After calming my body, I clicked into my palace office, a dusty light beam warming me through the open window. A gentle breeze circulated around the room. A small woman, wearing a beaded hood, came up to me, bowed, and offered me some tea. I nodded and she placed the kettle down, poured me a cup, curtsied, and then stepped away. I didn't recognize her face. It was simple and uninspiring and I gestured her away. I smelled the tea, lemon verbena. I couldn't focus. I hadn't had an intrusive thought for months. I needed a distraction. And I didn't want to be thinking about dogs. [[Website/Limerence/Charlotte]] would know what to do. I stood with the teacup in my hand, and stretched my arms out, like I was slowly pushing away the walls, and exhaled deeply. When I shuffled out into the walkway, a guard was waiting at attention. He saluted and asked if I needed anything. I shook my head no and continued out, wanting to keep busy, not think about the intrusive thoughts. That hadn't happened for a long time. I stared at the ground, the clay tile on the floor was smooth and auburn, the large hexagonal tiles intermixed with small emerald colored squares. I strolled down the covered walkway between warm sunlight and cool shadow from the spaced columns that revealed an inner courtyard with long lush grass. I peered in the kitchen, expecting a bustle of activity and the aroma of baked goods, or a savory meat dish, but instead found dark and quiet, the smell of bleach and lemon, and the room cold from the thick stone walls. I wanted to see copper pots hanging from the ceiling, I should tell [[Website/Limerence/Stefan]] to make it happen. Where was everybody? I turned onto a gravel path, the roof making way for blue skies and palm fronds. The path was lined by weeds and hibiscus bushes and the trail was interspersed with mossy tiles at stepping pace. Soon, I could hear live jazz, mixed with laughter, coming from the pool. The smell of barbecue and toasted garlic bread followed. In the distance I caught a glimpse of skin, of bright pinks, light greens, and blues, the color of summer clothing. I made my way onto the pool deck. One of the waiters spotted me and came straight over. "Sir! Welcome!" he said, excitedly. "We're so glad you could make it!" A couple of nearby guests noticed and turned, the effect was like a ripple that spread throughout the crowd, as they all looked towards me. I greeted the guests warmly and automatically, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, but my mind was elsewhere. I was looking for [[Website/Limerence/Charlotte]], where was she? I broke through the thick of the crowd and sidled along the water line of the pool. And there, underneath the cabana, [[Website/Limerence/Charlotte]] stood, drink in one hand, laughing with guests. She spotted me, and our eyes met. Her face fell. I walked up to her and the guests she was talking with, and she forced a smile. "King, this is [[Website/Limerence/Grace]] and [[Website/Limerence/Carlton]]. [[Website/Limerence/Grace]], [[Website/Limerence/Carlton]], I'm sure you know the king." The couple bowed and I waved them to stand. "Thank you [[Website/Limerence/Charlotte]]. [[Website/Limerence/Grace]], [[Website/Limerence/Carlton]], it's nice to meet you both. What do you two do?" The two seemed unable to form words, until Charlotte gently placed a hand on Carlton's back, bringing him out of his stasis. "We're, ahem, we trade stocks, and, well, I trade stocks, Grace teaches yoga in the morning, I mean, she teaches it all the time, but she does classes in the morning, and private lessons during the day." I couldn't help but smile at the way he tripped over his words. "Stocks and yoga", I repeated, nodding in contemplation. "Good, good. Balancing the market and the body." I could tell, by his overeager nodding, he was trying to correct for his bumbling. "And", I continued, "how long have you two been together?" "Oh" he started, before turning to look at Grace, trying to share the effort of thinking between the two, "we've been dating for... a few months." "Last February", Grace cut in, "your highness." Even though she was the shortest of us four, she stood tall, insecure about her height, or trying to impress with her posture. I found the compensation somewhat charming. "Last February", I said, "well, I'm glad to hear it. It was a pleasure to meet you two. Do you mind if I borrow Charlotte for a few minutes?" They bowed, and I could see as they walked away they were unsure of where they were supposed to go. "Charlotte, what the hell?" I spoke in a hushed voice. "You made me come find you?" "Don't start..." she trailed off, her face contracted. Then, closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and straightened her shimmering blue blouse, her face relaxing again as she exhaled. She tucked her hair behind her ear and I noticed a new ruby headband that complemented her well. "I want to talk with you in private," I said. "Fine." She replied. She waved to one of the waitresses, gesturing that she was stepping out. The waitress curtseyed. I led the way back to the palace, the terracotta roof obscured behind olive and orange trees. I liked a low roof line. There wasn't anyone to impress. [[Website/Limerence/The Cliff]]