The Love in your Eyes

Prologue | Loving Heart

Kingdom of Bayareau August, year 1265

MISAEL

I was standing in my throne room, right behind my throne, looking out of the grand windows, which allowed me to watch nature unfold itself in front of my eyes, as the sun was setting. My arms were crossed in front of my chest, the black attire I was wearing feeling uncomfortable on my skin. I was already looking forward to changing into a more comfortable gown, once the sun had finally set. While I was standing on my usual spot, where I liked to spend my little free time, my thoughts wandered to beautiful brown hazel eyes, I've been missing for the past decade. Every day was the same, felt the same... tortured me the same. Suddenly I heard quick footsteps coming my way, and immediately recognised them as the ones of my righthand butler, Alexandre.

"Greetings your Majesty," I could hear Alexandre greet me with his usual professional voice while I was still looking out of the window, "Your schedule has been completed for the day, and the indoor garden is now completely free, if you would like to visit her." After my butler was done speaking, I immediately turned away from the windows and walked the stairs down of the platform, where my throne was seated and marched pass Alexandre right in the direction of my indoor garden. The place I had been desperately wating to visit the entire day. I could hear the older man walk behind me following my every step, like he had been for the past 30 years. It was quiet as we walked the usual way to the indoor garden, our steps echoing through the empty hallways. Once we arrived in front of the huge glass doors the two guards positioned in front of them immediately opened them, and I didn't waste any more time before walking in. I knew that Alexandre would be waiting outside alongside with the guards, to give me my privacy.

As I walked in, I was immediately engulfed with the intense smell of nature, and for the first time today, I was able to relax and take a proper deep breath. I slowly walked through the garden, while taking in its beauty I had already admired so many times. I walked my usual path enjoying the peace. Then I arrived in front of a tombstone, I always wished would vanish one day, and the person beneath would just stand next to me.

Here lies Her Majesty, the Queen Consort of the Kingdom of Bayareau,
Evangeline Catarina Adanna Gisèle, born on her motherland the Kingdom of Benineé
10th May 1224 – 30th August 1255

May Her Majesty rest in peace, and be taken care of by her merciful Goddess, Baya.

As always, I had to fight the clump forming in my throat. The pain in my chest became more immense with every time I saw her stone. A reminder of what I had done exactly today ten years ago, or more specifically what I should have done to prevent this outcome.

I should have listened, should have been a better husband, a better father, a better King. But all I was, was a disappointment for my Kingdom. Simply because I was too immature, too consumed by my own sorrow, pain, resentment, and let it out on her and-

"Good evening your Majesty," my head shot up within mere seconds, upon hearing a familiar, cold voice, I had not heard in a while, "I knew you would be here too, visiting her." Then he was standing right next to me laying a bouquet of white carnation on the grave. Her favourite ones... I could only stare at the young man standing next to me. Cold, distant eyes, full of pain, and grief. The clump in my throat did not allow me to speak, I could simply watch as my son grieved his Mama. He, especially reminded me of what a failure I was. My son. Who stopped calling me 'Papa' such a long time ago, that I could not recall, when exactly he had stopped. "It has already been ten years; can you believe how fast time flies by?" A dry chuckle left his lips, while his shoulders slumped, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Philip?" I waited for him to look me in the eyes, when he did it felt like a slap in the face, "I wasn't aware that you would already be back." My voice was a mere whisper of pain. "For Mama, I wanted to come, and visit. I'll be leaving tomorrow again." He had left the palace, for educational purposes, about four months ago, and would stay abroad another seven months and three weeks. He was after all the Crown Prince, and was to be crowned King in the coming years. I could only think about what a horrible father I had been for him, even after her death. He had been a mere child, who only needed someone to be there for him, but instead I left him alone with his pain. Without being able to control it, silent tears ran down my check, blurring my view.