Majesty of Obsession

12

ELIZABETH

"You seem occupied. Were there interesting events that occurred in my absence?"

I was busy cutting my dough that the kings words only awakened my then consciously drifting mind. What I failed to notice was a rectangular box on top of the dining area, much bright and colorful than the food for our morning meal.

"For you. Open it."

I hesitantly took the box, curious as to its content but suspicious with the intent.

"While I was away, I took the liberty to acquire you a pair of corrective glasses for your leisure time of reading. I believe it was partly my fault for its previous breakage."

I was in awe, and I could not hold the excitement in my eyes. Finally, a reading aid!

I saw clear glasses, small and almost rectangular in shape, marked on its frame is a small but beautifully written characters, "My Eliza." Such carries meticulous design, that never in my life could I dream of acquiring with our villager money.

"T-thank you," I timidly said. "It's beautiful."

He sat up from his chair and his incredibly tall stance was towering over my seated body. Slowly, he squatted down in front of me and he reached for the glasses after taking them out of the box. He put them over my eyes, carefully placed them on top of the rim of my nose, and tucked both of my hair behind my ears as he looks at me intently.

"Beautiful." He looked as if I was the world. I was a wonder. It made me feel disgusted.

I adjusted my seat so he wouldn't be too close to me and he sighed when he saw my discomfort. He stood up and went behind me as if a dark presence just walked past and loomed over my body.

"Stand and follow me. I must show you something." He said gently. 

I shivered from his voice but what must I do? I cannot disobey. He held out a hand, expecting me to take it. I hesitantly placed my palms on top but once I slightly touched his, he eloped his fingers to my palms.

Off we walked out of our morning meal and into the left wing of the corridors, and went to another corner, and another, and another.

The air felt colder where we're heading, as if the corridor itself disapproved of my presence and wanted me to run away. I wanted that too but at least mine is not a mere metaphor.

I saw webbed walls, and the back of the King continuously walking. I counted three left turns and two narrow stairwells before we reached a wooden, aged door, which is unlike the rest of the castle's polished walls. It was very outdated and eerie.

When we reached the end of the corner, there was a stairway leading downwards, and it sure was dark and frightening.

"Y-your highness. I'm afraid to descend here..." Who in their right mind would enter voluntarily to a pitch black stairwell? Not only of my concerns of ghouls or animal pests, but most importantly, a lunatic companion, at that?

"I'm afraid I must insist. You need not worry. I am here." He tucked a hair behind my ear, which clearly, from my breathing, that It did not help as I was filled with fluster and hesitation.

He let go of my hand and reached for a metal sconce embedded into the stone. He pulled from it a half-burnt torch. I heard the subtle scratch of flint striking against steel, igniting a short spark, before there was flame. A soft orange glow flickered, casting his unfortunately aesthetic face in long shadows. His expression was unreadable, calm, almost solemn. Maybe my face reflected fear from his perspective.