The Next Day

"From now on you'll be staying at the Sunflower Estate." The Duke Of Sealen said to a young Abidemi who was only five years old. Abidemi hugged her doll closed as she closed her eyes tightly.

Little Abidemi wore a little blue dress and had her hair in two low puffy ponytails. Her blue eyes looked up at her father sorrowfully as he faced away from her. He was looking out the window as she wiped her eyes. "But this is my home."

"It still is but things are different now." The Duke said while looking at Little Abidemi. "It's better this way, Abidemi. This way you won't get into any trouble and I could keep your new mother and sister happy."

"But what about me." Abidemi said with a deep frown. The Duke sighed but he didn't turn around. In fact, he kept his eyes outside the window. " I want to stay here too."

"But Mila's crying is causing your new mother stress and it's not good for the baby." The Duke said quietly. "And I don't want to lose your brother or possible sister."

Abidemi frowned deeply. "But..." she whispered slowly as the whole room turned black. Little Abidemi's eyes widened as she looked around the now-dark room. "Daddy."

"It's for the best, Abidemi." her father's voice echoed throughout her mind.

Little Abidemi shook her head as she screamed. "No! I don't wanna go." she yelled as she held her doll tightly. Her eyes widened as the darkness started to creep up on her leg. Abidemi tried to move away from it but it pulled her down. "No! I don't want too."

"It's better this way." her father's voice echoed as she screamed. The darkness was quickly pulling her down.

"Nooooo," Abidemi yelled.

Older Abidemi woke up with a start when the sunlight entered the room. She let out a low groan as she rubbed her head. She sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes. Abidemi blinked a few times when she felt that her palms were wet. She groaned again.

"Are you alright, My lady." Kanene asked as Abidemi looked over to her maid.

"I just had a nightmare. That's all."Abidemi whispered. She was so tempted to bury herself in her light blue duvet. Just so she could hide away from the whole world and never return. She pulled her knees to her chest as she looked down at her sheets. 'Out of all the bad memories, I have to get that one.' She thought as she looked up at the ceiling. There was a huge sunflower on it as if it was shining on her. She smiled a bit sadly at the carving.

The sunflower estate was mostly a guesthouse for royalty and or highly esteemed guests. Yet at the time, five-year-old Abidemi didn't even know that. In fact, she thought of it more like an exile from the main house. Sure she had the best nannies from both Elov and Valtis. Also the best food, teachings, and service but she was lonely for a brief moment of time. Her father abandoned her for his new wife and stepdaughter. She had to get used to a new place.

It didn't matter if it was prettier than the main estate. It also didn't matter that everyone that worked here loved her.

She just wanted to go back to her old room. With her old bed.

Now twenty years later, she still lived in this big estate with her maids, cooks, butler, and other workers. Her nannies all went on to new jobs once she had her debut. She still had Shyla and Kanene though.

Abidemi smiled sadly. 'Oh yeah. I might have to say goodbye to them once we're in Elov.' she thought as she watched Shyla and Kanene goes through her closet to get her ready for the day. Trying to pick out the best outfit that can go with the fire red rose that was lying on her vanity table.

Abidemi couldn't help but smile dreamily at the rose. She got out of bed and walked over to the vanity table to pick up the fire-red rose. She sniffed and smiled happily as she took a seat by her vanity. She couldn't help but think about the person that had given her the rose.

Burning Sol.

The very man that could always put a smile on her face, At first she really didn't like him that much, he was a bit too overconfident for his own good. A bit of a show-off and he also didn't know the meaning of personal space. The moment she had to push that Elovian young man away from her was limitless.

Sure he had gotten better over time and she got used to his presence now but boy was he a pain in the ass. There were also times when he got all pouty when she ignored him. Also, times when he would follow her around Elov without fail.

Heck, there was even a time when he followed her home.

How he knows where she lived she'll never know. Shyla, Kanene, and her nannies had really freaked out when they found him in her bedroom. Hitting him with broomsticks, pillows, and a feather duster.

All the jerk did was chuckle as all four women attacked him. And rightfully so.

Abidemi laughed at the memory unaware that Kanene and Shyla were watching her. Both of them share a look as Abidemi twirls her rose around.

"My lady. Are you thinking about that sneaky mongrel again?" Shyla said. Kanene slapped Shyla on the shoulder lightly but the other maid paid her no mind.

Abidemi broke out of her thoughts as she looked over to Shyla and Kanene. Both of them watched her with knowing gazes as Abidemi felt her cheeks warm up. Abidemi cleared her throat before looking at the fire-red rose. "He's not a mongrel."

"He was ten years ago." Shyla sang along as Kanene just shook her head. "I remembered there was a time when you all talked about how annoying he was and how he always followed you around. Then as you two got closer and closer, you started to talk good things about him."

"Shyla!" Abidemi and Kanene cried out as Shyla just shrugged. Abidemi was clearly embarrassed and Kanene was getting annoyed.

"I'm just saying that it's so different from how it used to be." Shyla said while going over to Abidemi to fix up her hair. " To think. That sneaky little bastard snuck into your heart like that."

"We don't have that kind of relationship." Abidemi said as she looked at the flower. Shyla and Kanene only rolled their eyes as Abidemi just sighed. "I mean all he does is send letters and we only see each other a handful of times a year."

" Yet you get so happy that he sends you letters and flowers."Shyla said to Abidemi. Abidemi only hummed as she looked at the flower. "What is it?"

"Do you think he likes me?" Abidemi asked while looking at the flower.

'More than like. The damned mongrel is crazy about you.' Shyla thought but what she said instead was. "I don't think he'll be wasting his time if he doesn't like you."

Kanene noticed that Abidemi was looking at the flower in her hands. "My lady."

Abidemi looked at Kanene before sighing." Maybe I should talk to Daisy but I don't want to bother her." Abidemi let out a laugh. "Also she isn't a fan of Burning Sol."

"Unlike you, I think she disliked him more and more." Shyla said.

Abidemi laughed and nodded her head in agreement. She handed Shyla the flower as the maid took it. " She said what she cares about most is that he makes me happy."

Kanene smiled as she shrugged her shoulders. "Sounds like something Daisy would say."

Abidemi sighed and looked at her reflection in the mirror. "I'm going to miss her."

Shyla and Kanene looked at each other before sighing. Shyla placed a hand on Abidemi's shoulder. "I know, my lady. Do you want to stay just a little bit longer?"

"No. I don't. I love Daisy and my brother but there is nothing in Valtis for me anymore. I don't think I could stand another year in this kingdom." Abidemi said while she sat up straight. " They have a future here. I don't."

"And Elov is your future?" Shyla asked her.

"Yes. I think I always knew it was my future." Abidemi said while she looked at herself. "Even though I have no idea what I'm going to do there. Maybe I could become a government official or something."

"Maybe, you are very good at politics."Kanene said. Abidemi laughed.

"Not as good as Daisy. She took to it really quickly." Abidemi said with a big grin. "If it wasn't for the temple here so heavily focus on light and dark powers. I'm sure she would be the perfect candidate for the crown princess."

"Then it would mean that she has to marry Prince Theodore." Shyla said. Abidemi just sighed. Kanene laughed

"Oh yeah. She doesn't really like him much huh." Kanene said with a small smile. She was setting up the clothes as the many maids had started to file into the room. Pearls hopped on Abidemi's lap as she pets the black cat.

"No. She doesn't like him." Abidemi said with a sigh. She started petting Pearls as she looked at the cat longingly.

Shyla hummed as she finished up Abidemi's hair. "But he seems to like her alot."

Abidemi only shrugged as she picked up a red ribbon. "Him and another prince. However, unlike Theodore, he didn't appear to fall for Mila's charms. "Abidemi handed Shyla the ribbon as she took it.

"Well, Daisy is free now." Shyla said as she tied Abidemi's hair. A maid had come over with a cart of food and left it next to Abidemi.

Abidemi laughed a bit. "But it will take a lot for Uncle and Auntie to put their trust in another young man to take care of Daisy. Especially those nasty rumors of her and me being vicious women."

Kanene let out a sigh. "How those rumors stuck so long I'll never know. Then again nobles always like good gossip from time to time." she said while hanging up a few outfits so Abidemi could choose what she wanted to wear later.

Abidemi picked up some buttered bread as she noticed the envelope on the tray. She stuffed the bread into her mouth as she picked up the envelope.

"My lady, eat properly." Shyla said. She had picked up Pearls from Abidemi's lap and placed her on the pink cat tree.

Abidemi only rolled her eyes as she opened up the envelope. 'Please. Who's going to see me?' she thought as she read the letter as she bit into the bread. She smiled before looking up.

"Who was it from?" Kanene asked.

"Daisy wants us to spend the whole day together tomorrow. Shopping, eating at our favorite cafe and just wandering around the streets. She wanted Eden to come too." Abidemi said with a big smile. She placed the letter down. "Get me a pen and paper. I want to respond to her right away."

Kanene nodded her head as goes to do what she was told.

Abidemi sighed as she looked at the ceiling. "It's a pity that Eden had to escort the crown prince of Elov." Kanene came back with a pen and paper. Abidemi took it and started to write. She sighed wistfully. "It would've been lovely if it was all three of us. Just one last outing before I leave."

Kanene and Shyla gave each other grim stares. Akeem and Lord Eden. Together. 'This is going to be stressful.' they thought. They gave the poor bystanders a quick prayer before going back to work.