The Eternal Palace basked in the glow of the morning sun, its golden spires casting long shadows over the bustling city below. Inside the royal dining hall, Monn sat at the head of a modest table, his commanding presence softened by the rare tranquility of the moment.
Monn's slicked-back black hair and full black beard gave him a regal yet intimidating air. His sharp, calculating eyes, often burdened with the responsibilities of the crown, now held a rare glimmer of ease as he watched his children.
Verb leaned forward on the table, his youthful energy spilling over as he recounted the highlights of yesterday's training session. "And Ghost said I'm improving! He said I almost made it through the course without tripping!"
"Almost," Lucy muttered, smirking over the rim of her teacup. At thirteen, she was already mastering the art of sibling mockery, her calm demeanor a sharp contrast to her younger brother's boundless energy.
"Lucy," Monn said, his voice carrying the weight of both authority and patience. "Let your brother enjoy his victories, small as they may be."
Verb beamed, puffing out his chest. "See? Even Father-uh, I mean, Monn agrees with me!"
Monn allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. He had long since accepted his children's insistence on calling him by his title. It was a small rebellion, one he allowed as a sign of trust.
The sound of boots echoed through the polished halls, and Ghost entered, his carefree demeanor as much a part of his uniform as his armor. "Morning, Monn. Council's in an hour. I figured you'd want a heads-up before the kingdom decides it can't survive without you."
Monn sighed, setting down his cup. "It's not even mid-morning, and already you bring bad news."
Ghost shrugged, leaning casually against the doorway. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting."
Verb perked up, his eyes lighting with excitement. "Ghost! Are we still doing the obstacle course today? I'm going to beat my record!"
Ghost grinned, ruffling the boy's hair. "Of course, kid. But only if you promise not to face-plant like last time."
"I didn't face-plant!" Verb protested, his face flushing.
Lucy smirked. "That's not what it looked like."
Monn rose from his seat, his imposing figure commanding the room. "Ghost, you'll watch over them while I'm in council?"
Ghost gave a mock salute. "You got it, Monn. I'll keep them from burning the palace down."
"See that you do," Monn replied, his tone serious but not unkind. He turned to his children. "Behave yourselves. I'll be back soon."
As Monn left the room, the echoes of laughter and playful banter followed him. Though the weight of the kingdom rested on his shoulders, these moments with his family grounded him, a reminder of the life and future he fought to protect.
YOU ARE READING
Eternal.
Science Fiction"They stood with us, side by side, Fighting through battles as the nights got colder. Their blades once lit up the battlefield, And their voices were strong-but now, it's quiet. I can still remember the way they laughed, The way they'd charge into t...
