Such Sweet Sorrow

Chapter One: A Prison

Chapter One: A Prison

It was the beginning of summer and all was prosperous in the Kingdom of Owltania. The crops were in surplus, crime was low, taxes were high, and the King couldn't have been any happier. King Roberts III was his name. A short line of Roberts before him and it was seeing none would follow him, for his wife, Queen Helena, had only ever produced a daughter. Flora was the daughter of the King and Queen; she would turn eighteen in the winter.

The Queen was not too old to have more children, but after years of only Stillbirths she and the King took a break. Now, however, King Roberts's patience was running thin. Who would follow him after his death?

A dream the King had the night before had brought this panic to his mind. He shared the dream that morning with his wife and daughter.

"Helena, Flora, something troubles my mind." the King began.

"Oh dear, it isn't the eggs is it? Not again. Chauncey!" the Queen called to her personal servant. "Fetch the cook and tell him that if my Kings eggs are not cook to sheer perfection tomorrow morning there with be hell to pay!"

"Yes your highness." Chauncey replied obediently.

"No Chauncey, come back here- it is not the eggs. I had a dream last night."

"It is...common...to have dreams, no need to fret." Queen Helena said slowly, unsure.

"No, I mean the dream I had- it brings anguish to my thoughts." The King explained.

"What was it about?" Flora asked, not very interested but trying to sound polite to her father's obvious torment.

"Yes I was getting to that," The King said, "I was out for a hunt with the King of Relishe when he shot me with his arrow. I died and having no heir to my throne, the King of Relishe took over Owltania and claimed it as his own."

"So...you want us to go to war with Relishe...over a dream?" the Queen suggested, momentarily concerned about her husband's mental health.

"Oh heavens no!" My father exclaimed, "We would be pumbled to ash. It would be best to keep our relationship with Relishe peaceful. No, what I was pointing to was why my mind is no longer at ease about your inadequacies of producing me a male heir." My mother looked briefly offended, but kept her tongue- like all good wives are supposed to.

"Go on...my dear." My mother urged.

"Yes- like I was saying, we must work harder on you giving birth to a son before I die. I believe this dream was a sign from God that you and I must quickly get to work before my time draws any closer."

"Don't say that sweetheart, you will live a long and affluent life and be the most mourned King in all the world when your time comes years from now." I had a feeling my mother didn't mean it, but who was I to judge?

"Who know what tomorrow brings," Father told her, "I will take not a chance. You will produce me a male heir."

I wonder if my father knew that the man's sperm decides the birth. I had read about it while studying with Madame Liana. Madame Liana was brilliant, but she didn't let many people know. It wasn't civilized for woman to act smarter than males, but Madame Liana said that that didn't mean we couldn't be.

"May I be excused?" I asked my parents. Mother nodded and I stood out of my chair and left the breakfast area. I was followed by a guard and Chauncey, as was usual. Chauncey, under my mother's order, was told to follow me when she wasn't there. I didn't mind very much. I had always had a bit of a crush on Chauncey ever since he came, anything more than that, of course, would be unacceptable, but I found myself admiring how handsome and strong he was when I knew he wasn't looking.