12 Flowers and rings

When the three of them realized they were against each other, they stared down, three of them not backing down in a staring contest. It almost looked like there was a thunder going on between them.

She sighed, still sitting on the ground, "Can you three please stop for a moment? I am hurt here!"

Her brother Apollo instantly came to the rescue and helped her up. "Let's go. Don't mind those three."

The three were too stunned, not wanting to stop her older brother as they all let Prince Apollo escort his sister to the infirmary.

The cut wasn't even that deep, and Princess Asteria could even compare how she got worse wounds than a mere little wound like this yet she's in this novel, a princess one at that, so she must be protected like a delicate flower. No wounds should be seen on her.

The royal doctor was quick to heal her with some herbal medicine and she felt a bit relieved.

"Take plenty of rest, Ria." Reminded her brother Apollo as he kneeled down and kissed her forehead.

Thank goodness Apollo was there to save the situation.

"Princess! Are you hurt?" The door opened and Vita instantly came worriedly. Now that she has a company, Apollo then left them alone as he has important matters to attend to.

"Just lock the door. I'll be taking a nap here." She reminded her maid, too tired to walk outside and deal with her suitors.

Vita prepared the bed for her to take a sleep and it was nighttime when she woke up, seeing flowers and fruits filling the entire infirmary room.

She faced Vita, "Why are these here? Who sent these?"

"From Prince Griffith." She said and squealed loudly, "And all your suitors are working hard for the upcoming contest in winning you over."

She cringed at the word "winning over". With the contest that her father planned, she felt like she was being held like a trophy .

Was Vita's response then stood up, "Oh, I almost forgot, Prince Galician was looking for you, your highness"

She scrunched her nose in disgust, really? She just got from that heated situation!

"Tell him that I'm tired."

Vita nodded, "I did. But he refused to leave still, your highness."

Princess Asteria rolled her eyes. Such a competitive one.

There was a knocking on the door, followed by an all-familiar voice. "I know that you're already healed up, your highness. But may I see you now?"

Her eyes opened as wide as saucers. It's Prince Galician himself!

She refused to even open it but he added, "I won't leave here unless I talk to you."

Having no choice, she opened up the door to see him smiling like a gentleman. His purple hair and black eyes melted into her gold eyes.

Well, he should be with the female lead now! This second lead really irritates her.

Well, she doesn't have any choice but to do one thing.

Treat him badly and scare him away. What a bright idea!

And that plan is going to start now.

She crossed her arms in front of her and gave him an intimidating stare, "Isn't it rude for a gentleman to force a woman to see him?"

Prince Galician nodded, "You are right, but I just want to apologize about earlier at breakfast."

She gave him a long stare and scoffed. "And?"

"How's your hand? How can I make it up to you? I could get our best healer and-" He asked.

She raised her eyebrows, "You can't. You just lost your chance. Now scram off."

But instead of being scared, he did exactly the opposite and looked at her with such a determined look. "I guess I came at the wrong moment. I'll see you tomorrow, your highness."

She rolled her eyes, "Ew, what is he up to?"

Vita smiled, "He's not giving up on you, your highness. Looks like he really likes you."

"Well, I don't like him."

"Hmm, are you sure? You might eat your words later once you fall for him."

"He's not my type." She added. The door opened again and this time, her father came.

"Ria, I heard what you said to Galician." Said the king, giving her a look of disappointment.

"Forgive me, father." That was all she can say.

Behind him was Prince Galician as King Xander asked, "Prince Galician, would you like to take a walk with my daughter?

"So, do you want to take a walk with me, your highness?" Galician asked politely, offering his hand.

She gritted her teeth, accepting his hand. "Do I have any other choice?" She replied as she accepted his hand.

He escorted her outside and to where her father gifted the gardens to the late queen Aretha who died because of birthing Prince Atlas. Since it was nighttime, it is the best time to see all the flowers as they glow in the dark. The Aretha garden, named after the queen, has a variety of flowers and it is indeed beautiful. Just staying here feels so relaxing.

"This place is really beautiful." Prince Galician started to initiate a conversation.

She pursed her lips, "Yep, I know."

"His majesty is really kind. He's like a father to me." He brought it up.

She can't help but think about Prince Griffith. While Prince Galician is busy winning her over here, where is Prince Galician?

And that dark mage Lord Eros?

At this point, all her other suitors might have come uselessly without a fight because of the favoritism his father shows to Prince Galician. It's like they just came here for the customs and the king had already chosen her future.

"Yeah, and now that father is not here, I'd like to go back to my room." She said. She loosened her hold on him but his grip tightened, "Wait, I just want to say something. I find you interesting, dear princess."

She shook his hand away, "You just knew me yesterday, are you sure about that?"

It's either he's dumb enough not to see that she clearly does not like him or he's just plain stupid.

"You know back in our kingdom, no one would even talk to me…" he trailed off.

She knows, she's the dark horse prince, the left-out prince because of his mother as a commoner…

"But with you, I feel a connection." He said with so much hope in his eyes.

Asteria smiled fakery, "I don't. I know you can find more beautiful princesses out there."

He just smiled and kneeled down before pulling out something,

"Despite your bad behavior towards me, I still accept you. I know you have kindness hidden inside. You're just afraid to open up to me…or you have reasons why you are pushing me away."

For a dumb prince, he's quick to catch that part…she has to give it to him for being smart with that.

He then cleared his throat and looked at her deeply in the eyes, "Princess Asteria, I've been meaning to ask but…Will you marry me?"

Tada! A big and shining ring welcomed her from the box, taking her at a loss for words.

It was said all so casually that she didn't have time to process it, "What?"

"I said will you marry me?" he repeated for her. "I already asked your father the king, his majesty himself about this and he was alright with it."

"Alright with it? But what about the upcoming contest? But what about the other suitors-"

"She'll refuse." A strong and intimidating voice thundered behind her.

Asteria felt a strong hand grabbing her hand and shivered as soon as their hands met. She didn't have to look behind to see that it was Lord Eros.

Prince Galician glared at the arrival of a new rival to the Princess's heart.

"I'm…the man she loves. And she belongs only to me." Lord Eros replied.

"What?" Both she and Prince Galician asked.

Prince Galician turned to her, "Is he telling the truth? You seem shocked too."

Princess Asteria raised her eyebrows. Just then, another man came.

Prince Griffith, with flowers in his hands. "Princess Asteria, you're awake already? I've been meaning to give you this."

Her plan of avoiding getting stuck with these three instantly failed.

One just proposed, another one claimed to be his, while another one offered a flower.

Great.

The three got into a staring contest again. Prince Galician's eyes glared at Lord Eros while Prince Griffith looked at them both confusedly. Lord Eros didn't back down with how competitive he is and tension filled the air.

Breathing deeply, all three of them looked at her expectantly when she yelled, "Vita!"

Her maid instantly appeared, "Yes, your highness?"

"Entertain these men here, I'll just go somewhere."

Vita's mouth went agape and she instantly sprinted, back to the palace, leaving her poor maid to her suitors.

She'll just have to treat Vita to some food later for this favor.

Going back to her room, she has to pass by the gardens so she walked in the dark, with only a few candles offering some light and the moonlight. But then, she instantly felt a cloth covering her mouth and she struggled, knowing this scene all too well.

Ah, another kidnapping attempt. The last kidnapping was when she was little…

As far as she could remember, she hired some mercenaries to have a "publicity stunt" and just to delay her finding the husband scenario.

"Chill guys, I'll come voluntarily." She said but felt it strange. She didn't say they would come at this hour!

"Quiet, princess! Don't you know the danger you're in?"