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⟡┆𓆩 ✦ ⋆ 𓆩✩𓆪 ⋆ ✦ 𓆪┆⟡
My beloved,
I had forgotten what it felt like to bear this duty alone. How the weight and expectations force me onwards lest I fight the unrelenting tide. I am truly lost without you here by my side.
Yet, I must ask more of you. Please, my love, give me forgiveness.
You deserve so much more than this empty site and I promise, once our people are safe, you will have a proper resting place. One that we will not be forced to abandon and leave behind again.
Do you remember Nevaeh? Seraphine's youngest one. I wish you could meet her now, she reminds me so much of our daughter.
She has become a great leader to these people. Even bridging the chasm this war has torn between the realms. She and Adara have opened their arms to what remains of our people and I know they will be safe in their care.
We leave for their city at dusk. From what Nevaeh has told me, you would adore what she and her people have built. The contraptions they speak of go beyond my understanding, but listening to their explanations brings me a sense of comfort. The small sense that if you are not here to enjoy them, may I at least attempt to do so on your behalf.
Tonight, though, I have stepped away to give you what I can, though it is far from what I want. The smoke from the attack did a great number on my health and.... I fear I may not reach this grand city.
It seems cruel does it not? That the gods refused to take us together, only to deny me the chance to see our people to safety. I dare not even hope for the chance to see Isla again.
Her little one should have turned five by now. I wish you had gotten to meet them. I do not fool myself into believing I will. I do not even know our second grandchild's name. Wherever you are, my love, please watch over them. I will be here, watching our people with whatever time I have left.
No matter what whims I may have though, I believe I will be joining you soon.
Aphrein's embrace does not seem so daunting now. Not when it means I will be at your side once more.
I hope I do not keep you waiting, my love.
Your beloved,
Raemond
⟡┆𓆩 ✦ ⋆ 𓆩✩𓆪 ⋆ ✦ 𓆪┆⟡
The Morningstar King placed the letter by the empty grave, leaning heavily on his cane as tears roll down his cheeks. He eased himself down to the ground, resting his cane beside him as he sat beside the memorial to his lover.
The weight of his chest was nothing compared to his heavy heart. Each breath he took weighed down his chest, forcing him to breathe deeper and deeper or else risk another fit of coughing that’d leave him bedbound- delaying his people’s journey to safety, spending time they couldn’t afford to lose. He couldn’t do that, he’d failed to protect them from the war and the attack that forced them to flee and join Nevaeh’s people deep underground. To become Mysons.
Raemond shifted to lay down beside the grave, the tears rolling off his face onto the soft moss below. The position helped him breathe and allowed him to look at the glowberry vines hanging from the ceiling of the small alcove.
Memories of a kinder, warmer time came back to the forefront of his mind, flooding his eyes with the salty, bitter waters of a thousand Overworld oceans.
How he’d find his inventor asleep at his desk in his workshop- using his many notes and diagrams of new creations as a pillow- and having to carry him from the basement; often times, having to clean the smudged ink from the man’s cheek and glasses before laying half on top of him in bed.
How non-formal meal times were, when they’d refuse the aid of the kitchen staff and make their own dinner. It’d barely ever gone well- ending up with one or both the kings having to change out of food covered clothes, no matter if they wore aprons or not. But the food was always edible and they loved spending the time together- no matter how chaotic it was.
How, on clear nights, they’d lay together in the snow outside their castle’s walls, cuddling close for warmth as they stared up at the stars. They’d talk quietly about the days they had: Everett listening to his prince’s tired venting about his royal duties and ramblings about his books and their friends in other kingdoms; Raemond listening contentedly to his inventor’s explanations of redstone contraptions that exceeded his understanding, but happy to see his husband so excited about a new project- a new challenge for him to rise to.
Now, the King laid next to the empty grave, tears flowing from his eyes as he looked up at the vines growing from teh deepslate. With his tear-blurred vision, the glowberries looked like the same night sky he’d so often fall asleep looking at while nestled securely in his husband’s arms.
There were no strong arms to hold him now. No stars to gaze up at, no snow to lay in and no soft, deep, familiar voice talking about devices and machines he had no hope of truly understanding- despite listening to many gentle explanations.
Raemond shuffled closer, resting his head on the stone covering the empty grave where his husband’s chest would’ve been, letting out a weak sob. There was no steady heartbeat to comfort him, no warmth to ground him and no gentle, soft skinned hand to dry his tears- no gentle whisper telling him it was gonna be okay, he was safe and how he’d see him soon, hold him again.. forgive and love him again…
“I-I love you..” Raemond whispered, pressing his head into the stone and pressing a soft kiss to slab, “I love you.. m-more than anything- my beloved..”
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