The first time Niel Adamson set foot in the Kingdom of Newfield, he was only seven years old.
Around that same time, the queen fell gravely ill and was in desperate need of medical attention.
Unfortunately, there were very few people in the kingdom who specialized in medicine or the treatment of illness.
Mr. and Mrs. Adamson were among those few.
They were scholars who had dedicated their lives to medicinal care, studying the treatment of sickness and the creation of medicine. They had come to Newfield with a single purpose:
To offer their knowledge and assistance to Queen Angelina Elesteen.
Their treatment of the queen was nothing short of extraordinary.
As a reward for saving her life, the Adamsons were given a home within the palace. They were treated with the respect usually reserved for royalty, and before long, their names became beloved throughout the kingdom.
But they did not limit their knowledge to the queen.
They treated anyone who needed their help.
Yet despite the love and admiration they received from the people, the king, and the queen, Niel's mother, Lorraine, never truly felt at home in Newfield.
Years passed.
Then William Adamson, Niel's father, died.
With his death, Lorraine made the difficult decision to leave the kingdom and return to the land where she had been born.
Before she could depart, however, King Garron Elesteen made one final request.
He asked Lorraine to share her knowledge of medicine with the people of Newfield so that they could learn how to treat the sick themselves.
But no one showed even the slightest interest.
The young men of the kingdom pursued only one goal: becoming powerful warriors, earning the title of knight, and fighting on the battlefield.
The young women sought the bravest and strongest warriors they could find, hoping to marry men who carried those titles.
In their eyes, knowledge and learning had little value.
Medicine was no different.
And that was why Lorraine Adamson made the unbearable decision to offer her son, Niel Adamson, to King Garron.
Before William's death, he and Lorraine had passed all their knowledge of medicine and the treatment of the sick down to their son.
As the years went by, Niel became King Garron's trusted adviser and right-hand man. He also took responsibility for Queen Angelina's health, making certain that she always had the medicine she needed.
Niel grew into a remarkably content young man.
He never asked for more than what he already had.
Food.
Shelter.
A warm bed.
The love of his parents.
And later, the kindness of the king and queen.
To Niel, that was enough.
King Garron, however, never seemed satisfied with that answer.
He would often ask Niel if there was anything he desired. After all, Niel had devoted himself to caring for the king's wife and serving the kingdom.
But Niel's answer never changed.
He would politely decline and thank the king for opening Newfield's doors to him and his parents.
It was easy to believe that Niel wanted nothing from the king.
Or at least, that was how it appeared.
One quiet morning, Niel stood before King Garron, reporting the current state of the kingdom.
"That is all," he said confidently.
A small smile touched his lips.
"The kingdom is in excellent condition, Your Highness. Perhaps the finest it has ever been."
"Well, I have you to thank for that, Niel."
Garron leaned back against his throne, studying the young man before him with an unreadable expression.
A quiet thought crossed the king's mind.
It feels like only yesterday you first arrived here. You've grown into quite a remarkable young man.
Garron looked at Niel.
"Niel, as my trusted adviser and right hand, you have done much for me," he said calmly. "Yet I fear I have not repaid even a fraction of what I owe you."
He paused.
"Speak your desire, Niel. If it lies within my power, I shall grant it."
Niel let out a quiet chuckle.
"Your Highness, with all due respect... haven't you asked me this a little too many times?"
He smiled, genuine confusion flickering across his face.
Seriously, this has to be the hundredth time.
He's been asking me the same question since the day I became his trusted adviser.
Garron's gaze remained fixed upon him.
"Niel."
There was no anger in the king's voice.
Nor annoyance.
Only the calm authority of a man who carried centuries of wisdom.
"You are human. Whether you admit it or not, you, too, possess desires."
The king's expression softened.
"Speak the truth. What is it that you desire?"
Niel looked up at him.
For a brief moment, awe shone in his golden eyes before he lowered his gaze again.
What do I want?
The question echoed quietly within him.
Since childhood, I've never desired much. My parents' love was enough.
Even after I moved into the palace, my heart remained simple. Food, shelter, a warm bed...
What more could anyone ask for?
But then—
Niel's thoughts stopped.
Sweat slowly trickled down his forehead.
His chest tightened.
There was something he wanted.
Something he had wanted for years.
But saying it aloud was another matter entirely.
"Your Highness..."
His voice faltered.
"May I... have just one request?"
He swallowed.
"If... if it lies within your power to grant it?"
"Go on, Niel."
Garron's voice remained calm, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
For years I have asked him the same question.
"Niel, what is it that you desire?"
And yet, I never received the answer I sought.
Could this finally be the time I hear it?
The king's smile widened ever so slightly.
But then Niel spoke.
"I... I would like you to give me my heart."
Garron's expression immediately changed.
"What kind of request is this, Niel?"
Genuine confusion filled his voice.
"How... how am I supposed to give you something that is already inside you?"
"Niel, what you are requesting is impossible."
The king shook his head.
But Niel suddenly interrupted him.
"My king!"
His voice rose before he could stop himself.
"You havemy heart in your hands!"
Garron stared at him.
Niel's trembling voice softened as his expression changed.
"Ever since my eyes met hers, my heart followed."
He smiled.
"She is..."
Niel's voice faded.
He took a breath.
"My heart in human form..."
His eyes filled with warmth.
"And all I want is for her to be by my side."
For a moment, Niel seemed lost within his own thoughts.
The truth he had kept hidden for so long was finally coming to the surface.
He slowly stepped toward the king, unable to hold himself back any longer.
Garron looked down at him.
Unease flickered across his face.
His posture stiffened as the meaning behind Niel's words began to dawn on him.
"Niel..."
His voice was low and uncertain.
"What is it you're trying to say?"
Niel swallowed hard.
He gathered what little courage remained within him.
"What I'm trying to say is..."
He hesitated.
Then his expression steadied.
"No."
Niel looked directly at the king.
"My request is to take your daughter's hand in marriage."
The words left him trembling.
But for the first time, Niel no longer tried to hide what his heart desired.