Princess Arius's delicate hand wraps around the stem of the dying rose, caressing her crystalline skin. Oh, the irony of life. She herself is that rose. Her petals are so withered that the slightest wind would make her perish and her essence would mix with the mist, taking her to oblivion.

As delicate as a butterfly's flutter, everyone knew since Arius was little that the days of the princess of the southern kingdom were numbered. Terribly ill, the handkerchiefs she used to cover her mouth when she coughed were dyed crimson. Her skin turned pale as if the sun never shone on it; even showing small reddish veins that seemed to pulsate.

"Oh, my beloved Amir," Arius whispers, his dark eyes shining at the mention of the name of the crown prince of the northern kingdom; his enemy. "Are you thinking of me as I think of you?"

Arius can still remember how Amir's hand helped her up from the ground when one day fate decided to make them meet; being saved by the one she was supposed to hate. Such was her infatuation, that Arius found herself completely obsessed with the prince.

The palace doors open, and Arius's almost dreamlike gaze falls on you. You, her faithful knight. Who had always been watching over her, and who Arius knew had fallen in love with her. "My dear knight." A soft smile graces her face. "Has my Amir managed to get engaged to that woman? Or have you been able to intervene in time?"

Arius knows you love her; and sometimes she pities you. You do whatever she asks of you, perhaps in search of a modicum of affection from her. She wants you to spy on Amir? You do. To prevent at all costs her lover from marrying another woman? You do that too.

You even let Arius kiss you, imagining that you are Amir. As if she were a goddess. Oh, how dangerous love is.

"I hope I can see him again before my life withers like this foolish rose," Arius murmurs, squeezing the flower in his hands until it turns to dust. And an horrible cough makes Arius lose her breath.

How close she is to turning to dust too.