-December 3rd of 1963

            The court celebrates the solstice at the annual solstice ball in a rare early celebration. Though parties were still to be held throughout the month, but none as the grandiose as this one. Though there was a slight air of submission as the Queen was ill and her toll showed. The courtiers found themselves at loss without their social head.

             King Julius politely greets the ambassadors and invites them to join in the festivities. King Julius refrains from glancing at his side at the missing figure of his Queen. A mind healer had been sent for and had left baffled. The mind healer assured the King that there was nothing wrong with the Queen’s mind. No illness could be found as the mind healer was forced to conclude the Queen herself was the cause of her afflictions.

            The Queen had gone mad from guilt. King Julius face tightens bitterly. If was always the cruelest of words. Out of love he had permitted his Queen to much reign. It would have been better to face her wrath then the tragic outcome.

            King Julius hands clench reflexively as he glances at his hands. Not liking what he saw there he subtly straightens his hands and continues to greet the envoys. Prime Minster Bartholomew politely greets the envoys behind him at a distance away. Ever since, the incident nothing had been the same between them. And never would be.

            Prime Minster Bartholomew meets the King’s eyes with an emotionless gaze as his eyes flicker past his Majesty towards the envoys. King Julius turns his head away and returns to his duties as the night inches by.

            From the shadows a masked figure wearing a half-face silver mask approaches. King Julius frowns as the figure bows and holds out an object in his outstretched arm. A jade pendent with silver symbol engraved on it.

            King Julius eyes widen as Prime Minster Bartholomew eyes glitter with wariness. “Welcome to Alyssum. To what do I owe the honor of the prince’s envoy?” King Julius asked.

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            The silver masked man rises and crisply replies, “The prince is looking for a suitable bride. May this humble servant be allowed to meet the unwed ladies of the court and unbetroth daughters?”

            King Julius eyes widen at the honor, but a flicker of distrust lurks in them. The prince could choose any lady from any other kingdom. Why Alyssum? But if the prince had no ulterior motives, then Alyssum would gain a powerful ally.

            Over his shoulder, King Julius firmly says, “Prime Minster Bartholomew, present the current female court members. As for the rest, schedule gatherings to present said ladies if available. And for those that are not, see to that the envoy is well accompanied and given access to said maidens.”

            Prime Minster Bartholomew flatly retorted, “All of them? Does that include those in exile or in dungeons?”

            King Julius face tightens with anger as he narrows his eyes at Prime Minster Bartholomew. “No. I am certain that the one the prince seeks will not be among those. Go and help the honorable envoy,” King Julius strictly said.

            “As His Majesty commands,” Prime Minster Bartholomew dryly replied. With a careful bow, Prime Minster Bartholomew excuses himself from the King’s presence and leads the envoy to the first group of unwed maidens.

            King Julius watches as the man once called friend drifted away. Grimacing King Julius turns away and heads towards his children. His daughter and son were being overwhelmed by the court as there was no Queen to shoo them away. His children smile with relief as 3rd figure does the same.

            King Julius stiffens as he rapidly blinks his eyes with disbelief. There was no such figure, it had been merely a trick of the mind. But still, the King was left rather rattled as he greeted his children and somewhat forcefully sent the couriers away.

            His children study his suddenly pale face with worry. King Julius smiles at them and reassures them that all is well. But for the rest of the evening, a figure seems to haunt his vision just out of the corner of his eyes. Never appearing in his line of sight, but present without fail.