CROWN OF RED

CHAPTER TWO: THE DREAM

Another seven years later... 

In the year of 1804, 

Edric is sleeping in bed, having a passionate dream about a man, until he is woken up by Mother opening up the curtains. "Edric, wake up! It's time to wake up!" Mother yells. She grabs the blanket off of Edric, forcing him to wake up and get out of bed. Edric gets out of bed and begins to change by taking off his shirt. Mother watches Edric as he changes from his night-garments into pristine, regal clothes. After he changes, him and mother go downstairs and have breakfast. Edric sits across from his two sisters, Meglena and Megaera. Mother sitting at the head of the table. 

As everyone eats, everybody is silent. Edric puts his head down as he continues to play with his food. He waits until his sisters are done eating  and leave to say anything. "I have been feeling... weird, lately," Edric says. "I keep having strange dreams..." When Edric says that, Mother looks at Edric in surprise. "What type of strange dreams?" Mother asks. "Every time I wake up from one, I feel... weird... I feel this weird... thing inside me... this weird feeling..."

"Edric," Mother calls. She stands up from her seat and walks over to Edric and sits next to him. "Edric, you are thirteen soon-to-be fourteen. You're entering manhood. Changes are happening to your body," Mother says, putting a hand on Edric's shoulder. "You are starting to feel certain... feelings... it is best you know how to avoid these new feelings and not act on them," 

"You know what Celestia says,"

"Yes, I know, Mother," 

"Good then," With that, Mother gets up and leaves the room. Leaving Edric behind.

Earlier in the day, Edric is in his room sitting on the windowsill, looking out the window while petting his white cat, Juliet, who he named after a book he saw. Edric is watching the knight with their horses, walking up the stairs of the castle. 

Earlier in the day, Edric is in his room sitting on the windowsill, looking out the window while petting his white cat, Juliet, who he named after a book he saw. Edric is watching the knight with their horses, walking up the stairs of the castle. He is interested in one knight in particular. Keath Caster, a squire to his father, Ser Dafydd Caster. Keath's mother was a knight too, Dame Bethanie Ito. His parents had moved to Adelaide from Mitzukia recently. Edric had seen Keath multiple times outside his window and inside the castle but he never interacted with him, being too shy and intimidated by Keath's beauty. As he looks out the window at Keath, he admires Keath's beauty like always. His long, silky, raven black hair, dark eyes, charming smile and soft lips.

Edric is entranced.  There is then a knock on the door. Edric already knows it's his mother reminding him it's time for afternoon prayers and gets up from the windowsill. He stands in the front of the mirror and fixes his clothes and hair before exiting his bedchambers. Leaving Juliet alone in the chamber with her toys. Edric goes to the prayer chamber with his mother. 

Edric and his mother enter the prayer chamber and see the shrine of Celestia. Edric and his mother sit down. They get their pendants out and start praying. As Edric is praying with his mother, he hears somebody in armor walk in and sit down. Edric looks over to the bench across from him and sees Keath. Edric immediately blushes. He feels butterflies in his stomach. Edric blushes harder when Keath looks back at him and they exchange glances. Edric wants to say something but his mother is here and he isn't allowed to talk to boys. After prayers, Edric takes one final exchange glance with Keath before him and his mother gets up and leaves. 

Nightfall arrives, Edric is wearing nothing but a white nightshirt, laying in bed on his back. Juliet sitting on the edge of the bed cleaning her paws. Edric can't stop thinking about Keath and the exchanged glances between them. He rolls onto his side and gets under the blankets. Edric falls asleep thinking about Keath.

 Edric has a dream about Keath. 

Edric is laying underneath the white sheets, naked, his eyes closed. A hand grabs his face. Edric opens his eyes and sees Keath on top of him, naked as well. Keath leans down and kisses Edric's neck. Edric softly moans. As Keath continues to kiss Edric's body, Edric feels a rush of pleasure throughout his body. 

Edric wakes up from the pleasure, sweating and breathing heavily. Juliet, who was sitting down on the edge of the bed, walks over towards Edric. Sensing her owner's tenseness. She headbutts Edric's shoulder. Edric pets Juliet and lays back down. Edric looks up at the ceiling. Looking up at the celestial cycle painted on the ceiling. 

THE END.