The sun was barely in the sky when the king got out of bed. He moved the curtains and took in the beautiful scenery. How the sky was just about to get lighter and he was able to see the reflection in the snow and ice. It was absolutely perfect… If only he could have shared it with her… His glance moved towards the statue near his bed, the sun hitting the statues face and it was like she was made entirely out of glitter. He felt a longing look as he looked at her. He kept grabbing into the feeling but it was always crushed with a wave of disappointment. Something he wished to forget, the truth, the reality.
He slowly got dressed and looked at himself in the mirror. He barely looked like a king and was reminded of it every day. No matter how hard he tries, wearing the most expensive clothing and crowns. It's never enough. He doesn't have a large graceful beard nor a stomach that shows he's wealthy. He is just skin and bones. Like some starving peasant. Each time he looks at himself, his expression is filled with disgust. No matter how much he tries to eat, he can't. He never has an appetite and what he forces down comes up again. What a terrible curse. The only thing he is happy about is his pure white hair, blessed with Theelia herself.
But he envied his daughter. She had the same hair and beautiful ice blue eyes. Most of her looks came from him but her eyes came from her mother. The only thing he liked about his now dead wife.
A sigh escaped his lips as he turned back to the statute. The statues he has made of her weren't doing any justice to her real appearance. With her long brown hair and forest green eyes. Her eyes had so much life in them. But they kept reminding him how lifeless he was. She chased after another… A disgusting creature. A shame how she was tainted by something like them. Now.. She's just as lifeless as him. But he was still nowhere near happiness. He even had to adjust the appearance of the statue a little to resemble his wife more. But the one in his bedroom, was the closest he'll ever get to her.
His hand lightly touched her, feeling the cold from the ice. He then moved it away and shook his head.
"One day… I'll bring you back to life"
He left his room, closed and locked the door tightly. He made his way towards the throne room and met Julian with his same smirk, probably thinking about something… Aggressive.
"Your majesty, just the person I wanted to see. I have very important information…" The king hoped it wouldn't be anything stupid, like sending him out to murder the girl. Just imagining him doing anything like that made him sick. But he was the most loyal to him in the whole kingdom.
"What now?"
"I thought Havenbow was a very familiar name so I looked into and… Cashimir is Timothy Havenbow's son. You know, the priest who is the only one except us who really knows what happened to the Seanes. If he managed to tell his son about it… We'll be in trouble my king" He explained it as if it wasn't a huge deal. Even if word gets out, the consequences won't be huge. But the other kingdoms will look down on him and refuse to have any partnerships. It wouldn't be well for the economy. Or the future for the kingdom… Who would Dalia marry then? She is not capable of ruling the kingdom when he's gone…
"Get rid of him then. I'll take care of his son."
"Of course your majesty…" He bowed then left as if the conversation never happened. Arriving at the throne room he saw his daughter waiting for him, standing in front of the large window.
"Early today Dalia. Is it a special occasion?" He gave her a smile as he went to sit down on his throne. She usually stayed in her room reading or whatever. He wasn't too sure but their relationship wasn't the best. She always seemed so uncomfortable around him and more often than not, she annoyed him a lot.
"I just wanted to let you know that Cashimir and Helene are awake." She bowed then stood up but her eyes were stuck on the ground. She rarely looked him into the eye, always looking down.
"That is all? Come closer dear" His daughter held onto her skirt tightly as she moved towards her father, her eyes still on the ground.
"Acting shy like this isn't going to land you a husband. You know that right? I expect you to do your best at this year's celebration at the ball. If you don't find a suitable man there, you will meet consequences." He noticed how her eyes widened and he quickly grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.
"This kingdom's fate lies on your shoulders now Dalia. Don't disappoint me with a poor choice." He could feel how her pulse began to beat faster and how her eyes were filled with fear. He simply frowned, no matter what he did, he didn't feel anything.
"Your majesty, the champions are on their way" Dalia pulled away from his hand and quickly looked away, tears glittering in the corner of her eye as she ran away. She's blessed with so much beauty, both from her mother and father. But she's so weak, shy and fragile. It made him incredibly angry… Probably because it reminded him when he was just a young foolish prince.
He sat in his throne comfortably as the champions were sent in. He flashed his most charismatic smile and began to explain.
"There has been an incident in Frosa as you probably have seen when you arrived. All the.. Satyrs have disappeared off the streets and some girl with blue hair probably persuaded them to steal and do bad things. All I am asking is to find her and punish her. After all, isn't it why Theelia has sent you, Cashimir? To bring peace and purity. There was nothing wrong with my kingdom until she came and tainted it." He noticed the uncertainty in Cashimir's face as he mentioned a blue haired girl. He couldn't help but smile.
"You seem… Uncertain Cashimir. Do you happen to know this girl?" Surprise and chock spread across his face as he shook his head.
"Of course not… I just don't know how we will find them" The king wasn't too convinced but she gave them a map saying where they could be. There is a chance that they died out of starvation too but one can be never too sure.
"If you find evidence that they're dead then that's punishment enough." Helene didn't even say a single word. It creeped him out a little but she's a witch, what could he expect?
"There is no time to waste, if you need any supplies my servants will help you out" Then they left the throne room and the king let out a sigh of relief.