a step, then another, then another.

it took a while for you to arrive at the river bordering your kingdom. having a tight schedule meant you couldn't visit very often, but it was a place you wandered off to when you were stressed. no one else came here, after all.

sometimes you'd sit, doing nothing for hours during the night to relax from your royal duties as the heir to the throne. sometimes you'd read. sometimes you'd swim in the water. either way, this was a place where you could finally relax.

the hot, moist air of a summer night clung to your skin, but it was still comforting in a way. today was a slightly different day, and you decided to cross the river by jumping on the rocks just poking above the water, technically stepping into another kingdom. one step, two step, three step...

you walked silently into the forest of the neighbouring kingdom silently, until you spot something in the corner of your eye.

a young man, most likely your age, sitting on his knees, long white hair draped across his back. an aura of authority and elegance, yet also oddly softness too, surrounded him. he seemed completely oblivious to your presence, his hands preoccupied with... plucking flowers? who was this man?