In Gentle Company
1084 Words
The royal vehicle came to a smooth halt outside the gleaming white marble towers of the Seventh Queen’s estate, its crystal lanterns casting a soft violet hue over the gardens. The silver gates opened automatically as Kenneth stepped down, his small feet barely making a sound against the polished stones beneath him. The twin katanas, Raelith and Nocturne, rested silently across his back—still too large for him, but fitting him like an extension of his soul.
The chauffeur bowed deeply.
> "Have a restful evening, Prince Kenneth."
Kenneth only nodded faintly, his usual boyish enthusiasm strangely dulled. His eyes were clouded with exhaustion and thoughts too heavy for someone so young.
He walked past the front entrance, where two of the castle’s high-ranking maidens were already waiting, bowing low as he passed.
> "Welcome home, Your Highness. Her Majesty is not yet back from her district summit," one of them said softly.
> "We prepared your favorite stew, young Prince," the other offered, trying to cheer him up. "Would you like it brought to your chambers?"
> "Maybe later," Kenneth mumbled, voice tired. "I just want to lie down."
He dragged his small feet across the grand corridor, steps echoing lightly in the otherwise quiet palace. But before he could reach the staircase to his wing, a familiar voice called out behind him.
> "Kenneth!"
He turned—and there she was.
Seraphine.
Still in the same red-and-silver dress from earlier, the little girl came running down the polished hallway, her black curls bouncing and her violet eyes lighting up the moment she saw him. Her doll was gone now, probably left somewhere in the guest lounge. In its place, she held a small blanket.
> "Where were you?" she asked, running up to him without hesitation. "I've been waiting since you left with the knights. I thought maybe you got lost in the dungeons or something."
Kenneth blinked slowly and offered a tired smile.
> "No dungeons. Just training... lots of it. I'm so tired."
Seraphine’s face immediately softened.
> "Did they hurt you?" she asked, stepping closer, her small hands already trying to tug one of his sleeves to examine his arm.
> "No," Kenneth chuckled weakly. "I’m just… really, really tired. Everyone’s expecting so much. They gave me these swords, and the King said stuff about destiny again, and... I don’t know."
He wasn’t usually one to open up. But there was something about Seraphine—something comforting, like sunlight filtering through stained glass. Even at just four years old, her presence felt oddly grounding.
> "Come," she said with sudden authority, grabbing his hand. "You need to lie down. Right now. I command it."
> "You command it?" Kenneth raised a brow but allowed himself to be pulled along. "Are you secretly a princess?"
> "Maybe. Or maybe I’m your boss when your mom’s not here."
> "You sound like Malrik."
> "That’s the mean old vampire, right?"
> "He’s not that old."
> "He looks old."
Kenneth laughed—finally, a real one—before they arrived at one of the lounging rooms that had been turned into a temporary study for him. Pillows were scattered across a reading bench, the fire was low, and the moonlight filtered gently through the wide glass windows.
> "Lie down," Seraphine ordered, pulling him toward the bench.
> "Alright, alright." Kenneth yawned as he collapsed face-down into the cushions.
She giggled and tugged at his boots until she pulled them off, tossing them neatly to the side before grabbing the blanket and tucking it over him with exaggerated care.
> "There," she said proudly. "Now you’re warm and safe. Like a sleepy kitten."
> "I’m not a kitten," he mumbled, face buried in a pillow.
> "You are now."
Seraphine climbed up beside him and sat cross-legged. Her fingers began to gently run through his thick black curls, smoothing them in one direction.
Kenneth, halfway between wakefulness and sleep, sighed deeply.
> "You're… nice," he murmured. "Not like the others."
> "I like you too," Seraphine whispered. "You're not scary. You're just… Kenneth."
He smiled faintly.
> "That’s what I want to be."
Within minutes, Kenneth’s breathing evened out, and the tension that had gripped his small shoulders all day seemed to melt away. Seraphine remained beside him, humming softly, her hand still tangled in his hair.
---
At the far end of the estate, the grand front doors opened once more.
Queen Seraphina stepped inside, her long violet robes trailing slightly as she removed her circlet and handed it to a waiting attendant. Her usually pristine appearance was frayed with fatigue—her eyes dull, her steps heavier than usual.
Behind her came Sir Caldrin, his armor dusty from long travel, and Malrik, who walked with his hands behind his back and his expression unreadable as always.
> "That was... exhausting," Seraphina muttered, brushing her fingers along her temple.
> "They speak of fear and diplomacy," Caldrin said, his voice low. "But it is war they want."
> "The outer districts grow restless," Malrik added. "The werewolves are getting bolder. Some of the elders have already lost faith in the peace."
The Queen exhaled long and slow.
> "Then we must become stronger before they do."
She paused in the corridor and turned to both men.
> "Malrik, I need you to update the defense strategy for District Three. Caldrin, I want your knights reassigned to patrol the South Marshlands. Double rotation."
Both men bowed in unison.
> "At once, my Queen," Caldrin said.
> "As you command," Malrik added.
Seraphina then looked toward the hallway.
> "And your daughter? She stayed behind?"
> "Yes, Your Majesty. She’s still in the guest wing, I believe."
The Queen offered a tired but gentle smile.
> "Let her remain the night. I doubt she’ll want to leave Kenneth’s side anyway."
> "Thank you, my Queen."
As the two men turned and headed in opposite directions to carry out their orders, Seraphina walked slowly toward the guest chambers.
She stopped at the doorway when she saw them—Kenneth curled beneath a blanket, peacefully asleep, and Seraphine sitting beside him, still humming quietly, her fingers tracing patterns on the blanket.
For the first time that day, Seraphina allowed herself a small smile.
> "Perhaps," she whispered, "the future won’t be so lonely for him after all."
And with that, she stepped back into the shadows, leaving the two children to their dreams.
- Writer
