The Midsummer Bride, Chapter 1: The Drawing
Every year for the midsummer festival, a Midsummer King and Queen are selected. This year, the queen role ends up being local King Shadow Milk. Much to his surprise, Healer finds himself selected as the king, forcing him into close contact with King Shadow Milk.
You could feel it, when midsummer approached.
Spring had a chill to it that faded as the day continued, only to come back as the moon darkened the sky. Each day, it grew warmer and warmer, the morning dew pressing against his ankles. Birds sang and chirped, laying eggs that would become baby birds. Farmers made plans for sowing.
Midsummer was the space between spring and summer, regardless of its name. It was how the air grew warm, beckoning the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the beginning of summer.
Every year, the kingdom held the midsummer festival. Maypoles would be erected, dances would be held, food and drink would be consumed with a feast every night of the week. Finally, the eve before the day, many would gather bouquets of seven different flowers, like elderflower and roses, to place under their pillow. Supposedly, you would have a dream of your future love.
Healer had never placed the flowers under his pillows, but he had experienced many other parts of the festival since his arrival to the kingdom years ago. The midsummer festival was a thing of joy and excitement, with something different than other festivals. What it was, he wasn't sure- perhaps it was the excitement of summer? Or maybe-
A knock on his door made him yelp and nearly drop the jar he held. He scrambled to catch it, letting out a sigh when the jar of kudzu leaves didn't hit the floor.
Like every other festival, Midsummer had the possibilities of bumps and bruises and scrapes, or, at the very least, hangovers. Healer was always prepared.
He set the jar on the shelf and turned as the door opened. "Ah, Black Raisin!"
"It's time," his friend said. "They're summoning the village to the square."
"Oh! I'm coming!"
The two of them hurried out of his hut and towards the town square, joining the others flocking towards it. In the distance, he could see dust clouds rising from the direction of the castle. Black Raisin held his hand with hers, her steps faster than usual. Even the excitement of the Midsummer festival got his dear friend!
Well, at least this part!
The drawing of the Midsummer king and queen.
In the square, a platform had been erected. There, on two stands, were two decorated boxes. Both had backgrounds of sage green and floral decorations of gold. People pushed to be close, Black Raisin and Healer finding themselves in the center of the crowd.
Every year, names were drawn for the roles of the Midsummer court, with everyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status, having their names placed in each box. They were both the most vied-for and the most avoided roles in the entire celebration. The king and queen, once drawn, would have to spend every moment of the celebration together, and it was always interesting to watch.
Healer knew of at least three couples who had bonded during their time together as part of the Midsummer court and gotten married. One queen had taken it upon himself to adopt the king, a little girl, when her parents had suddenly died. He personally also had to heal several incidents of personal drama, such as when the king and queen had been a pair of twins feuding over their dead grandmother's cow.
"Oh, there's the king," Black Raisin said, interrupting his thoughts.
King Shadow Milk, a handsome man with threads of white running through his dark curls, waved as people cheered, settling on a chair overlooking the platform. Despite himself, Healer's breath had caught in his chest, and his face was warm.
He had been close to the king exactly once, during the last midsummer festival. He had come in drunk, with a wound on his arm. It was strange for several reasons, including his famous distaste for alcohol and his missing sword. For once, he wasn't wearing the stiff, formal garb he was wearing now.
He had been dressed simply, in a loose white shirt and flowing pants. His hair was left loose to frame his narrow, almost delicate face.
Healer had felt his eyes linger as he wrapped his wound and offered a tincture to help with his hangover in the morning. The king had grumbled his thanks.
And then-
"Are you married, Healer?"
"What?"
The king eyed him with a surprisingly sober look. "Are you married?"
"No, sire."
"With your beauty?"
"…I haven't tried to look yet."
The king had simply hummed before he left, leaving him with a strange thrum in his heart.
He looked a touch bored now, in Healer's opinion, waving up the dark-haired man who hovered next to him.
Black Sapphire, the king's personal assistant, hopped up on stage and waved. "Hello, hello, hello! Once again, Midsummer is upon us!" Several people cheered, and he laughed, giving them nods. When the noise had settled, he hummed. "Once again, we find ourselves crowning the new king and queen, who will guide us into the summer with great festivity!" More cheers rang out, and Healer felt his own voice join them.
Black Sapphire, once the noise died down, turned to the first box. The king box, marked with lilies and oak, almost seemed to gleam. He held out his hand, wriggling his fingers. A hushed gasp rippled through the crowd.
He reached inside and pulled out a piece of paper.
He unfolded it.
Everyone leaned forward.
Black Sapphire's eyes went wide.
"Oh!" His surprise sounded genuine. A dark flush formed across his cheeks as he smiled. "For the first time in years, I'm pleased to crown King Shadow Milk as the midsummer queen!"
There was a moment of stillness, and then the crowd burst into cheers. Healer found himself covering his ears from the sheer volume, and even Black Sapphire took a step back. He could see King Shadow Milk straighten up, his eyes briefly widening before he smiled. A young woman grinned like a maniac as she approached the king with a flower crown of hawthorn, orchid, and moonflowers, with a scepter flush with primroses. He took off his crown and allowed her to set it on his head, and she scampered back with a mad giggle.
So caught up in the excitement, Healer almost didn't see Black Sapphire reach into the box marked with ivy leaves and roses.
"And our midsummer king is…!" Black Sapphire squinted at the paper. "Who's Healer?"
The crowd went silent.
All eyes turned towards him.
Healer stiffened.
For some reason, he felt like he was in trouble.
"The blonde man, right there." King Shadow Milk's voice rolled over the crowd. He made a lazy beckoning motion. "Come up, Healer."
That felt like a cue.
The crowd launched into cheers and screams, louder than when they had cheered Shadow Milk. Someone grabbed him, and he yelped as his hand was torn from Black Raisin's hand. His yelp became louder as he was lifted up. The crowd seemed to have become one massive body, serving as a platform to him.
He was pushed onto the stage. He stumbled forward, barely able to catch himself before he landed on his face.
He looked up.
Black Sapphire's face was scrunched up, like he wasn't sure whether to laugh or be disgusted. The young girl was openly making a face. It wasn't until the king cleared his throat that she stepped forward with a flower crown of roses, ivy, and lilies, and set it on his head. Next, she set a green cape, the collar flush with hydrangeas, around his shoulders, barely touching him as if he was going to give her something.
"Thank you," he said, unsure of what else to say.
The young girl simply gagged as she stepped back. Healer straightened up as he adjusted his crown, and red entered his vision.
He looked up.
King Shadow Milk eyed him. He felt himself gulp as he met his blue, blue eyes.
A hand raised up.
Healer glanced at it. Was he…?
There was a gentle shake.
Oh.
He placed his hand in his. King Shadow Milk laughed softly, the sound making his ears burn as they turned to face the crowd.
"Your king and queen of midsummer!" Black Sapphire said, and the crowd cheered. "Please, come to the castle for the first feast tonight, and have a good solstice!"
As the crowd started to disperse, Healer sighed.
He still had a lot of work to do-
"So, are you married yet?"