Royal Affairs, Ch. 1

Chapter 1
Love's Humble Beginnings
Shayla
As I was sitting in the royal garden, reading my favorite book of poetry on a cold stone bench,which had not yet felt the warmth of the Sun's golden rays, something miraculous happpened. As I peered through the falling cherry blossoms, which danced slowly yet gracefully to the ground and landed in puddles of pink snow that would never melt, I saw him.
Rodrick. His hair was like a burning fire raging through an amber feild of wheat on a late August evening, while his eyes were the opposite, two perfect, cold, oceanic pools of water sitting in just the right spot on his face. As I struggled to take in the overwhelming beauty of his facial features, I realized he was looking back at me.
As my face turned as red as the roses growing next to me, I saw a slight chuckle escape his lips before his head dipped in a curt, formal nod. I tried not to look again, but it was near impossible, for his eyes held me in their gravitational pull, not letting me escape. Before he noticed me watching him again, I stood and tried to make my way casually to the small patch of ivory roses by which he stood.
As I stepped gracefully into his shadow, his eyes rose to meet mine, and I was embraced in the glorious warmth of his gaze. He smiled and bowed at the waist, which is the customary in our kingdom. I gave a small curtsy in return, for I knew who he was, I'd seen him around the catle for awhile, never really seeing him til today. When he finally spoke, his voice was just as I expected it would be, sweet and warm, like honey melting over warm toast.
"Good afternoon, Princess Shayla of Nadringer." He said sweetly.
"And to you as well, Prince Rodrick." I responded.
He bent over and plucked a delicate rose gently from it's stem.
"For you" He said. He placed into my hand, and I could feel the warmth of his hand even after he had removed it. I started to weave it into my hair, but he stopped me.
"No, I'll do it." His hands moved more gracefully than I had expcted as he weaved my liquid-like hair into an intricate pattern around the rose.
"Oh!' I said in surprise, shocked both by his forwardness and his actual abiliyt to braid hair.
"Have I hurt you?" He asked, his bright eyes suddenly gloomy.
"No!" I exclaimed hurriedly, for I couldn't stand to see him sad, not even for a second. "No, I'm fine, just surprised is all."
He gave another small chuckle to this. "I have three little sisters. They are always getting scolded for ruining their hair, so I learned to do it for them. I cannot stand to see them sad." For a split second, I thought a flash of anger crossed his face, but I was sure I imagined it.
"Princess Shayla," He said, suddenly coming back to the present." I would like to invite you to my ball, for I am turning eighteen the eighteenth, and would very much like you there."
"Of course I will come!" I replied, trying unsucessfuly to hide my overflowing excitement. " I mean, I would be delighted to attend your ball, Prince Rodrick." To hide my red face, I bent and smoothed my ruffled skirt.
Rodrick gave another small chuckle before bowing again and lighting up my world with his eyes once more before he turned away.
Little did I know what our relationship would become.