing the details to make them funnier.

"And then," Aidan said, grinning, "I tried to ride the goat like it was a horse. Let's just say it didn't end well. I ended up in the mud, and the goat seemed quite pleased with itself."

Lila laughed, a soft, melodic sound that made Aidan's heart swell. "I can just imagine that, Your Highness," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Aidan chuckled. "You know, Lila, I don't think anyone has ever made me laugh as much as you do."

Lila's cheeks turned pink. "I'm glad I can make you laugh, Your Highness."

Aidan reached over and gently took her hand. "Please, call me Aidan. When we're together like this, I want to be more than just a prince to you."

Lila's eyes widened, and she nodded shyly. "Alright, Aidan."

They continued their picnic, enjoying the peacefulness of the lake and the warmth of each other's company. At one point, a gentle breeze blew through, causing Lila's hat to fly off. Aidan immediately sprang into action, chasing after it.

He returned, slightly out of breath but triumphant, holding the hat out to Lila. "Your hat, milady," he said with a playful bow.

Lila giggled again, taking the hat and placing it back on her head. "Thank you, Aidan."

Aidan sat back down, a soft smile on his face. "You know, Lila, I never realized how beautiful the palace gardens could be until I started spending time here with you."

Lila's blush deepened, and she looked down, twirling a strand of her hair. "You're too kind, Aidan."

"It's the truth," Aidan said earnestly. "You make everything seem brighter."

Lila's heart fluttered at his words. She had always admired Aidan from afar, never daring to believe that he could feel anything for her. But now, sitting here with him, she felt a warmth and happiness she had never known before.

A Timid Heart Opens

As the days turned into weeks, Aidan and Lila's bond grew stronger. They spent countless hours in the garden, talking, laughing, and sharing their dreams. Aidan continued to shower Lila with small gestures of affection, each one carefully thought out to make her feel special.

One evening, as the sun was setting, Aidan led Lila to a secluded corner of the garden where a swing hung from a large oak tree. The area was adorned with fairy lights, creating a magical atmosphere.

Lila gasped in delight. "Oh, Aidan, it's beautiful!"

Aidan smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "I thought you might like it. I wanted to create a special place just for us."

They sat on the swing together, gently swaying back and forth. Aidan's heart raced as he turned to Lila, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Lila, there's something I've been wanting to tell you."

Lila looked at him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it, Aidan?"

Aidan took a deep breath, summoning all his courage. "Lila, from the moment I first saw you, I knew there was something special about you. Spending time with you has been the happiest part of my day. I... I think I'm falling in love with you."

Lila's heart skipped a beat, her mind reeling with Aidan's confession. She had always admired him, but she never dared to hope that he could feel the same way. "Aidan, I... I don't know what to say."

Aidan gently took her hands in his. "Just tell me how you feel, Lila. That's all I need to hear."

Lila took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. "Aidan, I've always been so shy and scared around you, but these past few weeks have been wonderful. You've shown me kindness and patience, and you've made me feel special. I... I think I might be falling in love with you too."

Aidan's face lit up with joy, and he pulled Lila into a gentle embrace. "You've made me so happy, Lila. I promise to cherish and protect you always."

Lila smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging that she had never felt before. "And I promise to always be by your side, Aidan."

They sat there on the swing, wrapped in each other's arms, as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky. For the first time, both Aidan and Lila felt a deep sense of contentment and happiness, knowing that they had found something truly special in each other.

Love Blossoms

The days that followed were filled with more sweet and tender moments. Aidan and Lila spent their time exploring the palace gardens, reading together, and sharing their dreams and aspirations. Each day brought them closer, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

One afternoon, as they strolled through the rose garden, Aidan noticed a small, secluded gazebo covered in climbing roses. He led Lila to it, and they sat down on a wooden bench, surrounded by the fragrant blooms.

"Lila," Aidan said softly, taking her hand in his. "I've been thinking a lot about our future."

Lila looked at him, her eyes filled with love and trust. "What about our future, Aidan?"

Aidan took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "I want to be with you, Lila. I want to share my life with you, to build a future together. Will you... will you be mine?"

Lila's eyes welled up with tears of joy, and she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Aidan. I want that too."

Aidan's face broke into a radiant smile, and he pulled Lila into a tender embrace. "You've made me the happiest man in the world, Lila."

Lila clung to him, feeling a deep sense of love and happiness. "And you've made me the happiest woman, Aidan."

They sat there in the gazebo, wrapped in each other's arms, as the sun set in a blaze of colors. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they had found something truly special in each other, and they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, hand in hand.

Ever After

As the weeks turned into months, Aidan and Lila's love continued to grow. The palace staff, who had once been skeptical of their relationship, began to see the genuine affection and deep bond between them. They watched with smiles and nods of approval as the couple navigated their way through the challenges of palace life.

One day, as Aidan and Lila strolled through the gardens hand in hand, Aidan stopped and turned to her, his eyes filled with love and determination.

"Lila," he said softly, "there's something I want to ask you."

Lila looked at him, her heart racing. "What is it, Aidan?"

Aidan dropped to one knee, pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket. "Lila, will you marry me?"

Tears of joy streamed down Lila's cheeks as she nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes, Aidan. Yes, I will marry you."

Aidan slipped the ring onto her finger, and they embraced, their hearts full of love and happiness. The palace staff, who had been watching from a distance, erupted in cheers and applause.

As they stood there, surrounded by the beauty of the gardens and the love of those around them, Aidan and Lila knew that they had found their happily ever after. And they knew that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, their love growing stronger with each passing day.