King Shumiel Dan and Princess Peressa in the castle gardens.

More about King Shumiel Dan and Princess Peressa in the castle gardens.

Shumiel Dan led Peressa in the of blossoming trees, letting her marvel at the beauty of the place.
"I call this area place Mariamana, after my mother, who died in imprisonment under the last king Okmijhiu and Lady Raven. But that is another long story. But come, look at the wonders of this tree. I often come here to sit and think. And on the tree are written all the names of the past kings of Alacia," said Shumiel Dan.
Peressa smiled and ran up to the large gnarled tree, circling round it, running her hand along its rough surface and looking curiously at all the names.
Finally she stopped back at the entrance of the bench-circle.
"I did not see your name," she said questioningly.
The king shrugged. "I havn't signed it yet."
"Whyever not?"
"I don't know. I guess sometimes I still find it hard to believe that I am actually king, and am waiting for some special time. Or perhaps it would be more interesting to remain a mystery in history, and inly exist in people's memories when my time has come," he replied.
"Oh, but is it not better to be recorded? It must be exciting to be able to put your name down with the great kings of the past and believe you are one of them. There was no tree on which the princesses of Anchora might record themselves," said Peressa, somewhat wistfully.
Shumiel Dan smiled wryly. "Not all of them were great," he said, reffering to the past kings on the tree, and remembering the treachery of Okmijhiu.
"Well, come then. Let us return to the castle, your majesty, and sup together for the noon meal," said Peressa, smiling fondly and reaching for his hand again.
And so they did.

Part 6 of The Blue Cape dream story series.
To be continued...
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4/6/24