The day began like any other. Seeker woke with the dawn, washed his face and hands in the basin by his bed, and went downstairs for a modest breakfast of fresh-baked bread and water. Then he made his way to the tower.
His mind swirled with verb conjugations. He had just finished reading about the life of the Prince in one ancient tome and had begun learning the alphabet of another.
As he stepped out of the cottage, a song drifted from the wheat fields—sweet and melodious, the birds singing in perfect harmony. His thoughts of study vanished. He had to find the source.
He rounded the corner and saw her—walking gracefully through the wheat fields, her delicate fingers brushing the ripened grain, pausing now and then to pluck a golden stalk in perfect rhythm with her singing.
Her hair flowed gently in the breeze, long black strands whipping across her face. Her lips moved softly with the melody. Then she paused mid-word, catching sight of him. He had never seen such beautiful lips.
His eyes locked with hers. Were they twinkling or dancing? He smiled. She smiled back at him. His smile widened. He couldn’t stop himself. He felt like an idiot. Then she beamed. Her face lit up, outshining the sun. Her beauty made the moon pale by comparison. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. He was lost in the radiance.
Time seemed to slow down as she walked towards him. She poked him in the stomach with her index finger.
“I’m Beautiful,” she said matter-of-factly. Never had a name fit more perfectly. Everything about her whispered it. Declared it. Beautiful.
“Yes, you are!” Had he really said that out loud? What a fool.
Surprise flickered in her eyes, and she took a small step back. Her gaze dropped, and she giggled. A moment later, her smile returned in a flash.
Say something. Say anything. “Do you want to go see the stream together?” he stammered. “Maybe tomorrow?” Where had that last part come from? He really wasn’t thinking straight.
He’d made up his mind. Her eyes weren’t just twinkling—they were dancing.
“What’s wrong with today?” she shot back, already sauntering toward the stairs. “Try to keep up!”
