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There was an overwhelming feeling of grief, in this case, an actual cloud of it, blanketing The Dreaming.
It was a feeling settled deep into every subject, something that came off in waves, its origin, the heart of The Dreaming, the Palace.
The moment Lord Morpheus left in pursuit of finding his lost brother with his younger sister, Delirium, a sense of dread instilled itself into my bones.
I felt as if something awful was about to happen, I had tried to voice this concern to my King, yet he heeded no warning, from me nor Lucienne.
"Lord Morpheus, please, if I may." I had approached him just after his conversation with Lucienne, right as he made his way to the front doors.
He referred to me by name, in a tone one would only recognize as annoyed if they'd known the Dream King for quite some time.
"Forgive me, Lord, but it is as Lucienne has warned," I paused, "I cannot ignore the feeling that something dreadful is going to happen." Worry was evident in my tone.
There was a slight shift in his expression, his eyebrows quirking inward ever so slightly, with skepticism.
"You needn't worry for me," his eyes barely narrowed, yet his tone was soothing. "We will proceed with caution, whatever happens, will happen." He ended with a hint of a nod.
I pursed my lips, for fear of speaking out of line. I clasped my hands together and nodded. He left with his sister and returned a few short days later, bringing a storm of emotions so strong that all of his subjects could feel it. We all began mourning with him.
He had requested through Lucienne, as he so often does, not to be disturbed for the rest of the evening. Through her, I learned he would return to his duties the following day.
Having been created by him, much like everything else in this realm, I am a part of him. So, I struggle to fall asleep knowing and feeling his feelings.
I climb out of bed, and the palace is soundless, more so than usual.
Pulling on my robe and sliding into my slippers feels like a chore, with the grey depression that haunts the halls.
I haunt them, follow the paths of the ever-changing architecture, until eventually, I find a seat at an arched window.
No glass, just an open breeze and a small ledge. I lean against its supports.
I watch the skyline as the sun begins to rise over the dreaming, though today it is in small ways, colorless. Although it is still colorful, the intense feeling of loss washes some colors away. It is no less beautiful.
I take a deep sigh, a slipper falls from my foot, I watch as it floats down to the ground, taking its time in the long fall. I don't hear it hit the ground.
"I suppose I owe you and Lucienne an apology." A familiar, deep, powerful yet soft voice sounds from behind me.
I suck in a breath of air in surprise, looking over to him.
He does not look at me, his back is to a nearby wall, the faint, washed sunlight filters in over his pale skin and highlights his fierce cerulean eyes, rimmed in red. An odd, and unusual sight.
"Lord Morpheus," I turn to face him. "Think nothing of apologies on my behalf." I stare at my palms, face up in my lap.
He looks at me, a simple turn of his head, and his eyes speak more than his lips. "You needn't be gentle with me." He states.
"Forgive me, I cannot help it." I shrink slightly. " I-I do not wish to impose, sire, but ever since your return, I have, and I assume everyone else in the dreaming can as well, feel your grief. I am not you, but if I were, I'd wish for people to be gentle with me." I stutter.
"That is where you and I differ." He looks forward again, away from me.
"Please, Lord, is there anything I can do to ease the ache?" I wonder, knowing the answer already.
"No." He states simply. "I will be returning to my duties shortly." He turns away, set on getting to work.
"Of course." I nod. I look down and notice a new slipper has taken the place of the fallen one, I smile softly to myself. Something bittersweet lingers in my heart at the simple kindness of returning my slipper to me.
I look up at my King as he leaves the hall, though hope may seem like a distant dream as of current, he's changed in such small inconspicuous ways. Battles may arise soon, and there is still much loss to be had, his small kindnesses in times such as these make me believe that he will create hope much like how he created this realm.