Chapter 16: A Deal
The scarce rays of sunlight gingerly seeped through the long, thick, heavy curtains that mimicked the color of the night sky, barely reaching the silhouette of a tall man standing in front of the farthest wall in the dark and stuffy portrait room.
Euris Ruan, dressed in the distinguished black and blue royal uniform, carefully adjusted his long, flowing, dark blue mantle. He ran his big, weathered hand over his carefully styled, shoulder-length black hair, moving it away from his face.
The King fixed his piercing green eyes on the towering portrait resting on the floor, concealed beneath a voluminous sheet of thick white fabric. With one precise motion, he unveiled the beautifully painted picture ensconced within the wide, intricately carved golden frame.
It portrayed a young woman, captured in a moment of timeless beauty, standing in a meadow with a generous bouquet of wildflowers cradled in her pale hands.
The woman emanated an unparalleled beauty. Her long, dark crimson waves of hair cascaded down her form with an almost living vitality. Her eyes gleamed like precious gems, filled with the warmth of sunlight, their golden brilliance creating a captivating contrast against her porcelain skin, drawing the attention of onlookers as if they possessed a hypnotic allure.
Adorning her head was a regal flower crown crafted from exquisite pink and white peonies, interwoven with vibrant red poppy flowers. The long, colorful silk ribbons gracefully danced around her figure, responding to the gentle caresses of the wind.
Her dress, with its simple yet elegant design, flowed lightly around her. The pristine white color mirrored the purity of her appearance, while the tight red corset, adorned with a myriad of colorful ornaments, stood out like a vivid bloodstain against her stomach and chest.
Euris shifted his gaze over the woman’s exposed shoulders, relishing the flawless whiteness of her skin. His eyes then lingered on her full, red lips as he softly whispered,
"You never smiled when people were looking, Yuliana. He was the only one who saw you smile. Tragic princesses, both of you."
The room’s stillness dissipated as the King detected the sound of approaching footsteps, accompanied by a low female voice that began,
"Here again? I suppose if it were socially acceptable, you would have glued this picture to your person, Your Majesty."