Page 38 of Cursed By Gold

I rise from my bed, slip on my cloak, and make my way to the royal gardens. As always, the cool night air and fragrant flowers ease my restless spirit. When I round a bend in the path, I catch sight of King Remme sitting alone on a stone bench. His familiar gold armor dim in the dark. He appears lost in thought, gazing up at the night sky.

I hesitate, unsure whether to make myself known. Before I can decide, King Remme turns his head and our eyes meet. He smiles slightly and gestures for me to join him. After a moment's pause, I accept his invitation and sit down beside him.

We sit in comfortable silence for some time, gazing up at the stars together. Though we do not speak, I swear I sense a connection forming between us—a meeting of kindred spirits who both seek something more. King Remme finally breaks the silence. "It soothes the soul to see the heavens, does it not?"

I nod. "Like a forgotten memory, reminding us of who we truly are."

King Remme turns to face me, our eyes meeting once again. I see warmth and something I can’t quite put my finger on in his eyes.

He smiles. "Indeed."

We fall into a comfortable silence once more, gazing up at the stars. After a time, King Remme speaks again. "Tell me, Scarlet, what inspires your spirit?"

I consider my answer carefully. "The feeling of earth between my fingers as I tend my garden. The scent of roses after a spring rain."

King Remme nods. "Simple pleasures, yet profound."

"And you, Your Majesty? What brings you joy?"

He smiles softly. "The first blossoms of spring, signaling new life after a long winter. A well-crafted turn of phrase in a poem. A delicious piece of bread, fresh out of the oven."

I return his smile. "Wisdom and wonder, it seems, reside within us both."

King Remme chuckles. "It would appear so." He eyes me thoughtfully. "We are not so different, you and I."

"Perhaps not," I agree. "Two souls seeking connection among the lonely towers of rule and secrecy."

King Remme is silent for a moment, considering my words. Then he speaks, a note of wistful longing in his voice. "To be truly seen and known, without pretense."

I meet his gaze evenly. "A rare gift, that."

King Remme's eyes search mine before dropping to his cursed hands. "An impossible one, for me."

I hesitate, tempted to place my hand over his in comfort. But I quickly remind myself that King Remme is still a stranger and, well, a king—and I, little more than a contestant in his tournament.

Instead, I speak gently. "Only if you believe it to be."

Time passes as we sit in silence together. I am not sure if it is appropriate to leave or even if I want to. What do I do in a situation like this? If I'm not careful, I will be discovered.

The king points out a constellation of stars above us. "My mother would tell me that one was the Crown of the Wise King," he says wistfully. "She said if I studied the stars and learned their lessons, I would one day wear a crown worthy of their legend."

I follow his gaze to the constellation overhead. "Your mother must have loved you very much," I say softly.

King Remme sighs, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "She did," he says simply. He smiles faintly. "Yet her stories remain with me all these years later."

His raw vulnerability touches something within me. This guarded king has shared a secret piece of his soul, if only in a story.

I meet his gaze, somehow understanding this man needs nothing except the simple act of being heard. "Some memories never fade, no matter how long ago they were made," I say gently.

King Remme returns my smile, his eyes revealing new depths of feeling—gratitude, wonder. "And for that listening heart," he says softly, "I am grateful beyond measure."

I take a steadying breath. "My father loved the stars too," I begin quietly. "We often would lie in the garden and name the constellations together."

Warmth fills King Remme's eyes as he listens. Emboldened, I continue. "My mother died when I was young. My father followed several years later, taken by illness." My voice catches as old grief wells up within me.

King Remme's eyes widen slightly at my revelation, as if truly seeing me for the first time. I look away, ashamed at my tears.

"My kingdom is full of people," King Remme says softly. "Yet I find myself surrounded by strangers. Solitude is a heavy mantle to bear."

---