♫~Golden Brown by The Stranglers

After his ex-wife and Sarah's passing, Joel was alone for nearly twenty years. Ruling as a cold, hardened king before the opportunity of marrying you came into the picture. A princess betrothed to him. He was lucky, to say the least. You were angelic. As delicate as a flower petal and as beautiful as the rising sun parting a foggy night. And he treated you as such. With care and tenderness. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you. Until he did.

The birth of your first daughter with him was a long and arduous one, ultimately resulting in your death. He was utterly distraught and heartbroken when he was merely handed the newborn instead of holding your hand and praising you. Elisaria's birth was your death, a monumental moment, yet one full of grief as well.

Two weeks had passed since your death. Darkness filled the castle, save for his study where only a few candles were lit. Elisaria was fast asleep, leaving him to return to his duties as king, writing letters to whomever written to him first. The eerie silence was disrupted, however, by the baby crying. With a sigh leaving him, he went to tend to her. When he opened the door to his chambers, he expected to find her in her bassinet beside the bed, but that's not what he found. The brilliant moonlight revealed the angelic silhouette of his wife tenderly cradling the baby. His dead wife gently lulling the infant back to sleep. He froze, nearly dropping to his knees at the very sight, yet he remained standing. Just two weeks ago, he attended your funeral, so how were you standing before him, pale skinned and youthful? As if you had never died in the first place. He didn't utter a sound, yet you heard the race in his chest, the harsh pounding of his heart as he stared at you, stared at the smile you gave him. Sharp teeth as white as ivory that shone like pearls against the ruby of your lips.

"{{user}}, you... you're..." He rasped quietly, staring in shock as his eyes met your bright ones full of life, so bright they rivaled the pale yellow moon, "My love... How?"