Eirik sat motionless on the edge of his bed, the highly decorated chamber that once offered him comfort now suffocating.
The gilded mirrors, and plush cushions seemed to mock his turmoil.
The letter from his father, King Xavian, announcing the marriage arrangement with Prince Kaelix of Zephyros, lay crumpled in his trembling hand.
The words had struck him like a dagger to the heart, each line deepening the wound.
His thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm of fear, sadness, and confusion. How could they decide his fate so coldly, without even consulting him? His life, his love, his future, all decided in a council room, far from where he sat drowning in despair.
A soft knock on the door broke through his reverie, and Eirik quickly wiped away the tears that had begun to spill from his deep purple eyes.
The door creaked open, revealing Queen Morgana, her face a portrait of sorrow. Behind her were Eirik's twin brothers, Lucian and Julian, their expressions mirroring their mother's concern.
"Eirik, my darling," Queen Morgana whispered, rushing to his side. Her arms enveloped him in a tight embrace, her own tears beginning to flow. "I am so sorry. I wish I could change this."
Eirik leaned into his mother's embrace, but the warmth of her love could not thaw the icy dread that had settled in his chest. "Why, Mother? Why did they do this to me?"
Queen Morgana gently stroked his long white hair, her fingers trembling. "Your father and the council believe this is the only way to secure peace. I fought against it, but Zephyros has already accepted. There is no turning back now."
Lucian and Julian stepped forward, each placing a comforting hand on their brother's shoulders. Julian, always the more empathetic of the twins, spoke softly, "We're here for you, Eirik. We'll always be here for you."
Lucian, his jaw clenched in silent anger, nodded. "We'll find a way to make this right. Somehow."
Eirik looked up at his brothers, his vision blurred by fresh tears. He wanted to believe their words, to find solace in their presence, but the reality was harsh and unyielding. "I don't want to leave. I don't want to marry him."
Queen Morgana's heart broke at the sight of her son's despair. She guided Eirik to lie down, cradling his head in her lap. "Shh, my precious flower," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We'll get through this together."
She began to sing a lullaby, a soft, soothing melody that had comforted Eirik since he was a child.
"Sleep now, my precious, let the worries take flight,
Wrapped in the Moon's gentle glow, till the dawning light.
Dream of the meadows where the lilies are fair,
With the soft, whispering breeze, and love everywhere.
In the silence of the evening, where the world is at rest,
Feel the warmth of my love, and the touch of a quest.
Though the road ahead is weary, and the night seems so long,
In the heart of the moonlight, you'll find where you belong.
Sleep now, my precious, let the worries take flight,
Wrapped in the moon's gentle glow, till the dawning light.
Dream of the meadows where the lilies are fair,
With the soft, whispering breeze, and love everywhere.
When the night feels so endless, and the stars are so far,
Know my love will guide you, no matter where you are.
Rest now in the moonlight, let your sorrow be gone,
For in dreams, you'll find solace until the break of dawn."
Her voice, filled with love and sorrow, brought a small measure of comfort to Eirik's troubled heart. He closed his eyes, trying to lose himself in the familiar rhythm of his mother's song.
Lucian and Julian exchanged worried glances. They had always been protective of their delicate brother, and seeing him in such pain was unbearable. Julian's hand tightened into a fist as he silently vowed to do whatever it took to protect Eirik from this fate.
After what felt like an eternity, Eirik's sobs began to subside. Queen Morgana gently wiped away his tears, her heart aching with each touch. "Rest now, my darling," she whispered. "Everything is going to be alright."
But Eirik knew that nothing would ever be alright again.
The twins helped their mother tuck Eirik into bed, each taking turns to kiss their brother on the forehead. Their movements were gentle and deliberate, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging inside them. Eirik's eyes fluttered closed, exhausted from the emotional turmoil. Queen Morgana kissed his forehead as well, her tears falling onto his pale skin.
"Goodnight, my sweet Eirik," she murmured, her voice breaking. "May your dreams be kinder than your waking hours."
The three of them quietly left the room, closing the door behind them. As soon as the soft click of the latch echoed through the chamber, Eirik's eyes snapped open. The silence of the room was deafening, amplifying the sound of his ragged breaths and the pounding of his heart.
Tears welled up again, spilling over and running down his cheeks. He clutched the edge of the blanket, his fingers digging into the fabric as if it could anchor him to some semblance of stability. The image of Sadiki's face filled his mind, his heart aching with the memory of their secret moments together.
He thought back to the nights they had stolen away to a hidden corner of the palace gardens, where they could be alone and free from prying eyes. The way Sadiki's eyes would light up when he smiled, the warmth of his embrace, the tender whispers of love they had shared. How could he leave all that behind?
Eirik's shoulders shook with silent sobs, the pain too deep for words. He felt utterly alone, despite the love and support of his family. The path laid out before him seemed impossibly cruel, a future dictated by duty and devoid of the happiness he had dreamed of.
He buried his face in the pillow, his tears soaking into the fabric. Each breath was a struggle, his chest tight with grief. The thought of marrying Prince Kaelix, a man he had never met, filled him with dread. The rumors of Kaelix's fierceness and ruthlessness only added to his fear.
Eirik cried until he had no more tears left to shed, his body trembling with exhaustion. His mind drifted back to Sadiki, wishing more than anything to be in his beloved's arms.
But Sadiki was not there. He could not be there.
In a final act of desperation, Eirik reached for the small pendant Sadiki had given him,a simple silver charm that had always brought him comfort. He clutched it tightly in his hand, as if the physical connection to Sadiki could somehow ease his pain.