Oh, How I Long to Touch Grass Again...

My little experiment was a success with Yancy~ quite the useful talent I have to bring others together. I can puff my chest out in pride. My Prince left for the rest of his day with higher spirits.

While he seemed to get along with Yancy and even invited her to speak freely with him, I still won’t know for certain if she’s the perfect match for him until he gets closer to her and the other target. The other target being, of course, the gardener boy. Val seemed to enjoy their conversation a lot last time they bumped into each other, the boy was very chatty.

Still, the boy seemed like NOT a jerk, so that’s a low bar cleared!

How do I get them together, though? It’s been raining everyday! We haven’t been able to walk around outside all week… there’s no way we can meet the gardener anytime soon at this rate! Think, Princess, think!

…Isn’t there a section of the palace that needs tending, even when it rains?

There’s indoor plants throughout the palace, but the grand entrance has a lot more than other sections. If we are gonna run into our mystery boy this week, wouldn’t it be somewhere around there?

“Princess? Is everything ok?”

…ah, I hadn’t even realized I was pacing on the window sill. Well, old habits die hard, I guess. I halt my movements.

Val laughs.

“Are you sick of being cooped up all day? I know I am. It’s been raining for ages at this point.”

Val sits next to me, stroking my fur lovingly.

“Then, how about we wander the palace? If we can’t go outside, there’s plenty of palace to stroll.”

AHH That’s perfect! Val and I must be on the same wavelength!

Even as my pride is hurt by the collar being strapped on, my mood has been lifted. We surely have to find our little gardener, right?

…

…

…

Our little gardener is far too illusive.

I dragged Val to all the spots I could remember lots of indoor plants being and not even a whiff of a gardener of any kind! Are they seriously this neglectful or are we just unlucky?! This sucks, we can’t get a break.

“That was refreshing, wasn’t it, Princess?”

Val smiles down at me and I can’t help but want to smile back. Well, even if we didn’t see him today, I still got to spend time with my precious Prince. Even if we were quiet, the minutes we spent together, watching each other… ok, yes, this was worth it regardless~

Next time though!!

…

But…

Next time never comes oh my GOD.

Val has been so busy, he hasn’t even felt like going to the study, let alone travel outside. I long to see the sun again! Feel it on my fur! Screw the boy, I need to go outside for my own sake!! I long to touch grass again!

I feel myself melt into my pillow. At this rate, the maid’s teasing about me being fat will be more of a prophecy than playful jabs.

It’s already getting late when Val comes trotting into the room, tossing his jacket onto a nearby chair and collapses on his couch. A heavy sigh escapes from his being, so I leap down from my perch and nudge his hand that dangles from the couch. The hand comes to life and rests on my head, thumb rubbing circles on my fur.

“Hello, Princess.” A happy mirth seeps into his voice and he moves his head to smile down at me, actively purring. “I missed you today, too.”

Val’s eyes grow distant.

“…I received a letter from Janice. But, I don’t think I want to respond. If I do, I might ask her to come around, which means…”

…Marius would come around too. He doesn’t even have to finish his sentence for me to know that.

“…I miss him.” He mumbles to no one, and I flinch.

Here I thought he was about to complain about not getting to see Janice without him interfering, but Marius is the one he misses. I can’t let him get hurt by that jerk again! He’s too vulnerable right now! As much as I hate to do this…

I dart to the corner and pull out the damn collar. I place it in his lap and look up at Val, who blinks down at me.

“…It’s a bit late, isn’t it?” When my eye contact doesn’t break, he sighs, but smirks. “Alright, let’s take a walk outside this time. Shall we?”

FINALLY! I’ve missed the fresh air! As soon as we are outside, I begin to trot along the garden path, Val at my side. We walk the regular path we take in the garden. Actually, I was so relieved to be free of that room I forgot the main reason I wanted to go outside was! So... Well… I may have jumped a bit when we stumbled across a section being trimmed and a twig landed on my head. I forgot others worked at night! It doesn’t stop me from leaping into Val’s arms, hissing at the offending foliage.

“Oh! I’m really sorry! I didn’t mean to scare your cat!”

Who else pops out from behind the bush that our little gardener boy, a pair of clippers in his hands.

“All is fine. She’s already calmed down.” Val smiles. I can see recognition in his eyes, perfect!

“Your highness! Yes, she seems quite… calm, I suppose. Haha…”

“She is.” Val strokes my fur, gazing at the boy. “…still having to do manual labor out here?”

The Gardner’s eyes grow wider. “Ah, y-you remember that? Haha… yeah, I am. It’s not all that bad though! At least I can still make things look nice out here.”

“You’re doing great. Have you heard from your parents recently?”

“Oh!” The boy’s face tints pink. “Yes, they’re doing okay. The money I’ve been sending them has been helpful for construction! I just… have to keep it up! Haha!”

Val tilts his head. “…is everything alright? You seem a bit… off.”

“O-off? Ahh, I’m just, tired, I suppose.” The boy rubs his neck. “The job here is very demanding. More than I was used to… I’m kind of exhausted! I send most of my money back home too, so I don’t have much to use on days off. Hahh…” he hangs his head, before shaking his head. “O-oh I’ve been complaining once again in front of you! I’m sorry, your highness.”

“No, that’s ok. I asked you first, anyways.” Val smiles. “Then, how about joining me for lunch tomorrow?”

“H-Huh?”

“I-I mean, if you’re so stressed, it may be nice to relax and chat over lunch, yes?”

“I… suppose if you’re the one inviting me, I could join you. Yes!”

“Then, tomorrow at noon?”

“Yes, tomorrow at noon!”

Val smiles, turns to walk away before he pauses.

“…I don’t believe I’ve got your name. May I?”

“Oh! Yes! I’m Leo! A pleasure, your highness!”