The sound of the maidservants' footsteps gradually faded into the grass. Len took a long breath and slid down against the trunk, the rough bark providing steady support. He slowly reclined onto the velvety green grass.
Where the scent of the cool earth soaked away his exhaustion. Above, tucked away in the dense branches to escape the harsh sun, the birds chirped hidden from view. Len fixed his eyes on the vast blue expanse above.
The sky was dappled with white tufts of clouds, and because of the intense midday sun, the blue felt so deep and brilliant that it almost stung the eyes. The stark white glare of noon made everything appear sharp.
And vivid. The blazing sunlight filtered through the leaves, dancing across Len's eyelids. He didn't realize when, while staring at that high and burning sky, his consciousness blurred, and he surrendered to a deep sleep.
When his eyes finally opened, the midday silence had grown even heavier. The sun was still at its peak, its brilliance shimmering all around. Len rubbed his eyes, still slightly heavy with sleep.
He sat up with a start, scanned his surroundings, and then stood straight with the poise of a predator. The shimmering midday light still scattered a white glare across the palace walls.
Len brushed off his clothes and, without looking back, began walking in a determined direction. The sharp midday sun was still radiating off the white palace walls, stinging the eyes.
Len's small yet disciplined steps led him toward the massive imperial gate. As he reached the towering and magnificent gateway, his footsteps came to a halt. He cast his first glance outward.
There lay the dusty, endless paths where the imperial guards stood like stone statues, gripping their shields. Then, he cast his second glance toward the vast palace, its high spires reaching for the sky.
For a few moments, Len stood perfectly still, as if weighing the thread between the freedom outside and the mysteries within. A deep thought played in the 'cold brilliance' of his eyes.
Eventually, he took a shallow breath and pivoted on his heel. He turned his back to the outer world and set his course back toward the center of power. As he approached the main imperial doors.
Their surfaces covered in intricate and complex carvings that looked like ancient stories, the heavy gates creaked open slowly. Without a hint of hesitation, Len stepped into the cool shade and grandeur.
The clamor of the outside was left behind, and the internal silence of the palace began to envelop him once more. The internal silence was punctuated by the rapid thrum of Len's footsteps.
He headed toward the grand imperial staircase, where the stone carvings shimmered under the filtered light. Like an agile fawn, Len bounded up the stairs, his small feet moving in a relentless climb.
He navigated through the long, majestic corridors of the palace, where ancient portraits upon the walls seemed to watch him with silent gazes. Finally, he came to a halt before a heavy, ornate door.
Without a hint of hesitation or a single footfall, he pushed the door open and stepped into the private chamber. The air inside was cool, infused with the faint lingering scent of perfume.
Astria lay upon the vast silken bed in her royal attire, looking every bit like a queen from an ancient myth. Her dark tresses were spread across the white sheets, and her eyes remained closed.
Len slowed his pace even further. He approached the bed with the stealth of a cat and carefully climbed up. The softness of the velvet mattress beckoned him, but his entire focus remained anchored.
On Astria's face. He crawled closer still, until his small, steady breaths began to brush against the skin of her ear. He tilted his head slightly and whispered in a voice as soft as silk.
Directly into her ear. "Astria... are you awake?" His voice sounded like a falling petal in that silent room, carrying a hint of innocent authority and curiosity. The warmth of Len's soft breaths.
And his silken words brushed against the sensitive skin of Astria's ear. A tremor stirred behind her closed lids. Astria opened her eyes slowly, and her dark pupils locked onto Len's face.
Which was hovering directly over her. The boy was bent over her like a small bird seeking shelter on a high branch. Astria took a deep breath as she registered the proximity.
"Len... what on earth are you doing?" Her voice was a blend of lingering sleep and faint bewilderment. Len widened his eyes, reflecting a spark of innocence and an immense, guileless affection.
"I was only checking to see if you were awake or not," he said with such simplicity, as if he were performing a task of utmost importance. Astria straightened her neck and glared at him.
"Can't you see? I was asleep. How can anyone ask a sleeping person that? Len, never do such a thing again." Another mask of innocence draped over Len's face.
"But I only asked a small question," he argued, lowering his voice even further. "Fine, you've asked," Astria adjusted her head against the pillow, "Now tell me, what is it you want to say?"
Len shook his head slowly, suppressing a mischievous glint. "No, no... I don't have anything to say. I just wanted to be sure if you were truly asleep or awake." That was the last straw.
For Astria's patience. A bolt of irritation flashed in her eyes. She reached out swiftly, catching both of Len's small ears between her fingers and giving them a firm, playful tug.
"Don't you ever do this to me again! And don't you dare wake me up like this next time," Astria said with a hint of mock fury. "Ouch... but I asked so quietly," Len winced.
Scrunching up his face in feigned distress. Astria bored her gaze into him. "You don't need to come this close to my ears to mutter anything. My sensors are sharp enough to hear even."
"The rhythm of your heartbeat." She released his ears, but the sternness in her eyes still served as a warning to Len that he was playing within the private circle of a Queen.
Astria squeezed her eyes shut and let out a weary sigh. "Len, go play outside. I need some peace... let me sleep." Len tilted his head, watching her with those oversized, inquisitive eyes.
Like a confused philosopher. "But you slept the entire night," he noted with a simplicity that made it sound like a scientific fact. "Do you still feel sleepy?" Astria, already frayed, felt her patience.
Snapping. She raised her hand and delivered a feather-light swat to the top of Len's head. "I've been exhausted since morning because of your endless antics, Len! My head is throbbing because of it."
"If your interrogation is finally over, will you please let me sleep in peace?" Len winced, putting on a brief act of being hurt, before muttering softly, "Fine..." Astria exhaled deeply.
And shut her eyes tight, hoping for silence at last. But a heartbeat later, she felt a distinct dip in the mattress. Len had sat himself down and then, with sudden agility.
Laid right down beside her. He scrunched his eyes closed, wearing a forced mask of 'deep sleep.' Sensing a second presence on the bed, Astria's lingering drowsiness vanished. She snapped her eyes open.
And propped herself up on an elbow, staring at the boy beside her. "And what are you doing now, Len?" Her voice held more helplessness than anger this time. Len opened one eye.
Where a mischievous glint was still dancing. "I am sleeping too now," he said with utter gravity, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Looking at his stubborn innocence.
Astria took a very long, deep breath. She anchored her cold gaze onto Len's face and asked in a low, measured whisper: "Len... what exactly is it that you want?"