" My love, I am not the only one that committed adultery. Noel constantly reminds me of your infidelity, yet I treat him like kin. You could treat Tuille with a little kindness; if anything, "It's Noel's fault that your loyal servant met her end today." He endeavored to impart his message with utmost reverence.
" Do not compare my son to that bastard! Why should I show her kindness? Has she done anything to deserve it? Please leave my presence at once.
The closet exuded an atmosphere of desolation, as if a shroud of bleakness enveloped its very existence. The icy grip of this bleakness plunged every corner of the room into a state of complete and utter darkness, leaving no escape from its oppressive embrace.
Mama, where are you? Why is it taking you so long to come to me? You said that you were right behind him. I don't know where you are. This place is so dark, I can't see anything.
Amidst the shadows of despair, her plight grew dire. Struggling to rise, her limbs lay still, adorned with violet whispers upon her porcelain flesh. Thirst gripped her parched lips. And yet, a wondrous transformation unfolded as her wings unfurled, resplendent and robust, defying the darkness that loomed. Her hunger sang a plaintive melody, for days had passed since she savored a hearty feast.
Why is everyone so mean to me? What did I do, Mama?
As her eyes fluttered open, time's elusive grasp unknown, a distant echo of footsteps drew near. A shiver of dread coursed through her as the door handle turned. Standing before her was the youthful prince, disbelief etched upon his face, fear seizing him instantly.
Upon her delicate frame, crimson rivers flowed.
It looked like something was carved out, and the sight was gruesome. He was taken aback when he saw that her ears were different from his; they were long and pointed. This sight made him feel fearful.; there was blood underneath his feet. He inadvertently knocked the vase over in a moment of fear as he lost his footing in the puddle.
"You monster!" he shouted, gazing at her with disgust, while his face showed sheer terror.
In the moment the vase plummeted and fractured, an agony unfurled within her heart. She grasped her chest as tears cascaded gently down her cheek.
The young prince, Noel, stood frozen in disbelief, causing him to inadvertently drop the pilfered kitchen provisions at his feet. Overwhelmed by panic, he hastily fled the room with eyes tightly shut, oblivious to the fact that he had left the door slightly ajar.
"Why is this door open? I need to inform her majesty about this." A guard spotted the royal keys on the ground and then headed towards the closet.
Two maidens, bathed in ethereal light, lingered by the corridor, their voices weaving delicate threads of conversation.
"It required a month to weave, resulting in a fabric grade superior to silk."
"Her Majesty will undoubtedly be pleased with the outcomes and may generously reward your family with not just one, but two horses."
"I have never encountered anything like that before. However, it makes sense as we usually import our supplies from various countries."
The young boy cautiously peered around the corner, surreptitiously listening in on their conversation. He observed numerous armed guards marching down the corridor he had just traversed.
I forgot the keys!
Another servant rushed towards the two, out of breath. " Did you hear? That bastard tried to escape after everything her majesty had done for her! Death is the only punishment suited for her.
"How did anyone find out?" inquired one of the servants.
"The royal keys were found in her possession," responded the other servants, with both of them grasping the situation.
Oh no!
Noel checked his pockets and discovered that the keys he had taken from his father's study were missing. His feet were not fast enough as he watched them beat her senselessly.
"Journey to your chambers, Noel," whispered his father, a spectral presence at his back.
"But father! How could you let this happen? It's unjust. Please instruct the guards to stop; if anything, I should be the one facing the consequences."
Her screams tormented him.
I think I'm going be sick
He sensed a rising sensation in his throat, feeling nauseous, and vomited into the pot where the plant was placed.He recalled the dreadful scene. He did not have the right to intervene after the mean things he said to her. He is no better than the adults beating her to death.
"This, my son, is the consequence of your actions."
The prince suffered from sleepless nights, haunted by distressing cries. Compelled to monitor her well-being, he would discreetly leave his chambers clutching a sheet and a children's book to pacify his unease.
The young prince was plagued by restless nights and tormented by screams. He couldn't sleep without properly checking on her condition. He quietly slips out of his room with a sheet and a children's book to ease his anxiety. As he strolled through the empty corridors, the rhythmic tapping of his shoes resounded throughout the tiled flooring, creating an eerie atmosphere. Yet, despite the stillness, he remained unphased by the possibility of encountering spooky entities in the dead of the night. Instead, his mind was consumed by thoughts of Tuille, his dear little sister.
Unlocking the door without a key proved to be a challenge, but he knew one way. He resorted to breaking the doorknob and forcefully hitting the lock with a hard-covered book he had on hand.
Clank…. Click.
A wave of relief washed over him when the door opened, revealing her delicate figure. Her voice was calming, akin to a soft melody. He settled beside her, selecting a book at random from the library's shelf to read.
'As a child, the little boy found himself without any friends and had to learn to fend for himself when his parents were called to war. However, he persevered through adversity and eventually grew up to become a formidable knight. His incredible strength and heroism earned him the admiration and adoration of many, who hailed him for his bravery in defeating the demons.'
With a sparkle of anticipation in her eyes, the Tuilles's gaze was fixed on the picture book before her. She longed to explore the vast world beyond the castle walls, and her face was lit with a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear. Her heart was filled with wonder and curiosity, and she could hardly contain her excitement as she pored over the vivid illustrations that brought the far-off lands to life on the pages before her.
As he journeyed, he formed numerous friendships. And after many years had gone by, the young man was able to reunite with his parents. He had since gotten married and had two children, and together they all lived happily ever after.
As Tuille surveyed the scene before her, her eyes fell upon a solitary figure standing apart from the rest of the family. A sense of melancholy washed over her as the image of the family brought to mind memories of her dear mother, whom she so dearly longed for.
The woman seemed overjoyed in the book, although it's possible that her happiness stemmed from her close relationship with the boy and her understanding of his struggles. As she turned to the next page, she read about the mother enthusiastically greeting her in-laws with a beaming smile and introducing herself.
Each evening, he would quietly enter the room and select a new tale to share with her. Sometimes, he would retrieve volumes from his personal library to impart proper language skills. Then, his fingers would delicately turn each page as he read, displaying a deep reverence for the printed word.
As he rummaged through the chest, searching for papers from his youth, he heard footsteps behind him, and the door opened. Startled at first, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was only his servant, Mila.
"Here are the documents you asked for," said the woman, placing the stack of files on the desk. She then looked up at the young man and asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what do you need these documents from at such a young age?"
As the sudden sound of footsteps approached his room, the young boy's heart began to race with fear. Then, acting instinctually, he swiftly pushed the servant out of his room and tightly shut the door behind him, hoping to avoid getting caught in whatever trouble he had found himself in. Then, taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his nerves and calm himself down before making any further moves.
He remains in his room for most of the day, dedicatedly revising a stack of papers. As the hours' pass, he eventually glances up and realizes it's already midnight.
"I cannot wait to witness Tuille's expression when I present her with these gifts. However, before that, I must complete this final sentence," he murmured, feeling his eyelids grow heavy. His head eventually slumped onto the desk, and the pen slipped from his grasp as he descended into a restful slumber.
The boy was gently awoken by the tapping of his servant as the birds outside chirped happily.
" Young Prince…" With a gentle call of his name, she roused him from his peaceful slumber in mere moments.
He expressed his need for more rest in a soft and polite tone, kindly taking Mila's hand off his and laying his head down again.