The King's Beloved

Chapter 72 - Maze Of The Heart

"Sniff … sniff …," the silent cry of a woman could be heard in one of the rooms inside the palace of Tétartos, where the kindest of hearts dwell. It was a petite, young woman, with apricot hair and a cute face that made her look like a real-life doll. She was all curled up on her bed, covered in a blanket, and her brown eyes turned red from her non stop sobbing.

Now, Azalea was making rounds across the palace, like she usually did, everynight starting from the time of their capture. The reason for her doing this was because she wanted to make sure everyone was doing okay, and getting their sleep, or in case somebody needed a bit of encouragement or help. Thus, everyone in Tétartos respected her and loved her for her utmost kindness.

While making her usual rounds, there she heard it again - the cry of the youngest woman amongst them. She'd been hearing her cry for months now. She always encouraged her, but sometimes even the best quotes or words you could give to someone, won't be enough to heal their hearts. There were just some things that only they themselves could figure out. But nonetheless, Azalea continued to visit her.

For the nth time, Azalea knocked on her room's door. 

"Daisy?" Azalea gently called out to her. She waited for a few seconds but there was no response so she just opened the door and let herself in. "I know you're in there, I'm coming inside".

Azalea walked towards the bed and sat on it. Then, she gently patted Daisy's head as she talked to her. 

"I truly wish for a night, where I would hear your laughter instead," Azalea whispered. "It's okay to cry … but if you just keep on crying and not moving forward, nothing will happen".

Daisy got up and uncovered herself from the sheets. She wiped her face and nose before facing Azalea. 

"I - I'm so sorry Azalea … sniff," she replied. "It's just that … sniff … when the night comes … sniff … I always remember when my whole family died … and I just," Daisy tried her best to reply, but tears overcame her again. She was one of those girls whose family got brutally massacred in front of them when the Magi came to conquer the world. It was a cold and bloody night back then, and this poor soul got traumatized by what happened.

Azalea lifted her hands and wiped the tears on her face. In her mind she thought, "It was indeed a tragedy. Everything was just normal, nobody expected such things to happen … but then they suddenly came. And now we're trapped here to be a slave to their king … A king whom I thought would be capable of love but now, I'm not so sure anymore. I thought teaching him that would at least make him more gentle … and maybe there's a bit of hope for us. Now, it's all just wishful thinking". Her eyes lowered as she mull over the sad truth.

"Azalea, why did they come here?"

Azalea stopped her thought and looked back at her. She sighed before answering her, "I … I don't know".

After an hour, Azalea managed to help her sleep. She tucked her in her blanket and went out of the room. She was supposed to go back to her room to get some rest, but her mind was filled with thoughts again. She felt a need for fresh air and so she went outside, towards their palace's garden and walked amongst the flowers.

It was midnight that time, and the moon was full and shined brightly in the night sky. Combined with the beautiful garden, and the dancing waters in the fountains nearby, the whole place was just fantastic and very calming. 

Azalea closed her eyes and breathed deeply. It was then when she heard grunting noises inside the garden maze, located near the pavilion she was currently sitting at. 

"Ugh … hah … arggh …," the grunting noises was that of a man. A man that shouldn't even be there, at the palace of the candidates.

Azalea felt conflicted. Should she go inside the maze to check who it was and help him? Or should she just go back since it could be dangerous. First of all, she didn't know who it was. And even if she knew, was there even anything she could help with? Most importantly, it could be one of those nasty nobles who couldn't keep to themselves. And she got nothing to defend herself. 

But then again, Azalea's kindness was not something so easily shaken. She braven herself up and went inside the garden maze. The hedges were tall so it was impossible to peek for paths. Good thing she'd been there many times so she already memorized all the paths it led to. She followed the voice while being very careful on her every step so she wouldn't alert whoever it was. 

The voice led her to the middle of the maze, where a big tree stood erect. There she found the man, with bended knees on the ground, and body curled up, breathing heavily and clenching himself in agony. It was as if he was feeling tremendous pain in his body. 

When the man lifted his head, it revealed his golden hair and bright aquamarine eyes … it was the king!

Azalea couldn't believe her eyes but before she knew it, she was already running towards him.

"Your highness," she called out to him, her voice, panting, and her face reflected nothing but worry. 

The king was startled. He made sure to put up a barrier that restricted noises inside the garden. What he didn't know was that Azalea was already there before he casted his magic.

"AAARGGH," the king writhed in anguish again. There was an aura … a dark aura that surrounded his body. It was too apparent that even Azalea could see it in the dead of the night. 

Azalea bent her knees and sat beside the king, gently patting his back.

"What is happening to you?" she asked in a trembling voice. Tears could be seen in the corners of her eyes.

The king was sweating hard, and his face grew pale by each passing second. With all his strength he faced her. His lips curved into a smirk even if his eyes were frowning in pain.

"Get lost … hah … this has nothing to do with you".