The Garden!

Chapter 16

“The garden?”
“Yes,” Nalani replied excitedly. “I want to ask for the garden.”

Karyan’s face darkened at Nalani’s request. He didn’t answer immediately, his eyes shifted. Nalani saw him take a deep, somber breath, and for a moment, he looked nothing like the heartless Alpha who had once played her cruelly.

“May I know why you want that garden, Nalani?” he asked, his voice holding a storm.

Nalani sensed Karyan’s restrained emotions, but she was determined to press on. She herself did not fully understand why the neglected garden was calling to her.

However, she felt there was something beautiful hidden beneath the weeds and dead plants, begging to be saved.

“I need something to do, don’t I?” Nalani finally said. “If I want to stay here forever, I need something to distract me from homesickness. Unless... you’d rather send me back to Inverno.”

Karyan’s expression hardened, and his eyes flashed with an anger that made Nalani hold her breath. He rose from his chair and stepped closer, towering over her, and Nalani felt the power radiating from her.

“Inverno is not an option,” he hissed sharply. “But if restoring the garden will keep you busy and out of trouble, then so be it.”

Nalani exhaled, relieved but also wary. “Thank you,” she said with relief. “I promise not to waste your kindness.”

Karyan looked at her for a moment, his eyes on Nalani. Then, with a curt nod, he turned and walked away, leaving Nalani wondering what memories the garden held for him and why he was so reluctant to grant her request.

As the door closed behind her, Nalani felt herself torn between triumph and unease.

She left the dining room, stepping out into the corridor, beginning to think of a plan for the garden. The garden was more than just a project to keep her busy-it was a good distraction while she was on her spy mission.

Nalani knew that she had to tread carefully. Karyan’s good intentions were fragile, and the path ahead was fraught with danger.

But she would do it for Kabar. Because if all goes well, she can go home soon to be with the man she loves.

The next morning, Nalani received an unexpected surprise. A guard approached her as she was walking with Mita after breakfast.

He told Nalani that they had prepared gardening tools for her.

Startled, Nalani followed him out of the palace. In a corner of the courtyard, she saw piles of the highest quality gardening tools and packets of seeds.

"If you need anything else for your garden, let us know," one of the guards said. "You can also request herbs from Bertold. But this garden is yours to manage as you see fit."

Nalani's gloomy mood suddenly brightened.

This was more than she had expected.

She had not expected Karyan to follow through on his promise so thoroughly.

She began to imagine the flowers and thriving plants slowly replacing the lonely image of the neglected garden.

However, the guard's tone became serious. "There is one condition you must follow, my lady. Alpha will only allow you in the garden when the sky is still light."

Nalani's excitement was slightly disturbed when she heard that message. She had hoped for more freedom, but she knew better than to argue.

She nodded in understanding, and the guards left her alone with her new supplies.

Moments later, standing at the edge of the abandoned garden, Nalani took a deep breath, the scent of earth and wildflowers filling her lungs.

The sun was not yet very high, long shadows danced among the weeds and dead plants. She was eager to get to work.
***

Hours passed as Nalani worked, pulling out dead plants, clearing weeds, and tilling the soil.

Sweat dripped from her forehead, but she didn’t care.

By midday, the garden already looked different. It still looked rough in places, but the plots were ready for planting, and the weeds covering the ground had been cleared away.

Nalani took a short break, sitting on a stone bench hidden behind a grove of plants.

After taking a sip of the water Mita had prepared, she stood up, stretched her aching muscles, and got back to work.

With the tools provided, she began planting daffodil, rose and hydrangea seeds.

Little did Nalani realize, someone was observing all this from the topmost window of the old palace.

“You’re going to keep standing there until she’s done, Karyan?” Karina appeared, sticking her head out the window and watching Nalani.

“Nalani’s safety is in my hands. Seldam told me that.”

“I don’t understand why you trust that old man. His people have gotten into trouble with our people several times, but you’re still friends with him.”

Karyan turned his head, the eyes glared angrily at Karina. “You have no capacity to judge my relationship with Err Seldam, Karina.”

“Of course,” Karina said with a cynical smile. “Just as I was also not in the capacity to acquire that garden. But you gave it to Nalani right away.”

Karyan’s forehead wrinkled. “You never asked me for the garden.”

“I did,” Karina insisted. “The garden means something to you, but also to me. I thought I didn’t have to ask. Just like you, who never asked to make love to me...”

Her sentence was cut off as Karyan grabbed her by the shoulders at lightning speed and slammed Karina’s body against the wall.

“Enough,” Karyan hissed with a low voice and growling voice. “You don’t need to bring that up again. It was a mistake. You are the daughter of my mother’s husband, my stepfather, and I will never forgive that old wolf for what he did to my mother. Sleeping with you doesn’t mean I’m going to make you my mate. It doesn’t mean anything to me. It was a mistake that I will never repeat. One night of regret that I will carry with me forever. You need to start recognizing your place.”

Karina’s eyes flashed, but she said nothing, her breath hitched with emotion.

Karyan continued, his voice was icy cold. “I am the Alpha of this kingdom now, Karina. You need to start respecting my leadership. This garden belongs to Nalani, and that is final.”

He released her, and Karina stumbled backward, her expression seemed like she was hurt and angry. She straightened, trying to regain her composure, but the message was clear.

Karyan’s word was law, and she could not defy it.

With one last look, Karyan turned and walked away, leaving Karina rooted to the spot in the middle of the hallway. Nalani was still in the garden. He had to make sure she left before sunset.

***