The Silver King

I

“Head high, chin up, and a gleam in your eye.” – Ingrid Kron

It was a lovely spring, sunny day with a light breeze. A few white, puffy clouds littered the sky. The atmosphere was serene.

The silver-eyed girl sat in the marble gazebo, resting calmly. It was her hidden place, where only her trusted friends knew of. It was covered with trees and far back in the castle gardens, venturing just into the forest surrounding the castle.

It had been a long time since she had felt so calm and relaxed. She could thank nature for that.

Silver eyes watched the large, green trees blowing gently in the breeze. Her ears caught onto the birdsong, enjoying the soft chirping.

Her peaceful, relaxed state was interrupted by a cute squeak. It sounded nothing like a squirrel or bunny.

She turned her head, eyes open wide in a search.

On the tree nearby was a strange creature. One Licht was and wasn’t familiar with.

She smiled lightly at the creature.

It resembled a squirrel but it had straight upward horns, and... long eyebrows. The brown fur had was dashed in green and its lower in a light purple.

“Hello,” the girl greeted with a soft smile.

She knew what this creature was. It was a fae. She had seen them her entire life, so this wasn’t bizarre for her. However, she rarely came across fae, despite them being a rather curious bunch. She only saw two or three every few months.

The fae squeaked, tilting its head to the side at her greeting.

Slowly with hesitation, it approached her outstretched hand. It’s small nose twitching. It hopped down from the tree and onto the stone railing, on its way towards her.

Loud footsteps crunched in the soil, frightening the fae. The small creature scurried off back into the safety of the trees.

The girl sighed, longingly looking at the tree it disappeared in. They were such timid creatures. Fearful of humans.

She then turned her head and spotted a familiar face.

Wolfe.

He was wearing his usual dark clothing, preferring comfort over fashion and having part of his chest exposed. He trained for most of the day, which caused him to sweat and become rather hot.

“Hello, Wolfe,” the girl greeted, straightening her posture.

He gave her his famous half-smirk, “’Ello princess, knew I’d find you out here.”

Wolfe was one of her friends who knew of her favorite place in the garden, the other one being Ingrid – the princess’ handmaiden.

Wolfe sat down next to her, looking around the beautiful and colorful garden.

“Just trying to find some alone time?” He asked, gazing at her with his blue eyes.

She stared at him.

Wolfe was a handsome man, quite handsome. Many ladies always fawned over him, her sister included. He was tall and well-built, which made sense as he always trained. He had black hair and electric blue eyes that almost caught as much attention as the princess’.

Even so, Wolfe wasn’t the man she was after. It was her beloved betrothed; Lord Deacon.

But she and Wolfe were closer, they’d always be. Wolfe knew things about the princess that no one else did, not even Ingrid.

She then nodded.

“Yes, as usual.”

He leaned back, “hm, its nice out here. I should chill out here sometime too.”

Wolfe closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head in relaxation.

“Stealing my hideout, are you?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

Wolfe smiled, his eyes remaining closed.

“Why did you come?” She wondered.

“Ingrid told me to go find you,” he said, sighing loudly. “Told me to tell you that you have tea time scheduled with your sisters, and then later in the evening, go visit the king.”

The princess sighed. She’d rather stay outside, hidden, in nature. The beautiful greenery brought her peace and happiness. She hated her current reality.

Wolfe noticed the gloomy expression on her face as he popped an eye open when receiving no response.

Wolfe sat up, leaning towards her. “Don’t stress, princess. You always have tomorrow to come back out here and relax. And the day after that, and the day after that, and so on.”

She breathed in, “thank you, Wolfe. You always know what to say.”

He smiled, bumping his shoulder into hers. “Of course, Your Highness.”

“Ugh, don’t address me as such. You know I don’t like it. It is too formal for you,” the princess said firmly.

His smile turned into a smirk.

She just shook her head and rolled her eyes as she stood. She smoothed out her floral dress.

“Thank you for the message, Wolfe. Now I must be returning to the castle,” she dipped her head in goodbye.

He waved, “bye, princess. See you later.”

She smiled at him and began heading down the path.

Wolfe watched as she disappeared, tapping his foot on the stone ground. He missed the old princess. The one who would chase him around, fire back remarks whenever he’d tease her, and prank the servants all the time with him.

He breathed out, leaning back again and staring up towards the sky. It was covered in trees but he spotted blue through the leaves.

Those were fun, tranquil days.

It all ended when the king fell ill with a deadly disease. The Serpent’s Disease.

The king’s illness made the eldest princess fall into a deep depression, no one could pull her out but herself.

But Wolfe promised himself and the princess that’d he would help heal her, guide her. Be her right-hand man, her best friend. That’s all he could be, despite always wanting more.

The princess entered the bright room where her two younger sisters sat, sipping tea.

“Licht! Finally, you made it,” the older one, Silje, greeted with a grin.

She was wearing a baby pink gown, accented by silver design. Her hair curled and pinned up as usual. Jewels littered all over her hair, ears, neck, and wrists. The middle child, the second oldest Princess of Ericon. The girly, cheery one.

“Hello, sister,” Licht mustered up a smile. “Good afternoon, Iveta.”

She sat in her usual spot, near the large window. It’s view allowing her to gaze over the forest and part of the garden.

Iveta nodded her head in greeting as she sipped her tea and continued to read her book.

“I haven’t seen you since breakfast, where have you been?” Silje asked, starting up a conversation.

Licht shrugged, “around the garden. I have done nothing interesting.”

Silje groaned softly, “I am counting the days where you finally tell me you have done something interesting! You and Wolfe used to always go on adventures, and leave me behind... but that doesn’t matter!” Silje leaned towards her older sisters direction. “Where did the old Licht go?”

Princess Licht sighed, not answering.

She had grown sad and depressed after her father fell ill. She couldn’t bare. She cried for months. The man was her hero, he taught her how to be strong, happy, and how to believe. And now, he was on death’s bed.

Silje managed by talking and dressing up in more beautiful gowns from all over Redris.

Iveta managed by reading and learning.

But Licht, she couldn’t manage. She was far too damaged.

It wasn’t just because her father was sick, it was because she didn’t know. She didn’t know how he fell ill with the Serpent’s Disease.

It was extremely deadly and also rare.

There were only two ways of becoming ill with the Serpent’s Disease. One way was a previous family member passed it down through blood. However, that was rare, as most people did not have children when ill with it.

The second was to be poisoned by the blood of the ferocious Tokko snake. Nasty creatures those snakes were. Large, ugly, and brutal. They were venomous as well but their venom was curable. Their blood, on the other hand, no clue whatsoever.

The Serpent’s Disease was a slow and uncomfortable one that everyone feared.

“When does Lord Deacon arrive at the castle, sister?” Silje suddenly asked, interrupting Licht’s thoughts.

Licht perked up at his name.

“Tomorrow morning,” Licht answered quickly.

Silje smiled, “you’re are going to have to dress up beautifully for him. You know he will notice.”

Licht nodded.

Silje sighed dreamily, “I hope I find a husband like Lord Deacon. He is so sweet, charming, and caring. He notices the little things too. And he is handsome.”

Licht nodded again, agreeing.

Silje turned to Iveta, her eyes wide with mischief. “Iveta, tell us your preferences with men.”

Iveta blushed at the question, shaking her head as she sunk herself more into the novel.

Silje snickered.

Licht shook her head, “you always tease poor Iveta.”

Silje smirked, “well she is so innocent and easy to tease.”

Iveta’s blushed deepened and she inched the book closer to her face.

Licht smiled in amusement as Silje giggled at her own self.

“Who I want is Wolfe,” Silje said, looking at Licht.

Sofia, Silje’s handmaiden gasped in shock. “Princess Silje! You cannot say such things.”

Silje waved Sofia off, “I am with my sisters, Sofia, and it’s true. Wolfe is a gorgeous, talented man. I bet he knows how to care and please a woman.”

“Oh gods,” Licht covered her eyes with her hand, grossed out by Silje’s blunt words.

Iveta just blushed further, as well as her own handmaiden.

Sofia shook her head in embarrassment.

“What?! You all are so sensitive and innocent!” Silje said as if she couldn’t believe it.

Sofia continued to shake her head, “you are far too young.”

“Licht was seven when the official word of her betrothal to Lord Deacon was announced, and yet Iveta and myself rarely ever get asked about husbands and marriage,” Silje defended herself.

“Actually, General Horatio is attempting to convince mother to have you marry his son,” Iveta’s quiet, soft voice filled the room.

Silje looked displeased. “Ah... no thank you. Lord Markel has a stick up his rear. He is always so serious and never seems to enjoy life.”

Sofia was appalled by Princess Silje’s bold words. She always spoke her mind. Sofia was just relieved that it was just her sisters and Uliana that were hearing Princess Silje’s inappropriate words.

“Oh, uh, Princess Licht,” Sofia spoke up. “Ingrid is not with you, where might she be if you don’t mind me asking.”

“I am not entirely sure, Sofia. She most likely will be in the kitchen with the chef. She really enjoys cooking,” Licht answered.

Sofia humphed, “I find it odd that she manages to find time for fun while being your personal servant.”

Licht stared at Sofia, catching the sass and snarkiness hidden in her tone.

“I allow her to do things she enjoys, it gives her a break and a peace of mind. I do not wish her to overwork herself as she does so much for me,” Licht said with a warning in her tone as she stared heavily at Sofia.

Sofia froze when meeting Princess Licht’s silver gaze. Her eyes so bright and powerful that it shook her to the core.

Sofia bowed, “I apologize for upsetting you, princess.”

Licht looked uninterested at her apology.

“I am aware of every rumor you spread, all the gossip that comes out of your mouth, Sofia,” Princess Licht said, raising a brow.

Sofia gulped, glancing down at Princess Silje who just sat and sipped her tea. She believed every word her sister was saying. Sofia did her job well but she had a big mouth.

“I am also aware of all of the little, petty comments you throw at other servants. And the ones you snap at Ingrid,” Licht continued harshly, her gaze penetrating. “No one likes it when someone talks about them behind their back. It is rude and uncalled for.”

“I apologize, Your Highness,” Sofia trembled slightly.

Everyone in the kingdom has heard of Princess Licht’s silver gaze. The ones that glowed in the dark and light. The intensity they held. Sofia has never experienced the ferocity of that silver gaze until now.

And Licht didn’t believe her apology.

Her face remained stoic as she spoke. “You are jealous of Ingrid. Jealous that she became my handmaiden and not you. Ingrid worked hard and well to get where she is today and she continues to do so.”

“I.. I know that Your Highness,” Sofia averted her gaze to the ground, Princess Licht’s gaze becoming too harsh.

Licht raised a perfect, thick dark brow.

“You have a wonderful job as my sister’s handmaiden. Is she not good enough for you?”

Silje flipped out her fan and began waving it gently at herself, gazing up at Sofia.

“N–No! Princess Silje is a great master, very kind and generous.”

Licht nodded, knowing. “You get paid well, and you earn every coin you deserve. So I suggest you stop being spoilt. Jealousy looks good on no one.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Sofia bowed her head deeply.

Silje sighed, “the mood has taken quite the turn. Sofia, how about you go and me my blanket that I am currently knitting. I am bored.”

Sofia nodded, “of course, princess, right away.”

Sofia then scurried quickly out of the room.

Silje turned to Licht with a look.

“Intense and intimidating,” Silje commented.

Iveta flipped a page, glancing up. “You telling her off, sister, was perfect and understanding. I’ve heard from Uliana all of the rumors she spreads.”

Licht agreed, “it is a filthy habit that she needs to get rid of.”

“Indeed,” Silje agreed as well. “I spread gossip but not mean gossip.”

Licht scoffed and shook her head.

“What?” Silje asked, seeming genuinely curious.

Licht let a small smile cross her lips. She was reminded of the old days.

Memories flooded pass her mind as her sister kept asking Iveta and Licht what as so funny.

Licht breathed in deeply as she stared at the wide, double doors that led to the king’s bedchambers.

Ingrid was just behind her, waiting patiently.

“Princess,” Ingrid started, gathering her attention. “You’re okay, you’ve visited him plenty of times before.”

Licht nodded, “you are correct, but the nerves never disappear. I hate seeing him like that.”

Ingrid rubbed her back soothingly, “yes, I know that princess. But remember, head high, chin up, and a gleam in your eye. Never forget who you are. You are this kingdom’s next sovereign. You are brave.”

Licht nodded again and thanked Ingrid before signaling the guards to open the doors.

As she entered the room, she spotted her father resting on the bed.

The closer she got the more she realized nothing had changed. He looked the exact same as before.

Every time she saw him, she’d tear up.

Her father, once a proud, healthy, well-fit king now sick and at death’s door.

His once tan skin now discolored, pale with an undertone of blue. Spots of yellow and purple littered his body, resembling bruises. He was sweaty but cold to the touch. His hair slicked back and his breathing unbalanced. His body was covered in blankets but a cold, wet towel placed upon his head.

Wiping away the tears, she greeted him softly.

“Forgive me for not visiting you at the time I told you I would,” she started.

Licht went on the tell her father all about her past few weeks, all of the interesting and funny things that have happened.

“Deacon is visiting tomorrow, I’m excited to see him. He misses you as well.”

The Royal Physician told the princess’s that the king can hear them quite well but is unfortunately able to respond.

Licht took a deep breath and wiped away her tears, holding her fathers cold, stiff but sweaty hand in her own.

“I miss you so much, father. So does Silje, Iveta, Wolfe, Deacon... all of them. I love you so much,” she kissed his forehead. “I have to retire for bed but I will continue to pray for you. Goodnight, father.”

And with that Princess Licht exited her father’s bedchambers, meeting Ingrid outside.

Ingrid gave the princess a soft smile, rubbing her arm as they walked down the corridor to Licht’s bedchambers.

Licht couldn’t help but think that this was her life right now. Some parts good, and others bad. But as always, the bad triumphs the good. Leaving Licht with emotional pain.

She just hoped a miracle would happen.