The king's eyes

We walk side by side to the throne room where everyone is waiting for the king.

Samael walks proudly, his head held high, in his black and gold coat. His black eyes watch everything, the castle walls, the paintings that hang there, but especially nature through the windows. It’s very gratifying to no longer see him with his head down, irritated by everything and everyone...

I let him enter, then quickly I hear all the

“Ooooh!" of members of the court. I enter in my turn and all eyes are on me "she did it!" , "she succeeded!", "she healed the king!", "Unbelievable!".

Samael takes his place on his throne, I join the nobles who are all piled up facing their king to get a closer look at the new man he is today.

Samael speaks to everyone:

"As you can see, the bad spell has been removed, I am rid of this curse which will have taken eight years of my life.

Lady Iris Du Neflier here is the witch who managed to give me the power to defeat Shezaar’s latest work."

The crowd is jubilant, applause invades the room, "bravo!!" and cries of joy ring out.

Samael smiles then looks at me, shaking his head, as if to say “it’s for you, look at the happiness you gave them” obviously, we don’t have the same impression about the secondary role I played in this story. But I smile back at him.

Berenice announces that this day will be feasted, that tonight will be a festive dinner, and that we must spread the news, the king is cured.

A man comes forward to speak to me. I don’t think I’ve seen him here before. "How did you do ?"

"Hello, Sir? You haven’t been introduced to me, I guess?" I asked, annoyed.

"Hello… I am Grégoire Rognus, sorcerer. How did you overcome this powerful curse?" He insisted.

"Well, the king himself will explain how the curse was fought, if he wishes. You’re the newcomer of the day, aren’t you? What is your specialty?" I tried to be polite but he is not.

"...You don’t divulge anything, I’ll do the same. Have a good day." He said, and left.

Good. And fair winds.

Samael no longer needs to submit to the incantations of all these sorcerers who sometimes have questionable motives.

This one is particularly unpleasant. I hope he goes away soon, now that he knows he made the trip for nothing.

The festivities are settling in, people are happy, and things are changing! Samael chats and smiles at everyone, it gives me hope for the future.

I think back to what he said to me this morning. He wants me to stay by his side. I don’t know what to think about it.

For now, I don’t want to leave him, I’m unable not to look at him for a few seconds, so leave…

I will be heartbroken… Yes, his vulnerability and his strength in faith won my heart... This being complex and humble fascinates and overwhelms me.

His arms are such a comfort that you want to build your house there...

Life in a castle is absolutely not for me, but I can’t imagine living far from Samael today...

I don’t know. I need my freedom, but I need him.

For now, I am here. I don’t have to make a decision now.

A little later, Samael comes to find me in the gardens.

“I knew I would find you there," He said.

"Yes, crowds are not for me.

"Do you want energy from the forest? I want to spend some time with you." He asked.

"That’s a good idea, my king."

We move away from the party to reach the woods, the sun is shining and nature is flourishing, and the energy is easy to capture as the place is green, prolific, and fertile.

“Are you going to tell them?" I asked him.

"Yes, I have to.

I want to claim my origins. I want to normalize and trivialize the presence of other species in our lives, in our blood, and in all of our histories.

But there are going to be repercussions, and we have to prepare for them beforehand. Especially since I will impact my children directly, I want to know that they are safe with me here, before starting this revolution." He answered.

"When do you want them to come?" I pursued.

"I have already had a missive sent to inform them of my desire to bring them back to me.

They are two days away, I don’t know if they will leave immediately but I hope. I want to see them so much since I was able to face my obstacles." He said.

What good news, he's ready for a real-life now.

"Seeing you live this surge of joy and hope makes me so happy… Samael, you are a great and very respected king.

People will be delighted to know you are healed, they too will have this momentum of renewal, of unity, of peace...

You are going to change this world, and you will have a lot of support, we are at a turning point in history, I have faith."

I want to give him confidence, he has to be brave, more than ever.

He says: "I admire your enthusiasm, and I hope you are right. But I have to be on my guard. Opponents will come forward, that’s for sure. And even if I call on the other species to help me change things, they are peaceful people, they won’t be able to push back a determined enemy... It’s not going to be easy. But we will be ready."

The day continues and the music resonates even in the forest, the party is grandiose, people really want and need to let go, they dance to lose their breath, they sing at the top of their voices, they play group games, alcohol and food are distributed at will.

People from the town and nearby villages came to the gates of the castle to find out what had caused the party, after hearing the news they wanted to join us, and soon one group after another was arriving to dance and sing too, to the glory of our king.

What a sight to see all these happy people.

After enjoying the food and dancing for hours until dark, I go to my room to get ready for the night. I will join Samael next.

Arriving in the corridor of the rooms of the guest building,

I feel a spike in my heart… A sudden sense of impending danger...

I look around me but it is very dark..

Then I feel a violent blow on the back of my neck…

I lose consciousness...