Rose Lover: Lolovivi Part One (special preview)

When I returned to my playhouse in the back of the garden, I noticed that there was now a doorway in the hedge. Merah Muda placed it there so I could come and go as I pleased. I visited with her often, having tea with her, and she would read me stories. She had so many books, and so many tales I had never heard of. 

“I found this amongst the many,” she said one day. “I would like you to have it.”

My Papa had given me many books in my life, but this book soon became one of my greatest treasures. It was an all white, leather book, with gold lettering engraved into it. There was also a picture of a lily hand painted on the cover. 

“The Knight of the Lilies,” I whispered in awe.

“Not just a little fairy tale, but the whole story,” Merah Muda said with a bright smile. “I thought you would treasure it.”

I clutched the tome close to my chest. “I will! Oh, thank you!” I jumped up to hug her, wrapping my arm around her waist. I then looked up at her. “Why are you giving me this? You’re always so kind to me, but I am only a Prim.”

Merah Muda smiled again and she cupped her hands around my face. “I was very much like you when I was little. Too small, told I would not achieve much, told I was no fit ruler because I could not have heirs.” She then knelt down so we were on the same level. “But I know, as you do, Lolovivi, that there is power inside no one else can see.” She then gave me a stern look. “I want you to remember that, always. You may be small, but you are mighty.”

I then hugged Merah Muda around her neck. “Thank you.”

As I grew, Merah Muda hired me to create for her a pink rose garden to match her son’s. I was given a team, and together we created for Merah Muda a maze of pink roses with a canopy in the center where she would have her tea each day.

I was even able to create my own breed of roses by splicing together the red roses from Rosso’s garden with the white roses from Bianco’s garden. The result created pink roses where their color depended on what side they were one. If they grew on the left, they were darker, if they grew on the right, they were lighter. This allowed the garden to take on a beautiful gradient when seen from the castle. 

One afternoon while I am tending to the garden, I come across a figure in the maze. I am startled at first, usually at this time, only me and my team are out and about on the grounds. The figure is kneeled over on the ground and they appear to be crying.

I approach cautiously, not recognizing this person at all. “Are you alright?” I ask softly. “Do you need help?”

They look up suddenly. Their long hair is a soft, muted purple and it drapes down along their back and shoulders in soft waves. Their skin has a sparkling, crystal-like shine to it. They wipe at their eyes, sniffling softly before standing. 

“I’m sorry,” they say.

I gasp as they rise, and rise, and rise. They are so magnificently tall!

They glance back down at me with sad, plum colored eyes. “I needed a place to be quiet. I didn’t mean to get in your way.”

I shake my head. “You weren’t.” I step closer to them. “I was mainly worried.”

Their face is beautiful with such fine features. They have lips with an elegant curve to them, and such high cheekbones. Their hair swoops across their forehead and then the long waves cascade around them. They’re wearing a long coat that drapes down, flowing out around the waist. It is pale lavender in color, and the suit beneath is cream and gold. High ruffles frame their sharp jawline and they give off a sweet scent.

“Are you alright?” I offer again.