I Do

‘I have always been weird. I don’t know when it started. Was it my mothers death or was it always like this?’

The young Lim walked through the inner corridors of the palace as his head turned to the incessant bickering of passersby.

“It's him!”

“That’s a boy? Are you serious?”

“He takes after his mother too much. Poor thing her death must have ruined him.”

“I heard he’s the only child.”

“The Alda clan is ruined”

“The old fool can no longer think for himself”

“Entrust the kingdom to a child? Are you out of your mind?”

“This is our chance. If he’s gone then humans can rule again.”

“Shhh he’s right there….”

His life had always been the same as mere objects for these faceless aristocrats who talked as if he wasn’t there. They schemed amongst each other on how best to get rid of him as well as the constant insults to him as a person.

Lim was living between two extremes, the only heir to the throne and the enemy of a faction that despises elves of any form. He was just a young kid, with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

***

The Lim sat quietly with eyes that peered into blank space as the faint clicking sounds of knives inches deep within his brain like incessant bugs.

*Klink*

*Klink*

*Klink*

It was a spacious dining hall of rich mahogany wood and diamond encrusted gold decorations that scattered haphazardly alongside piles of decadent lavish meals. Hot steaming cuts of pork, chicken and beef with juices that drizzled down like thick sweet honey.

“Young Master Alda if the food is not to your liking then we–”

“No Barbrus it is fine.”

“Very well. Young Master please do speak up. You will not grow if you keep this up….”

[I was a Doll!]

At the end of the long table sat a slender old man with long greasy hair that stopped at his shoulders. His eyes were that of an opaque emerald that was more reminiscent of rusted green copper.

His skeletal arms held a silver knife that was used like a barbaric butcher's weapon. It pierced and sliced through the roast chicken with uncouth savagery. His teeth teared at the meat like a rabid wild animal.

Lim could only look with a plain and empty gaze as pieces of tomato juice scattered like blood all across the room.

[A tool of a dying clan.]

***

‘The only peace I knew was with her.’

Lim ran out from his room dodging guard patrols and making sure to steal some desert from the kitchen. He escaped through a hidden passageway that led to an abandoned garden.

Estra sat under their apple tree lazing away in the sunlight. She looked towards the panting Lim as he handed her a piece of chocolate candy.

“Here.”

“You know you don’t have to keep doing this? Sure I don’t mind…AAAAH.”

Estra swallowed the chocolate whole.

“Weird. Tasty but weird.”

“You’re meant to chew on it.”

“And waste effort on something so small. You humans sure do have funny ways of eating. Your teeth should be reserved for MEAT. This weird fruits are small, so down it goes.”

“It’s not a fruit. It's chocolate.”

“I don’t care what you call the fruit Lim, but thanks again.”

Lim sat down with her exhausted from running all the way to the tree.

“I have a question, Lim. Are you sure you are not a girl?”

“Huh? What sort of question is that?”

“Not that it’s a bad thing. It’s just you seem different.”

“I guess that's true, I am weird.”

“Don’t say things like that, I think you’re fine. It's not my place to judge whatever makes you feel happy, that's all that matters.”

Lim laughed.

“Sily, I am not a girl, I guess I do look the part. They all say I do but I guess that's alright. I’m alright.”

***

[Present Day]

Lim slipped his hands through white gloves feeling the warm sun on the intricate patterned fabric. He stood in front of a mirror wearing a full wedding gown cut short with a pleated white skirt. It was decorated with translucent floating scarves that wrapped around the dress.

He turned around spinning the skirt as his glass heels tapped around on the wooden floor.

“It's perfect.”

Gendry smiled back, sitting down with the staff of the store.

“I’m sure she’ll love it.”

Lim sharply retorted back.

“If she doesn’t I'll make her!”

“Hah go get em tiger. She’s a lucky woman.”

Lim turned to look at himself again in the mirror. His face was gleaming with radiance and lips that shone with a pinkish glitter from his lipstick. He saw in the mirror a picture perfect reflection of his mother.

“No, that's wrong. It is me. It is Lyse.”

Lim quickly rushed out of the store with the faint chime of the doorbell ringing behind him. He ran through the streets as autumn leaves fell upon the bright blue skies. Flower petals were scattered throughout the streets, still fresh from the previous festival.

‘I have always been weird. It was a part of me and will always be. I am not ashamed of it. I have gone through unimaginable suffering but it will all be worth it in the end. I know it will be. The story of my reality. The story of my truth will finally start anew!’

***

Estra stood at the end of a discrete private garden with hedges that rose higher than her. It was bushes of thorns that bloomed with roses of red and purple. She wore a dark purple suit with a golden raven skull pin at the top.

She opened a mail with her claws pulling out the note.

“Dear Estra, I hope this message finds you well. I have made additional arrangements such as your requested wedding venue. This had been difficult to procure but I pulled some strings and allowed you to use the royal gardens. It should be the best spot for him. I know this may not yet make amendments for my sins but it is a step. Additionally, a private charter ship will be ready to set sail come morning. Whatever adventures you both decide to embark on, I wish you all the best. Regards, Edman Alguia Captain of the RadiantDawn.”

Estra chucked to herself.

“Hah, this fool is trying to win us over Lim.”

Estra turned around to see Lim in his wedding gown. He carried in his hand a bouquet of flowers and a wide smile on his face.

“What do you think?”

“Stunning, hot and sexy!”

“Shut up! Estra… What's with the fancy get up… hehe.”

“It’s all for you my master… you do look amazing Lyse.”

Lim chucked the flowers backwards as he ran towards Estra’s open embrace. They held each other with yearning eyes that peered deep within.

“Now what?”

“Sily, what else?”

“Til death… hah scratch that, you may kiss the bride.”

Estra and Lim closed their eyes holding each other with their soft lips connecting in a sensual union. Their heads were filled with pure bliss and maybe of less than pure thoughts.

The story of Lim and Estra has now begun. A romance that overcame bloody tragedy.