The market was lively that day.
The laughter of children mingled with the calls of the merchants. Aria's flowers, as always, attracted attention: rosy peonies, jasmine stems, small bouquets of mallows and hawthorns… But Aria herself was elsewhere.
Roy noticed.
For weeks he had been observing the silences between her smiles,
those moments when she suddenly stopped, her gaze lost toward the edge of the forest,
or those evenings when she climbed alone onto the roof, believing no one could see her.
That day, he waited until she finished selling her flowers. Then, aside, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
— Aria.
She turned around, surprised.
— Yes?
— You've changed, he said without hesitation.
— You're here, but your mind walks far away. Into shadows, perhaps.
She lowered her eyes, troubled.
— I… I'm fine, Roy.
But he crouched before her, took her hands in his, and looked straight into her eyes.
— Don't say that to me. I've known you for years, Aria. You smile, but… it's a sad smile. Your heart beats, but for something that silently consumes you. Tell me what you feel. Tell me what you're running from.
She bit her lip. Emotion overwhelmed her, but she didn't know how to explain this invisible link… this black and red thread woven between her and the man called the cursed king.
— It's complicated, she whispered.
— Then simplify it, Roy replied softly.
— Has someone hurt you? Is it a boy from the village? I'll make them run, you know that…
She smiled despite herself, moved by his loyalty.
— No… it's not someone from the village. It's not someone you can chase away…
Roy frowned.
— Aria, please. If it's a man… if he troubles you, tell me.
She looked away, lost.
— It's not him who troubles me, Roy. It's… me. What I feel when I think of him. What I become when I meet his eyes.
Roy felt a pang in his heart.
He looked at her as if he no longer recognized her.
— Do you love him? he asked, almost in a whisper.
Aria didn't answer.
The silence was enough.
Then Roy stood up, his heart tight, and said in a soft, broken voice:
— I may not be your brother by blood, but I am the one who will always watch over you. If what you feel becomes pain, or poison… tell me. I will never leave you alone in the shadows.
She nodded, eyes shining.
And in the sky, far away, a shadow passed… silent…
The cursed king had seen her smile. And that smile… was not meant for him.