I'm on a roll! yay! 🤣😭
CHAPTER TWO: PICKING UP
That night, after the children had gone to bed, and the women were taking care of some of the flowers, Artham was alone in his study, his forehead leaning on the windowpane. He was watching as the rain pattered on the window, dripping down like the tears he did not know were on his face.
“Brother,” a voice whispered.
Artham turned quickly, and he noticed with a small amount of shock that he had been crying. He wiped his eyes as he asked, “How are you, Esben?”
“We are now…it.”
Artham’s brow creased. “What do you mean?”
“Madia was the monarch of the family. She has been here for generations. Now, Anniera is left with us. With me.”
Artham listened, his eyes grave.
“Am I going to be a good king?”
“Of course.”
“But how can you know?”
“Because if you don’t I’ll punch you in the face.”
Esben couldn’t help but lose the melancholy look on his face, and he started laughing.
“And besides,” Artham said, when the laughing was over, “you have a son. I have a daughter. And I am convinced that somewhere out there Amarah and Wilden are.”
Esben smiled. “I doubt a baby and a teenager could help much with ruling.”
“Well, maybe not Janner, but Arthra is very smart. I believe you would get some good council from her.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Artham ran his fingers through his hair. “I…I know this will all work out. I know it hurts now, but it will get better. It has too.”
Esben nodded solemnly. “I know it will. Eventually.”
“We just have to make her proud of the choices we make. And I’m sure she would be immensely proud of her ‘golden boy’.”
Esben laughed a little ruefully, fondly remembering the old nickname his grandmother made for him.
“I miss her, Arth.”
“So do I. The whole kingdom does.”
A bit of a sadder chapter, but one thing I wanted central was to open this story with Madia's death and they ofc have to react to that. This was also a good opportunity for me to set up Artham as that solid rock for Esben :)
Hope you enjoyed! Let me know if anything seemed weird or wonky.
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