Ephemeral Longing

His true desire

The King stood on the balcony of his Palace, the wind tousling his deep chocolate curls as he surveyed his kingdom with eyes of steel. If one were to look at him, they would think he came out of a painting.

His features were chiseled with such precision that it seemed as if a master sculptor had spent years working on a single piece, and when he moved, his every gesture seemed to be crafted with grace and elegance.

His body, honed from years of rigorous training and disciplined living, was a testament to his strength and vitality, yet it possessed an inherent softness that only served to accentuate his masculinity.

His massive throne room lay behind him, the red velvet drapes swaying gently in the breeze, casting dancing shadows on the marble floor. To his left, the royal gardens stretched out toward the horizon, a riot of color and scent that belied the icy grip of winter.

And beyond that, a vast expanse of land stretched out before him, territories conquered and claimed, each a testament to his strength, his cunning, and his unrelenting desire for power.

He thought back to the day he first sat upon this throne, the day he had claimed the title of a King, the day his destiny had been sealed. It seemed like an eternity ago, and yet the memories were as fresh as if they had happened only yesterday.

He remembered the promise he made to himself that day.

A promise to find Her no matter how long it takes.

To find the one who had given him purpose. To find the one that would make his life complete. He knew he would never be satisfied no matter how many territories he ruled over, until he found Her.

Every step he calculated, every war he won, every political alliance he made, was all to finally find Her. His ultimate desire. His purpose of life.

She was the one who had haunted his dreams, the one whose face he saw every time he looked upon his subjects. She was the sun that lighted his days and the moon that guided him through the night. But try as he might, he had yet to find Her. 

The King roamed the lands he conquered, searching high and low, seeking Her out among the peasants and nobles alike. He disguised himself as a beggar, a traveling minstrel, even a common soldier, all in the hopes of finding Her. But try as he might, She always seemed to elude him. It was as if she were a phantom, a mirage that danced just out of reach.

He began to wonder if he would ever find Her, if she even existed at all. But deep down, he knew that she did. He could feel it in his soul.

Exhausted from his racing thoughts, he retired to his chambers. A suite of opulent rooms decorated in hues of gold and deep crimson. A grand four-poster bed dominated the center of the room, its ornate carvings testament to the skill of the artisans who had crafted it. A fire crackled in the marble fireplace, casting flickering shadows on the rich tapestries that adorned the walls.

Despite the opulence, the King found little comfort in his surroundings. All he could think of was the endless search for Her, the quest that had become his obsession.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. It was his most trusted advisor, Atlas. Who had served the King faithfully for nearly as long as he had been on the throne. "Your Majesty, there is an urgent matter that requires your attention," Atlas said, stepping inside the room.

The King sighed, running a hand through his hair before turning away from the door. "Very well, what is it?" He asked, walking over to his desk and sitting down wearily in the ornate chair.

Atlas entered the room, closing the door behind him. "Your Majesty we have received news that a young woman has been discovered in a nearby village. She bears an uncanny resemblance to the description you have given of Her." 

The King's heart leapt at the news. "Bring her to me at once," he commanded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I must see her for myself."