The King and His Lover

shimmering with unshed tears, gazed at the poorly lit room. The air was thick with the smell of lavender, a feeble attempt to hide the strong scent of medicinal herbs t

llow and distant, overshadowed by the

ing heavier with each step. Queen Elysande, once the epitome of royal beauty, now looked as delicate as a wilting rose. Her porcelain skin had turned as pal

by her side. He wrapped his hand around hers, feeling the coldness of her s

evealing eyes that still held the warmth o

for the crackling of the fire and the distant, carefree songs of birds in the gardens below. Beyond the thick stone walls, the castle stood strong and unwavering, its battlements a

is voice shaking like the last leaves of autumn. "You

gth, my dear Aldric, is measured not by the lack of

orce of will he could keep her spirit grounded in the physical world. "I n

"Now you must find your own strength, Aldric, for yourself and for thos

th pressing down on him like an approaching cata

heart," Elysande responded, her tone regaining a hint of

e. The King's dominant presence filled the room like an approaching storm, exuding a firm authority. His broad build an

ply before his sovereign. "Your

ldric's face. "How is the queen doing?" he asked with a grim t

, struggling against his father's stre

ng Elysande's forehead. "My heart," he whispered softly

ght of her husband. "Alaric," she whispered. "I promise to seek

emotion. "You have my word," he vowed solemnly

r in high regard, a man of few words but immense strength. Yet in this moment, he saw a

took felt like a sharp blow to his heart. The once grand and expansive palace seemed to shrink arou

d shadows across the manicured lawns, Aldric walked the grounds in search of peace. He sto

usted advisor, approaching with thoughtful steps. The older man's face was marked w

ing with the words. "Not well, Lord Cedric.

trast to the chill of fear in Aldric's heart. "Take courage, Your Highness. The Queen is

, ready to break at the touch of harsh reality. "Thank you, Cedric

her's room. He found his father still standing guard, a statue of grief and resilien

ly, his voice heavy with sorrow. "B

luttered open weakly, and a slight smile appeared on her pale lips at the sight of him, her ev

I promise to you that I will make you proud. I will show

th the last strength in her dying body. "I have never doubted y

ldric remained vigilant, his heart heavy with love and loss. He listened to his mother's labore

lysande took her last breath. Aldric felt her hand lose its warmth in his, and a sorrowful cry escaped his

n eyes brimming with unshed tears. "She is at peace now," he spoke

into countless pieces. "I will miss her with every p

ing his throat. "Yet she shall live on in our

ves of strength he had not known before. He vowed to honor his mother's memory by becom

s, Prince Aldric set out on his journey

tant influence in his soul. The grand palace, with its elegance and dignity, stood as a quiet observer to the l

the halls of the palace with a new sense of purpose, his grief balanced by a strong determination to meet his mother's wishe

the garden's edge. His eyes were locked on the distant mountains, their summits hidden by the approaching dusk. H

their kingdom. "Your mother recognized in you a heart ready to serve and a determinati

a heavy obstacle. "I will work every day to gain her trust and your approval. I

that began to appear in the night sky. "I have complete faith in yo

r the vast, starry sky, a feeling of peace enveloped