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The night swallowed the land of Titania, the midnight moon lightning alongside the stars, the forest singing its night melody. The Red Kingdom was home to many villagers, including the king and his daughter, Princess Plump. The kingdom had faced many challenges and wars throughout its time, one that scarred the kingdom, along with the princess, the most was the threat, “Thie Werltaralihho Figuros Giscaffit”, or more commonly known as “Polygon Man”.
But he was no more now; his defeat and surrender brought peace back to Titania and to many worlds beyond, once again. Now it was night, and most of the village fell asleep, only leaving the animals and their restless group of noises before their time.
Up in the kingdom, inside the castle walls, everything remained silent and sound asleep, except for the princess’s room.
Plump and a fellow ally of hers who came for a visit, Daniel Fortesque, were both still very awake, talking the nights away about their time together throughout the day. No,w Daniel, despite his known skeletal figure, now covered with human skin, a common magic to blend with one's world, but he was feeling uneasy.
Seeing him in the human body he once missed was…discomforting. He didn’t know why; he thought it was maybe he was used to being nothing but bones, who only spoke in mumbles and grunts, and his human body had now become unrecognizable to him.
But it was beyond that, wasn’t it?
Plump seemed to notice his uncomfortable tension, she went over and tapped his shoulder gently, “Are you alright, Daniel? I haven’t seen you this uncomfortable since the wars.”
Daniel didn’t even bother to look up. He sighed, placing his hands through his hair.
“Did something happen today? Was it something I did, dear?”
“No, Your Majesty! It wasn’t your doing.”
“Then what is wrong? You can tell me anything, right?”
Daniel opened his mouth, then shut it, staring down at his hand. There was silence for quite some time, increasing Plump’s concern, “Daniel?”
Daniel’s shoulders tensed up as he gripped the sheets tightly, staring towards the ground with eyes wide. A whole tornado of thoughts overwhelmed his head, all from the years before his death.
Oh, what a whole different character he was. A jerk who only followed for his own greed and needs. All those words, those looks, and all his actions came back to him as a train of his self-hate turned around to hit him once again.
Being reminded of how much of a coward he was, how he was not worthy of his title as a hero, was already enough for him to bear; this was far worse.
But he wasn’t that man anymore! He changed ever since he was first resurrected back in 1386!
Right…?
Voices then flooded his head even more than the memories, all hurting their own way.
“Who could like someone like you?”
“Ugh! You’ve clearly changed, and you’re even worse!”
“You really think you could escape the person you once were?”
“Please! You’re more monstrous now than you were as a spoiled jerk.”
Then all snapped away as he heard another voice, Plump’s voice.
“DANIEL!”
He didn’t notice how much he was sweating, looking over to see Plumps’ concerned expression, both of her hands on his shoulders, gripping tightly. He was breathing deeply and more quickly than he expected. His eyes burned; they burned from such overwhelm. Was he crying? He couldn’t quite tell.
But Plump could tell. Her expression softened as she moved closer, pulling him into an embrace. Daniel froze at such sudden action, but he didn’t push her away; he simply buried his head onto her shoulder and hugged her back, not realizing the tears spilling out of his eyes. Her hands rubbing his back in gentle motions as the sound of the night filled the room, giving comfort within the moment.
Both were silent until they pulled away, Plump placing a simple hand on his cheek before she asked, “Now… Something is definitely bothering you. I can tell, whatever it is, it’s causing you so much discomfort. Please… just tell me what’s going on…”
Daniel wasn’t sure of how to tell her, but it was better to tell her than hide it for a few more centuries, wasn’t it? He sighed, looking down at one of his hands again, gently responding, “Have you ever felt like… You hated to be the person you once were?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your past actions, your goals, your purposes, how others would remember you as a whole different person? Only to change and go back to those horrible times?”
Daniel continued, “Ever since the transporting magic to appearance became a thing for visits, and I don’t mean this in any bad way, your Majesty, but returning to human flesh just feels unwelcome to me…”
Plump listened on, trying to get Daniel’s point about his problem as he sat up slightly.
“I know we’ve been through three wars together, and both know each other by name and skill, but yet, there’s still the past where I was just… a greedy fool, only wanting fame and my father’s money, that I never had a goal that was worth a purpose before my death. And seeing me as this man again just…”
“It just hurts. To think I used to be that man, and still think I have his similarities. No matter how much I’ve changed, through centuries, through my time in the history of Gallowmere, just to be recalled to be a coward hurt enough, I don’t need another reason to be looked down upon.”
“It just makes me hate myself even more. What kind of knight am I to worry about my image more than my job…”
Plump’s soft expression was filled with empathy. Daniel had mentioned his dislike of being called a coward or a fake hero, but was this really what he thought of himself most of the time? All those times, did he really think he had no purpose in his entire existence?
Plump sighed sadly as she placed her hand on Daniel’s cheek, gently moving his head to look at her.
“I hear how much this is taking a toll on you, and I am so sorry this feels so heavy on you right now. But listen, you are worth more than you think you are. I may not get your pain, but I can try to understand. You’re far more braver and courageous than any other knight I’ve met.”
“I’m more than glad you’ve shared this with me. You realize not everything has to be carried on your shoulders, right? I’m here to take some of that off; the others are too! Daniel, we have fought alongside and against each other for years. You can come to us for anything that bothers you further. “
Plump then lay down on Daniel’s lap as she rubbed his cheek as she continued,
“Besides, I don’t care if some lame person decides to call you mean things; you are always a special someone to me. The most handsome, courageous, and heroic person that I’ve ever met.”
“You’re a very important person to me, Daniel. Seeing you talk about yourself this way pains me. I wish to help you out as you helped me. And I don’t want you to feel this way because some other person said so. I care about you, you know that, right?”
“And hey, if you still feel uncomfortable about being human, I can always come visit you or chat through our little letters!”
Daniel took in Plump’s words and gently smiled, wiping off the tears falling from his eyes. He grabbed Plump’s hands and leaned up against her face, causing a little chuckle from her.
“I really appreciate such words, ma tres chere amour.. Thank you..”
Plump chuckled once again, “Anything to see you smile again, meine süß cakeling.”
Plump kissed Daniel’s cheek and rubbed his hair as she climbed back on the bed, “Now come and go to sleep, you big doofus.”
Daniel paused, his face burning, all flustered from the kiss, but then back to the fact about sleeping on her bed, small... bed.
“But, I’m taller than the bed’s length. You don’t worry that I might-”
“All I care about is you getting the right amount of sleep for tomorrow. Now come on, I made you some room!”
Daniel sighed with a small smile as he carefully got onto the bed and managed to get under the covers, adjusting himself to get more comfortable. Plump shared one last kiss on his cheek before they both drifted to sleep.