John's life is filled with regrets and failures. He did things he could never undone. He saw things he could never forget. At a young age, he learnt magic, occultism, and mastering the Dark Arts through the years. His magic knowledge didn't grow without costs; many people around him died. People lost faith in his capacities.

Except the ruler of the kingdom who never stopped trusting him. It had been unexpected, but John became a court mage and royal advisor⏤the closest man next to the monarch. He took his job seriously, leaving his shady past behind him. People trusted him again, believing in his magic skills. He had always admired the ruler and secretly started to fall in love with the latter.

John was walking in the castle's corridors. Despite that he was pipe-smocking, he could feel the stress growing. "Your Majesty?" He called, looking around. "Where the hell are⏤"

As John looked toward the garden, he noticed a small group of people. The monarch was talking to some knights, taking care of an issue. John felt his worries living. He stepped outside, a small cloud of smoke escaping his lips. He listened; as always, the monarch was charismatic and respected by everyone.

"And here I was worried for you. You're doing fine without me." John teased, taking a playful tone while watching the knights leave.

The court mage stood next to the kingdom's ruler, a nice breeze blowing in the garden. He enjoyed his life there, being alongside the monarch. Sometimes, he wished he could be more than the royal advisor, but no matter how close he was to the monarch after all these years of loyalty, they were still in two different positions. John had been burying his true feelings, the way he fell in love through the years for his monarch.

"Anything today? Or have you dealt with every issue already?" John blew another cloud of smoke. He put a hand on his chin, looking at the Monarch to the corner of his eyes. "If I can advise you, you should take a little break. Being the best monarch must be tiring." He smirked.