Picnic

The sky cracked with light hues, and the mockingbirds started chirping. Seren stood on her balcony, watching the world change its costume. Walking around the balcony, she noticed how pretty the lake was next to the swings. It had swans as well, and she wanted to see it up close. She felt sentimental.

She decided to go and see if Owen had asked the king for her. She went outside her room and started searching for Owen. She asked one of the guards, and he informed her that Owen was with the king and that she had to wait a little longer.

Seren paced the hallways, her fingers twisting the hem of her sleeve as she waited for news.

Owen finally opened the door of the king’s room. He smirked upon hearing the footsteps of Seren. He followed the sounds of the footsteps, and there she was, walking from side to side, swaying, biting on her cheeks. She seemed similar to a little hamster.

“Owen,” she called.

“So…” she raised her eyebrows.

Owen dramatically closed one eye and grimaced.

“The king's order, unfortunately, is…” he said.

“to stay by your side,” he added.

He noticed her face falling dramatically, but her face remained bright. She refused to admit to being sad. There she stood with a smile, but a clear sense of disappointment on her face.

Owen cracked up and said, "His Majesty agreed under the rule I stay by your side."

“It seems we're stuck together,” he added.

Seren’s face lit up upon hearing the news. She smiled with her eyes.

“Then we'll go now!” she said.

Seren’s heart fluttered as she rushed to her room, the news filling her with a rare lightness. She pulled on a periwinkle garb, braided her hair, and held it with a hairpin that had a star hanging on the edge.

Seren called for Bala and Lotus to accompany her and Owen to the picnic. She walked around the big garden, finally settling next to the lake with the swans inside. Bala and Lotus prepared the picnic while Seren walked toward the lake, trying to get the attention of a black swan.

“I wouldn’t try that, Your Grace,” Owen called with a grin.

“Why not?” she giggled, staring at the swans.

“Because swans are born evil!” he added.

Seren crouched by the lake’s edge, stretching out her hand with a hopeful smile. The swans glided past without a glance, leaving her pouting in defeat.

She finally chose to give up and stand on the swing. Swinging around, Owen sat on the neighboring swing, watching Seren swing back and forth merrily. She swung back and forth, her hairpin falling on the grass, and her hair fell on her shoulders.

Owen watched her swing, her laughter bright and carefree. For a moment, he couldn’t help but think that she looked like the sun. Not just in the way she glowed, but in how effortlessly she exuded warmth. It was strange; most nobles had an air of superiority, but not Seren. She was just... herself.

Seren turned to him, their eyes met, and Seren smiled at him.

“Thank you,” she said.

Owen’s ears reddened; it was the first time a noble had thanked him. He looked away, staring at the swans.

“It’s my job to keep you sunny, Your Grace,” Owen said softly, grinning with is eyes.

Seren inhaled the revivified breeze. She vividly remembered her time in her palace, running around the mansion and training in the courtyards. Even if it was for a moment, she found peace.

She sat on the swing, drifting into the past while staring at the lake. Suddenly, a great force from behind, pushed her to swing, cutting off her film of memory. It was Bala. She pushed Seren for a bit, waiting for a sign from Lotus. After Lotus gave her the sign, she stopped the swing.

“Your Grace, the picnic is ready,” she informed Seren.

Seren got off the swing and walked toward Lotus with Bala and Owen. She sat, enjoying the pastry that accompanied her tea. When she noticed that none of her subjects were eating, she pulled out three cups from the picnic basket and poured some tea, serving all three of them. They were amused and embarrassed by her kind gesture.

After a while, Owen pulled out a flute, the notes soft and graceful. But as the melody wound on, Seren’s eyes grew distant, her fingers tightening around her teacup.

“Enough,” she commanded, her voice firm.

“Play something more of taste,” she added.

Owen’s atmosphere darkened. It was fall, after all. She might be a sun, but it is best to stay away from, he thought. He played a different melody.

As the melody ended that day, the maids tidied up the picnic. While the jester and the noble lady stood waiting, Owen stared at the sky. The moon had risen while the sun was still up.

“Thank you,” Seren told Owen.

“Hmm,” he replied flatly.

“I don't know what the future holds,” she said.

“I might not be able to do this again,” she continued.

“It is an honor,” he smiled flatly.

He walked toward the lake, and as he was strolling, an object shimmered from the grass. He picked it up. It was Seren’s hairpin. He turned to call for her, but she had already vanished into the mansion.

Owen turned the hairpin over in his fingers, its tiny star catching the fading light, a faint smile lingering. Until next time, he thought.

Seren went back to her room, deciding to journal a bit while the maids warmed up the bath for her.

I feel like a pawn in chess, one who reached the far end only to become a horseman, Seren wrote in her journal. So free, unrestricted, and ignorant that I am just a pawn fated to inevitable death. She continued.

Lotus knocked on Seren’s door, declaring that the bathroom was ready to be used.

Owen was still outside, the hairpin still in his hand. A guard approached him, carrying a verbal message from the king, demanding to meet Owen as fast as possible.

Owen nodded to the guard and slipped the hairpin into his pocket. he moved toward the king’s chamber, ready for whatever orders lay ahead.