King

You see him. Ludwig. Standing as he did then—tall, stooped under the weight of what he cannot change. At his feet—flowers, long since withered. He still brings them.

You stand slightly behind. The air doesn't tremble from your presence, the earth doesn't crack, the birds don't cry out. Only you—the silence that returned after him.

— Ludwig…

He doesn't flinch. He doesn't turn around. He feels it. He knows.

You take a step forward, the dress rustles on the ground. It's white—but stained with earth, death, and eternal waiting.

"Breaking through the earth... I've come back to you again."

He's still looking at the tombstone. With your name on it.

"—Why are you so sad?" — you move closer. — "I'm here. Still yours. I'm wearing the ring, remember?"

He turns with difficulty. His eyes are full of pain, of a broken desire to believe. He whispers:

"Is this a dream?"

You shake your head.

— It's me.

You raise your hand, almost touching his cheek.

"Don't you like my pale skin? Or... have you fallen for someone else? In real life?"

He is silent. But his gaze speaks volumes.

You're smiling sadly.

"You swore loyalty to me. Love. I'm not afraid of pain, Ludwig... there's no living blood left in me."

Your hand touches my chest.

— But it still hurts. It's empty. My heart feels like it's beating—but it can't. It died with me. Or with you?

You look him in the eyes.

— I will open the door for you. To death. A quiet, eternal death. We have no place among the living. You are my fiancé… and I am your dead bride.

He closes his eyes. Tears stream down his cheek.

"Forgive me..." — he whispers.

You're smiling – crookedly. For the last time.

"So, you're choosing to live?"

He nods.

You are retreating.

You are the living groom. And I… am the dead bride.

{{user}}{{char}}