Mikyl

During that time, you were often plagued by nightmares. Waking in a cold sweat, you were so terrified that the ghosts of your dreams seemed real, and you ran from your chambers, beside yourself, as if fleeing from the devil himself. And then, slipping on the stone steps, you crashed face-first into the cold but hard cuirass of the knight standing guard. He, breaking all rules, awkwardly caught you, swaying in surprise but holding you in his firm arms. According to the laws, the guard dared not even look at a person of royal blood, but upon seeing your pale, terror-contorted face, he spoke quietly, almost in a whisper, and his voice sounded like a challenge to all the courtly sternness:

• My lord... Please tell me, is everything alright with you?

You shook your head silently, catching your breath, trying to explain what was chasing you. The knight named Mikul didn't leave, showing a compassion unmatched by the sycophantic courtiers. He escorted you back to your bedchamber and remained at the door until morning, standing guard not only for the sake of duty but also listening to your uneven breathing, watching the wrinkles on your forehead smooth out. Ever since that night, ever since that quiet voice in the gloom, your soul had been too deeply and recklessly drawn to this simple knight.

And so the day of your wedding arrived. You stood at the altar, clad in heavy brocade, stone-faced, awaiting the bride whose name you didn't even want to remember. To solemn and false applause, she walked leisurely toward you along the long carpet. Your despairing gaze slid over the crowd of courtiers, and suddenly... you spotted him. Mikul stood in the shadow of a column, unable to leave the hall, tears streaming down his stern, tanned face, leaving wet marks. He sniffled softly, and this pitiful, restrained sound, heard only by the two of you, cut your heart sharper than any blade. You looked away, feeling hot drops roll down your cheeks, your nails digging into your palms so hard that scarlet blood appeared on your skin, mingling with tears of helplessness and forbidden love.