On the first day
A nobleman with sunkissed skin and dark coffee hair
Hailing from a House no one knew
Confidently asked me to dance
But seemed unsure of where to put his hands
His eyes filled with a sorrow that matched my own
Which never faltered from my gaze
Nor his hands from where they were placed
He listened to me talk for what seemed hours
Nodding and smiling contently the entire time
When I invited him to the feast
He came up with elegantly impoverished excuses
For why he couldn’t stay
A chaste kiss upon my hand
An apology for sneaking away
On the second day
He saved me from the ravenous beasts
Sporting the skin of men
When he threatened a blade to their throat
For attempting to tarnish my name
His cheeks flushed the brightest red
That crept up his ears
When I offered him a dance
As a token of my gratitude
I smiled for the first time since you left
His expression reminded me of you
I learned his name was Henry
A nobleman from the East
I couldn’t help but ask if he’d ever
Crossed paths with you
He looked surprised, then confused
And as the night before
He bid me a good night
Placing a kiss on my hand
Rushing away without delay
On the final day
I spotted you in the sea of noblemen
All doing their best to at least acquire a wife
For it was clear
Who I would crown my Prince
When I introduced you to my Father
You looked a mix of happy and forlorn
When he announced
We were to be husband and wife
You snuck off without a sound
But I know I must speak with you
For I knew your secret
And could bear to hide it no longer
I followed you to the garden balcony
Where I saw you begin to transform
