Ash and Elizabeth entered The Kings study. It was a large room with a dark oak desk in the middle of it. Behind it was the best view of the gardens but the blinds were drawn.
The king was sat and the end of the double bed that occupied the right side of the wall. He looked pale and his white blonde hair was wild. His dress shirt was unbuttoned and his feet bare.
The sight of his King unnerved Ash and he promptly bowed and left Elizabeth standing by the now closed door.
Elizabeth however was used to seeing The King like this. This was a side of him only she saw. He would only open up to her which was the only sweet thing about him.
Elizabeth sighed quietly and walked over to her King.
She stood a few feet from him and knelt so that she was at eye level with him.
"My King what ever is the matter?" She asked softly, trying ever so hard not to make him upset or mad.
"War my dear. War is the matter. Terrible, terrible war resulting in mass death!" The King smiled a little bit. His smile turned into a devilish grin as he looked Elizabeth right in the eyes.
"No. That is not why I am sad", The King shook his head, "That my dear brings me great joy! What makes me sad is that I don't have enough men to die for me", he stood up off the bed and steps towards Elizabeth. He knelt before Elizabeth tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. Elizabeth didn't flinch but her insides went cold. As cold as His skin against hers.
"My dear, dear Elizabeth how am I going to win this war?" The King placed his forehead against hers and closed his black eyes.
Without hesitation Elizabeth replied: "You will win it because you, my King, are the most powerful being on earth".
The King lifted his head and with a smile patted Elizabeth on the cheek and stood.
"Thankyou my dear", with a sigh he retreated back to his bed, "will you stay with me?" He asked.
"Of course my King", Elizabeth replied. She stood and walked over To the King who was now lying on the bed with one arm stretched over the other side.
"Take that hideous dress off before you lie down", he said lazily without looking at her.
Elizabeth slowly removed her dress and climbed into bed.
She lay curled up next to the King until she knew for certain he was asleep. Even then she waited another five minutes before quietly putting on her dress and exiting the room.
Outside the large doors, to her surprise, stood Ash. His bow and arrows were in his back in their usual position and his arms were folded over his chest.
"What are you doing here?", she whispered when the door was firmly shut.
"I came to escort you to your rooms. It's not safe for a lady to walk the halls alone", Ash replied. There was no recognisable emotion in his voice when he spoke to Elizabeth. Ash would rather not give away his feelings. Especially not the ones he has for Elizabeth. Those feeling would surely get him killed.
"Have you been standing there the whole time?", Elizabeth asked putting her hands on her hips. Ash didn't answer, he turned from her and started walking slowly down the long corridor.
The caste was large enough for visitor to get lost. There were endless corridors and rooms and one had to know exactly where to go. Elizabeth had suggested signs or maps for the guest but the King rejected the thought immediately.
Each corridor looked exactly the same, brown wallpaper and red carpet, which didn't help.
Lucky Elizabeths rooms were easy
