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You looked around, taking in the scenery as a light breeze played with your hair and tickled your nose. The fresh scent of flowers filled your senses, and you gazed at the rainbow of roses and other flowers meticulously planted around you.
A year ago, you never would have imagined yourself being able to visit a place like this, but ever since you met Sylus through your best friend Tara and her boyfriend, Jeremiah, you had been finding yourself in very, well, unexpected situations. The first being his reminder to you of unknown details from a life long past, the only memories you thought you had akin to old, abandoned roots; just vague sounds, smells, tastes, and names.
After he informed you that you grew up in similar circles, you found yourself warming up to him faster than you usually would with someone new. Your families were well off, had mutual business partners, and life plans written out for the both of you since before you were born. Turns out, you didn’t even know the half of it due to the sheltered life you had… but that’s a story for another day. Since then, you had both drifted from your kin for reasons different but the same; you wanted to escape your cage, and he wanted to build an empire on his own terms. Since you had never actually met Sylus, the memories of hushed voices mentioning his name along with yours behind locked office doors had quietly faded into the back of your mind along with the rest of your family.
The second unexpected situation occurred when Sylus needed a partner for an exclusive, high-class dinner that he and Jeremiah were invited to. Only after Tara’s insistent urging and begging to not make her go alone (“Jeremiah doesn’t count!”) did you agree to accompany him. That came and went - not without its own unique happenings - and before you knew it, here you were. On another one of the boys’ business trips, now turned tourist trip, with your best friend, her partner, and… Sylus.
He wouldn’t even hear any of your insistence to pay for at least half of the trip. It all made your head spin trying to figure out how to repay him, so you forced yourself back to the present and gazed up at the old, looming palace towers ahead.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A familiar, deep voice near you asked.
You looked back at Sylus’s slowly approaching figure and smiled.
"I wonder what life was really like as someone who lived here," you said.
Thinking about the lives of people from centuries ago always intrigued you. The towers cast long shadows on you as you both began to walk through the property’s beautiful garden. It was still cared for as part of the site’s restoration and upkeep efforts, the bright blooms as big as your palm a clear proof of the work put into them.
Sylus looked at you, and even though he was wearing his sunglasses, you could tell something was brewing in his eyes behind those maroon lenses.
"Would you like to know?" he asked, simple and succinct.
You frowned. What was he on about? You couldn’t deny that he had piqued your curiosity…
"Yes, but what do you mean?” you asked.
He extended the crook of his arm out to you as we continued your walk.
"My lady," he said.
You laughed, liking his idea, and took his arm.
"Your lady? I don't belong to anyone," you said, deciding to play a little devil's advocate.
He smirked slightly and raised his brows.
"You dare oppose me?"
"Ha! And who are you?" you scoffed.
"Why, only the most powerful king of all the lands here," he said, matter-of-factly.
At that, you laughed loudly and looked him square in the eye, "Yes, I dare oppose you, O' Most Powerful and Great Sylus of the Lands! What's it to you?"
He chuckled at the stark contrast in your speech, smiling wider now. He thought for a second, and hummed.
"Well, then. It seems I would be an absolute fool to fight someone with such courage and bravery as yours. I submit and officially hail you as Queen of the Lands."
"Oh," you said, coming to a stop. He stopped with you. You thought for a second, then continued, “I was fully prepared to fight you; however, I accept and will call back my troops,” you said and smiled once more. Fully embracing your new role, you held your head high and your back straight and walked with steps full of pride and purpose, leading him along through your linked arms. You could feel him watching your reaction unfold through his dark red lenses.
When he spoke once more, his voice was hushed and serious.
“Beautiful. All that's missing is a crown."
Your eyes widened at the blatant compliment, and you faltered for a millisecond before regaining your composure. Your mind vaguely registered his grip on your arm tightening, but you were much too focused on the fact that your face was burning.
Even though you had only begun building your acquaintanceship, he had a knack for making you feel truly… special. Like a rare jewel and the only one of its kind. Although you felt it was only logical to keep a platonic boundary between him and you as of now, you would have been lying if you said there wasn't a part of you that reveled in what seemed to be his exclusive attention…
It wasn’t as though you had never gotten the attention of a man before, but in your previous experiences, it never felt so targeted. The way Sylus spoke to you sometimes made it seem like you were the only person he was in the room with, the only person he wanted to look at. Like you were the brightest flower in this garden.
Not to mention, he himself was quite far from bad-looking. But that is something you did your best to avoid acknowledging, feeling as though it would only lead to trouble.
Your eyes looked everywhere but at him, and you couldn't help the small smile that tugged at your lips. Your mind raced to form a good response.
"Why, thank you. Actually, my crown is currently being custom made by-" you stopped, realizing something and turning to him, "Wait, if I'm the queen now, then what are you? To be honest, the peasant look doesn't really suit you," you said teasingly.
He chuckled again and in a swift motion, brought his hand to your head and ruffled it a bit. You cursed yourself as a whole giggle left your mouth and the flush returned to your face. You scrambled to fix your hair with your free hand. Get a grip, he's just playing along with you! Act normal!
"Now, now, let's not worry about that. Tell me more about this custom-made crown, though,” he said. Through his shades, you could see his eyes gleaming like red rubies in the sun, the lenses amplifying their mesmerizing color.
In that moment, it took a lot in you to tear your eyes away as you continued to walk. Your heart felt so strange. It must be the exercise.
With a deep, calming breath, you continued, "Well, I was thinking it would feature some beautiful big gems, like rubies or something, and then I could put smaller ones around them..." you fully indulged the idea, imagining your very own crown, Sylus humming in agreement beside you. Occasionally, he would ask a question about a certain detail or engraving you mentioned. You felt your heart warm at the gesture. He was so sweet to pay such close attention, even if it was all just a fantasy.
You didn't notice until the end of the walk just how close to each other you had gotten until you unlinked arms. Air immediately flowed into the growing gap between you as you stepped away from each other and headed toward Tara and Jeremiah, who were looking at the sprawling city below at a viewing area. You touched your hand lightly to your right arm, suddenly feeling a little chilly.
Just another breeze, you thought as you peered back at the beautiful gardens behind you, tall-stemmed flowers slowly swaying, as if waving goodbye.
You smiled. Goodbye, my loyal subjects.