This beautiful king sat above us on an alone golden throne in a hall of white.
It really was something out of a light novel.
"You may rise." Leon and Alcuin both rose slowly. He was still almost grinning as he stood up from his throne and folded his arms neatly behind his back. "General, you are dismissed. Alcuin, follow me."
With a quick bow once more, the general turned once more and retreated through the still open doors. The moment he crossed the threshold, the close smoothly shut behind him. The king, whom I still did not know the name of, turned and walked around the throne before disappearing completely from behind it.
Alcuin walked quickly, to seemingly catch up with him, towards a set of regular-sized doors positioned beneath the dais. These ones joined together to bear the emblem of the kingdom; a golden dragon contained in silver chains. The doors seemed to open by themselves as Alcuin did not stop or slow down to allow the doors to open.
What laid beyond was not what I was expecting, that's for sure.
It was a spacious courtyard growing a variety of fruit trees and flowers. Scattered around were an abundance of chairs, outdoor sofas, hammocks, and tables. There was even a modest wooden swing.
What stood out the most, however, was the fact that the walls, that the courtyard was boxed in, were all made of pure gold.
At the centre stood a man with platinum blonde hair and pale green eyes. He sat in front of a canvas, and so, I presumed he was the painter.
Time to get this shit over and done with.
"How are you, King Malachi?" The man greeted Malachi, I guess, with a grin. To my surprise, Malachi reciprocated and gave the man a hug.
Hold on a quick second. Time out. Is this not the man that is supposed to stab me or something a few years down the line? I thought he would be all evil-looking, evil acting and evil... breathing like. Instead, he's kneeling down to hug what must be his friend. Yeah, that must be it. It's only because he's Malachi's friend.
(I didn't even think he would have friends, but that's beside the point.)
Alcuin gently set me down on my feet. Finally. My legs are so numb.
I stumbled slightly as I waddled over to my father who must have been possessed in the past three minutes because he is acting like a non-snowman. I wasn't emotionally prepared for this. Fuck.
The two continued to talk whilst Alcuin stood awkwardly to the side. I guess she can't leave without the kings' permission. As I reached my father's leg, I looked up at him and his golden eyes met mine. He then crouched down to try to reach my height but this giant of a man still towered over me. "How can I help you, princess?" His voice was soft as he petted my head.
Woah. Wait. Time the fuck out. Hello? Sorry, but who are you and what are you doing in the snowmans' body? What is going on?
Of course, I defaulted to my favourite and only word. "No!" I run, which is a generous term, back to Alcuin.
The king chuckled nervously as he stood back up. "I suppose she fears me. I am a stranger after all."
Yes. Yes, good sir, you are. Someone replaced you in the ten-month vacation I took away from you. I simply refuse to believe that this is the same person who entered the room the day I arrived in this world.
"She looks like an exact clone of you." Said the platinum blonde man as he eyed both me and Malachi alternatively. I hid behind Alcuin's long grey dress. Her similar coloured eyes looked down at me but she didn't move. "I would say she has... the queens eye shape and facial structure ."
The queen? There was clearly only one throne on the dais. Unless she was only a queen due to marriage rather than... political aptitude.
The king remained silent for a moment. "Yes. Yes, she does."
A door to my right clicked open as a woman dressed in an elegant blue dress with a long trail that faded into gold. A golden crown to match the king sat atop her golden hair that was decorated with a net of gold and lapis. She sat down smoothly, considering the layers of skirts she was wearing, on the swing before.
"May we begin?" Her voice was sweet, almost similar to Marigold. Why is everyone here so pretty? Please, my bi-heart can't take this for much longer.
"Alcuin, if you would please." Malachi stood beside the queen and poised one hand on her shoulder.
Alcuin swept me up and made her way to the couple. The golden walls were perfect for the royal couple decorated in black, blue and gold. As I was placed on the lap of the queen, I remembered that I was also a part of this family. However, I could not help but look at the queens' facial structure as the man began to paint.