Chapter 3Where Goodbyes Bloom

I extinguished the candles. In the pitch-black chambers, I sat with my eyes wide open, staring until they ached. I finally understood what my father, King Theron, had once told me: he said that in this world, I could command all, turn clouds into rain, but only matters of the heart remained truly untamed.

In the empty room, only my laughter echoed, but it was tinged with a profound loneliness. After much restraint, I could no longer hold back. I rose, put on the fur-lined cloak Arthur had given me, and went to his royal chambers.

The palace grounds were deserted. As I walked, the moonlight painted long, stark shadows before me, cold and desolate. It took a long while to reach the entrance of Arthur’s royal chambers. Grand red banners with dragon emblems lit the entire wing, and the sounds of joyous laughter and merriment filled the air.

From a distance, I heard a woman’s delicate laughter. Just as I was about to push the door open, a royal steward at the entrance barred my way. His face was timid, his lips trembling as he whispered something. I couldn't hear clearly, only vaguely understanding that Arthur had forbidden my entry.

Suddenly, a wave of bitter amusement washed over me. The queen, wedded with ten miles of red silk, publicly acknowledged, couldn't even step into her husband’s chambers? A rebellious fire surged within me. I pulled the jeweled comb from my hair, letting it fall to the ground with a soft clink, then curled my lips into a chilling smile and strode inside.

Within the chambers, Arthur was embracing the woman on a plush couch, a picture of marital bliss. But the moment he saw me, the smile in Arthur’s eyes imperceptibly faded. He spoke, a hint of rebuke in his voice.

"Why are you here? I thought I told you to remain outside..."

His tone of reproach was painfully obvious; even a fool could hear it. He was blaming me, blaming me for ruining his mood, for interrupting his pleasure.

I sat on the chaise lounge, picking up a teacup, the bracelets on my wrist jingling softly. I stared directly into his eyes, speaking each word distinctly.

"And if I hadn't come? If I hadn't, I might never have known you've adopted a new little songbird in the palace."

My words were laced with a smile, though they were directed at him, my eyes remained fixed on the woman in his embrace. I watched her frown, then hide deeper in Arthur’s arms. Her timid, delicate demeanor, so common, utterly displeased me. I merely lowered my gaze, observing her grand red gown.

"Not everyone in the palace is permitted to wear red. You should find something else to wear. A gown of scarlet is too ostentatious, and it hardly suits your head, unadorned by jewels."

Before I could even speak more harshly, her eyes filled with tears, on the verge of falling, making her appear pitiful. When she spoke to Arthur, her voice was choked with a heavy sob.

"My King, I didn't know... I didn't know I couldn't wear red... Is she despising my humble attire?"

"I knew it, a lonely orphan like me, I shouldn't have come here..."

Interesting. I narrowed my eyes, watching her performance. But to my surprise, Arthur fell for it completely. He held her close, soothing her, and then frowned at me.

"Seraphina... Isolde has always been fond of red. What harm is there in letting her wear it? Moreover, she was my loyal companion before my rise to power. By lineage, she was the first to claim my hand."