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Tine hugged her knees to her chest. She cradled her head between her legs, tears soaking into her dress. The summer sun set above the palace walls, heralding the end of another day. Gold blanketed the rose bushes around her. A cool mist wafted from the grand fountain. Light danced off the water droplets, creating a rainbow from the afternoon’s last breath.
Ishtar had told her about the palace’s gardens. To see it all for herself felt like a dream. A bittersweet, melancholic dream.
In any other circumstance, she would have been overjoyed to be here. But the tranquil babble of water could only calm her so when the very source of her fear approached: Seliph Baldos Chalphy, newly-crowned King of Grannvale. Leader of the Liberation Army. Savior of Jugdral. Descendant of not one, but two holy bloodlines.
(The latter applied to her, too, but she was not worthy.)
“There you are.” He sat down next to her and pulled out a bundle of cloth. Inside were a pair of cone-like buns, their spiraled surface covered in delicate sugar. “Please, have one. Lana made them not too long ago.”
Tine wiped the tears from her eyes and took a bun. Seliph gave her a kind smile as she took a bite. The sugar melted on her tongue, giving way to the soft, doughy pastry. Smooth vanilla custard gushed from the center.
“I was worried about you,” Seliph said. “The way you ran out of there… It's been a long time since I’ve seen someone that scared, even with the war.”
Tine swallowed. She’d always been terrible at hiding her fear. She knew that too well.
“So,” Seliph asked, “How is it?”
Tine’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Delicious.”
“Good,” he said. “I’ll make sure to tell Lana. Sugar was scarce for us growing up. She was ecstatic when she found sacks of it in the palace kitchen.”
Sugar had never been scarce for the Frieges– but Tine’s experience was limited to small, sneaky bites here and there. A piece of cake from Ishtore, wrapped in a napkin and smuggled to her room. Ishtar’s last gumdrops, hidden in her pockets. A single sugar cube, given by her uncle out of pity.
Seliph adjusted his position. “What did you come to tell me, Tine? I promise I won’t bite. Here, I’ll eat this instead. Then you won’t have to worry about me saying something silly.”
Tine watched as Seliph bit off the tip of the bun. She almost refused to answer his question, but something about the shine in his eyes seemed so genuine, so trustworthy. It was as if he radiated peace– a calming presence, ethereal and enchanting, like one of the gods themselves wrapped you in their embrace. Empress Deirdre had been described as having the same presence. Like mother, like son.
“I…” She lowered her gaze. “Every person I’ve ever loved or cared for has died. Mama, Ishtar, Ishtore… Whenever I tried to make friends with the maids, Aunt Hilda would make them disappear. I never found out what happened to them, and something tells me I don’t want to. Everyone stayed away from me out of fear. Those who didn’t were cruel or cold and detached. You met the triplets. You met my uncle. You’ve seen it first hand.”
A sob escaped her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Ever since I joined the army, everyone’s been so kind to me. I found out I have a brother and two more cousins. I’ve made friends for the first time. Gotten to know people. I’ve even… caught feelings for someone. But I’m terrified it’s all a dream, that I’m going to wake up and find myself alone again.”
She whipped her head around, eyes locking with Seliph’s. “I’m scared, Seliph. I want to love, but every time I have I’ve lost! I’m not even sure I’m worthy of love!”
Before she could react, Seliph wrapped his arms around her, so fast he nearly knocked her onto her back. Her heart jumped, then settled down, sinking sweetly into a cradle of warmth. She nestled her head into his shoulder. Her eyelids drooped, tears sealing them shut like glue. They rocked back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
Seliph pulled away and looked into her eyes. “Never say you aren’t worthy of love again.”
Tine smiled. “I love you, Seliph.”
Seliph blushed. “I… I love you too, Tine.”
He placed a hand to her cheek. She drew closer. Their mouths met, first kiss sweet like the sugar coating their lips.