Rose Monster: Rosenrot (complete)

Back when the Kings Rosso and Bianco kept their palaces separate, they each had a rose garden that had been a gift from their father, when he was still alive. The gardens were meant to grow as the young princes grew, eventually tangling together to show the unity between them and how they would rule all of Miror. Unfortunately, the two brothers fought viciously, and that led to a literal separation of the royal palace, including the gardens.

Back in those days, I was a friend and advisor to Rosso. Everyone knows what a temperamental and sensitive person Rosso is, so my job was often to calm him down or talk him off the proverbial ledge. I didn’t mind my job; I was good at it, and it was the sort of thing I had always seen myself doing. It had been a job my mother held back in the day, working with the late King and Queen Merah Muda. I already had an understanding with Rosso and knew him quite well, and I was one of the few people who could get through to him.

Even still, I often needed my moments alone. My favorite place to escape was to the garden full of beautiful red roses. I would sit there, maybe eat my lunch, read a book, and let myself be captivated by the bright crimson petals and their soft, gentle scent. 

There was a small staff that took care of the garden. A collection of experts who kept the roses well tended to and flourishing. I often saw them running about on this business, knowing that if Rosso saw one blossom out of order, it would garner a harsh reprimand. One of the staff - or, well, not just one of them - was the head gardener, the one who took the most care of the roses, and they were another reason I so enjoyed the rose garden.

Rosenrot is something known as a Prim, a creature who looks more like a plant than anything else. Their head is like one of the red roses in the garden, and their body and limbs are made up of tightly wound vines. Rosenrot is exceptionally beautiful; their petals are the most magnificent shade of red, and a mask-like face is set in the center of the blossom. They are tall and well-built with strong shoulders, elegant limbs, a narrow waist, and long dancer’s legs. 

I first met Rosenrot ages ago, back when I graduated from University and was coming to take my position in the castle. Rosenrot came to my quarters to present me with a massive bouquet of roses from the garden.

“Congratulations,” they told me in a voice like honey. “These are for you, to welcome you to the palace.”

I wasn’t even looking at the roses, I was so captivated by Rosenrot’s beauty. “Yes, thank you.” I took the vase into my arms. “This is very kind of you.”

Rosenrot chuckled. “These are not from me. Rosso had them sent to you. I simply selected the best blossoms that would welcome you in.”

I looked at the roses for the first time, noticing how perfect and beautifully arranged each one was. “You didn’t have to go out of your way for that. I would have been happy with any rose.”

Rosenrot tapped their finger to the still lips of the mask. “I take pride in my work, and I enjoy showing off how hard I have worked,” they replied. “Especially to someone new to the palace.”

“Oh,” I gasped and sat the vase aside. “I am not new. Only the job is new.”

Rosenrot tilted their head to the side. “Oh? Do you mind me asking how you were here before?”

“I don’t mind at all.” I shook my head. “My mother used to advise the King and Queen, and I grew up here with her. Rosso has always been a friend, so he invited me to return when I graduated from University.”

“Oh, so you’ve known Rosso since he was little.” Rosenrot nodded. “I see. So tell me, if it does not get you in trouble...” They leaned in close to me. “Is it true that King Rosso used to be something of a crybaby?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at their question. “Do not spread the news around, but yes, he used to tear up often for no reason.”

Rosenrot stood back up. “It seems I’ve won a bet.” They bowed to me again. “In any case, welcome back home, Sir Yves.” 

I have been smitten with Rosenrot ever since, and have taken to the rose garden to see them as often as possible. 

Today is no different; I am sitting in the garden again, waiting to catch a glimpse of the one I admire so. I keep looking up from my book, glancing over the edge to see if Rosenrot is walking around a corner or coming towards me. That is all I want; just a vision of them walking by, and it will make my day a happy one.

I sit back to read again, glancing over the same paragraph I have been reading since I sat down. I keep glancing away, hindering my reading, so I am going in circles. As I begin to settle back into the passage, I hear soft singing and stop again.

Rosenrot comes out of the rose bushes, slipping through them as they open up. They step out onto the stone path, and the roses close behind them. Rosenrot is still singing, an old melody in a language I do not know. As they finish watering the roses they just stepped from, they turn and see me.

“Good afternoon, Sir Yves,” they wave to me with their elegant hand. “It is so good to see you.”

I set my book aside just to gaze at them. “Yes, it is, uh- a good afternoon, I mean,” I chuckle in embarrassment and stand up from my seat. “It’s good to see you, too.”

Rosenrot chuckles. “What brings you out here today? Did Rosso have another one of his infamous arguments?”

“Not so much that,” I reply. “But he has been dealing with some business with his brother.” I sigh and let my shoulders sag.

“Oh, well, no wonder you are here.” Rosenrot nods his head understandingly. “The brothers have not gotten along since they were so young.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” I shake my head. “They got along at one point, but I suppose growing up can change people.”

“I have two siblings myself,” Rosenrot says, laying their palm against their chest. “I have not seen them since the palace split.”

“Really?” I gasp. “I didn’t know you had siblings.”

“Now you do,” Rosenrot chuckles. “One works for Bianco, and the other works in the Queen’s garden.” They sigh and shake their head. “I have missed them. I can only hope that one day the brothers end their feud and reunite the palace. But from the sound of things, I do not know if they ever will.”

“I try to talk to Rosso, to make him see that unifying is the best option, but I don’t know sometimes. It feels as if both brothers won’t come together unless there is something else, or someone else, who can unite them.”

“A someone?” Rosenrot replies in  a bright voice. “Do you think there is such a person who could be shared by the brothers?”

I laugh a bit. “I know. The two can’t even share a palace, how are they supposed to share someone?” I shake my head. “It is just an idea, but I think it would have to take a pretty mighty person to be able to perform such a feat.”

Rosenrot picks up their watering can again. “Are you upset that that person isn’t you?” 

I glance back up at them. “Me? No.” I wave my hand dismissively. “I know it could never be me. I was always closer to Rosso, and I knew from the beginning that I was on his side. I was never in the middle. But I have always hoped I could change Rosso’s mind in some way,” I confess. “Make him see that the best way is the way with his brother.” I let my arms flop to my sides. “But I don’t think I have the right words for that.”

“Is it words you need?” Rosenrot tilts their head to the side. 

“What else have I got?,” I grumble. “I’m an advisor. I’m not a carpenter or artist. I don’t have the skills to be visual. I’m not even a walrus who could tap out messages with my tail.” I grunt and shake my head. “All I have ever had is words, whether in my mouth or on a page.”

“I think you need to give yourself more credit, Sir Yves,” Rosenrot shakes their head. “Like you said, maybe the best option to unify the palace again is a person of magnificent ability. But there must be some way to get that person here, a sort of first domino.”

I furrow my brow. “A first domino?”

Rosenrot comes towards me and we sit down together. “You have played with dominos, correct?” they ask. I nod. “The dominos won’t fall until one does,” they explain. “The first domino has to fall if all of them are going to. And there may be a lot of them placed in order or in a detailed pattern,” they continue. “But that first one needs to get them into motion.”

“How would I even convince Rosso to start looking for someone?” I laugh. “Just go up to him and say, ‘Hey, find a bride you and your brother could share!’ I chuckle, then break off with a sudden gasp. “No.”

“No?” Rosenrot tilts their head closer to me.

“Rosso doesn’t even need to be aware of that plan. I can ask someone else, someone who would be able to bring in the right person, and the brothers wouldn’t be able to argue.” I gasp again and clap my hands together at the epiphany. “Merah Muda!” I cheer loudly and jump to my feet.

Rosenrot chuckles softly. “If this is how you work, might I say I really like it?”

My cheeks burn, and I quickly sit back down. “You started it,” I laugh softly from embarrassment. “You flipped my first domino, so to speak.” I smile up at them. “Perhaps you’re the first domino in all of this.”

Rosenrot shrugs. “I wouldn’t want the glory for that. I am just happy I could help you at all, Sir Yves.” They place their hand over mine on the seat. “I have seen you out here so often, stewing over papers or looking anxious as you eat. I have always wanted to be of service to you somehow.”

My heart is thrumming like mad in my chest. “You don’t need to worry about me like that, Rosenrot, really.”

“I know I don’t, but I enjoy it in my own way.” They move their hand away as they stand up from the bench. “I should get back to work,” they say. “So much to do in the gardens before it gets dark.” They take up their watering can again, and I notice the handle has been repaired crudely, and the spout looks broken at the end.

“Right,” I say with a nod. I stand up as well, then smooth out my clothes. “Thank you again for your help.”

Rosenrot bows their head. “Always happy to help. If you ever need it again, I will always be here.”

As I leave the garden, I kiss the back of my hand where Rosenrot touched it. It had been such a gentle and insignificant gesture, but to me, it meant the world. I could understand now why lovesick teens claimed they would never wash their hand again after their love touched it. I felt lucky - beyond lucky - to have had that moment with Rosenrot.

I go and visit with Merah Muda, mother of Rosso and Bianco, that evening. I have tea with her in her quarters, which are located between the separated palaces. I tell her the idea I have, merely suggesting it to her. After all, it has to seem like her idea, and not some outward influence, for her to really latch on to it. I mention that an unbiased liaison between the two fractured brothers would be wonderful - but at the same time, I say I feel it would be impossible to find such a person.

I can already see the gears moving in Merah Muda’s head, so by the time I leave her I feel like my objective has been accomplished. It isn’t long before she starts searching for someone who can provide counsel and an unbiased view between the two brothers. Now all I have to do is sit back and watch as the dominos fall into place, much like Rosenrot said.

I want to find a way to thank Rosenrot for their help, but I’m not sure what I can do. I don’t know if there is a gift I can give them that they would like. All I know is that Rosenrot loves the garden, and that they are beautiful. I then remember Rosenrot’s watering can, the broken handle and spout. Perhaps they would like a new one.

I go out and find a gardening shop that sells them, and buy one of the nicest ones they have. I make sure the handle is comfortable to hold. I wrap it up, and that evening I go to the garden to deliver it.

The garden is dark, but the little cottage within it where Rosenrot lives is lit up, looking cozy and warm. I knock on their door, then feel a spike of anxiety at the idea that I am disturbing them. I begin to set the gift down for them to find when the front door opens.

“Oh, Sir Yves! What a surprise,” Rosenrot gasps.

I gasp in return, and quickly right myself so that my back is straight. “Sorry, I hope I am not bothering you.”

Rosenrot shakes their head. “Not at all. Would you like to come in? I was just putting on some tea for dinner.”

“I don’t want to put you out or anything.” My heart is pounding fast.

“You really wouldn’t,” they shake their head. “I would genuinely enjoy your company.” They step aside to allow me into their home. 

To my surprise, their house is filled with potted plants of all sorts. There are small trees, creeping vines, tiny succulents, and many types of flowers. As I look around their home, Rosenrot closes the door and goes over to the stove, where the kettle is whistling.

“I’ve not seen so many plants inside a home before,” I marvel.

Rosenrot chuckles. “It’s a hobby. My family has always been gardeners. Being around plants has always just been natural.” They pull out a chair at the table. “Come sit down, please. I’ll make you a cup.”

“Thank you.” I hold out the gift and set the package down on the table. “This is for you, by the way.”

“Really?” Rosenrot sets the kettle aside. “What for?”

“As a thank you,” I reply. “For helping me the other day with my problem.”

Rosenrot looks over the gift for a moment before tilting their head to look up at me. “You didn’t have to do this. I told you, I was happy to help you solve your little problem.”

“It meant a lot to me,” I tell them. “I just wanted to show you my gratitude as best I could. I wasn’t exactly sure what to give you, so I hope you like this.”

Rosenrot opens up the package, taking the watering can from inside. “How lovely,” they breathe. Their voice is soft and gentle. “You must have seen the ragged shape mine was in. I have been waiting until the very last moment to get a new one.”

“You like it, then?” I ask in excitement.

Rosenrot sets the can down. “Very much so. Thank you for the gift. I have had mine for so long, I’ve not really wanted to give it up. But knowing you got this for me will give me the incentive to retire my old one. Perhaps I’ll make it into a new pot for a new plant. That way, I will always have it with me.”

“Sentimental, are we?” I chuckle.

“Very much so,” Rosenrot says with a nod. “I have a hard time letting go of things, which explains over half of my collection here.” they say as they return to the kettle. “Most of these are plants that would not have survived, but I was stubborn and took on the challenge to save them. Some I found as weeds in the garden, and others I discovered walking around the palace.”

“I think that’s very sweet,” I murmur.

“I’ve been called a hoarder,” Rosenrot chuckles. “How do you like your tea?”

“Honey,” I reply.

Rosenrot’s petals tremble for a moment, then they turn back to look at me. “I have several kinds of honey. Any preferences?”

“Oh,” I gasp, “I wasn’t aware.”

Rosenrot nods then turns to the cabinet. “I’ll let you have some of my favorite. It’s expensive and hard to find, so I rarely share. But for you, I’ll spare some.” They take out a jar, then spoon a dollop of honey into the tea and set my cup down at the table.

“Thank you.” I take a sip of the light-colored tea and try to guess the flavor.

Rosenrot sets their fingertips into their teacup then turns to look at me. “For you, it’s just tea, but for me, this is my meal.”

“I don’t mean to sound rude,” I murmur, “but is that how you eat?” I glance to their fingers in the cup.

“My vines drink it, like roots in the soil.” Rosenrot chuckles. “Have you never been acquainted with a Prim before, Sir Yves?”

I shake my head. “I’ve seen some in the palace when I was younger, but you are the first one I have come to know personally,” I admit. “Prim are very rare, or at least, that is what I have been told.”

“We are rare here in Miror,” they say with a nod. “But back in our home of the Great Garden, there are many of us. We just rarely leave.”

“Did you live in the Great Garden?” I ask.

Rosenrot shakes their head. “My parents left before I was born. You see, my mother was a human woman, but my Zaza was a Prim. They met when she became lost in the Garden and my Zaza took care of her. They fell in love, but because of the stigma of it amongst the Prim, my mother and Zaza left to live their lives together.”

“That’s so romantic,” I sigh dreamily.

Rosenrot chuckles. “Do you enjoy romance, Sir Yves? I would think high-minded people like you would be more interested in history and politics than romance.”

“Not true at all,” I reply. “I have always enjoyed romance novels. I used to sneak into the royal library to read them in the dark aisles. I have a soft heart for such things, I must confess.”

“Do you dream of having a wife and children, then? Having some fantastic romance and a happily ever after?” Rosenrot takes their fingers from the teacup and wipes them on a cloth. 

I glance down for a moment as a nervous bubble comes up in my gut. “I enjoy romance,” I mutter, “but there are parts of it that make me uncomfortable.”

Rosenrot lays their hand on their chest. “Is that so?”

I glance up to them then chuckle softly. “It must seem silly, for someone to be so enamored with the idea of romance, yet completely repulsed by other areas of it.”

“You’re only making me as curious as a cat, Sir Yves,” Rosenrot laughs softly. “If you wish to talk about it, please share. Otherwise, I have many things I can tell you about the garden to fill our conversation.”

I smile at them. “I don’t mind sharing, and I wouldn’t mind knowing more about your work in the garden either. But I rarely share this side of myself, because I am scared of what people will think.”

“I am Prim,” Rosenrot replies, “not ‘people’.”

I smile at them, then glance down at my cup. “I used to have a boyfriend back in school,” I tell them. “I loved him very much and was happy with our relationship. The only thing was, I was scared of the physical intimacy that he so desperately wanted. I wanted to please him, to make him happy, but sometimes, I felt like even kissing was too much to ask of me.” I take a long sip as I feel the anxiety in me rise up. 

“One night, he convinced me that we should have sex. He thought that if I did it just once, then that would cure me of it. But…” I stop myself and stare off into the distance. 

“Yves?” Rosenrot asks gently.

“I’m sorry, I-” I swallow down the painful lump in my throat. “It was a very bad night for me. It also let me know that while I wanted to love someone and could love someone, I could not be sexual.”

“We have a term for that,” Rosenrot reaches out and takes hold of my hand. “Prim are not sexual beings,” they reply. “My Zaza would pleasure my Mother, but they derived no pleasure from it other than making my Mother happy. My Zaza would have been happy all their life without the act. But you sound a little more repulsed by the act. In Prim society, we call that Gris.” 

“Gris,” I say the word slowly. “I had always thought there was something off with me,” I murmur.

“Not off,” Rosenrot shakes their head. “Just you.”

I smile at them. “I feel better talking to you about this. Like I said, I’ve only ever really told my sister.” I then sigh. “She works for Bianco.”

Rosenrot laces their fingers with mine. “Do you enjoy holding hands?”

I nod. “I do.”

“And what about hugging?” Rosenrot asks.

I squeeze Rosenrot’s hand in mine. “It depends on the person. I have to know them very well.”

“I’m sorry you had a bad experience in the past. You deserve someone who understands you and your body’s needs.” Rosenrot tilts their head towards me. “May I make a confession of my own now?”

“Yeah,” I gasp softly. 

“I enjoy romance too,” they chuckle. “I have always loved poetry and old love letters. My mother used to keep this very old book that was stuffed so full of them. I would pore over them and daydream of the day I would receive such a lovely letter,” they sigh dreamily. “Then, one day, I saw someone who made me want to write such a letter. They were handsome, kind, and a little awkward, but I liked them right away.” They squeezed my hand tight. “They visit my garden often and when I see them, I always have the urge to write them a letter.”

My heart is going so fast as they speak to me. “They sound very lucky.”

Rosenrot chuckles softly. “You are, I think.” They then stand up and take a diary from under one of the plants. “I have written you a letter every time the urge comes to me.” They hand me the diary. “I knew I was too afraid to give them to you, so I wrote them in there until I knew I could hand it over to you.”

“Rosenrot,” I whisper gently.

“Read them,” they murmur. “I don’t know if you feel the same way, but I want you to know how much you mean to me.”

I stand up and take Rosenrot’s hands in both of mine. “I’ll read them, but I know I don’t need to in order to know my own feelings.” I squeeze their hands tight. “I come to the garden just to see you. I’ve admired you since we first met. I’m just sorry I never had the courage to write you a letter or tell you how I feel.”

Rosenrot giggles excitedly and holds my hands up between us. “Will you write me one?”

I grin. “I’ll write you dozens.”