The Sapphire Prince - Chapter 25

Azure’s POV

It felt like the whole palace was in deep slumber. The void consumed the halls as it did to the city, candles were left to rot at the dust’s mercy while still hoping to burn anew. The gold turned black, cold as done by the night yet I walk still warm next to my companion.

Lance left the basket somewhere my sleep deprived mind didn’t care to remember. I just watched the moonlit horizon as our feet seemed to waltz randomly beneath the dusty carpets.

“Seems like someone was a bit too happy this evening.” Lance teased as I quickly hid my smile locking my head on the camouflaged paintings.

“This won’t be our last session I ȧssume?” He added stopping in front of an open window. Specifically that which seem to face daylight everyday.

“Perhaps.”

My chamber is tad bit far from Lance’s or is it? Maybe the drowsy talking. Lance’s room had its own fireplace and wine cabinet all of which of course, reign from his family’s enterprise. I remember the tint of blueberry arousing his chamber ambience. A very darling scent to wake up to…

“These reminds me when the mistress was still treating us a midnight snack.” Lance stared blankly into the glass.

“The feeling never left for even in the latest of hours should I think of her presence the same.” I followed his gaze for where I met my reflection.

Shattered, a bit twisted but I could see myself it’s like a play. You see a different personality yet you still can recognize the parent. My reflection seems similar to such…

The Cynthias had high privilege, the memories shared painted on these walls are still fresh.

The saturation never faded and the design sits still perfectly like a queen on her throne. The night was never so alive in silence like this, and the castle noise was dependent solely at the wake of our whispers and footsteps.

“You miss her as much as I?” I asked.

“Her presence is my becoming, I owe it to her how to be kind and sweet. Predisposed yet agile, the freedom I feel today would be because of the lessons she taught me…”

Somehow the silence played a very familiar melody at least that’s how it made me feel. I just watched as Lance lost himself at the view of a black ocean where the seas are the silhouettes and the fishes reign as the shadow of the owls.

Lady Mimosa has enamored both of us with so much joy that we subscribed to the thought that youth was ecstasy. It had never occurred to me, not even once in her presence that I am going to be an ȧduŀt.

“We were fighting so much at the time, it was her that brought us together…” Lance turned his head to me slowly.

“Like any instinct a mother has, she would try to make us reconcile.” I smiled at the floor reminiscing a fragment of those moments.

“Too bad she wasn’t ours huh.” Lance added.

Every parent learns how to make their children’s life worth the while. She was a good mother at that, and everytime we were alone in forgotten spaces of this vicinity, she always finds the right time to squeeze tales about her daughters…

What I would like to feel for mother’s plan would be gratitude but I could not even force myself to say “I love you” as her care is different from what I’m used to. Elegant without prejudice, fragrant and addictive…Lady Mimosa…Mother they are different.

Lance turned his face back to the view then he started to hum the national anthem of Rochileu.

“Wouldn’t it be different if she was alive?” I asked joining him, marvelling at the cold night view.

“It would’ve been much more than different. It would’ve been a happy ending.” He replied.

I could feel my heart tremble in agony, the weight sank in and I almost felt like crying but I managed to shed only a tear, further silencing my whimpers. Lance gently wiped it off. To my surprise he too was on the verge of weeping as his lips betrayed him the element of serenity.

“We should actually get to bed.” I said as I slowly withdrew.

At that time I could only feel the sentiment in the air and as the moon smote the grass with it’s light, Lance dawned himself for a new day only to be disappointed that nothing would change from the last. He’s with me, surely he’d expect a better day but I digress, I think we ought to settle in now.

“Should we meet later tomorrow your majesty or should we still deal the usual morning hour?” He says finally out of his sad hypnosis.

“Take as many hours as you can, not much will happen tomorrow, that being said, we’ll look into the late mistress’ daughters for good measure.” I answered.

“You intend to fulfill your mother’s suggestion?”

“Preferably so, but I would like you to reconsider a different choice of word since I’m still subscribed to the fact that my father’s suggestions are still quite acceptable.” My feet started to feel numb perhaps from the day’s exhaust.

“Will that fulfill your duty?” He scoffed.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves should we not tire our minds any longer.” I ġrȯȧnėd.

With haste, time made us part. As I my body greeted the silk bed, I couldn’t help but feel lonely, it tastes so bitter, hollow and spoiled.

True it could’ve been better, true that I should know better than be dependent on the past but I just don’t know. It’s hard to kill beauty with a knife much as so it’s difficult to forget.

“It could’ve been so much more…” I whispered biting my lip.

I greeted the pillow as if it were my friend and started to cry softly. I may not know how I got myself to sleep but we shall stress tht the night couldn’t be more broken as it was the young Prince.

( Flashback )

It was a beautiful. The autumnal festive was to enjoy the amber painted trees matching the soft pastel sky overlooking the mirage of people dancing. Seeming to have an endless spree of sunset hue, I couldn’t help but watch the view from above the tallest balcony of the palace.

“Your majesty,” The woman emanated from behind. From the looks of it she was confused yet wanted to join me.

“Lady Mimosa, are you here to enjoy the view as well?” I asked.

“It is quite beautiful.” She said sitting on the bar, her parasol open and her gown dancing with the gales. Truly I though she was gonna fall but she looked at me and it feels as though time stopped and the world felt new.

“Autumn is beauty accustomed with death is it not? Why tremble and marvel when all you could see is demise?” She smiled.

I could do nothing but be quiet admiring both outlooks. I was pleased, truly I was. I could memorize all the conversation we had for another hour before we returned to entertain her question.

“So why is it? Why is it that we see beauty in death?” She asked catching a leaf from wherever it came from.

“I’m honestly clueless. Death is something out of thought from me.” I replied foolishly stressing the bliss in my heart.

“Peace, young majesty. The philosophy of death for it is peace. Might I say it could be considered as art and I do wish to spend my last breath in much beauty as possible.” She said as if she wanted me to heed her.

“Are you going to die soon Lady Mimosa?” A young mind has little room for respect unless an ȧduŀt is near.

Perhaps it was better if my mouth didn’t spout such dubious question but I would’ve have gotten an answer. In that moment, my euphoria crumbled and my confusion…well…it was there but I was mostly scared. My eyebrows narrowed but she just waved and smiled at her invisible audience.

“If I will, please tell my corpse that she looks beautiful and remind her that she’s been loved and cared for.”

“Lady Mimosa…”

“Tell Cacious to live the life not tied to obsession of innovation.”

“Lady Mimosa…”

“And tell my daught-”

“I’ve heard enough!” I shouted nearly crying. I looked down and I saw myself a sad selfish man yet I continued to speak.

The flags danced roughly as did the leaves carried by the wind. The doves flew south from the bells of the church and I bit by bit I was gasping for air. I, like Cacious, didn’t want to see the mistress leave but who was I to even negotiate with death. I couldn’t command an army to the underworld…I’m only human…a young confused, stupid boy…

“Are you going to leave very soon?” I asked trembling.

“There’s lots of things to do before I’ll let myself go. Before the ropes, I’d have to tie a knot…” What did she mean by that? I regret that it was only now at this age did I learn the meaning of that expression.

“I must go your grace. I shouldn’t keep my Lord waiting.” She said but before she could leave-

“Why do you tell me all of that?” I asked crossed fingers I thought she might answer but she just beamed at me, waved goodbye and disappeared.

She wanted to do arts quickly. If I had helped her, if I had done something to help her narrow down her thoughts, she might’ve been better. “Before the ropes, I would have to tie a knot”. Why did you want yourself gone? You had the right to exist yet you chose to be a refuge from living. Just why did you choose death despite us…

“You never gave me answers.”