Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 210. Rumors I (Patreon)

Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 210. Rumors I

Both men gazed at the woman with eyes widened by astonishment, their features mirroring a mixture of admiration and envy. "Good sir, you are blessed beyond measure! If only His Majesty possessed the wisdom to select a spouse as remarkable as yours." Their station as commoners had rarely afforded them glimpses of the king's wife, and even during the grand ceremony of their union, they had been granted nothing more than fleeting glimpses of her.

A mirthful glint danced within the depths of the cold-faced man's eyes as he entertained their remarks. "Indeed, perhaps His Majesty should learn how to choose a wife from me."

However, before the conversation could delve further into the realm of speculation, a procession of mounted soldiers, their armor glistening under the golden sunlight, emerged from the distance. The rhythmic clatter of hooves upon the cobblestones echoed through the air, announcing the imminent arrival of an esteemed figure. Leading the entourage was a man of regal bearing, his hair silver as the moon's gentle touch upon the night sky. His presence commanded respect and deference, and as he caught sight of the cold-faced man and his entourage, he inclined his head in a gesture of reverence, a show of deference typically reserved for those of significant importance.

The first man's voice dripped with astonishment as he nudged his companion. "Look, is it that General Frost? Why does he bow to us?"

"I don’t know," one man mused, his brows furrowed in perplexity. "Perhaps he mistook us for a high noble?"

A ripple of uncertainty coursed through their midst, their minds swirling with speculation, as the royal carriage drew nearer, a majestic carriage bedecked in opulence. The carriage exuded an air of regality, its embellished exterior shimmering in the sunlight, while the window remained shrouded behind a closed curtain, obscuring the secrets held within.

"You are correct," another voice chimed in, laden with a note of concern. "It is rare for His Majesty to close his carriage’s curtain, especially during his return to the city. Looks like he's indeed badly injured."

Whispers of worry rippled through the crowd as the carriage continued its stately procession, leaving an air of uncertainty and foreboding in its wake. The somber mood lingered, intermingling with the anticipation that had initially filled the air.

Amidst the mounting unease, the cold-faced man spoke with a calm and measured tone, signaling his departure. "Gentlemen, I must take my leave. I still have things to do." His wife, a vision of grace and resilience, followed closely at his side, her steps echoing with a quiet determination.

The two men swiveled their heads, their gazes lingering upon the retreating figures of the husband and wife.

"Alright, nice to have a chat with-" Their conversation came to an abrupt halt, left unfinished and suspended in the air like a melody interrupted mid-note. A sense of intrigue and fascination flickered in their eyes, beckoning them to delve deeper into the enigmatic nature of this encounter.

As the cold-faced man's hood was pulled back, revealing locks of dark blue hair cascading around his angular features, the piercing intensity of his eyes captured the essence of a tempest locked within. His countenance bore the weight of untold stories and hidden depths.

Beside him, his wife possessed an allure akin to the flickering flames of a hearth, her dark red tresses cascading in waves that danced with the fiery hues of sunset. Her eyes, the color of amethyst, shimmered with a hypnotic gleam, concealing untold secrets within their depths. Together, they epitomized an enigmatic union, a tapestry of contradictions and unfathomable mysteries.

Silently, the couple traversed the cobblestoned streets, navigating the labyrinthine web of the city with a familiarity that hinted at a deeper connection. A dark alleyway beckoned them, where whispered conversations and clandestine affairs danced in the air like ethereal wisps of smoke.

A glimmer of realization flared within the minds of the two men left behind. Recognition dawned upon their faces, as the puzzle pieces began to align.

"Wait... could it be?" one of them murmured, his voice hushed with a mix of awe and disbelief. The resemblance between the cold-faced man and their king grew impossible to ignore as if a mirror image had been granted life and imbued with its own unique essence.