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"Mia?"
She'd been walking by the library when she heard her grandmother's voice, and so stopped, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Yep?"
"Do you have a moment dear?" asked Clarisse.
"Sure."
Mia wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this.
"Your first wedding anniversary is coming up soon."
"Yes?" ventured Mia gingerly.
Clarisse took a moment to compose herself, before continuing. "And I trust that you and Nicholas are, well, happy?"
Mia was worried now. Slipping from her chair, she knelt at the older woman's side. "Grandma, what is going on?"
Clarisse smiled, brushing her hand against her granddaughter's soft cheek. "It's going to be so different for you," she said, almost wistfully.
"What is?" pressed Mia, confused.
"Children."
"Huh?" Mia shot backwards, startled. "Kids? Me? I don't think so." She paused. "Well, at least not yet. I mean, come on. I'm not yet 25."
Clarisse eyed her only grandchild gravely. "It is your duty to have children so that the royal lineage continues."
"The good old heir and a spare," sighed Mia heavily.
"Is the prospect of children with your husband so repulsive?" asked Clarisse sharply.
"No," said Mia quickly. "No." Her mind drifted off. "He'd be a good dad." She came back to reality to look at her grandmother. "Guess the honeymoon is over hey?"
"The people of Genovia need to know that we are strong and will remain."
Mia's eyes softened. "I never thought of it like that."
Clarisse smiled. "Oh, my darling girl."
Mia grinned, looking like the teenager she was when she first arrived all over again.
"My darling girl."
Finito.