LiTtLe TyPeWrItEr

Chapter 1

In this family, you can't expect acknowledgement. Your presence is there and appreciated, is it cared for? No, loyalty is. Everyone knows that men are meant to reign, disobey and consequences are to be payed.

"But what are we to do without an heir? Your Highness?" Macros asked, irritated at the lack of concern. "King Escher!" The council member slams his fists onto the table.

The King remains silent and stares off into the distance. How could this have happened? How could Dana do this to him? She knew the consequences and still, she persists. He stands up from the table and slowly moves to open the door.

"King Escher?" Macros follows and starts pointing out solutions. "Your Highness, we could always consider-"

Escher had been walking towards his wife's quarters, his pace increasing ever so slightly. There isn't a problem to fix. There isn't a solution to this 'dilemma'. "Macros, kindly wait outside whilst I speak to Dana."

Macros dismisses him and continues to follow.

"It wasn't a suggestion."

.....

"You were walking in the garden, correct?" The king paces in front of the bed.

"For the millionth time Essie, yes. I was walking in the garden and I saw the gardener. I then proceeded to speak to him, commenting on the flowers and how the weather was." Dana awkwardly shifts on the bed.

"That's exactly what the maid told me. Dana, try and be helpful, won't you? It's not as if you've been through so much in the last five hours that your brain cells have been obliterated…" He looks out of the window, "How could you do this?"

"Oh come on, Escher! Weren't you the one who said that change was a good thing? This is change and it is a good thing." She walks towards him.

"I was talking about food, Dana! This is my reputation we're talking about, this could ruin me. If you could just understand how dire-" Escher turns to face her, his face filled with worry.

"Oh, I do understand. I understand how dire the situation is! My husband's ego is more important than his children. Or more importantly, the King's ego is more important than living people! Don't you care about them? When Arbor died you fretted over what the people would think of you, over how it could "ruin you". You didn't once ask me how I was and you certainly did not grieve." Blood rushed to her face, always concerned about his ruining and never about the people around him.

"My Father warned me about this, he told me what happened the last time- a child died Dee. I can't put you through that again, not after Arbor. I warned you…"

Dana moved closer to him, "You're not your parents, Escher. You get to choose what happens now, not them." She wraps her arms around him. "This is your decision to make, whether people like it or not."

"Macros is planning on asking a foreign family to adopt. But, I disagree. She is my flesh and blood, the heir." He releases himself from her and walks to the crib.

"She?" Dana knows what he is insinuating. She knows that one daughter will pay a price and the other will lose her life.

"We can't afford the price of lies. Serein will be the Queen of Neanch."

A problem shared is a problem halved,indeed. Little do they know that conflict is right outside the door.