Claire looked at the little Prince, his wings so bright and beautiful behind him. He made her believe in magic. He made her think of the strange dreams she had been having lately. Dreams of her mother, telling her to go to the graveyard...
Meanwhile, Song was taking Cein out for his morning meal. Afterwards, Song would prepare breakfast for the entire Royal Family.
Cein liked to explore after breakfast. There were many things for a young child to get into down here, but nothing that was too dangerous at least. His parents knew he would be safe.
The Queen Mother spent time with her Grandson that day, talking to him and listening to his babble. She could feel that she did not have many more years in her. The Dragon Knight would be calling her to the other realm soon.
It was also this day that the Queen announced she was expecting a third child. She was wary of this, as she was getting old. She was already nearing her forties; it wouldn't be long until she was an old lady as well.
Clair worked in the gardens as always. Her mind kept drifting to Prince Charles' wings and the dream she had been having for months. It was always of her mother...her mother as she was before she had died so long ago. Could it really be almost thirty years since her mother had passed?
In this strange dream she was always talking to her mother...but her mother would hush her and say "Please remember, my little bird. The graveyard at nightfall. You must go there, little bird"
"But mama..."
"Please, my little bird. Please"
And then shortly after she would wake up...her mind still filled with her mother's words. She ignored it for weeks and weeks...Finally she gave in. She would go see why her mother wanted her to go to the graveyard.
When she got there, she stopped dead in her tracks. Near where her sister's grave one sat, there was a toddler. Her skin and clothing was transparent, but her blue hue made her easy to pick out on the ground.
The child turned and let out a coo before beginning to crawl towards Claire, as if she knew who Claire might be.
Claire knelt and put her arms under the child's arms. Her hands did not sink through and in fact the child seemed quite solid. She cradled this child close to her and looked around, wondering if anyone else was watching.
The child did not struggle as Claire carried her back. She was quiet, looking up at Claire with wide eyes, as if she couldn't believe that she was leaving the graveyard. How long had this little one been waiting for her?
She took the child back home and glanced at her sleeping son. It was very late and she had to get up early to do her duties. A long day awaited her but she knew there would be very little sleep for her.
As soon as she head Song stir, Claire sat up and got out of bed. She and Song dressed in silence. He seemed uneasy, as if he knew something had changed. Without a word, she motioned him to follow her to the nursery where their son was surely still sleeping.
"What....What is this?" Song gasped upon seeing the ghostly child.
"My sister. The one who died almost thirty years ago"
"But...she was a baby. This is a toddler"
"Maybe Ghosts still age in the afterlife. Who knows? All I know is that this young one needed me" Claire shrugged and then reached for the child who eagerly scooted into her arms. The child was cold, like death...but Claire wasn't afraid of her.
"The King will not like this" Song said simply. Claire knew he was right. He had boasted and bragged about how his son was blessed by the Goddess. Having another one seemingly bless might ruin that boast for him.
"He will not know. She will not leave the downstairs. The King never comes down here anyway"
Song had no reply. She took the little one to feed her and left Song in the room with their son, who had stirred at the sound of his parent's voices.
Song lifted Cein from his bed, cradling him close. He was fine with helping the child, but he feared the King's wrath if he should find out...
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Okay, so a note here - by this point I already have a total of around 60 points. They've been in the castle around two weeks sim-time and its actually really easy to start scoring points once theres a baby in there. The garden + cleaning + meals (with drinks) + caring for baby = lots of points everyday!
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