The Cursed King

A few weeks passed by until it finally Elise's birthday came. In the past, Elise would be greeted by her father and grandmother when she woke up. The whole kingdom of Myreen would celebrate this wonderful day by spending it in festivities.

Of course, it was not fun for everyone.

There were others who gossiped on that day and didn't think it was a proper day to celebrate.

It was also the same day where Elise overheard that her mother died on the same exact day. King Alexander tried to not let Elise know about it until she was of proper age and could understand what death truly meant.

After Elise realized that her birthday was the same day as her mother died, she realized how much love her father and grandmother had for her. King Alexander could have spent the entire day grieving his late wife, but the man instead threw a celebration for Elise.

This was something that made Elise become grateful for her birthdays and she treated it more respectfully. 

Even though King Alexander wanted to throw the same banquets and feasts, Elise usually would opt to visit her mother's grave with him. For someone who gave up her life to give Elise a chance to live, she wanted to be grateful for Catalina Leoralei and pay her proper respects.

Now it would be Elise's birthday far from Myreen and she was to spend it here in her new home. 

Elise thought of Queen Maude often, she missed her mother-in-law who made her feel what it was like to have a mother.

Now that a lot of time had passed, Elise's heart still ached and yearned for the earlier days where she could be with Queen Maude… but there were other things that she was also looking forward to.

Elise wanted to keep her promise to take care of Loriel.

Those things were on Elise's mind when she finally got up from her bed and prepared for the day. Once she was prepared to go out, that was when Elise found her people waiting for her.

"Happy Birthday, Your Majesty." Alina greeted Elise alongside the two Myreen knights.

Elise smiled brightly at them and was grateful that she was accompanied by people who remembered it. Well, these people weren't the only ones who remembered it.

"He promised to give me a gift…" Elise said to herself and felt her heart flutter.

Even though the two of them didn't meet regularly except for the official ones that Elise could attend to perform her duty as the queen, Elise realized she could head out to the king's residence and maybe ask about it?

"Ah, His Majesty promised to give you a gift, Your Majesty?" Alina asked. "Will you be leaving for the king's residence? Shall I accompany you?"

"Please have a good day, Alina. I think I can go there by myself." Elise happily shook her head. She was a lot faster than Alina asking for the carriage, but she didn't want to say it aloud.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Alina curtsied. Naturally, the queen would like to have alone time with the king on her special day. She understood that much.

Elise was already fixed on the idea of meeting with Loriel as she prepared to go out.

"I'm not sure what he'll give me? I don't think it would be a dragon like Renwyck's but I'll be very happy if it's something that can keep me company," she murmured to herself. Any kind of pet, as long as it was from her husband, she would feel grateful and happy to receive it.

"Does it mean that Your Majesty does not find me suitable company?" Alina asked.

Elise blushed much to the amusement of her maid. "You're wonderful company, Alina. I… I just wished that Loriel would spend more time with me. But that hasn't been much of an option."

"Yes, His Majesty has been very occupied with a lot of things," Alina said. Useless things if someone were to ask the maid, but she kept her opinions to herself.

"But because he promised to give me a gift, then it means that he at least thought about me, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Alina nodded. Even though the maid was afraid that the king forgot about the queen's request, she didn't say a word.

This was Elise's special day. She didn't want to jinx it.

"Well then, I'll be off, Alina. I'll see you later once I have my pet!" Elise smiled cheerfully and left the queen's residence.

This was one of the few times that Alina saw the young queen actually look excited to go out. It was no joke to say that Elise had been incredibly lonely and no maidservant or knights from Myreen could fill the void.

Elise soon arrived in the king's garden and saw Loriel carrying a kitten in his arms. Her heart leaped with joy.

"Ahh... you remember..." Elise gushed. Her hands pressed her lips in awe and excitement.

"Huh?" Loriel furrowed his brows. 

"My birthday present…" Elise smiled sheepishly. She was so touched because her husband really remembered to give her a pet for her birthday. The kitten was all black and so lovely. She pointed at the kitten in Loriel's hand. "She is so beautiful."

Loriel pointed at the kitten in his arms and tilted his chin at her. "This?"

He didn't understand what's beautiful about this stray kitten. It was black, thin, and ugly. When he woke up this morning, he heard this kitten meowing incessantly, probably looking for her mother. He was so annoyed and found the kitten, ready to throw her out if he couldn't find its mother.

"Yes... I told you I would like to have a pet for my birthday..." Elise smiled brightly and nodded. "I love the kitten. Thank you so much!"

Pet for her birthday? Loriel held his breath unknowingly. Was that today?

He didn't remember promising anything for her birthday. Heck, he didn't even know when she was born. So.. it's today?

The king felt guilty for this mishap. He vaguely remembered said to Elise that he would get her a pet for her birthday before he went with Renwyck and the dragons to punish his traitorous brother-in-law.

Seeshh….

Elise walked closer to Loriel and petted the kitten's head lovingly. Loriel watched her and the kitten with conflicting emotions.

This foolish girl thought this stray kitten is her birthday present?

She must have such a low standard for thinking this kitten beautiful. Wait… that means she also thought Loriel's standard was low. How could he gift an ugly cat to his wife?

Loriel had great taste. If he really wanted to give Elise something, he would definitely choose the best of the bests. Not this… ugly thing. 

However, the king had no choice. If he said this kitten was not her birthday present, his wife would feel offended because he forgot her birthday.

What to do?

If he confirmed that this ugly creature was indeed her birthday present… Elise might think he did have such a low standard, a king with bad taste.

Sigh.

Loriel cleared his throat. "What will you name him?" 

He looked at Elise curiously and handed over the kitten to Elise. Fine.. if she wanted this kitten for her birthday present, she could have it.

Elise took the kitten with glee and kissed its head lovingly. 

She thought the kitten was a really lovely kitten even though it was thin and her fur was a bit dirty and the color was dull. She loved it because it was a gift from her beloved husband. He remembered her birthday! And he made time to get her a present, even though he was uber busy.

"Uhmm... I don't know yet," Elise looked embarrassed that she had not prepared any names for the kitten. The truth was, she really didn't expect her husband would remember her wish and give her a pet.

"Hmm.." Loriel crossed his arms on his chest and narrowed his eyes to observe the kitten more closely. He didn't want her to have the pet… maybe he could find an excuse to get her another one.

It would be embarrassing if other people saw the queen of this powerful empire had such an ugly kitten for a pet. They would know it's a present from the king. And eventually, Loriel's reputation would be ruined.

He didn't want people to laugh at his family for having an ugly pet. Hmm.. maybe he could get her a peacock, or even a mythical creature like a phoenix. They are more suitable for the queen of Summeria.

"I'm disappointed that you asked me for a pet, yet you didn't prepare the name for it," he looked at her, pretending to be disappointed. "I think I cannot let you keep it."

"Please, don't..." Elise couldn't imagine abandoning the kitten. "I have a name for it..."

"You do?" Loriel raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, yes..." Elise looked around her frantically, trying to find inspiration quickly as she noticed the brick wall behind her husband. She felt relief flood her chest and she smiled, "Her name is Brick."

"Didn't you say you didn't know her name yet?" Loriel raised another eyebrow. He wanted to know how she could get away with this.

Elise shook her head shyly, but her eyes looked determined. She was a bad liar, but she tried nonetheless.

"I have some names for it already, I just couldn't decide which one I like better, between Brick... Pot... or..." She licked her lips again and looked behind Loriel. Finally, her eyes glinted with excitement. "Or Pebble."

Loriel chuckled and nodded. "Okay. So, out of those three candidates, you finally decided on... Brick?"

Elise nodded vigorously. "Yes."

"Okay, you can have it." Loriel cleared his throat. "So, the name is... Brick?"

Elise nodded. "Yes."

"Are you sure?" Loriel looked at her deeply. "We can still find another, better name for it before this one gets stuck."

Elise shook her head.. "It's Brick."