Wanna Be Yours

Oliver walked down Celeste’s duchy garden. It was evening, the sun setting creating a serene glow. He listened for the sounds of paint. Brushes moving against a board. His eyes fall onto a very familiar sight. The late Duke’s daughter, Milan. His eyes trail over her long brown hair. Her sun-kissed brown skin. The way her delicate fingers held the paint brush.

“Milan.” He called out fondly.

She looked back. White eyes meeting his.

“Oliver.” She greeted with a smile.

He steps up beside her. Arms behind his back. She had drawn a painting of a fawn. One that was frolicking in a field of daisies. The skies painted in a pretty blue with blotches of white soft clouds.

“You’re not supposed to be here.” She said quietly.

Oliver looked back with disinterest.

“Your palace happens to be my favorite.”

“So you like solitude?” She asked.

He smiled, lowering his head to catch her playful gaze.

“I suppose I do.”

Milan gave her painting a final brush stroke before setting the tool down.

“You do realize they have this side monitored?”

They both turn their head at the sound of a guard. He clears his throat as he makes his way over. His boots destroyed the flowers that had just bloomed.

“Your grace, Lady Lucrezia would like to see you.”

“That is a shame as I would not like to see her.”

The guard blinked. His fist over his mouth as he glanced at Milan with disdain.

“It is her request.”

Oliver turned towards him. He chuckled. He looked the guard in the eye.

“Are you implying that Lady Luzcrezia can summon me simply because I am here?”

“O-of course not! We would never disrespect you like that, your grace.”

The guard began to lower his gaze. Hands behind his back as he lowered her head.

“I will inform her that you are being kept occupied.”

Milan furrowed her brows.

“And now you are implying that I am the one keeping her from him?”

“No. Of course not. Your words hold the same value as Lady Luzcrezia. Your aunt, the one who is the current placeholder for the next-”

“Which won’t happen.” Oliver intercedes.

He stood beside Milan, arms behind his back. His hand tightening around his own wrist as an act of restraint.

“You are free to go.”

The guard bit his tongue, bowing to Oliver, and giving a passing glare to Milan. He treads down the spiraling stairs. For they are on top of a tower. She takes a deep breath, gazing at the sky. Oliver followed her gaze. He slid closer, leaning in.

“That cloud looks like a potato.”

That instantly interrupted her thoughts. She let out a laugh, her hand covering her mouth.

“Pardon?”

“You know? The vegetable?”

“Oh I know. But you as Duke know what they look like?”

Oliver smirked, his shoulder brushing against hers.

“What can I say? I like spending time with my people.”

“Do you?” She hummed.

“I do.” He said softly while looking at her.

He glanced at the time on his wrist. The clock pointed towards eight.

“I must go now.”

Milan nodded, “It was a pleasure to see you.”

He smiled, taking her hand. Her brown ears redden at the action. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles before pressing a gentle kiss to them.

“The pleasure’s all mine, my lady.”

Three days later

Milan had gotten quite bored. It was a normal feeling for her, being kept in this high tower for years. But today was particularly boring. She had already watered her plants. Her maid has already given her snacks. She had her hair brushed and braided into one long braid. Gold flower jewels embedded into different sides of her hair. Long chocolate and white gown.

Milan had touched a dying plant. The magic in her fingertips provides it strength. Its green petals bloomed beautifully and because it did, it made her smile. Before it drops at the sound of her cousin.

“Freak.” Her cousin Lucinda said.

Milan closed her eyes in an attempt to compose herself. She turns around greeting her with kindness.

“Hello dear cousin, what brings you here?”

“His grace. Why are you interfering with my engagement?”

“Oh? What do you mean, I wouldn’t dare!” She gasped, her hand draped gently over her chest.

Lucina stomps on the stony ground.

“You do! How dare you lie to my face?!”

Lucina raised her arm, swinging it at Milan. Milan turned to the side, and Lucina lost her balance. She fell forward, her face hitting the stone like wall. She gasped, touching her face. A red coating stains her palms and she screams. Her guard runs over with his sword drawn. He paused at the sight, then points his weapon at Milan.

“You dare?!”

Milan covered her mouth shaking her head. “I wouldn’t dream of it!”

He scoffed, guiding Lady Lucinda away from Milan. He looked back with a glare.

“Lady Luzcrezia will be hearing about this.”

By the time they leave Milan mocks, “Lady Luzcrezia will be hearing about this.”

She stared at her stained wall.

“Give me a break.”

Milan walks over to an edge. Staring at what was beyond. Grass. Far away was a city. One she has little to no memories of.

“I wish I can go.” She said quietly.

“Then I shall help you.”

Milan turned around to see her maid, “Lindsey? What are you doing here?” Milan smiled.

“Helping you.”

Lindsey pushed her, Milan screamed, arms flailing as she pulled off a piece of the woman's fabric as she fell.

“May you see your guiding light.” She smirked.