Doctor Cloud looked over at the King, watching him with a mixture of fondness and quiet resignation. Louis, I know you better than you know yourself, he thought silently, his eyes following the King as they prepared for their ride. If only I could tell you the truth. If only you ever tried to understand me.
They stood in the field outside the palace, their horses already restless beneath them. The air was crisp, the scent of grass and earth filling their lungs. With a subtle nod, they signaled to each other, and in a heartbeat, they were off.
3... 2... 1...
Their horses galloped, fast as the wind, their hooves thundering across the open field. For a moment, it was as if the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of them and the vast expanse of land beneath the fading sun.
Dr. Cloud kept his focus forward, but his thoughts swirled. This time, I'll let you win, he thought with a faint smile, remembering how many times he had bested the King in their races.
But on the other side, the King's determination was as sharp as ever. Every time I've held back, Louis thought, his grip tightening on the reins. But not this time. This time, I'm keeping the win.
As the race drew to its close, the King surged ahead, the thrill of victory filling his chest. He shouted triumphantly, his voice echoing through the empty field. "How far behind are you, Doctor?"
Dr. Cloud couldn't help but laugh, though his mind remained elsewhere. "Close enough!" he called back, though in truth, he had been holding back. He slowed his horse as they made their way back to the palace.
The courtyard was nearly empty when they arrived, the servants and guests having already dispersed. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the stone walls as the day gave way to night.
"Let's head inside," the King said, still grinning from his victory.
Dr. Cloud nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was weighing heavily on the King's mind.
---
That evening, the palace was quiet. The celebration of the Prince's birth had faded into memory, and now, under the pale light of the moon, King Louis sat alone on the palace roof. His thoughts drifted, as they often did, to the past.
Am I falling in love again? he wondered, gazing up at the sky. The moon hung there, serene and unchanging, and as he stared, memories began to flood his mind.
What should I buy for my future queen? Louis had asked once, so long ago, his heart full of love and hope.
Her laughter had been like music, filling the space between them. How many times must I tell you? she had said, her voice teasing but filled with affection. You're enough for me, Louis. But if you really want to give me something, I have a list. Want to hear it?
Louis had smiled, leaning in closer. Yes, my future queen. Tell me everything.
She had grinned at him, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. Love letters, she had begun, flowers, visits to the tea shop with me, rooftop stargazing, late-night walks... and most importantly, your time. Give me your love, and I will give you my life.
He had taken her in his arms then, pulling her close. "Don't talk about giving your life for me," he had whispered, his voice full of emotion. "Your life is mine, just as mine is yours. If anything were to happen to you, I don't think I could survive it."
She had smiled against his chest, her voice soft. I love you, Louis. I will love you until the end of eternity.
"And I will love you," Louis had vowed, "with every breath, in every life."
---
The memory faded, and the present came crashing back. King Louis sat alone, his heart heavy. The moon above him was cold and distant, a cruel reminder of all that he had lost.
"Your promises were true," he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the night. "But your words... your words were wrong." He closed his eyes, the pain of the past almost too much to bear. "You loved me until your last breath. But I... I couldn't end my life with yours."
His hands clenched into fists, the familiar ache of grief tightening around his heart. "Am I a coward?" he asked himself, though he already knew the answer. "I must be. You were my first love. You were the only light in my life, and fate didn't allow us to stay together."
He looked up at the moon again, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I fell for you so easily," he murmured, his voice cracking. "And I couldn't let you go, even when you were gone."
For a long moment, he sat there in silence, the weight of his sorrow pressing down on him like a heavy cloak. The world around him seemed too quiet, too still, as if it too mourned for what had been lost.
And as the night stretched on, King Louis remained alone, with only the memories of a love that had slipped through his fingers and the cold, unyielding moon to keep him company.
---