In the Name of the Rose

Violet, a woman at the very pinnacle of power in the kingdom.

Everyone says she is ruthless and malicious, and that her blood-red eyes are an omen of misfortune.

But to Irene, Violet will always be the little rose in her heart.

The little rose who was afraid of thunder and shamelessly squeezed into Irene's narrow bed, the little rose who was prickly, stubborn, and proud, and would rather take a beating than bow her head, the little rose whose buds were about to bloom on the eve of their parting.

Irene imagined countless ways they might meet again, but never thought they would stand on opposite sides, much less cross swords.

"Do you regret it? If you'd just left me to freeze to death in that icy lake back then, would this day never have come?" Years later, Violet's mocking words sounded in Irene's ear. But then she changed her tune: "Too bad it's too late to regret it now. It seems you'll never be able to get rid of me for the rest of your life."

"My little rose, you're still so silly." After a long silence, Irene finally spoke, sounding as though she had given in. She thought that perhaps being a gardener who grew roses for the rest of her life wouldn't be so bad.

1. Cheese warning. Set in a fictional Western world. There may be some political maneuvering, but romance is the main focus.

2. One-on-one romance. This has to have a happy ending, right?

3. Is anyone actually reading this???

Theme: Love can work miracles.