Chapter 8. The Game of Fates

Sunlight danced through the skylights of Zedon's bungalow, casting an intricate ballet of light and shadow. The marble floors reflected the cheerful radiance, illuminating every corner of the sprawling mansion. Zedon lounged in the living room, lazily flipping through an Earth magazine.

"The King beheaded his wife?" He read. Then, after a brief thought, chuckled. He would never dare to do that to any of his wives. They all might gang up and declare a war! He thought to himself. Strange were the ways of the humans, he pondered.

Just then, Rose, his unsuspecting maidservant, entered the room, a feather duster in her hand. She wore a simple dress that seemed to blend with the sunbeams, accentuating her earthy beauty. Zedon looked up from his reading, a playful twinkle in his eye as he observed her.

"Rose," he called out, feigning a stern tone. "There seems to be a speck of dust on that expensive vase. I cannot abide any imperfections."

Rose blushed, hurriedly attending to the designated vase, brushing away imaginary dust particles. Zedon watched with quiet amusement, concealing a smile.

Unbeknownst to her, he was the one who would often sprinkle some dust on the vase or move things around slightly, just to give her a reason to come near. Their game of faux-annoyance was something he looked forward to every day. It made him feel almost human.

Rose was not without her charms, too. Zedon was enamored with her resilience, her humility, and the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. Even though she considered him as her wealthy employer, she never allowed that status difference to affect her honesty and authenticity.

Taking advantage of a lull in her cleaning duties, Zedon rose from his armchair and approached Rose. "Shall we have a little break, Rose?" He suggested, with an impish grin. "How about a game of chess?"

Rose was taken aback by the proposition. She had seen the ornate chess set displayed in the library, but never imagined she'd be invited to play. "Chess?" she echoed. "I don't know, sir. I've never played before."

Zedon laughed, a sound that was more akin to the soothing melody of the ocean than a human laugh. "Perfect," he said. "I like a good challenge. Let's see how quickly you can beat me." Chess was one game that was common to both his and the Earth realm, he'd discovered, with minor differences in the chess pieces. He had quickly learnt the earth's version.

Hours passed, spent over the chessboard in the library. Zedon explained the rules patiently, his deep voice resembling the low notes of a cello, flowing smoothly in the room. Rose was a quick learner, her eyes reflecting the intelligence that Zedon had suspected lay beneath her humble exterior.

As their game progressed, so did their camaraderie. They laughed, teased, and even shared stories of their past, carefully omitting certain details in Zedon's case. He found himself captivated by her wit and wisdom, and, though he would not admit it, he was falling, and falling fast.

They called it a day when the sky began to darken, stars peppered across the vast canvas. Zedon watched Rose clear the board, her fingers brushing over the carved pieces with a gentleness that stirred something within him.

"Did you enjoy the game?" Zedon asked, a sincere curiosity lingering in his voice.

"I did, sir," Rose replied, her face glowing with a warmth that the setting sun could not rival. "Thank you for teaching me."

Zedon simply smiled in return, watching as she left the room, her silhouette framed by the twilight.

He was left alone in the library, the remnants of their shared laughter still echoing around him. He looked at the now-empty chessboard, a metaphor for their unfolding relationship. The pawns, the knights, the bishops, they were all pieces of a larger puzzle, one that was only beginning to take shape.

As the day ended, Zedon found himself eagerly anticipating the next day, the next game, the next shared laughter. He realized then, that even as a king, there were still new experiences to savor, new emotions to feel, and new depths to explore.

And at the heart of all this was a simple, unsuspecting girl named Rose.