Both King Fennel and Princess Lily stood under the moon's light. The copper-haired feline kept his hands on her waist as he awaited her response.
He was confident that she would make a successful queen based on their limited time together. If he had to choose a lady to marry, at least the one in front of him had a sweet personality.
"Y-Yes," Lily smiled. "If you're certain you would want me."
Fennel didn't want her romantically, but he'd play along.
"You have brought me great joy tonight," Fennel said as he pulled her into a hug. "I'm ecstatic that you would do me the honor of becoming my wife."
The king felt her small hands on the middle of his back and her face against his chest. He pressed his fingers against the back of her head.
As Fennel gently held the small woman underneath the sky, Anise wiped away tears. "There's no going back," she said quietly.
Her son had already selected the girl. Her only hope was that she had misjudged everything and had no malicious motives.
Anise walked back into the busy room. Slowly, she approached her brother, Duke Louis.
The duke felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Anise with her hand tilted downward. He sighed, then took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Anise, have you been crying?"
The woman didn't say a word, she simply nodded her head once.
"I've not seen you cry since we were children," he whispered as he pulled her into a hug.
"Fennel Proposed to that girl," Anise said, sighing against his chest.
"What girl? The one in the yellow dress?"
"Yes," she confirmed. "Did you know she is the princess of Eldoria?"
"King Oscar's daughter?" He questioned her with a raised brow. "Why is he here?"
"I don't know," Anise muttered.
"Have you not spoken with Fennel about your past with him?"
"I haven't had the opportunity," she groaned, then pulled away from the hug. "I wish I had spoken to him about it long ago. It's too late now."
"Indeed it is."
Anise knew that when the king made his marriage proposal, it was binding. A king could face scorn in the world of royalty for reversing such an arrangement.
Fennel was now prepared to follow through with the arrangement.
King Oscar, the man she loathed, and his daughter would permanently mark their influence on the world in which she lived.
Even after all those years, she couldn't escape the pain he had inflicted on her.
"Everything will be fine," Louis attempted to reassure her. "I'm sure the princess is nothing like her father. I spoke to her briefly, and she seemed overwhelmingly sweet."
"Looks can be deceiving," the former queen frowned.
"While true, I can't imagine she could be a threat."
"I hope you're right."
Fennel returned to the room, holding the hand of Princess Lily. All eyes were on him as he slowly walked in sync with her to the front of the room.
Anise couldn't take seeing them together—not in that moment. "Louis, I'm going to retire to my chambers. I hope to see you soon."
Anise didn't wait for his response. She snuck out of the room. The woman hoped some rest would allow her to regain her composure.
The selection of a spouse was always the official end of the coronation ball. It was a beneficial thing, too, as Oliver was unable to focus on the notes he played. His fingers stopped moving as he watched the pair approach the stage.
The king's emerald stare fell on the bard. A sad smile appeared over his lips as he caught Oliver's gaze. He was filled with regret that he had obligations to fulfill and hoped the silver-haired man would forgive him.
Fennel turned to face the crowd. He released Lily's hand.
As he raised a palm in the air, the crowd grew silent. They were all eager to hear him speak. For them, it would be a joyous occasion.
"I hope you all enjoyed the evening," Fennel said in a confident, booming tone, which filled the large room with his words. "I am pleased to announce I have selected a future queen. Princess Lily of Eldoria will eventually become my wife. I hope everyone will bless her with kindness and support as she transitions to her new role."
They erupted in applause. Cheering echoed through the room as both the king and his soon-to-be queen bowed.
The party eventually dwindled. Most of the nobles had left, and for the most part, the royal court had retired to their rooms. Before the nobles left, they offered individual congratulations to the king. Even Louis, who had just seen his upset sister retreat, offered his approval regarding the arrangement. He was sure she had been overreacting to the news.
The only people left in the throne room were King Fennel, Oliver, Princess Lily, and King Oscar.
A smirk formed over the tall king's lips as he patted Fennel's back. "I'm pleased you found my daughter worthy of marriage."
"Yes," Fennel said, giving the man a nod. "I'll be proud to rule alongside her."
"Fantastic!" Oscar hummed, looking over Fennel from head to toe. "I'm sure you will quickly grow into your role. I have faith in you to successfully continue to cultivate peace between our kingdoms."
"Peace is what I desire," Fennel agreed. "It is important to work together to ensure our citizens thrive."
"You have made a wise choice," the dark-haired man said. "Come now, Lily." We must return to Eldoria. We must prepare for your move."
"Ah, yes, father," Lily replied as she glanced up at Fennel.
With a smile, the young king took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. "I look forward to spending more time with you."
Lily blushed, then followed her father out of the room.
When the only ones left were Oliver, Japser watching over him from across the room, and himself, a ground escaped the king's lips.
He ran his fingers through his copper locks, then he looked to Oliver.
The bard had a blank stare.
"Oliver," Fennel whispered.
"I know," Oliver sighed.
Fennel watched as Oliver stood, his precious lute touching the floor while he held it to the side of his body.
"Goodnight, Fennel," Oliver whispered.
The king watched, with his heart sinking, as Oliver left the throne room. He felt a longing deep within his soul. Something about the way they parted was distant. He didn't like the distance placed between them.
With a heavy heart, Fennel slowly walked back to his own room. As he moved, he could feel Japser's presence following him.
Fennel placed his hand on the door handle.
"My king," Japser addressed him.
"Congratulations on your engagement."
"Thank you," Fennel mumbled as he entered his chambers, closing the door behind him.
Finally, he was alone. It had been a long day, one in which he constantly had eyes fall on him. In a way, the silence in the room made him feel at ease. He thought it would be the only place in the world where he'd ever be able to get a moment of peace again.
The king was seated on the plush, velvet sofa. He let out a low groan as he leaned against it.
The fake confidence he emitted all day had worn him out. "Fake it until you make it, I guess?" He muttered to himself as he relaxed his body.
With closed eyes, he allowed his thoughts to wander.
As much as he didn't want to marry a stranger, Princess Lily was suitable enough. Even so, there was someone else he couldn't get his mind off of.
His hand moved over his heart, clutching at the fabric covering his chest.
"Oliver Lesse," he whispered.
As he thought of the bard, a frown formed on his face. He had snuggled close to the bard during his sleep the night before. It was an arrangement he wished he could have every night.
However, he only permitted Japser to enter his chambers, and that individual was unquestionably not the one he desired to be with.
Fennel stood, then walked back and forth across the length of the room. His tail flicked as he wondered how he was going to cope with his emotions.
He grumbled incoherently and placed his palm over his face.
"I can't take this," he groaned to himself. "I need to see Oliver."
The guard was outside his room. He couldn't use that exit. Plus, he didn't want anyone to know he had snuck off to see the bard. The rumors would make life difficult for them both.
Instead, his gaze fell on the large windows across the room.
As silently as he could, he opened it.
A cool breeze from the night air hit him as he opened it. He wiggled his ears and took a deep breath.
Fennel glanced at the ground below.
A few feet separated him from freedom. It wasn't the safest distance, but he was thankful his chamber wasn't on the upper floors of the palace.
He was also thankful for his agility. While normally he would prefer strength, the desire to jump from a window didn't require physical prowess.
Somehow, he gracefully jumped from the window, landing in a crouched position on his feet.
He sighed contently, then took a long walk through the grass around the back of the castle. He would avoid going in front of the main entrance, as he knew there would be guards. If they caught sight of their king, they would definitely not allow him to continue roaming alone at night.
When he managed to get to the other side, he placed a hand under his chin and examined the windows. He had a vague idea as to which window belonged to Oliver.
He would take his chances.
With trembling hands, Fennel moved up to a window. He knocked on the bottom of the window.
There was no response.
He kept knocking.
Nothing.
He continued his assault on the glass, wondering if he had picked the wrong one.
A minute or two later, he saw the bard approach the window, his eyes wide as he saw the king outside, attempting to catch his attention.
Oliver opened the window. "F-Fennel. What are you doing?"
"Meet me on the hill," Fennel instructed.
The night would be a long one.