THE LYING KING

The mid-May sun shone bright, on her caramel colored skin and the slick hood of her raincoat, hid her bone straight, silk pressed, hair. It would have been unbearably hot, but the breeze was strong, and it carried the smell of rain down into the valley. It made her grateful to have left the house early, and with her rain boots on. She was careful not to step on the flower petals that lined the trail from the royal garden. Along the way she could strongly but pleasantly smell all the pink and red peonies the knee high hyacinths white and yellow daisies fragrant lilies and begonias in all different colors and dainty little hydrangeas mixed in all tucked in around the beautiful pink flowered trees; she didn't know by name but loved to see; that lined the town square. The trees and their heavy fragrance signaling she was close to Busy Bees Books; which was nestled among the handful of shops; and the huge library, and rec center, that faced each other making the square appear tightly packed. Vibrant and busy with people hustling to their vehicles along the main road trying desperately to hurry out of the rain and back into the comfort of their respective homes. She knew no such comfort and politely bowed past them her stride intentional but not quite confident she didn't make eye contact. She slowed her already tedious pace, to give them room to take their large hasty steps. Then just as it had begun to sprinkle, she reached the door of the unmarked bookstore. Outside there were no signs on the building. If it wasn't so much older than all the other shops and stores it would be basically hidden. She loved it there, despite it being pretty much always empty, it was spotless, neatly organized, completely silent it still was inviting; and smelled of aged cedar bookshelves and lemon pledge. Meticulously cleaned per usual, not a speck of dust in sight; the peaceful atmosphere instantly brought her comfort. The space was quite large but not vast, and the shelves, while books were plentiful, weren't overwhelmed; nor did they climb high to the ceiling. They actually only went about 6 feet up, and outside of the shelves there were some built into the walls. Inside the building there were 4 tables, one in each corner, 3 shelves a row, for 6 rows. At the front there was the counter with a register in front of the exit door, then the entrance door on the other side, and a back door that no one ever used; which she assumed was always locked. It was safe and could even be considered cozy. The shop keep was nowhere to be found; this wasn't unusual though. So, she made her way around the store, not even interested in finding a new book; about something old, or an old book about something new; but more of the safety of the space. She took a seat at the door in the back, left corner of the building, hoping to avoid the curious, or even uninterested gaze of passer byers. She was more interested in getting some much needed rest, since that was impossible to achieve in the castle she called home. The castle was cold and dark, but never empty; and meticulously cleaned thanks to her. Its upkeep had become a source of pride for her as it was the largest structure in the entire Kingdom; outside of it beaches and reefs that only the King and his Royal court were allowed access; but no one went near the water it was dangerous and unexplored. Shark'men and Whale'folk the oldest Weres in existence Mers – Weres of the water were considered dangerous and cursed to the Sea or forced insanity. After many years she had created a system, that eventually garnered her some free time, everyday, which she always spent the same way. Right here in Busy Bees and that's exactly how she liked it. Basically alone, not under the Kings watchful eye, or at the mercy of the Castles’ often busy schedule. Here, there was no one to answer to, no attitudes to avoid; from the prince; or nitpicking, of the judgmental Princess. She was free to just be a person of her own making! She found; she liked herself when she was allowed to be who she wanted. The freedom to exist was a privilege she saw others take for granted, every, single, day. She had learned to channel her envy into shadow work, and self-growth, that became self-love. For the first time in her life, she was learning to appreciate herself and it was validating. If she had loved ones, they would be proud.