“Faust von Polidoro,” I said.
“Your Majesty,” Sir Polidoro replied.
The aroma of roses emanated from the bouquet of freshly cut flowers at my chest.
“You claimed to know of the mischief that Reckenbell and I engaged in many years ago,” I said. “Hence, you’ve presented me with roses as a gift. I understand your intentions, and thus, I must ask. Why did Reckenbell steal the roses from the garden back then?”
“Do you not know why?” he asked.
“I do not.”
Answer me, I internally commanded. Sir Polidoro was silent for a few moments before he finally opened his mouth to speak once more.
“I heard that Lord Reckenbell stole the roses because you begged her for them, Your Majesty,” he said.
“That’s not wholly accurate, but I cannot deny that I asked,” I replied. “I didn’t expect her to steal an entire corner of a rose garden, however.”
“I’m guessing that Lord Reckenbell was happy.”
Happy? About what?
“Queen Catalina, had you ever asked Lord Reckenbell for anything before then?” he inquired.
“I…” I trailed off.
Never. Not once had I ever asked her for anything. The royal palace had provided all my necessities, and any other luxuries or tchotchkes in my possession were gifted by Reckenbell. Even if they were broken and could no longer be used, I couldn’t toss them away. They weren’t junk in my eyes, and I still kept them to this day.
“Desire for something is an emotion, Your Majesty. And so, when Lord Reckenbell heard your words, well…” Sir Polidoro said. I remained silent as he went on. “She was gripped with irresistible joy. That’s what I presume, Your Majesty. Hence, Lord Reckenbell decided to steal away an entire corner of a rose garden. This is just my guess, but may I speak my thoughts on this matter?”
“Go ahead,” I replied.
I encouraged him to speak. I didn’t care if he jumped to his own conclusions; I wanted any insight I could gather into Reckenbell’s thoughts back then.
“I believe that Lord Reckenbell committed such an exaggerated heist because she wanted you to laugh,” Sir Polidoro finished.
“What was I supposed to laugh about?” I asked.
“It’s beyond outrageous to steal an entire corner of a rose garden. It shouldn’t be done and is utterly foolish. I believe she wanted you to laugh about the absurdity of the situation.”
Is Sir Polidoro’s assumption true? Then did Reckenbell’s actions back then hold a special sort of…
“She knew that she’d get scolded with you later,” he said. “She was prepared for that and still went ahead with her foolish plot. I think…”
Did her actions hold a special meaning?
“I think that was Lord Reckenbell’s way of expressing her love,” Sir Polidoro explained.
The moment he finished his sentence, I heard the smoldering something within my heart burst wide open. When we stole the flowers, vases filled with rosebuds had covered my entire room. And they all bloomed beautifully. A smiling Reckenbell, gazing at the blooming roses with her unique narrow eyes, flashed across my mind.
No, Reckenbell wasn’t smiling at the roses back then. She was gazing at me while I watched the flowers.
“Ah…” I murmured.
My shock slipped out of my lips. What an idiot. Logic told me as much.
“How foolish,” I whispered.
How stupid and foolish. Utterly idiotic. Why…was I such a stupid fool? I’d failed to realize it until Sir Polidoro spelled it out for me.
“Why… Why?” I muttered.
Why did I realize it all too late? Why hadn’t I been able to understand Reckenbell’s love until now? I couldn’t turn back time. Reckenbell was long gone, and I had no way of returning the favor to her. I couldn’t repay her now.
“Why am I such a hopeless fool?” I wondered.
I sobbed. I sat on my throne as a tear fell upon my chest. The droplet slid down onto the bouquet of roses like dew in the morning. And then, like a shower of rain, more drops began to fall upon the crimson petals. I paid no heed to the people gathered in the room as I wept.
On this day, I, Ina-Catalina Maria Villendorf, had finally understood Reckenbell’s love in its entirety.