The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 75: Holding hands (2)

"Carefully. Take slow steps forward," Tobias said, guiding Hazel into the garden. "Why are your arms out like that? I won’t let you fall."

"I know, but I feel safer helping to make sure nothing is in my way. Oh," Hazel said, surprised by her hand suddenly touching something. "Tobias."

"That wasn’t my fault. If your hands weren’t out, you wouldn’t have touched the door. Open your eyes," he said, removing his hands from her eyes.

Tobias walked to the side of Hazel so he could see her reaction. Gardens still seemed boring to him, but since Hazel liked them, he was trying to see what was so special.

Hazel slowly opened her eyes and right away fell in love with the garden. "This is... I can’t believe they get more beautiful. Someone loved roses," she said as all the flowers were different types of roses.

The lanterns in the garden were made to be weird shapes she had never seen before, but they suited the garden. Some had glasses of different colours to match the colours of the rose petals.

"I see now why anyone cannot enter this place when they like. Who does the garden belong to? Are we on the queen’s side of the palace?" Hazel asked, fearing that the queen might pop out.

"My mother doesn’t care for flowers unless my father is gifting her. This belongs to a queen long ago and it has been taken care of to be a special garden for royals only. If you were to be caught with a rose from this garden, you might face a punishment so I can’t pick one for you. You’ll have to wait until you become my wife," Tobias explained.

"That is enough to convince me. I am joking," Hazel chuckled.

"It still surprises me that you know how to joke. You can look around until your heart feels full. I will take a seat here," Tobias said, going to the lone bench which would let him keep an eye on Hazel.

"That is no fun. We should walk together. Get up," Hazel said, following Tobias to the bench.

"I am quite comfortable sitting here and you might be comfortable here," Tobias replied, tapping his lap. "You won’t pay attention to me with all these flowers around. I will wait for you to be finished. It is nearing the time our dinner arrives."

Hazel looked left and right to see if she could find anyone spying on them. When she didn’t, Hazel stepped closer to Tobias to grab his arm and said, "Tobias, I would prefer that you walk with me."

Tobias stared at Hazel trying to figure out if he had heard it right that she dropped his title and she was holding his arm. It wasn’t good that she smiled and then laughed before him. Her laughter sounded like a sweet melody in his ears.

He couldn’t follow her request to stand right away because he was stuck in a dream. At least that was what it felt like he had fallen into.

"Tobias," Hazel called his name, but softer this time. "This is what you wanted but now you are quiet like a mouse and not moving. Very well," she let go of his hand. "I will walk around alone."

"That won’t be necessary," Tobias finally answered, getting to his feet to join her. "I would not be a gentleman if I didn’t join you now. We should hold hands so we do not lose each other."

"The garden is small. It goes around in a circle and we are able to see each other. You only want an excuse to hold my hand," Hazel said, quickly moving her hands to be behind her back.

"I am offended, Hazel. Here I am wanting to hold your hand so you don’t get lost in staring at the flowers and trip or be so focused that you wander off out of the garden and you think I am doing this just to hold your hand. How horrible of you," Tobias said, shaking his head at her ways.

"Again, that will not work on me. We will walk together and if you behave, maybe my hand will find its way to your hand. Sit if you want," Hazel decided to walk alone.

Despite Hazel not holding his hand as he wanted, Tobias did not sit back down and followed Hazel to walk around the garden together. Her calling his name and the laugh that was now stuck in his head was enough for now.

Tobias followed behind Hazel like a child would with their mother. He stopped when she did and moved once more when she did. He inspected the flowers along with her, watching as she carefully touched the petals with her hands.

If there was a way to give her a flower and she was able to hide it, he would pick one for her. Tobias could let it be known he had offered her a flower as a gift, but he feared there would be someone to make a big deal out of this.

To not get Hazel dragged into some mess, he would wait until she would take the Castro last name.

Hazel stood up straight after leaning over to take a closer look at the shape of the lantern. She was amazed by everything she saw and knew her mother would join her in being excited when she shared about how beautiful this garden was.

Hazel turned from the beauty of the flowers to look at Tobias who was staring at flowers. She couldn’t tell if he was enjoying looking at them or if he was so bored that he was now in a daze and had no idea he was standing still, staring at flowers.

This didn’t interest him, but he was here to do what she wanted. It was only fair that she did something he liked. There was no harm in doing what he requested.

Hazel inched her hand close to his until they touched. She held Tobias’s hand and looked away right as he turned to her. Hazel looked up at the sky which was also beautiful. There weren’t many clouds in the way so she could enjoy the stars.

She was just as fascinated by the sky as she was about gardens. Hazel looked forward to hearing what would be discovered about the far-away place no one could reach.

"How sly of you to suddenly hold my hand and then try to avoid me, Hazel. You are cruel in some ways, but I enjoy it. Your fingers are cold. Let me warm them," Tobias said, lifting their hands to his mouth. "Got you," he said as Hazel faced him again.

"The only thing I find interesting about this garden is how it makes you look even more beautiful. Your lips stand out much more and I have been lost in thought imagining how you would look lying on a pile of these petals. Should I push you into the bushes?" Tobias jokingly asked.

"Do it and prepare to run. You’ll find yourself back to the start as I will forget about all the good memories I made with you- What are you doing?" Hazel questioned as Tobias without warning kissed the back of her hand.

"Your lips are off limits so I had to settle for this," Tobias answered.