Queen Lili's slender figure glided through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, her silk robes rustling softly as she made her way to King Erian's chambers, escorted by her two personal maids. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the walls, but the queen's determination remained unwavering. She had to speak with the king, no matter the hour.
As she approached the chamber doors, the maids stationed there curtsied deeply, their eyes cast downward. The guards, a few feet away, bowed their heads in respect, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. The queen acknowledged them with a graceful nod before entering the chamber.
King Erian, engrossed in his work, looked up as Theophilus, the chief eunuch, hurried to his side. "Your Majesty, live forever," Theophilus said, his voice low and urgent. "The queen has come to see you."
The king's eyebrows rose slightly as he set down the golden seal and placed it in a small, ornate box. "The queen?" he repeated, his tone hinting at surprise.
Theophilus bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty. She awaits your permission to enter."
King Erian's gaze lingered on the scrolls and documents before him, but he nodded curtly. "Allow her in, Theophilus. And see that we are not disturbed."
Theophilus bowed again and hastened to the door, opening it to admit the queen. As she entered, the king gestured to the servants and guards. "Leave us, all of you. We will speak in private."
The attendants and guards withdrew, leaving the king and queen alone in the spacious chamber. The only sound was the soft crackling of the fire in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room.
Queen Lili approached the king, her eyes fixed intently on his face. "Erian, I must speak with you about a matter of great importance."
King Erian's expression softened as Queen Lili approached him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Why have you come without being summoned?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Queen Lili's lips trembled as she sat beside him. "I cannot wait until I am summoned, Erian. You hardly visit my chambers anymore. What am I to do? I fear for my life and position. I fear the people of Eridoria."
The king's face reflected his concern, but he tried to reassure her. "Lili, my dear, you have nothing to fear. I am still your king, and I will not let anyone harm you, please return to your chambers."
But Queen Lili's tears flowed freely now, her voice cracking with emotion. "You have always been busy, Erian. You never come to me anymore. The ministers whisper in your ear, telling you to replace me with a younger, fertile queen. I am barren, and I know it. But I am still your wife, your queen."
King Erian's eyes drooped, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his responsibilities. For the first time, he revealed his own frustration. "Lili, it doesn't work, does it? No matter how hard we try, no matter how many prayers we offer, you couldn't conceive. And the pressure from the court... it's suffocating me."
Queen Lili's tears paused, and she looked at her husband with a determined glint in her eyes. "We have to keep trying, Erian. Until it does work. We cannot give up. Our love, our marriage, is stronger than any curse or fate."
The king's face contorted, his emotions raw. "But what if it's not enough, Lili? What if our love is not enough to overcome this?"
Queen Lili's hands grasped his, her grip fierce. "Then we will find another way, together. We will not give up on each other, or on our throne."
King Erian's arms enveloped Queen Lili in a warm embrace, holding her close as if to shield her from the turmoil that threatened their kingdom. As they parted, his lips brushed against hers in a gentle kiss. His fingers traced the curves of her face, wiping away the tears that still lingered on her cheeks.
"My love, I still adore you," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction. "Know that I am busy protecting you, our kingdom, and our future. Trust me, Lili. Return to your chambers, and I will come to you when I can."
Queen Lili's nod was barely perceptible, her eyes still brimming with tears. The faint smile that graced her lips was a testament to her unwavering trust in her king. As she turned to leave, King Erian's hands supported hers, guiding her toward the door. The queen's maids, who had been waiting discreetly in the antechamber, stepped forward to escort their mistress back to her quarters.
The silence in the queen's chambers was oppressive, the only sound being the soft sobs that racked her body as she lay on her bed. The maids, sensing her distress, had discreetly withdrawn, leaving their queen to her sorrow. Tears streamed down Lili's face, her heart heavy with the weight of her barrenness and the pressure from the court. Yet, in the midst of her despair, she clung to the love and reassurance that her king had offered.
Days turned into weeks, and the king's promised visit never came. Queen Lili's anxiety grew, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. One day, as she sat in her chambers, lost in thought, her two personal maids, Susan and Emma, entered the room and knelt beside her.
"Your Majesty, live forever," they said in unison, their voices laced with concern.
The queen forced a warm smile, trying to hide her worries. She sipped the warm tea they had served earlier, her hands trembling slightly.
Susan, the elder of the two maids, spoke up. "My queen, you should do something to maintain your position in the palace. The king's absence is...unusual."
Emma nodded in agreement. "Yes, Your Majesty. We know of a place where you can go and worship, and they will help you."
The queen's eyes narrowed, her interest piqued. "Where?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Susan hesitated before speaking. "It's a temple, my queen, but in another land. You have to go and worship there. Perhaps their gods will answer your prayers."
Queen Lili's face set in a firm line. "It's an abomination for an Eridorian to worship another god. I will not do that."
Susan's expression turned solemn. "That was when we had gods, my queen. But now, Eridoria has no gods. They're either dead or silent. We must seek help elsewhere."
The queen's grip on her tea cup tightened, her knuckles white. "I will not betray our gods, even if they seem silent. I will find another way."
Susan and Emma exchanged a worried glance, but remained silent, knowing that the queen's mind was made up.