𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 ~ 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝐼𝐼𝐼

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛

His eyes stared at the empty chair by the dining table in Buckingham House. The servants were lining up as they remained quiet in their position. George never stepped foot in the house before considering it belonged to Anastasia. His right fingers began tapping on the stem of the wine glass as he waited patiently for his wife to come and dine with him, but the tapping fingers began to shake uncontrollably. She is not coming. Not coming. She knows. She knows. Venus. Venus.

His head flicked as he thought more about Anastasia. The light that drove him out of the darkness. Her smile, her laugh, her eyes, her-- Troll. Troll. Nothing but a troll. You are not enough. You do not matter to her. Transit of Venus. Venus. His eyes shifted to his hand which was quivering while he pressed his lips together to try to remain calm as his heart was racing.

His eye began to quiver while the whispers echoed through his mind, his breathing was shuddering quietly. His eyes shifted to the area in the room to see the painting below the ceiling. An animal in a cage. Animal. Beast. Disfigured giant. Giant. She is a beauty. Beautiful. Alluring. Delightful. Appealing. Heavenly. Heavens. Stars in the heavens. Star. Finding Venus. Venus. Ven-

A comforting hand on his left shoulder silences the whispers. His breathing and heart beating was at peace when his quivering hand rested on the table cloth, a hand drifted away from his shoulder. His state remained to be present as he exhaled. His hand lifted a sip of his red wine to his lips, then set it down on the table.

Nodding his head as he savored his sip of the wine, then spoke out. "It's good color on this wine, Reynolds."

"I shall let the kitchen know, Your Majesty."

There were echoed heels clicking on the floor, she is coming. The sound had never consumed more happiness to hear from a distance. When the servant stepped aside, there she was.

His Anastasia was dressed in a beautiful coral gown while the sparkling crystals rested around her hair, her neck, and her ears. Her face was in shock to see him which he couldn't be more pleased to see. She curtseyed him while he stood up from his chair.

He grinned softly, "Hello, Anastasia."

She rose up and she hesitantly walked to the table. Her voice was curious and cautious, "Hello."

"Is it all right if I join you for a meal this evening?"

"A meal?" Her eyes examined the food while his grin remained the same. Hoping she would like the surprise but her eyes showed anger. "A meal? Are you... A meal!??!"

His grin lowered to hear the frustration echoing through the room, then she scoffed. She turned away as she grabbed her dress and marched off. "Anastasia. Where are you going? Where are you going?"

Brimsley took one step forward before George halted him with a finger as he chased Anastasia down to the corridor. She shouted as she continued to run, "Now you become more curious!? I am going wherever you are not!! Perhaps a creek where I can fall into the deep waters and drown!!"

"Anastasia," pleaded George. Her heels slammed each step on the floor as she did not listen to him. "Anastasia!! Anastasia, if you'll give me a chance... Anastasia, stop walking this instant!!"

"Compel me to!!" As he called out her name again, his hand touched her arm while she pulled it away from him. "Do not touch me!!"

His hands quickly pulled back from her arm, "I'm sorry, Anastasia, will you please listen to me for a moment? Please?" She stopped as she listened. Her eyes looked out at the hallway while her lips scowled, his arms were on his sides as he talked to her back.

"I... I realize you have no reason to like me. You have no reason to trust me. I marry you, and then I disappear into my observatory. And then I come in to dine as if..." He saw her lashes as she shifted her eyes toward her side. His eyes looked down at her as he shifted his words, "But if you give me just one evening of your time, allow me to show you where my mind has been. It might not make you forgive me, but it might make you hate me a bit less.'