Mother's Warmth

ROME

The king couldn't take the discomfort the royal family dinner offered any longer. He made his way out of the room straight to his favourite place in the Castle. The Red River. It was the most private place, apart from his chambers, and it held dear and fond memories of his mother. He could visit there and converse with her, informing her of what was happening. He was sure he was going to be engulfed in her peace.

As he approached the river, he kicked pebbles around like a youngling. He had played the pebble game with his mother when she was healthy enough to. He threw one into the still river and watched as the ripples expanded. He threw another and another, hypnotized by them. The king was jealous of the river. He wished he was as peaceful and still as it was.

He closed his eyes. "I miss you, mother."

He walked deeper into the woods, farther from the river. The royal woods held diverse trees and plants. Many of them were used by the royal physician to concoct his antidotes.

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