Emilia sat on a stone bench under a magnolia tree with yellow petals. A breeze blew by and some of the petals fluttered down around her. The wind rippled through the green grass and shook the stems of the smaller flowers that decorated the garden.
King Hotaru stood beside the tree trunk. He was more still than the tree as it groaned and quivered in the breeze, leaves rustling together.
“I have racked my mind and soul for an answer to why you are here," Hotaru said, his voice smooth velvet through the night.
“The last time we met, it was not under the best of circumstances," Emilia admitted.
“As an act of good faith, I can bring your servants to the garden so they do not succumb to exposure," the king offered.
“That is very kind of you, sire. I would appreciate that act of good fa
