Tale of the Mad King

"Do you think it's a good day to meet you again?"A man said, laughing while looking at the endless horizon. His body was weak, and his legs were trembling, but in his eyes was the blue-painted sky. He was casually sitting on the veranda of the crystal palace. The walls were perfectly reflecting the light from the sun that day. The budding flowers were swaying back and forth as if dancing to the whistle of the calm wind, circulating their sweet scent all over the place. Two servants walked around the palace when they saw the man peacefully sitting on the big cushion in his armchair. "Is it him?" the younger one asked.The older maid nodded. "I read a lot about him in the books written by the scholars," she said. Her eyes could not hide the amazement of seeing a famous figure. "Very well, then. Be careful dealing with him. His insanity is slowly devouring him, day after day," the older maid warned her. "It is

The sun was smiling across the blue-painted sky. The aroma of budding flowers surrounded the entire palace. It was indeed a blissful day for everyone, but not for Alaric. It was the day of his meeting with Asteria Eliphas, the chief minister’s daughter. “I didn’t know that the Chief Minister has a daughter,” he told Danko. They were strolling towards the court. “Do you know her?” “She is quite famous among the nobles, your majesty,” Danko answered. He swallowed his breath before continuing what he would say. “I do not know if I should tell you this, though.” “What is it?” Alaric asked the servant walking behind him. The hesitation in Danko’s voice was a giveaway. He knew it couldn’t be good. “She is an arrogant, violent, and unladylike woman.” Danko made sure he would understand his words. “She was greatly disliked by most of the nobles.” On the other hand, Alaric seemed to be not surprised by Da

The heavy rain started to pour, drowning everything in its way. The palace was remarkably silent that night; the reason was simple: it was the first royal night of the king and queen together. Alaric was liquoring up with sake.He was thinking of what would happen that night.The newly-wedded royals needed to perform that act because the high priest would check the blood the next day. It was a way to verify the purity of the newly-crowned queen.There was no escape.He sighed heavily at the thought of doing that with another woman aside from Jestina.“How could I do that without love?” he asked himself. “Her Majesty, the queen has arrived,” the messenger exclaimed.Alaric’s heart started to throb. The queen appeared in front of him. She was wearing a white satin dress with her hair tied in a messy bun, nevertheless beautiful.Her eyes were cold-blooded.She didn’t even have an ounce of emotion on her face. “An awkward night

The people patiently waited on the palace grounds despite the dark clouds covering the sky. The rain was not far away, but none of them didn’t want to miss the chance of seeing the king for the first time again after two long years of his absence. Asteria was standing at the top of the stairs with the chief minister and the rest of the council. “His royal majesty, the king, has arrived,” the messenger shouted at the top of his lungs. There was enthusiasm in his voice. The people screamed with excitement as the guards opened the enormous gate. A group of horsemen entered the palace grounds. When the people perceived the king among the horse riders, their cheers became stronger. The king dismounted from his horse, waving to the crowd. When Asteria saw his face again, her heart started to beat faster. She held her chest because she felt like her heart was about to burst. The king looked in her direction, and

“Try to get to the good side of the king!” Chief Minister Eliphas shouted at Asteria in front of a big mirror. That was the day of the royal ball. The king organized the gathering with the help of Minister Castemont to welcome him and the returning knights from the expedition. Asteria sighed heavily upon hearing the words of her father. “The king doesn’t love me. What is hard to understand with that?” she asked, wondering if her father even understood the situation. “You are the most beautiful woman in Grellis! Anyone could fall in love with you if you wish!” her father growled. His words were heard even outside her chamber. “I wish I could take that as a compliment, but you don’t even treat me as a daughter,” Asteria looked at the eye of her father, who was gazing at her through the mirror. He was standing behind her. Chief Minister Eliphas glared at her. “Do everything you can! The king would undoubted