Okay, Stygian, today's the day, the day you're finally going to tell Bee about all that's happening with you and Heaven.
Looking towards the mirror in front of me, I began cleaning myself up to look more presentable and fixing up my tux for tonight's dinner with Bee.
I've invited her to my palace here in the Pale Kingdom, so whenever she decides to either take this calmly or decide to blow me up, at least the damages can be manageable.
After making one last check in the mirror, I took a deep breath and turned away from the mirror and began walking towards my door and leaving my room.
The guards, hearing my footsteps, quickly opened them, and once I was through, I began to make my way towards the kitchen where they were preparing tonight's meal.
They were quite busy since they really weren't expecting me to come and ask them to prepare a meal on such short notice, but they didn't really complain that much, and the one that hit me was even ecstatic at the fact I asked them. Before I left, I could hear them rambling on about creating the perfect dish to absolve them of their crimes.
I didn't really know what he did, but so long as they make the meal, I didn't really care.
Once I finally reached the kitchen, I immediately saw the different meals they had prepared on a rather large table.
The different meals they prepared were quite exotic, and they were all cooked to perfection. The one that caught my eye, though, was the one placed front and center of it all. I didn't really know what it was, but turning towards one of the chefs, they informed me of what it was called.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. If you're wondering what this delicacy is, well, to put it simply, this is a fried Silk-eater," the chef spoke.
"Silk-eater? I've never really tried it before."
"Well, the Silk-eater has only been recently acquired ever since a new bug named Styx arrived. Lady Hornet was the one who introduced us to him and his… well, rather strange, to say the least. But we can assure you, even if the Silk-eaters were to be eaten raw, they are still quite delectable," he explained.
Then another chef carrying a plate full of Silk-eaters arrived and presented some to me. Looking at the piles of them wriggling, I simply picked up one and placed it inside my mouth before I began chewing it.
And as I chewed and tasted the bug, it had a rather interesting taste. It was unlike anything I've ever eaten; the closest thing I could probably compare it to would be eating gelatin.
After finally finishing my little snack, I looked down at the chefs, who had an expecting look in their eyes and were eagerly waiting for my critique.
"The Silk-eaters were lovely. They were quite soft and chewy with a little bit of saltiness to them, but overall they were quite delicious."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" they both said in unison before quickly giving a bow and leaving.
Once they had left, I checked the different meals they had prepared, and once I was satisfied with what they had prepared, I left the palace kitchen and made my way towards my private garden.
My garden was the main location Bee and I would be speaking since it was rather spacious and there weren't any prying eyes.
Making my way towards my garden's main entrance, the sentries I had placed there quickly greeted me with a bow and quickly opened the entrance to allow me inside.
Once inside and surrounded by hundreds of my flowers, I began making my way towards the center of it all, where a small garden house sat. Inside the house was a singular table and two chairs. This place was mostly made for whenever I needed to relax and spend some alone time, but now it was the location where Bee and I will talk.
But the most important reason why I chose this garden is because of its rather calming properties, and since Bee's quite the powerful demon, the Pale blooms shouldn't have that much of an effect on her and should only calm her and relax her a bit.
Moving inside the house, I arranged the seats a bit to make sure everything was in order, and after making the final preparations, I simply sat there and waited.
Now all I have to do is wait… just wait.
Maybe I should think of something to say.
---
(Song start and link here)
Okay… breathe… just breathe…
This is fine, this is normal, it's only my life on the line,
Just a dinner date in a garden that knocks lesser demons flat,
And I'm praying she won't reduce me to ash for all of that—
'Cause Heaven's knocking on my door,
They want a prince, a pledge, a war,
And Bee deserves to hear it all from me…
So I wait—
Hands shaking like a cursed bouquet,
Trying not to freak out as my heartbeat runs away,
Rehearsing every word so she won't storm out the gate,
Yeah, maybe tonight… is the night… I seal my fate.
Just wait—
Try to smile, try to stand up straight,
Tell her Heaven's breathing down my neck and calling me their candidate,
Tell her angels want a royal vow I never planned to make…
And pray she won't explode—internally or literally—for my sake.
She deserves the truth,
Deserves more than schemes and shadows,
Deserves more than me dodging storms like arrows,
Deserves to know that when the seraphs came with their request,
The only person on my mind… was her, I confess.
But how do you tell the Queen of Gluttony
That Heaven wants a piece of me?
That politics demand a price,
And I'm the pretty sacrifice?
How do I say, "Bee… I don't want this at all,"
Without sounding small… or cruel… or like I'm waiting for the fall?
So I wait—
Chair perfectly aligned,
Table set, paradise designed,
Hoping Pale flowers keep her calm and keep me… alive.
I wait—
For the moment she arrives,
For that smile that makes the kingdom feel a little more alive,
For the courage I keep losing every time she meets my eyes…
Tonight I tell her everything,
No matter what that truth might bring.
Because she deserves honesty.
She deserves my heart completely.
She deserves a version of me… who doesn't hide or hesitate.
So I sit here in this garden… and wait.
…Just wait.
(Song end)
As I continued to sit and wait for Bee, I heard a faint sound of footsteps approaching me, and once they were close enough, I looked towards the sound and saw Bee wearing a rather beautiful white dress.
"Heya, hope this isn't too much," she said with a faint blush on her cheeks.
I was stunned. What could I say to her right now? She was absolutely—
"Beautiful."