King Hector's Goblet

She touched the little box in her pocket and smiled. It has to be tonight, she thought. She was riding, with the stars above her head, on horseback. Her black hair was flying in the wind. Her dark green eyes were set on the rocky road ahead. Her red dress was billowing around her grey horse that galloped through the night. Her destination was becoming closer.

Meanwhile, a castle was bustling about. Many intriguing guests were dancing and socializing underneath an illuminated chandelier as butlers and maids were put to work servicing. In the dining hall an eruption of cheers exploded throughout the room as King Hector ordered another round of drinks. His cheeks were quite flushed on his fat face. His head was so bulbous it was a wonder how he ever got his golden jeweled crown to stay upon his head. Beside him stood his younger brother; Prince Reed. The two brothers showed little or no resemblance. Prince Reed was a bit taller than Hector causing most towns people to think Reed were older. Reed was also a lot thinner than Hector making him more agile and able bodied.

"Oh my brother," Spoke the king. "Do you know where my beloved Josefine may be lurking?"

"I do not," Reed replied. "Would you like me to send one of the servants to fetch her?"

"No, no, don't bother the servants. I'm sure Josefine will show herself at her own time." King Hector raised his goblet and filled everyone's cup once again with red wine.

Outside the great castle Josefine demounted her horse and handed the beast to one of the stable hands. She smoothes her hair and dress before entering her castle and presses her lips together creating a red pigment. As she walks past the many guests she is greeted with many lips brushing against the back of her hands. She smiles back politely and exchanges curtsies and bows. At the same time her head swivels from the left and right in search of the ONE. Then, alas she spots him on top of the grand staircase laughing at a joke from one of the guests and holding his goblet high above his head. Her smile finds its way across her face as she observes him from her spot at the bottom of the stairs. She looked down at her left hand to admire her golden ring with various precious stones embedded into it. She looked away from the ring's dazzling glow that gave every maiden a sense of jealousy and gracefully made her way up the stairs.

"Good evening, my love," Queen Josefine curtsied to Hector and smiled up at him.

"My lover," He rejoiced and brushing his mustache across her lips. "I told you, Reed. I told you she would show at her own time."

"Indeed you did, brother." Reed kissed Josefine's hand while she stared into his eyes. They paused a moment just staring at each other and then, Hector.

"Well, then Josefine, where have you been hiding?"

"I was not hiding; I was just taking Cobalt out for a midnight ride. He has been very antsy lately in the stables."

"Look here, Reed," Hector elbowed Reed in the ribs. "Look how fine a wife I have. She sees a problem and she fixes it."

"Yes, I see. With a woman as fine as that you should devote her some of your time," Reed suggested.

"Yes, yes, what a splendid idea! Josie, my dearest, will you join me at the Gazebo?"

"Of course.""

"Then meet me there at twelve thirty." King Hector kissed her forehead and then joined the crowd of guests. Josefine was left standing by the prince.

"My brother is an awful joyful fellow, isn't he?"

"Yes," Josefine held a glass of wine taking a sip from it. "Maybe too happy."

"Does something dissatisfy you?"

"No, no. Hector is a fine man. Although, there are always dinner parties, getting tipsy, and always being with other women…" Josefine stopped herself. "I'm so terribly sorry. I shouldn't speak about my husband this way."

"It's quite alright. Hector could be quite the glutton sometimes."

Josefine looked as if she was far away. Her eyes were transfixed on the orchestra downstairs that was now playing a different tune. She felt Reed's eyes watching her and she snapped back to reality.

"I'm sorry, I just realized I like this song," She explained.

"Then, would you care to dance," Reed offered his hand and Josefine gladly took it. Couples all around began pairing up and dancing. Josefine was entering a cosmic moment where she couldn't take her eyes off Reed. Everything else seemed to disappear before her except Reed. He was her spotlight. It all came too soon when the dance ended. Reed kissed her lightly on the hand as she curtsied back to him.

"I'm very sorry, but I believe it's time for me to depart."

"Is it now?"

"Yes, Hector is expecting me at the Gazebo."

"Oh yes, that's right. Then, I bid you fair well."

"Goodbye." With that Queen Josefine choreographed her way out to the back of the castle where King Hector awaited. Before walking up to meet him she slipped her hand inside her pocket to stroke the little silver box. The smile returned to her face and she slowly made her way into the pearly white Gazebo. King Hector had his elbows rested on the post and gazing at the stars. His golden jeweled goblet still lay in his fingers. A bottle of wine sat beside him a long with a clean glass meant for his queen.

"Josefine," The king beckoned sensing her presence.

"Yes, my love?"

"Have you ever seen so many stars out? The beautiful things keep trying to outdo my kingdom."

"I'm sure it's not the stars' fault for having such beauty."

"No, no, of course not. How strange of me to say such things," King Hector looked into his goblet to find it empty. "Would you like some wine, my queen?"

"I'd be delighted."

King Hector poured the wine in her glass and in his goblet. His eyebrows furrowed and he looked deeply troubled.

"Something troubling you, my dear," Josefine asked placing a concerned hand upon his arm.

"I have a bad feeling," he stated.

"A bad feeling?"

"Yes, like something isn't quite right."

"What is dissatisfying you?"

"Nothing," King Hector looked away and kept his wine untouched. "Is it wrong to think thoughts like, today might be your last?"

"No, not at all," Josefine reassured. "That's what makes others try to live to their fullest."

"No, I mean I feel like today is really my last-,"

"Look! A shooting star," Josefine blurted while pointing up at the sky. Hector followed her finger to see a ball of magnificent light fly across the sky.

"Well, isn't that the darndest sight."

"Wish on it, Hec," She pleaded.

"Why me? Don't you want to make a wish?"

"I want you to have it. Oh please, Hec. Will you wish on that star for me?"

"Well, alright."

"Close your eyes. The wish will come true if you do."

King Hector shut his eyes and began wishing. As he was doing this, Queen Josefine takes her little silver box out of her pocket and opens it. A black tear drop bottle with a moon carved in it was retrieved from the box. She pulled out the cork and dropped three colorless drops into King Hector's goblet and then tucked the little bottle back in her pocket.

King Hector opened his eyes and smiled joyfully. "You know, I'm starting to feel real good about now," King Hector looked down at his goblet and then at his wife. "I think we should propose a toast."

"That's a grand idea," Josefine agreed. "What should we toast to?"

"To new beginnings," King Hector raised his goblet.

"To new beginnings," Josefine agreed. They clicked their cups and then downed all their wine.

Suddenly King Hector's face turned pale. He coughed and then started wheezing. Some blood spat from his mouth. His face was now red and the veins on his forehead were protruding out. With one last burp of blood, Hector fell to the ground and his crown lay on the floor of the Gazebo. Queen Josefine just laughed. "To new beginnings, Hector."

Then she dropped her jeweled golden ring into the bottom of the now empty goblet of King Hector.