Raven black hair was brushed to the side of her face as Duchess Reviarra slid her hand across her daughter’s face. Her red eyes remained swollen from crying for the past few days. The old doctor had left after leaving a few care taking tips behind for the family. As her eyes gazed at the petite pale face in the bed, tears rolled from the edge of the Duchess’ eyes upon recollecting her daughter’s predicted life expectancy.

“10 years… We still have 10 years, my baby...”

As if to respond to her feelings, the eyes of the young girl twitched before opening in confusion. They initially appeared glazed, unfocused to the surroundings and absent of any childish emotion. The hand caressing the girl’s face twitched upon realizing her lucid state before a series of excited calls drew the girl back full lucidity.

“Mother?”

“Hey baby, I’m here with you.”

“Why am I here? Where’s everyone else?”

“Everyone went home already. We sent them off for you since you were so sleepy.”

“Oh…”

Duchess Reviarra gestured to the maid behind her, signalling her to inform the rest of the family. Her attention diverted only for a moment before returning back to her daughter.

“How do you feel?”

“It’s a little hard to move.”

Tears nearly broke once again, however the Duchess held them back through sheer willpower alone. Assisting her daughter, Duchess Reviarra adjusted her daughter to a resting position against the bed support. A packet of medicinal powder was poured into the glass of water sitting on the table beside her before getting handed over.

“Drink this up, baby. It will help you out.”

“Mmm.”

Sol accepted the water and drank it without restraint, though her actions were delayed as if she was distracted. The duchess knew her daughter well and could tell something was off.

“Hey baby, are you okay? Can you tell me?”

Before Sol could answer, knocks rapped against the door. Still unaware of her situation, Sol let in the visitors without a second thought. Upon seeing the whole family entering her room, a look of stupefaction froze across her face. Curious eyes traveled the room before eventually landing on her father.

“Why does everyone have a weird face?”

Not bothering to hide his red eyes, Duke Reviarra strutted forward to stroke his daughter’s head. Interrupted from drinking her water, the girl groaned a few times before releasing a few giggles and fighting back.

“Stop it! Father! Why are you being so strange?”

“You slept for a long time, sister. We can’t help but be happy now that you’ve woken up.”

“I slept for a long time? That was a dream then? It felt so real though…”

The family exchanged looks with each other, their faces solem and likely each recalled the doctor’s words. Their eyes landed back on the little girl and with the Duchess taking the lead, asked the question burning at the back of their minds. Depending on the answer, it could confirm the Doctor’s prediction, or perhaps even disprove it, giving them hope for a longer future.

“Sol… What did you dream of?”

The little girl’s eyes darted as if debating internally on if she should tell the truth or not. As if to intercept her daughter’s machinations, Duchess Reviarra poked her forehead.

“Don’t you lie to us. We won’t be angry.”

Eyes screaming doubt focused on the family one by one. Each member put on their best ‘we trust you’ face drawing another series of giggles from the girl.

“I can’t remember much, but I dreamed about sprouting wings and flying around. It was so fun! We flew around the mountains and over forests playing tag and even wrestling from time to time. Hmmm? Who was ‘we’? I can’t remember. Oh well… It was a fun dream though!”

Sol reflected her dreams in a cheery mood interjected with giggles and hand waves as if to imitate her imaginary flights. The solem expressions of her family escaped her notice.

A nictitating membrane drew itself back across a pair of massive red eyes. Muscles flexed and the gigantic creature broke its still rest for the first time in centuries. Behemoth legs forced the land around it to sink while the thick layers of earth that once rested upon its back tumbled to the ground.

Wings extended from the beast’s back, their lengths scraping the sky and tearing clouds asunder. As it stretched its form for the first time in centuries, it released a bellowing roar which tore nearby vegetation from its roots. Clarity consumed the lethargic light in the beast’s eyes and alongside it, a glimmer of motivation appeared.

The beast seemed to have had a good dream.

“Lady Reviarra has finally recovered, then? Good, good…”

King Blonsall relaxed on his throne. Despite not directly affecting him, the safety of Lady Reviarra was a rather concerning matter for him as it could potentially destabilize the political situation. His reign was nearing its end and as he felt his body’s health deteriorate month by month, it was time to name a proper successor.

As it stood, the Kingdom had a Crown Prince, though his qualifications for the crown were perfunctory at best as he was the first son the King had. Whether the Prince held the qualifications for the position or not was something to be determined still. Such thoughts timed with the current situation drew the King to summon his aides and consult them. Not long after, the King initiated a Minister meet with all 6 Princes in attendance. Despite having no claim to the Throne, the 3 Princesses were also present for the announcement.

“My sons, this Kingdom has spread its power far and compared to our neighbors, we project a strength far beyond their capabilities. Our ability to project power led to national stability and the ability to force our neighbors into negotiations time and time again. The primary support of this projection is our military force and our protective Generals. However, even they have their limitations. Without a leader to control, direct, and restrain them, this Kingdom would have long broken apart...”

The King continued his announcement, though no one in the room was surprised at its contents. Each Prince already held an ambitious gaze and thoughts of the Throne. Their father gathering them now was nothing more than a public declaration of his intent to support the originally silent battle for supporters. As the salutation of his speech came to an end, King Blonsall moved into the main topic.

“Each of you excel where the other falters. Each of you will forever be this King’s pride. However only one of you may inherit this Throne. This King expects your conflicts to remain civil and non-lethal. If this King discovers otherwise, then forgive this King for not respecting family relations.”

As his speech finished, the many concubines in attendance held flickering gazes, their ambitions hardly concealed. Each Prince saluted their father before exiting with their mother concubine. Left behind without any intention to leave, Crown Prince Elric Blonsall patiently waited for the final Ministers to leave before engaging his father.

“Father, will I be demoted?”

“This King… No, I’m unable to be biased this time, Elric. The future of this Kingdom requires me to remain unbiased. Treat the Crown title as a temporary thing and fight for the Throne. I believe you have the capability, however my ministers have their own thoughts. It’s not me you have to convince, it’s them.”

“I understand… Do you have any suggestions for me?”

“Ask your mother. I’ll be overstepping to give you suggestions. I believe in you, son. Fight hard.”