King ~ A Troyler Story.

Prologue

King Tyler's POV

"Your Highness, it's time."

If Tyler looked back upon his childhood there were many times that he had heard that sentence yet never had those four words held so much despair, so much that it added an instant weight to his shoulders. Often he had felt pride, possibly slight nerves, at the words when his father placed his hand upon his shoulder and muttered it to him. It was the fact that the sentence meant he had so much responsibility which left him in wonder even though most children would shy away from his duties. He had been a rare child, his eagerness to possess the qualities that a Prince should have often stunned others while sparking disapproval in some.

However the feeling had changed as he awoke now, the soft tug of his servants hand no longer comforting as it usually was. Instead everything felt cold, a chill had settled over the room and he found himself yearning for a jumper of some sort. The frost settled itself over his heart to prepare for the damage that would be inflicted in a few precious minutes. He raised his head and looked into the eyes of his most trustworthy men, who he thought of as a friend but he had to of course refrain from saying that. 'Rulers let others bow down to them, not bow down to others. Gratefulness is not a trait of a worthy King.' Tyler often had to keep back many emotions to fulfill his promise of making the perfect ruler for his father's people.

The look returned back to him was tinted with sorrow and he felt his chin drop back down, his eyes casting to the pattern of his quilt. He traced his finger delicately around the woven yarn that had been made with so much fondness, warmth and most of all love. The thought of her love mad him sit up abruptly and swing his legs over the bed, snot bothering to slip his feet in his shoes. Instead he stood, no longer looking like the brave, noble eighteen year old he was but more like a small child, eyes wide with confusion at how cruel the world could be.

Oh, how the world could be so cruel.

He took in a large breath which filled his lungs and didn't breathe out until he felt a burning feeling creep stealthily through his throat. He let out the breath with a clumsy tumble which for some reason brought a tear to his eye. He had always been told that rulers don't cry and if he felt the familiar moisture building he should breathe it out. It just seemed to make it worse as he bit into his bottom lip and trying to swallow around the lump in his throat. He headed towards the wooden doors which were opened by the two guards, dressed in shiny armor. Usually he would greet them politely, always trying to give them a nod even when he was busy but instead he kept his eyes trained on the plush carpet floor while dragging his feet behind him.

As he stepped into the large hallway, he was met with a darkness that fell over the rooms during the night. Only the soft flickers of the candles emitted light, the glow hardly helping with the battle against the dark. He lifted his arms and wrapped them around his torso, attempting to keep himself from shattering. 'A king should never be fragile. A king should possess a different kind of strength, a unique kind of bravery.' Tyler took a step forward and was soon walking through the hallway at a sluggish pace. His eyes burned with fatigue that had loomed over him for the past few weeks.

He cast a glance to the paintings that aligned the wall, none of them had ever bothered him until now, as an overwhelming sense of sentiment weighed down on him as he struggle to take in a breath. He wondered if he would keep them even though she would no longer be here to appreciate them. For some reason he assumed that when she left, the colors would no longer be bright, the watercolor running off the page and leaving a dull grey behind. The thought quickened his pace as he now hurried to reach her, hearing the footsteps of guards behind him.

He soon reached a large pair of oak doors, again the familiar two guards standing in front. Whenever Tyler passed the doors they usually just kept their stony stature, not even moving as they were ordered. However one dropped slowly to his knee, bowing his head before Tyler without a sound. After a moment's hesitation the other followed and Tyler felt his will crumble, the tears overflowing like a river against a dam. The tension thickened as they stood once again and pushed open the doors, instantly basking Tyler in her scent.