Back in the spacious area of the room, I made my way to the balcony and opened the doors, sighing when the breeze brought with it the soft smell of wisteria and honey. I closed my eyes and laid my head down on my folded arms. The air was warm and for a moment, it was still, inviting with it a feeling of peace and- 

“It’s no wonder he returned so early,” I spun around with such velocity that my hair came spilling from its previous position. I gripped the railing hard and hardened my stare until I recognized the voice as King Gavril’s. I blinked several times and bowed, casting my gaze to the ground as he approached. 

“I was not aware of your presence, your highness, I-I apologize for my defensive behavior, but I thought the door to be locked.” 

He laughed, not an unpleasant sound, and touched my chin, guiding my face upwards until I caught his stare with my own. His eyes seemed to catch onto my every movement and not let go. 

“That would be my fault completely,” he tilted his head, still not looking away, “I must say, you do not look much like Endymion’s type.” 

His tone was much softer than previously, and his hand, which was now rested under my jaw, seemed to barely touch my skin.  

“Whatever do you mean, your highness? His type?” 

His eyes softened and his smile widened, his dimples deepening. 

Now here was a man who could break any girl’s heart and get away with it.  

“Romantically. You don’t seem like the type he would sleep with.”  

At that, surprised laughter escaped my lips, making my eyes water with amusement, “With all due respect to Endymion, your highness, I am not sure that I would want to be his ‘type’,” He laughed as well, “We are barely friends.” 

The King wove my hair through his fingers, brushing my neck lightly, “I just meant that you seem...livelier than those lonely maidens he sent away crying,” his smile slipped, and he studied me with a serious gaze, “and... much prettier...” 

I raised an eyebrow and laughed again; this time much more unsure about what I should say. 

“Thank you, your highness,” I broke the eye contact that we had so steadily maintained and backed away from his touch, “But you mustn't give out such complements so generously; the fair ladies of the Paristol might get the jealous.” 

Apparently, that had been the right thing to say; King Gavril chuckled and ran a hand through his neat, sandy hair, before offering his arm to me.  

“Please allow me the great pleasure of escorting you to breakfast,” I took his arm gingerly, surprised that even at my height (I had always been tall for a woman), he towered over me, “I usually take my meals in my quarters, but I look forward to breaking this routine.” 

He glanced down at me, and I smiled, shifting my gown so as not to trip myself. At this movement, my bare feet were exposed, and the king made a small noise of exclamation. 

“Lady Asajj, did you not see the shoes I had left for you? I ordered many sizes and styles when I heard of Eddy’s new lady friend. Were they unsatisfactory?”  

My eyes widened and I felt my cheeks warm, “Not at all, your highness, I do appreciate your gifts of hospitality. It is just more comfortable for me without the confines of shoes.” 

King Gavril blinked in surprise and a curious look glittered in his eyes, “How wildly unexpected,” he muttered to himself. 

We exited my room, pulling the doors closed behind us, and made our way through several large halls before descending a grand stairway. At the bottom, several men, women, and children of all origins, species, and appearances greeted the king. I smiled and nodded my head in greeting as we passed and entered a room that seemed to have no borders. I looked around revering in the enormous statues and paintings that decorated the room. The ceiling, painted and domed, seemed to reach up and brush the heavens with long, ivory fingertips.  

“How magnificent,” I mumbled to myself and held on to the King’s arm with my free hand. 

He looked down at me, “Do you like it?” he asked, his tone soft and quiet. 

I nodded and stared down the table. The spread of breakfast made my mouth water; plates upon dishes of toast and eggs and fruits and puddings and roasted meats, all wafting an aroma that bordered on that of pure ecstasy.  

King Gavril took his place at the head of the table, and I sat directly to his right.  

“Usually, the king’s guest takes their place at the other end of the table,” a young maid pointed to a chair twenty feet down. 

“But...” I glanced to King Gavril then back to the maid, “how would you talk to each other?” 

The maid’s mouth moved in surprise and the King burst out laughing. He waved the maid away and took a deep breath to sooth his amusement. 

“Usually, the king’s guest does sit down there,” he steadied me once more, a light smile tugging on his lips, “but I suppose that you are not the usual guest...” 

He stared at me in silence before shaking his head and motioning to the food before us, “Please, help yourself.” 

The meal was quite delicious, even more than the aroma had led me to believe. The King, or Gavril, as he had instructed me to address him, was not totally unpleasant company. He was a curious man, to say the least, but he was also rather...amusing. The way he would tilt his head as I spoke and the way his lips would twitch when I laughed. His mannerisms, while foreign to me, were intriguing, nonetheless. 

As the remnants of the meal were taken away, Gavril stood and offered his hand to me, “Would you a tour of the gardens?” 

I took his hand and stood, “Yes of course, your highness,” I moved to walk beside him, stumbling slightly on the long hem of my gown. Gavril reached out to steady me as I recovered, flushing lightly and gathering the silky fabric so as not to make the same mistake twice. 

I mumbled a quick thanks, blushing harder as he chuckled. 

Here is a picture of King Gavril, beacause the world has suffered without it. Please Like and Support!