The night sky had taken over the horizon with full force. The pinks and yellows were a not so distant memory as the sky allowed the stars to reign over the night. It was picturesque. No moonlight to overpower the tiny lights decorating the stratosphere. The constellations were free to be read perfectly by all those who understood their design.

“You could never see these in the city,” she spoke to herself, stepping upon the shingled path that split in various directions.

By eye, she could see to the left, the path lead towards the main road she’d been brought up, the willow tree rustling in the evening breeze. Forward, lead to the rose garden a member of the household had mentioned before, the silhouette of the bandstand just visible with squinted eyes. It was this sight that drove her steps forward, the nights calm silence broken only by the sound of the breeze through the hedges lining the path, and the sound of her own footsteps. A few feet down the path, Ælea found herself walking beneath a canopy of beauty, lit up by the old-style street light with dimmed lamps that lead her along the walkway beneath the extensive archway.

Bustling with blooms from summer to early fall, the Rose Garden gave off the feeling of pure romance, boasting an impressive collection of floribundas, ramblers, climbers and Hybrid Tea Roses. The canopy opened out to a beautiful formal garden featuring a grassy area, surrounded with a colourful border of flowers. Circular patterns of colours decorated the green, a beautiful and inspiring focal point, with thousands of rose bushes of many varieties blooming.

Ælea certainly couldn’t resist the allure of the rose garden, seemingly endless variety and colour, accented by the intoxicating perfumes that fill the air. Scents, including spicy, anise, citrus, fruity, and the classic old rose. She suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia and she was happy.

She stepped up near a bush of bright yellow Roses. It was like a small set of suns were held delicately on the green bed of leaves. They were soft to the touch and showed the patience and care that was fed into them, rewarding all with the fragrant roses that blended elegantly with the garden’s formal architectural design to create a memorable showcase landscape. Such obtainable beauty.

Amidst the roses stood a Victorian bandstand – a structure that brought to mind the image of summer sunshine, rented deckchairs and cheerful music. Of course, they were as practical as they were aesthetically pleasing. Since the British summer was considered somewhat unreliable, the stand provided cover for those who were beneath. Although it was not a place where she expected bands to play, Ælea could see a small table and chairs where she could imagine taking afternoon tea, or reading a book in the warmth of the summer shade.

It was much like a fairytale and was providing her with the calm that she had been seeking.