As they argued, the small prince and princesses were playing with the harp unattended. The boy ran his finger along its strings. The melodic tune went through the room, reaching everyone's ear. All the people in the hall immediately yawned, starting to drop like flies and falling asleep within seconds. The little boy watched as the adults pressed the fine linen cloth with their faces. Some even ending up into their meat plates. He got up, walked among the tables, and after getting bored returned to his mother.
"Mom!" he tugged at her dress.
The senior princess was shaken from her sleep. "What?" she mumbled, confused.
"I'm sleepy," said the innocent child.
The woman sighed and led the little prince to his room. The party guests had a good night of sleep. The morning was confusing though, with Zora apologizing profusely.
A few days later, she was in Viniria's garden.
"I cannot believe it! He still refuses to tell me his secret! After all this time," Zora paced. Viniria observed her belly concerned. "You should not worry yourself so much. Especially in your state."
Her human friend stopped and took a deep breath. "I understand, but I cannot let it be. It is not right for this little angel in my womb to have a scheming father. It is simply not!"
"That is not nice, Zora. Even I acknowledge all that he has done for you... Perhaps his silence is the result of some kind of spell. Maybe the reason he hides it is because something dreadful would happen otherwise," the forest guardian shrugged.
Zora thought about her words. "That would make sense," she uttered.
"There you go," he friend said calmly.
"Or! Or he, during his travels, he may have found a secret fairy. Those small girl-like creatures with shiny wings! I read about them in books."
Viniria groaned annoyed.
"And now he is hiding her from me like some sort of pocket Venus," she gasped, becoming more panicked with every word she uttered.
Her powerful friend rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Zora. Pull yourself together."
"How can I, my dear Viniria? I'm pregnant, dog-tired and overworked. Do you know how long my list of duties is? It seems that I am the only one concerned with daily matters," she complained, still pacing.
"Don't you have people to help you?" the forest guardian, raised her eyebrow.
"Yes...but, to be honest, they are not very good. Aidan's older brother has the knowledge but is meek and insecure. His wife, on the other hand, is determined but lacks experience. The king is very good at organizing."
"The king?" Viniria frowned.
"I mean, the former king," Zora corrected herself. "However, he never truly forgave me after that day."
"That was expected... You should definitely keep your eye on him," Viniria said.
"I am... When I have the time," Zora puffed, finally sitting down.
"And what about Aidan? What does he do except get on your nerves?"
"He is mostly in charge of the soldiers."
"An important task indeed."
"Yes... If there were any wars around," Zora added puckering her lips. "Other times he simply lies around, snickering to himself," she added bitter.
The princess rubbed her hands in an anxious motion. "What if he, in search of excitement, gets up one day and never comes back?"
"The female mind truly is a wonder," the forest creature uttered with a stiff expression, shaking her thick hair vines.
"I am serious. With all the duties we have every day, it is hard to spend any time alone. And now with a child on the way... It will be even more difficult," Zora said, depressed.
Viniria sighed sympathetically. "I wish I could make it easier for you but there is little I can do in that regard. You need to be strong and have faith in your loved ones. I am sure Aidan will do his duty and be the best possible father. And husband."
"And what if he becomes bored and runs away in search of an adventure?" Zora said worried.
"Then I shall seek him out and crush every bone in his body," Viniria answered wholeheartedly.
Zora sighed, strangely honored by her friend's violent promise. "It is late. Would you like to go to sleep now?" the princess said, holding the harp.
Viniria yawed and made herself comfortable on her rock. With a few melodic plucks of the strings, the creature closed her eyes. Her vines covered her body like a blanket, making her appear as a mossy rock formation. Princess Zora looked around, still preoccupied with her thoughts. She gently caressed her round stomach and walked back towards the castle. A group of guards waited for her nearby. Aidan insisted she have an escort, despite Viniria claiming it was completely unnecessary. "At least he cared that much," Zora thought.
Meanwhile at the old castle, king Nathaniel returned to his room frustrated. He sat on the chair near a table, burying his head into his large hands.
His wife was by her mirror, getting herself ready for bed.
"What is wrong, dear? Were there any problems with the bridge?"
"No, everything is fine. I ordered the modifications so that when the floods come in spring, it will not be underwater," he explained.
"That is wonderful news," she said content.
"How can anything be wonderful when those snot-eater are still in my castle?" he uttered, resentful. "My greatest acheivement. And I can only look at it from a far."
His wife sighed, sitting next to him. "It is a shame, but what can we do? She has the protection of the most powerful magical being in the land. And Aidan adores her. He always makes sure that she is safe and protected."
The king scoffed standing up. "Things would be much easier if he wasn't so enamored with her. Choosing your wife over your family? Bah! Our father would be rolling in his grave," he grumbled.
"Look at the bright side, my husband. At least this way, we have more time to spend together," the former queen stated in a flirty tone.
"I thought you hated her as much as I did?" he added, almost offended.
"I do. Of course. I am simply stating that our lives are not as bad as they could have been. We still have our home, our kingdom..." the former queen stuttered, observing his reaction. "And the creature has its perks. The soil seems to be flourishing."
The former king paced, gliding his beard. As he did so, a menacing chuckle emerged, "You do not have to devalue yourself with such claims. Our troubles will be over soon enough. In fact, the solution to our problems is already on its way," he spoke in a quiet but menacing tone.
His wife tilted her head. "What do you mean? Are you going to-"
"Kill two birds with one stone? Precisely!" he said snickering.
"How? You are the first they will suspect," she whispered, panicking.
"Not the way I planned it," he uttered dramatically, turning to all sides careful. "Picture this. The soon-to-be father gets news that his darling wife is not carrying a baby, but something else. Something horrendous. In a fit of insanity, he takes up his sword and... Well, let your imagination run free," the king concludes with a grin.
His wife gulped, looking around. "You mustn't talk about such things out loud. Someone might hear," she whispered.
The king nodded, still grinning.
In the distance, a shabby carriage was heading towards the kingdom. In it, a brother and sister rode. Twins, both hideous, conniving and up to no good.