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They walked through the seemingly endless, but well-tended field and Ai thought that it was the most beautiful place she had ever beheld. It had several flowers and trees that created unique designs around its walking paths. She considered that replicating it in Ore might be a splendid idea for the lands she had jurisdiction over. Despite its magnificence, she observed with disappointment that the garden was missing the most important thing.
People.
"Why, there is not a single soul in this marvellous place. Does no one in Bamah come here?" She wondered if everyone else in Bamah shared their previous king’s sentiments and thought of love as for the weak. It put her in remembrance of Johin’s declaration to her and she hoped he did not share his father’s judgement on the matter. Before she could dwell on the thought, Isa responded.
“Unfortunately, Ai, I cannot answer that for this is also the first time I have set foot on this field. However, when I think of it, before we shut our borders, it was most assuredly a tourist attraction. It seems to have been abandoned since the end of the Yachad festival."
“Who then tends to the gardens? It does not look at all neglected. It looks affectionately cared for and it is too vast for one or two men to handle.”
“Dear Ai, I could not answer you if I wanted to. Perhaps my brother would know better.”
“Will he?” Ai questioned warily, as she was again put in mind of Johin’s declaration and the true reason she had orchestrated the tour. She began thinking up a way to put her plans in motion and walked silently with the party.
After several minutes of walking deep into the fields in the same direction, Ai suddenly gasped and began frantically searching the pockets of her skirt.
"Oh dear, I think I have dropped my handkerchief," She exclaimed.
"You can have mine," Isa said, offering her delicately seamed handkerchief.
"Alas, I must seek mine, for it was given by my mother and is most dear to me."
"Then, I shall gladly help search for it," Isa said kindly.
"No, you must not!" Ai exclaimed and noticed Nathan’s raised brow. She could tell that he was again suspicious of her actions but ignored him. "What I mean, dear Isa, is that I do not wish to ruin your first visit to this wonderful place. I shall leave you in Nathan’s care and under the protection of your soldiers. Come now Michael, we shall seek my dear piece of fabric at once.” She turned around and walked away briskly, leaving no room for protest.
Ai hummed in excitement as they walked farther away from the group. Although walking through the gardens of love was an unexpected addition to her plans, it contributed a great deal to the potential of her friends becoming infatuated with each other.
"What mischief are you up to this time?" She heard Michael ask from behind her.
She turned to him with a wide smile, unable to cease from grinning. "I do not know what you speak of."
"It is quite apparent that you purposefully dropped your handkerchief." He said dryly.
"It only is obvious to you, Michael, for your perception is almost supernatural. Well, perhaps it was apparent to Nathan as well, for he did not look as though he believed a word I said. Nonetheless, I was not lying when I said I dropped it, I only created a situation. If he again says he is not too stupid to see that I was lying, he shall only be declaring that he is stupid, as he did before we left the palace.
Now, where have I dropped that handkerchief? I must find it, for it truly belongs to Mother,” She expressed, looking around frantically.
"Here's the thing. I did see you drop the dear piece of fabric on our fruitless walk and happened to pick it up. I did wonder what your intention was in dropping it." He said, holding out the beautifully patterned fabric.
"My intention is not for you to know. Even if I told you, you would not comprehend it. This might be the one thing that surpasses your superior intelligence." Ai responded, attempting to grab the fabric, but the knight held it high out of her reach, looking unbothered. She gave him a warning look and held out her hand.
“Perhaps I should have said that it was in my possession when you announced that you lost it.” He said, putting it in her outstretched hand.
“You would not! I can trust you to always read situations and help me achieve my aim whether you approve or not. You are not like that odious Nathan, who would do all to flout my plans,”
"Princess, you are going in the wrong direction," Michael observed warily as she began to walk down a different path from where she had left her friends.
"I am very much aware of that," Ai replied smugly and continued down the path she was on. She was glad when he did not question her further but silently followed.
As she walked absently down the seemingly endless field, she allowed herself to be lost in her many thoughts. As much as she tried to consider her matchmaking a good deed, deep within, she resisted the guilty feeling that she was doing it more for her benefit than their happiness. She had considered that if Isa and Nathan truly became infatuated, she could witness what it looked like and ascertain if it was the same for herself and the Bamish King.
It was Michael’s warning voice, that pulled her from her reflections, but it was rather too late, as she did not observe the obstruction in her path till she tripped over it. She would have fallen on her face, had Michael not caught her by the arm, and steadied her. In an instant, he was standing defensively in front of her.
“What is it, Michael? Did I trip over an animal? Have I hurt it?” she asked, attempting to look beyond his broad figure.
"Please do not hurt me, I do not mean to be out here. I only fell asleep by mistake." she heard the voice of a young boy cry.
Although she was surprised that a child had been sleeping on the ground, nothing prepared her for the shock she felt when Michael gave way. It was a boy who did not seem to have reached the years of adolescence. He was no ordinary child and was the first of his kind she had seen in her existence on earth.
He was a boy with a complexion like hers.
