Queen Evenly's heart fluttered in her chest as she made her way out of the royal garden. The vibrant flowers around her were bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, but nothing compared to the rush she felt in her own chest. She had just finished her evening tea, a quiet moment of peace before the night's chaos took over, but her mind had been elsewhere.
Her thoughts were fixed on one person. King Lucien. Her husband, her love. He'd left the castle early that morning, disappearing behind the fortress walls to attend a treaty meeting with the kingdom of The Coast. He'd been gone all day, but now… now, he was finally returning.
The familiar sound of horses galloping echoed across the castle grounds, and without a second thought, Queen Evenly's steps quickened. Her heart picked up pace, matching the rhythmic pounding of the hooves.
Lady Seraphina, her ever-faithful handmaid, struggled to keep up, her breath quick and uneven. "Your Majesty, please—" Seraphina huffed, trailing a few steps behind.
But the queen wasn't paying her any mind. Her gaze was locked on the horizon where the sound of hooves grew louder, where her husband was nearing.
When she finally saw him—King Lucien—his figure tall and commanding atop his steed, she couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face. She rushed forward, her gown billowing behind her, but before she could take another step, Lucien dismounted swiftly, landing on the ground with the grace of a lion.
He was here.
She flung herself into his arms, and Lucien caught her, laughing softly. "Well, well, if it isn't my wife, practically swooning," he teased, his voice deep and rich with affection.
"You were gone so long," she said, her lips brushing against his cheek. She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on his chest. "I couldn't wait any longer."
Lucien's eyes twinkled with mischief as he smirked. "Swooning like a teenager, my love. What would the court think?" He chuckled again, shaking his head. "Seraphina, tell me—has the queen always been like this?"
Seraphina, now standing a few feet away, shot them a half-hearted smile, clearly out of breath. "She has, Your Majesty," she said with a small nod, though she looked less than amused. "I've spent many a day chasing after her in the garden like this."
Evenly waved her hand dismissively, a gleam of laughter in her eyes. "Oh, Seraphina, you act as if I'm a burden to you." She turned back to Lucien, her arms tightening around him. "I'm just happy you're back. That's all."
Lucien laughed again, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I'll never tire of hearing that," he murmured before pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
For a few moments, the world seemed to fade away. The air around them was warm, the setting sun bathing them in its golden glow. The sounds of the castle's usual bustle were drowned out by their laughter, their shared joy. It was just them, in this fleeting moment of peace.
Lucien pulled back, looking down at his wife, his eyes softening. "I missed you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like an eternity when I'm away from you."
Evenly smiled, her heart swelling at his words. "You're here now," she said, her fingers tracing the edges of his collar. "And that's all that matters."
She couldn't help but revel in the sensation of his warmth, the solid presence of him in her arms. Her pulse quickened as she looked up at him, her love for him flooding her chest. They had shared so many moments together—good and bad—but in this moment, everything felt right.
"Lucien, I love you," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.
"And I love you, Evenly," he replied, his lips brushing against her forehead. "More than anything."
Their gaze held for a moment, and for a brief, perfect instant, the world outside them didn't matter. Everything they needed was right here, in each other's arms.
But then, something changed.
Evenly's smile faltered. She suddenly felt a sharp, unbearable pain stab through her chest, her breath hitching in her throat. She gasped, her hands clutching at Lucien's shirt, her knees going weak.
"Evenly?" Lucien's voice was filled with alarm, his arms instantly wrapping around her as she staggered in his embrace.
She tried to speak, but her voice was lost in the wave of pain that consumed her. It felt like a burning fire was coursing through her veins, and with every passing second, it grew stronger. She could feel her body trembling uncontrollably. She gasped for breath, but it was as if the air had thickened, refusing to fill her lungs.
Lucien's eyes widened with fear. "What's happening?" he asked, panic seeping into his tone. He tightened his grip around her, as though by holding her closer, he could stop the pain.
Her vision blurred, a dizzying blackness creeping at the edges of her sight. Blood tasted bitter on her tongue, and before she could react, her stomach churned violently. She bent forward, coughing up blood onto the ground, her knees buckling under the weight of it all.
Lucien's expression turned frantic. His voice cracked as he called to the guards. "Get the physicians, now!" His arms tightened around her, lifting her effortlessly. "Seraphina, help her!"
Seraphina rushed forward, her face pale as she tried to support the queen. "Your Majesty!" she cried, her voice frantic, but Evenly couldn't focus on anything but the pain. The world was slipping from her grip, and all she could hear was the distant thudding of her own heartbeat.
Lucien's voice was gentle, yet filled with urgency as he whispered in her ear, "Hang on, Evenly, please. Stay with me. We'll get you help, just hold on."
Evenly's body felt heavier with every passing second, her limbs growing weak. "I can't… Lucien…" she murmured, her voice faint and ragged.
"No," he said, his tone fierce. "You're not leaving me, not now. Stay with me."
Lucien carried her, bridal-style, through the castle gates, his expression a mixture of panic and helplessness. "Hang on, my love. It's going to be alright," he whispered, though even his voice was laced with uncertainty. He tried to keep her awake, keep her with him. His warmth surrounded her, his scent filling her senses.
But it was no use.
Evenly's eyelids fluttered, her head lolling against his chest. Her vision darkened, the edges of her world falling into an endless black abyss.
"Lucien…" she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible. "I… I love you."
"I know. I know, my love," Lucien's voice cracked, and she could feel the warmth of his tears against her skin. "I love you too. Just hold on."
And then, just as the last vestiges of her strength faded, Evenly's vision was overtaken by darkness, and Lucien's voice became nothing more than a distant echo.