I was walking through the gardens gazing at all the incredible flowers. Flowers always reminded me of my mother. She used to adore all types, but her most favorite flower was the rose. Mother used to have all sorts of tales about her childhood, and she told me all about them when I was just a small child. Almost all of them included her special trinket, a pocket mirror that was solid gold and had crystal roses around the glass. I never knew what happened to it after she passed away.

While I was touring the gardens, I happened to notice Giles looking at me with a notepad in his lap. Once he saw me staring at him, he shyly waved my way and gave me a faint smile. I then walked to him and he immediately hid his notepad.

"Hello Lilliana, how are you today?"

"I'm fine, and you?" I answered.

"Excellent now that you're here."

I blushed and my cheeks turned the color of sunsets.

"You flatter me, your majesty." I said.

"Please, call me Giles. There is no need for formality. After all, we are friends, are we not?"

I nodded as we gazed into eachother's eyes.

"I-I need to tell you something Lilliana..." Giles said low in a whisper, "I have been keeping it inside ever since I saw your face..."

Giles came closer to me, and he started to play with my hair.

"Lilliana, I guess what I am trying to say...is...I love you."

I was stunned, and I did not know how to respond to his confession.

"And I want you to be with me. You light up my day, and your beauty is incomprehensible. Your smile is the only thing that wakes me up in the mourn. Please, say you'll be mine, forever and always, Lilliana."

"Giles...I..." I was so nervous and uneasy.

I did not know what to do. It was so sudden, and my heart was racing. My face was flushing and my head was reeling.

"I...I h-have to go..." I quickly murmured.

Then, I ran, ran all the way to my room. I sank into my bed and began to weep. Why, oh why, did this have to happen? I was in love with more than one man, and I did not know if Giles was my true love. Love is a curious thing and for me it came disguised.