The kingdom was vibrant and full of life. The skies stretched endlessly, their vastness making the land feel infinite. As the carriage approached a grand manor, Kieth's breath caught in his throat. It was enormous, its architecture imposing yet inviting. The door to the carriage opened with a creak, and Paulina stepped out gracefully. She turned, her movements precise and deliberate, and offered a deep bow as she addressed the figure still inside.
"Welcome back to your manor, Your Highness," she said, her voice calm and reverent.
The queen stepped out next, her presence commanding attention. Her fiery red hair gleamed like a crown of flames under the bright sky. She moved with the kind of grace only royalty could possess, her every step causing the servants nearby to bow in unison. They greeted her warmly as she ascended the grand steps of the manor.
Kieth, however, remained seated in the carriage. Paulina noticed and returned, standing by the open door with her arms crossed.
"Hey, come on," she said, her tone light but firm. "What are you still doing in there?"
Kieth hesitated before stepping out, carefully cradling Serel in his arms. The sunlight poured over him like a blessing, warm and unobstructed for the first time in what felt like forever. He closed his eyes and allowed the golden rays and soft breeze to embrace him. When he opened them, he noticed the servants had stopped to stare at him, their expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. Paulina, ever efficient, turned to address them.
"They are guests of the queen," she declared, her voice carrying authority. "Treat them as such. Prepare a proper bath and fresh clothes for the child—and fetch the doctors immediately."
The servants dispersed in a flurry of activity. Kieth was ushered toward the manor. As he walked, he marveled at its grandeur. The exterior seemed carved from pure marble and adorned with gold, every inch exuding opulence. The staff, dressed uniformly in white and gold, bustled about efficiently, though Paulina stood out in her distinct attire. Kieth deduced she must be of higher rank, perhaps the head maid.
Inside, the manor was even more breathtaking, its halls vast and filled with light. Paulina approached him with a gentle but direct tone.
"Can we take Serel now? The maids will clean her up."
Kieth knelt down to meet Serel's gaze. "Hey," he said softly, "why don't you go with them? I'll see you in about an hour, okay?"
She nodded hesitantly before taking the maids' hands and skipping along with them. Left alone with Paulina, Kieth straightened up.
"Follow me," she instructed.
Kieth trailed after her through endless hallways, peering out the expansive windows as they walked. Beyond the glass, he saw vast gardens filled with trees unlike any he'd seen before. Strange animals roamed freely, their forms vaguely familiar yet alien. Everything about this place felt surreal.
Finally, they arrived at a room where several individuals dressed in pristine white waited. Paulina gestured toward a bed. "Lie down," she instructed.
Kieth obeyed, lowering himself carefully onto the bed. The medical team began their work, removing his tattered bandages with practiced gentleness. Even so, the dried blood caused the fabric to cling to his wounds, making the process painful. They cleaned his injuries with warm water, wiping away layers of grime and dried blood to reveal his battered body. His skin was pale and sickly, with deep, angry gashes that seemed impossibly raw.
The doctors applied alcohol and herbs to his wounds, the sting making him grit his teeth but otherwise remain still. Fresh bandages replaced the old, this time wrapped more precisely, allowing his limbs to move freely. Only the most critical areas were covered—his torso, ankles, and left eye—leaving his right eye, nose, and mouth exposed.
One of the medics hesitated, glancing at Paulina. "Should we... use the BoilSphere on his face?"
Paulina answered. "The queen wouldn't want her guest to be completely covered. Do it."
The team exchanged uncertain looks but ultimately complied. A servant retrieved a sphere, its translucent surface swirling as if alive. They instructed Kieth to lie still, then popped the sphere and applied its contents—a viscous, gel-like substance—to his face. The moment it touched his skin, it burned, eliciting a sharp grunt from Kieth. The sensation was agonizing, but he endured it without complaint.
After several minutes, the pain subsided. The scars on his face now appeared sealed, though not healed. Tentatively, he touched his skin, marveling at the strange sensation.
"It's not healed," Paulina explained. "The Boil Sphere expands and seals the skin temporarily. We'll need to reapply it every forty-eight hours until your wounds properly close. It'll take about four or five treatments."
Fresh clothes were brought in—black trousers and a blue-and-white robe. The robe seemed tailored for someone else, yet it fit Kieth surprisingly well. Once dressed, he tied his hair back and bowed deeply to the medical staff, the maids, and Paulina.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
They all smiled, their warmth a small comfort after the ordeal. Paulina led him outside, where the sun was beginning to set, painting the hallways in hues of red and gold.
"I'll take you to Her Highness now," she said. "She requested an audience with you before I show you to your room."
Kieth nodded, following her through the glowing corridors. At the entrance to a grand chamber, Paulina stopped.
"Aren't you coming in?" Kieth asked, puzzled.
Paulina shook her head. "The queen requested a private audience."
With that, Kieth stepped inside. The queen sat gracefully on a chair, her gaze softening as she saw him.
"You look wonderful," she said with a small smile. "I had a feeling those clothes would suit you."
"Did they belong to someone else?" Kieth asked hesitantly.
"Yes," she replied. "They were my husband's."
The words hung in the air. "Your husband... the king?"
"Yes."
Kieth's mind raced, struggling to process the implications. He wiped a tear discreetly as he wrestled with his emotions. How ridiculous—me, involved in such matters at my age? Am I still 18? Older? I don't even know...
The queen interrupted his thoughts. "Why don't you take a seat?" She gestured toward a chair positioned by a window overlooking the sunset.
Kieth sat, trying to steady his nerves. His thoughts spiraled further when she removed her robe. Embarrassed, he quickly averted his gaze, only to steal a glance moments later. To his relief—and surprise—she wore a simple gown beneath. She approached with a canvas and began setting it up.
"Uh... a canvas?" Kieth asked, confused.
"Yes," she replied, her cheeks tinged pink. "I wanted to paint you. I know it's strange for a queen, but... I enjoy it. And you seemed like a good reference."
"A reference..." Kieth echoed awkwardly, forcing a laugh. "Of course. Totally fine."
He sat stiffly as she painted, his embarrassment lingering but slowly giving way to curiosity.
Kieth found himself stealing occasional glances at the queen as she painted. Despite her poised demeanor earlier, she now seemed like an eager child, entirely absorbed in her art. The contrast was striking—this elegant monarch reduced to a passionate, almost innocent state as she focused on her brushstrokes. Kieth, however, was growing restless and decided to break the silence.
"So... your husband," he began hesitantly, "where is he?"
"Oh, he's at the castle," she replied without looking up, her hand still moving fluidly over the canvas.
"I see..." Kieth paused, searching for something else to say. "Is he the same height as me?"
"Yes," she answered simply.
Kieth blinked, surprised. "Oh, I see..." He trailed off, thinking to himself, Wow, he's short, and she's tall. Quite the dynamic, isn't it? His eyes wandered back to her. Is this why she wanted me here?
He caught another glimpse of her face, her expression focused yet filled with a childlike enthusiasm. She looked so cold and regal in the carriage, and now look at her—innocent and lively. I bet no one else knows this side of her.
Breaking the silence again, Kieth asked, "Why are you painting, anyway?"
She paused briefly before replying, "Oh, I'm practicing."
"Practicing?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes..." She blushed faintly, her cheeks dusted with pink as she lowered her head behind the canvas. "I want to surprise my husband with his portrait."
Kieth blinked, taken aback by her sudden shyness. She hid her face further and began furiously stroking her brush.
She's a maiden in love, he thought with a small smile.
The painting session dragged on for another half an hour before she finally set down her brush and looked at him. "Alright, it's done," she announced, her voice laced with satisfaction. "Come here."
Kieth stood and approached the canvas. As he took in the image, his expression froze in confusion.
"Is... is that me?" he asked, his voice uncertain.
"Yes!" she replied brightly. "How is it?"
Kieth stared at the painting, struggling to find the right words. The proportions were off, the colors clashed, and the brushwork was clumsy. Even a 14-year-old could do better than this... he thought, trying not to let his thoughts show on his face.
"Well," he began cautiously, "there's... some room for improvement."
She sighed, her enthusiasm dimming just a little. "Yeah, I know... But I don't know who to learn from. I don't really want anyone else to know about this. And... there aren't many painters willing to teach."
Kieth looked at her, her vulnerability clear in her expression. Something about the moment made him soften. "I'll teach you," he offered with a gentle smile.
Her eyes widened. "You're a painter?" she asked, confused.
"You could say that," he replied, glancing at the canvas again. Then he turned back to her with a small grin. "Well then, my queen—"
"Oh, please," she interrupted, her tone light but insistent. "Call me Raphenia here. In front of others, the formal tone is fine, but here, just... Raphenia."
Kieth chuckled. "Alright, R—" He paused. "Raphenia... It's still a bit weird, but I'll get used to it."
She smiled, visibly more at ease. "Paulina will guide you out," she said, standing and beginning to tidy her workspace.
Kieth raised an eyebrow. "You don't even want to test me first?"
She shook her head, her smile turning wry. "At this point, I'd take any teacher."
He laughed softly. "Well then, can you tell me your goal again?"
Her cheeks flushed pink as she looked away. "I want to paint my husband and make it... really beautiful."
Kieth's smile widened, but he said nothing more. He turned and exited the room, finding Paulina waiting just outside.
"Is it over?" she asked with a polite smile. "Then I shall guide you to your room."
Kieth followed Paulina through the glowing hallways, the warm hues of sunset casting long shadows and a serene atmosphere over the manor. His mind replayed the peculiar but endearing interaction with the queen—her unexpected innocence, her passion for painting, and her quiet determination to create something meaningful.
When they reached his room, Paulina gave a small bow. "If you need anything, just call for the servants," she said before retreating down the hall.
Kieth stepped inside and took in the room. It was vast, with high ceilings and luxurious furnishings. The bed was large and inviting, draped with soft linens. His eyes landed on Serel, already fast asleep. She looked so peaceful, her small form nestled into the plush blankets.
He smiled, his heart softening at the sight. Quietly, he approached and settled onto the bed beside her. The mattress was far softer than anything he'd experienced in recent memory, a stark contrast to the hardships he'd endured. As he lay back, the tension in his body eased, and his wounds seemed to ache a little less.
Kieth glanced at Serel one more time before closing his eyes. Holding her close, he felt a rare sense of comfort and safety. A gentle smile curved his lips as sleep overtook him, his breaths steady and calm. For the first time in a long while, he slept soundly, the weight of his struggles momentarily lifted.
---------------------------------------------------------