" -never knew words can be good but can mean bad to others, does that mean that words that meant bad can be hidden in phrases that sound "good"? "
Those were phrases that he's never heard before but have thought of. Usually, these thoughts come into a person's mind even as a child. He learned this when he was 6 when his mother was poisoned by what she called a friend. She was her mother's lady-in-waiting, the consort, his mother, was a meek lady. The lady was called Elina and the lady-in-waiting was Marissa. Everyday, he, his mother, and Marissa would have tea as the two ladies watch him play. Elina would always have a smile as bright as the sun and as gentle as a tulip as she speaks with her long time friend. It was like any other day in the palace. Everyone is preparing for a banquet, the consort was just as busy as she and 4 more of the king's wives are preparing themselves for the event. Every wife of the king carries a beauty of their own and each beauty is revered by everyone but unlike the other wives, Leonard's mother was a beauty that can only either be striking or unnoticeable.
Despite receiving the King's affection, Elina was never dressed lavishly and she was mostly dressed in modest white of every shade, little to no jewelry and hair that would always be dragging the floor. However, she was never a mess to look at, with her long shining and wavy golden hair, white complemented her simple yet beautiful countenance and frame with the fabric of her clothing draping on her arms, waist and shoulder. She's the very first fairy her son, Leonard, has ever seen, and so did the king.
The banquet was revered to be of utmost importance as rulers of others places were to come and there shall be no effort to be spared to show the land's power and wealth.
Nervous, the consort Elina looks at herself in the mirror with Leonard waiting for her on the couch marveling his beloved mother.
" Do not fret my lady, the dress suits you well and I shall make you the star of the banquet "Marissa said as she combs Elina's hair.
' Odd ' the young Leonard thought. ' Don't we usually refer to the king's wives as "moons"? Marissa is a noble but she must've forgotten? '
A knock came then Marissa gave permission for the maid to enter. However, no one entered then Elina spoke.
"You may come in"
The maid then came in with her head bowed.
" Your majesty, the banquet is about to begin. "
" Understood, lead the way " Elina then signaled Leo to go with her and Marissa followed.
As soon as they stepped in, Elina gathered the eyes of the attendees upon introduction. Leonard knew his mother would be the most beautiful lady of the ball but as they walk, the snickers became clearer, the watching eyes scorned. It was quiet but too quiet that the child can hear the breaths under the fans that noble ladies used to cover their blabbing mouths. Young Leo realised they were not marveling her beauty, they were mocking her. He never knew that even just the eyes can be so painful and suffocating, he had been sheltered by his mother's love and gentleness for so long that he had never felt such cold atmosphere. As any scared child would, he looked up only to see his mother looking down, pursing her lips holding back the tears so as to not disappoint her loving son. She looked up with her heels piercing the ears and breaking the silence and murmurs with her steps. Leo did not leave his mother's side that night.
The night was long as the sun refused to show even a peek of its light. The young prince understood that his mother wanted to leave the banquet. Reaching out to her with his small yet calloused hand, the child told her he's uncomfortable and with such, Elina carried him as he curled up on her shoulder as he looked at the emperor's wide yet undependable back for he was a husband who cannot even shush the mouths of those whom he was ruling over despite presumably loving his mother.
On the fateful 7th day of the fourth of the twelve moon, it was a day like any other, Marissa and Elina were enjoying tea on Elina's bedchamber.
"My lady, I really did wish you happiness"
Those were the last words that Leo heard before entering his mother's room for afterwards, he could hear nothing but the wailing of a child's voice, the child who loved his mother dearly, the sun was hot and so was Leo's eyes as he choked, trying to breathe over his screams, at the tender age of 6, his treasure was taken from him, with no one around him but the very woman who was the cruelest that he had seen, wrapping him tightly in her arms. An embrace he wanted to break free from was the beginning of more that would suffocate him until the day someone finally let's him free.