"When I grow up and finally become the King..." the words, childishly earnest, poured into my mind when I caught a glimpse of the place where he'd said those exact same words. "I will definitely make you my queen! You have to promise that you'll give me your hand when that time comes! And if I ever forget... you have to remember, no matter what!" he'd said it with such conviction, his eyes sparkling with determination.
"I promised!" I replied, beaming with delight.
But those words, that promise, were erased in the blink of an eye. I was left to carry the weight of those memories, me and me alone. The very same memory that torments me in everyway, echoes a bittersweet past, reminding me of the joy I once knew, filling my chest with a sharp pang of longing.
Not long after, the sharp creak of the door behind me jolted me out of my reverie. My butler, Thaddeus, entered my chamber, erasing my train of thoughts just now. His impeccable attire, from the crispness of his suit to the sharp lines of his carefully styled hair, spoke of a meticulous mind and a keen eye for detail. Despite his youth--just a year older than me--he exudes an air of composed professionalism.
"What brings you here at the moment, Thaddeus?" I asked.
Thaddeus, with his usual straight face, approached me with a scroll, its edges gilded with gold and tied with a crimson ribbon. "The Queen Mother's announcement, Your Majesty." he said. "She has instructed the Royal Court to begin preparations for the King's grand homecoming celebration. The war has been successful and the monsters have been vanquished. I trust he will be welcomed with the same grace and affection he deserves."
My eyes instantly sparkled with the thoughts of finally seeing him after a year of waiting. But since Thaddeus was still around, I remained proper, just like how a Queen would act.
"I must prepare my finest gown," I murmured, a faint smile rising on my lips. "A gown that speaks of my lineage and my grace, one worthy of standing beside The King."
I glanced at my butler, who was carefully listening. "I figured you would say that," he smiled. "I've already prepared everything you need, Your Majesty."
Then, as if on cue, the door swung open, and a bunch of servants entered. They buzzed around me with their hands on a blur of motion as they helped me disrobe, bathe in fragrant waters, and apply delicate makeup. A skilled stylist worked her magic on my hair, transforming it into a cascade of shimmering curls.
"I will be on my way then, Your Majesty," Thaddeus said, bowing slightly. "If you ever need anything, I'm always around."
After the servants helped me slip into my corset and petticoat, I finally entered my walk-in closet, a haven of silks and satins. My fingers skimmed over the delicate fabrics, my heart pounding with anticipation, until I finally found it: my most elegant gown. It was a masterpiece of ivory silk, embroidered with gleaming gold threads, and a swirling cascade of silver lace.
They helped me put on the gown, their hands moving with reverent care. Their eyes filled with admiration as the ivory silk flowed around me, and the golden embroidery, like a blossoming rose, caught the light. They murmured their approval in hushed tones, their faces reflecting a look of awe. Finally, they bowed and silently withdrew, leaving me alone in the quiet grandeur of my chamber.
I looked myself in the mirror, the reflection of a woman transformed. I can't wait to meet those pair of blue eyes piercing through my soul, leaving no part of me unseen. But as I met my own gaze, a strange anxiety clawed me, a whisper of doubt that something was amiss. The King's return, though it should have filled me with joy, but I can't help but feel that something of a storm was coming my way that I won't be able avoid.
I shook the unsettling thoughts from my head, lifting my chin with a determined smile. I stepped out of my chambers and was greeted by the bustling energy of a kingdom preparing for the celebration. People scurried about, their faces flushed with excitement, their energy overflowing with anticipation since their hero--The King will be returning after a long battle of successful war against the monsters that has been threatening the Kingdom.
On the grand staircase, I met with Thaddeus who has been waiting, with his ever so straight face showing a faint mixture of proudness and admiration. He extended his hand, and helped me navigate the steps down to the bustling Court room.
I settled into my throne, observing the scene unfolding before me. The Royal guards and their armor gleaming, formed a line of honor while the servants swiftly laid a crimson carpet, creating a grand entrance for the King. Distinguished guests arrived one by one, their murmurs adding sound to the bustling of the room. And I waited, my heart pounding with hope and anxiety, for the horn to sound, a signal of the King's arrival.
"Your Majesty, my Queen," the voice called from across the grand hall. "It feels like an eternity since we last met."
I turned, my gaze drawn to the source of the voice. There, standing amidst the bustling crowd of nobles and dignitaries, was none other than my cousin, the Grand Duke of The Kingdom Vauloria.
"Alfonsyne, it is a pleasure to see you again!" I cheerfully greeted him.
"Your beauty remains as striking as ever, Sigrid. It's as if each passing year has only enhanced your regal aura, making you even more exquisite." He bowed to show his respect.
I gasped. When did he learn to say such things? I remember the times he used to be such a crybaby when we were all just kids. He used to be so easily flustered, but now, he looks like someone who has already broken the heart of many young ladies.
"Who told you to be such a smooth talker, huh? You wanna get beaten by me?" I asked, a chuckle escaping my lips as his laughter filled the air.
"Come now, my Queen, surely you wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to taste the savory delicacies of the banquet, would you?" he said, his tone shifting from playful to a more charming invitation. "I can practically smell the roasted chicken and chocolates from here."
Come to think of it, my stomach's been rumbling for ages. Those heavenly scents have been swirling through the air all morning, and I haven't even been able to resist the allure of those sweet, rich aromas.
"I suppose I could be persuaded."
It doesn't hurt to try, especially with those mouthwatering delicacies right there, bewitching me to devour them.
After indulging ourselves in a feast fit for royalty and perhaps overdoing it a bit, Alfonsyne and I bid each other farewell, each returning to our respective duties. I sank back into my throne, my stomach full and content, feeling a bit like a contented dragon who had just devoured a village.
"Looks like you've had a good time over there, Your Majesty." Thaddeus whispered behind me.
I held up three fingers and plastered a confident smile on my face. "Worth every bite, wouldn't you agree?"
And at last after the long awaited time, the horn's resonant blast finally echoed through the hall, silencing all conversation. A wave of anticipation swept through the crowd as their eyes fixed on the entrance. The sound of hooves from the Royal Army's horses stopped, their riders forming a line of honor. At the head of the procession, the king himself emerged, his presence radiating power and authority. He dismounted his magnificent steed, his foot landing with a confident thud on the crimson carpet. He strode across the hall with a grace that drew all eyes on him.
As he reached his throne, the distance between us shrinking with each stride, my heart pounded like a drum. Being so close to him, the warmth of his aura radiating into my skin, was intoxicating. Yet, he didn't even glance my way, as if I were invisible to him.
I stood up tall, a queen even in the face of heartache, bowed with my head inclined in a gesture of respect "Congratulations, Your Majesty," I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my heart.
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. I held my composure with a queen's grace, though I was certain the rapid thump of my heart is dying to kill me right here and now, I stood before him, feeling his subtle breathing. From the folds of my gown, I retrieved a magnificent jeweled brooch, imbued with power.
A spark ignited in my chest as my hand lingered on the fine fabric of his jet black doublet, sensing the firm contours of his chest underneath, where I had carefully put the brooch on, just above his heart.
"This brooch, a symbol of your unwavering bravery, stands as a testament to your triumphs on the battlefield. It embodies the essence of your leadership--your unwavering commitment to protecting our kingdom and its people. This is a reminder of your strength and courage for us all. Your victory is our victory, and we celebrate your safe return with boundless joy."
His gaze remained fixed ahead, his expression unreadable, hiding whatever emotions he has underneath his emotionless facade. It was a familiar look, one I had come to know all too well.
"Long live King Solveig!"
As the crowd erupted into a thunderous applause, With a quiet dignity, he ascended the steps to his throne and settled upon his seat.
The bustling room continued to hum with activity abuzz with the excitement of the king's return. And one by one, royal guests approached his throne, offering their congratulations and pledges of allegiance. Not long after, the room fell silent as he raised his hand, silencing the murmur of conversation.
"My noble subjects," the King began, his voice resonating with a power that commanded everyone's attention, "I have returned victorious from the war against the monstrous hordes, a victory forged in blood. But even in the midst of triumph, I am mindful of the future, of the need to ensure the continuation of our royal lineage and the prosperity of our kingdom."
A hush fell over the assembled court, every eye fixed upon the King.
"Therefore," the King continued, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper, "I have made a decision. To further secure our dynasty and the future of our people, I shall take a concubine."
A ripple of surprise, like a tremor through a still pond, spread through the court. Whispers, hushed and urgent, fluttered through the grand hall, the rumors that had been swirling like autumn leaves suddenly taking root in the King's pronouncements.
"Apparently the queen has been deemed barren," a chilling whisper spread through the crowd, like a cold wind blowing through the room.
I was left frozen in shock, my breath catching in my throat. The whispers, the murmurs of the court, the swirling rumors--they were all drowned out by the King's words, ringing in my ears like a cruel melody. Each note was a needle, piercing my heart and shattering every piece of it beyond a point of salvation.
With a heavy heart and a mind clouded with despair, I met the king's gaze, tears welling in my eyes, threatening to spill over. His face, as cold as ice, held no warmth, no flicker of recognition. It was a mask of stone, devoid of any emotion, and in those emotionless eyes, I saw nothing but the king who had just returned from the battlefield, and not the man I had loved.