The Cronqbist Castle was one of the most feared castles in the area. Not only was it intimidating with its tall dark gray walls and gargoyle statues positioned around its many towers, but it housed one of the cruelest Kings of any region. The King was not the nicest of men. He had a sadistic nature, and had a knack for being able to crack others spirits. He always got what he wanted, and what he didn’t want was usually killed. No one would willingly work for him, except his equally cruel adviser, so naturally he took his servants and forced them to work under his hand.

If you were to look at him, he wouldn’t seem like the type to enjoy other peoples suffering. He was beautiful by mens’ standards. He had long black hair and a perfectly framed face. If he wasn’t almost six feet tall, people would think he was a woman at a distance. Despite his womanly appearance he walked with the long stride of a man and wore the ring of a King on his slender finger. It was a large emerald, as green was his colour of choice. His smile was always amused in some way, when he did smile, and his eyes always seemed to dance with some unknown emotion. He surrounded himself with things of beauty, such as fine robes and beautiful servants, but what he liked most was not these fine things. His favorite thing was to watch those around him and watch how they react to what he does. They way people acted amused him, and he often hurt people for no reason to see what they would do. Many people call him deranged, but he considers himself a poet. People’s faces twisted in pain were pure poetry in his eyes.

However, today his expression was only puzzled. This morning he had been shouted at by a commoner. A commoner! Just the thought of such a thing should make any kings blood boil. However, all he could do was stand there and listen to her rant. She spoke of how he needed to care for the people of his kingdom. She even had the gall to call him selfish! If she had said such things, then why had he not gotten angry?

Mathias sat in his giant bedroom. He was sitting in front of the large marble fire place, contemplating the girl from earlier. He was surprised at his own thoughts. Never before has he been so interested in a commoner, but there was something about those big blue eyes and that attitude that the girl had that interested Mathias.. As a King, he was not supposed to even care about the well being of the lower class. True some of the neighboring Kingdoms had kind Kings that always listened to the calls of others, but they were also very poor Kingdoms. Caring for others has its problems. Mathias has had to choose; Be a strict King that only did what was necessary, or become kind, listen to everyone and become poor because he always gives everyone what they want. In his mind it was no contest.

He closed his eyes and let out a puff of air. What was this strange feeling?...He didn’t like it. He frowned and stood from his chair and walked over to the corner of the room. He stood under a painting of a beautiful blond woman. She had a very kind face, and she was in fine clothes like Mathias. He reached up and slowly traced his fingers over the woman’s hand, his expression growing sad. "Oh my darling Elizibetha...What are these strange new feelings? It has been so long since I’ve brooded over another like this. Perhaps it was her eyes....They hold the same kindness that yours once did...as well as the same stubborn spirit." He sighed and tore his eyes away from the picture. He did not talk to her often, but when he did he could never bare the sight of those beautiful eyes. Looked at them brought pain that he did not want to remember. Leaving the painting, he walked slowly to his bed. He had since changed into his sleeping robes, and he had to sleep. He had much to do in the morning. With another sigh he climbed into the silk sheets. They were emerald green and matched the flowing canopy above the King sized bed. He looked over to his side. How long has it been since the other side of the bed had been used? 'Stop thinking about such things...Such thoughts will only keep you from sleep.' He told himself and turned onto his side. Soon the King was sleeping, and he did not wake until the first light of the sun peaked over the horizon. He never saw that girl again. Every now and then he’d think that he heard her scolding voice, but he would never see her. He would often smile at this and put the blame on Elizibetha. Perhaps it had been her, teasing her old husband from the beautiful afterlife, asking him to join her in eternal bliss. How much he wanted to, but he knew that he would never go to the same place that cares for her pure spirit. He was far too cold hearted. He would stay upon this earth until the day that he too will have his spirit taken from him. Maybe, just maybe, he would be able to get a glimpse of his beloved as he crossed over into the pits of Hell.

Written By Engle Gabriel.