In the quiet of the night, even whispers become roars.
Cursebound
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains as I approached Crimson's door. I knocked lightly, my knuckles rapping against the wood.
"It's Shay," I called out. "I need to speak with you for a moment."
There was a brief pause before I heard movement from inside. The door creaked open, and Crimson stood there, his face pale but with an edge of irritation. He eyed me with a mixture of exhaustion and annoyance.
"What do you want now?" Crimson grumbled, his voice hoarse from the night's ordeal.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my tone calm and respectful. "I need to ask you about the exact wording of the curse. If you can remember it, it might help us find a way to break it."
Crimson's eyes narrowed, and he looked at me as though I had just suggested something outrageous. "You think I don't remember it? Of course I do. I've been living with it every single night. It's been my constant tormentor."
He stepped back, allowing me to enter. I took a seat, and Crimson followed, sinking into a chair with a sigh.
"Then tell me," I urged gently. "What is the exact wording? I need to know the curse's precise form."
Crimson's gaze was distant, his expression shifting as he relived the torment. "It goes something like this," he began, his voice trembling with the weight of old pain. "'In the silence of the night, you shall find no rest. Your dreams shall be a battlefield of your deepest fears."
I nodded, absorbing the exact phrasing. "Knowing this will help us."
Crimson remained silent, his gaze distant as he stared out the window. I stood up to leave, feeling the weight of his mood. As I closed the door behind me, I heard him sigh.
As I made my way to the dining hall, the morning sun cast a gentle glow over the grounds. The breakfast table, set for a small gathering, was an elaborate spread of fresh fruits, pastries, and savory dishes. The remnants of the coronation festivities were still visible in the ornate decorations and elegant table settings.
I took a seat at the table, where Livius, Talambér, and Titania were already gathered. Most of the coronation guests had departed, leaving only the key figures and their close subjects who remained for the morning meal. The air was filled with a subdued, relaxed atmosphere, a stark contrast to the previous night's intensity.
As the breakfast progressed, the soft clinking of cutlery and the rustling of napkins were the only sounds that punctuated the serene atmosphere. Titania ate silently and elegantly, her presence marked by a calm grace. She appeared deep in thought, her attention focused solely on her meal.
Livius, seated across from me, glanced at me with a curious expression. "Shay, I wanted to ask about Rolo. What are your thoughts on my proposal for him to visit my court?"
I shrugged, not entirely sure where this was going. "I haven't given it much thought. Why do you ask?"
Livius leaned forward slightly, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "Rolo has been quite adamant about one thing: that you accompany him if he were to visit. I wanted to discuss potential arrangements and dates."
I sighed, feeling a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "What am I, a babysitter? I thought Rolo was perfectly capable of handling such matters on his own."
Livius chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "It seems he values your presence and believes that your company would be beneficial for both his mission and the diplomatic relations between us."
I took a sip of my cocoa, considering Livius's words. "It seems like a bit of a hassle. I have enough on my plate without adding a diplomatic tour to the mix."
Livius nodded, trying to placate me. "I understand but he's quite insistent on this."
I tapped my fingers on the table, trying to think of a way to avoid this burden. "Look, if I'm going to be dragged into this, it's going to have to be worth my while. What's in it for me?"
Livius's expression shifted to one of thoughtful consideration. "What do you have in mind?"
I reached my hand out expectantly, giving Livius a pointed look. Livius blinked, clearly taken aback by my straightforward demand.
"Pay me," I said flatly. "I'm not about to be a glorified babysitter without something in return. If I'm going to your court, it's going to be on my terms."
He straightened in his seat, his confusion giving way to a more serious demeanor. "What exactly do you have in mind, Shay?"
I kept my hand extended, waiting for him to come to terms with the reality of the situation. "I'm not asking for much—I want a deal that makes this whole endeavor worth my while."
Livius's eyes flickered between my outstretched hand and my face, trying to gauge my seriousness. "I see. And what do you require as compensation?"
I withdrew my hand slightly but kept my gaze steady. "I'm open to negotiations, but I expect something tangible in return. Think of it as fair compensation for my time and inconvenience."
Livius considered my words for a moment, then nodded. "Understood. I'll draft a proposal and present it to you. We'll make sure your needs are addressed."
I gave a satisfied nod. "Good. I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with."
As Livius and I finished our negotiation, Talambér let out a hearty laugh, clearly amused by the exchange. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he looked over at me.
"Well, well," he chuckled, "I see where Rolo got his talent for making deals. If he learned anything from you, it's certainly the art of negotiation."
I smirked, taking a sip of my drink.
Talambér's gaze lingered on me with a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he cleared his throat and leaned slightly forward, his tone taking on a subtle, intriguing edge.
"You know, Shay," he began, a hint of mischief in his voice, "it seems we're both adept at the art of negotiation. If you're up for it, I might have a proposal of my own to put on the table."
"For now, let's enjoy this breakfast and see what the future holds," I said.
Do you remember the first rule? Make them wait a bit.
With that, we turned our attention back to the meal, the atmosphere lightening as the conversation drifted to more casual topics.
As the breakfast continued, the door to the dining room creaked open, and Crimson made his entrance. He looked worse for wear, his dark circles and disheveled appearance marking a stark contrast to the composed demeanor he usually exhibited. His attire was slightly rumpled, and he wore an expression of barely concealed irritation.
Titania, ever the picture of elegance and poise, couldn't resist a light-hearted comment. As Crimson shuffled to the table, she looked up from her plate with a faint, amused smile.
"Ah, Crimson," she said with a teasing edge to her voice. "I see you've decided to grace us with your presence. Did something happen, or is this your usual morning charm?"
Crimson shot her a weary glance, though he couldn't suppress a small, rueful smile at her teasing. "You could say the night left me less than refreshed."
Titania chuckled softly, her laughter like a delicate chime. "Well, I suppose you can't expect much from a breakfast of blood and complaints."
Crimson grumbled under his breath but didn't argue. He took his place at the table and reached for a cup of blood, as was his morning ritual. Despite his gruff exterior, he looked grateful for the chance to settle into a more comfortable, if still somewhat sullen, seat.
As he sipped his drink, he cast a glance at Livius, Talambér, and me. "I trust you all had a pleasant breakfast without my company?"
I gave him a nod, "We managed just fine. Your timing was impeccable, as always."
Crimson managed a slight smirk, though it was clear he was still recuperating from the events of the previous night. Titania gave him one last teasing look before returning to her meal, leaving Crimson to settle into his seat and focus on his cup of blood.
As Crimson sipped his blood and settled into his chair, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before broaching the subject that had been on my mind. I glanced at him, noting the weariness etched into his features, and decided it was time to discuss the curse more directly, though not quite overtly.
"Crimson," I began, trying to sound as casual as possible despite the gravity of the situation. "I've been thinking about your… predicament."
Crimson raised an eyebrow, his gaze meeting mine with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Oh? And what do you suggest? Another beating to jog my memory or a new method to torture me?"
I shook my head with a wry smile. "No more beatings, I promise. But I've been working on a potential solution. It's not something I can explain fully at the moment, but it involves a bit of careful planning and some... outside assistance."
Crimson's eyes narrowed. "Care to elaborate? Or are you just going to leave me in suspense while you figure out how to make things worse?"
I leaned forward slightly, keeping my voice low so as not to draw too much attention. "Tonight, I'll be visiting you with someone who might be able to help."
Crimson clearly felt a foreboding deja vu.
(...)
I found Rolo in the library, nose buried in a thick tome, as usual. He looked up when I entered, his expression curious.
"Rolo, I need you to come with me tonight," I said, getting straight to the point.
"Is it about Crimson?" Rolo asked, setting the book aside.
"Yes. I have an idea. I need you to observe and make sure it works."
Rolo nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. I'll be there. What's the plan?"
I grinned. "I'll explain later. First, I need to talk to Crimson alone."
With Rolo on board, I headed to the library's back shelves, where the dullest books resided. After a few minutes, I found one: The Complete History of Wheat Cultivation. I flipped through the pages, ensuring it was as dry as it can be.
Book in hand, I started gathering supplies. I knew this wouldn't be easy, so I wanted to make sure to have everything.
As I entered, I greeted the maid, who looked up from a pot of simmering stew.
She glanced up and then quickly looked back down, clearly unsure how to address me. "Um, good morning, Your... Lord Shay."
I couldn't help but chuckle. She blushed, still flustered. "How can I help you?"
"I need some supplies," I said. "Water, caffeine pills, and some snacks. Also, what are Crimson's favorite treats?"
The maid nodded and began gathering the items, but her nervousness lingered. "Your... um, Lord Shay, do you need anything else?"
I laughed again. "No, that's plenty. What do we have for Crimson?"
The maid led me to a counter where an array of desserts was displayed, each more decadent than the last. She listed off the options, her voice gaining confidence as she spoke about the treats.
I pondered the list for a moment, eyeing each dessert. "I'll take the blood-infused chocolate truffles, the blood wine gummies, and the bloodberry tarts," I said, reaching for a truffle. "Let me taste some."
I popped the truffle into my mouth, savoring the rich, dark chocolate with its unique blood flavor. "Mmm, not bad," I commented, reaching for a blood wine gummy next. The sweet and tangy flavor burst in my mouth, making me nod in approval. Finally, I tried a bloodberry tart, enjoying the rare fruit's tartness.
The maid watched me with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as I sampled the treats. "Good choices, my Lord." she said, smiling.
"Yeah, these should do nicely," I agreed, wiping my mouth. "Can you pack some of these up for me?"
The maid swiftly packed the selected treats into a basket, along with bottles of water and caffeine pills. As she handed it over, she smiled, more relaxed now.
"Thanks," I said and left.
With the supplies packed and ready, I made my way to Crimson's quarters. The soft thud of my boots against the stone floor seemed almost too loud in the quiet corridor. I reached his door and knocked firmly.
"Come in," Crimson's voice rumbled from the other side.
I entered to find him lounging in a chair, looking even more disheveled than usual. The night's ordeal had clearly taken its toll. He glanced up as I entered, his eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.
"What's this about?" Crimson asked, his tone dripping with fatigue.
I set the bag of supplies down on a nearby table and began unpacking. "I've come up with a plan to tackle the curse. It involves breaking the silence of the night."
Crimson raised an eyebrow. "Breaking the silence? You've lost me already."
"You don't understand," I shook my head. "Sometimes the only way to break a curse is to fulfill it. But other times, you need to disrupt the conditions that trigger the curse. In the silence of the night, you shall find no rest — so what if there is no silence?"
"What?"
I sighed.
I pulled out a few items from the bag: a bottle of water, some caffeine pills, and a selection of snacks, including a few blood-infused treats. I also held up a book. "We're going to use this book to disrupt the silence. I arrange for Mica to read aloud during the night."
Crimson stared at me, incredulous. "Mica? The guy who dates Aida's daughter?"
"Yep," I confirmed, feeling the weight of his doubt. "His voice is just dull enough to break the silence but not enough to wake you up."
Crimson looked at the supplies and then back at me, clearly unimpressed. "And you think this will work?"
"I believe it's our best shot," I said. "Magic's not an option because the curse reacts violently to it. This is a more mundane approach."
Crimson shook his head, his expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. "So, you're telling me that your big plan is to have this second-generation drone on about some book while I try to sleep? It's ridiculous."
I sighed, trying to remain patient. "Look, I know it sounds strange, but it's the only way I can think of to disrupt the curse's condition. If it doesn't work, at least we'll have tried."
Crimson rubbed his temples, clearly exhausted and frustrated. "Alright, let's say I agree. What's next?"
"We'll start tonight," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "Mica will come by, read aloud, and we'll monitor how it affects you. Rolo will be there to observe."
Crimson eyed the bag of supplies with a resigned expression. "Fine. If this doesn't work, I'm blaming you for all the sleepless nights."
I offered a small smirk. "Deal. We'll see how it goes."
As I prepared to leave Crimson's room, I paused and turned back, feeling the weight of the situation more keenly. Crimson looked at me, still leaning back in his chair, his face etched with weariness.
"There's something else you should know," I said, my tone more serious. "The curse is more powerful because of your lifestyle. You've always enjoyed the silence of the night, relishing in the solitude because no one would dare to disturb a sleeping king. That's exactly what the curse is exploiting."
Crimson's expression darkened as he absorbed my words. "You're saying my preference for solitude is making this worse?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "The curse feeds on the very thing you've relied on for comfort. My theory is that the silence amplifies the curse."
Crimson looked away, his eyes reflecting the turmoil within. "I never thought of it like that."
"And there's another aspect," I continued, trying to offer some perspective. "It's not just the curse. You might need therapy or some form of psychological support to deal with your traumas and fears."
Crimson's gaze snapped back to me, a flicker of surprise and annoyance in his eyes. "Are you suggesting I need therapy?"
"The curse feeds on fear and trauma," I continued. "If you work on addressing and healing these underlying issues, the curse may lose some of its grip. It's not just about disrupting the curse; it's also about dealing with the root causes of your suffering."
Crimson's gaze was sharp. "I don't need therapy."
I shrugged. Yes, you do.
"Okay. Let's see how my plan works tonight," I said. "One step at a time."
With that, I left him to his thoughts.
(...)
I found Mica in his room, engrossed in one of his many books. He didn't look up as I approached, but I knew he was aware of my presence.
"Mica," I started, leaning against the table. "I need a favor."
He finally looked up, his expression wary. "What kind of favor?"
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I need you to read to Crimson tonight."
When I was a kid and Mica taught me, German, I always fell asleep when he was reading out parts aloud. His monotone reading voice was the only thing that could put me to sleep back then — but it made Mica mad every time.
Mica's eyebrows shot up, and he closed his book with a snap. "You're joking, right?"
"No, I'm serious. Crimson's curse makes it so he can't find rest in the silence of the night. If you read to him, it might disrupt that silence enough for him to sleep."
Mica shook his head, clearly exasperated. "And you think he'll just fall asleep because my reading is so boring?"
"Not boring," I corrected. "Monotone. It's exactly what we need. Please, Mica. This could really help him big time."
Mica stared at me, arms crossed over his chest. "You know, this isn't exactly how I planned to spend my evening. And why should I help him?"
I leaned in, lowering my voice. "Because Crimson is a relative of your girlfriend. Helping him might score you some cookie points with Mr. Blutkaiser. Think about it: if you can prove that you're not just some guy, but someone who could help Crimson, it might earn you some favor."
Mica paused, his expression softening slightly. "You really think so?"
I nodded. "I do."
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, Shay. I'll do it. But you owe me for this. Big time."
I grinned, clapping him on the back. "I owe you a lot more than that. Thank you, Mica."