The Magician of Suwa: The Beginning
Valeria
In a room far up in the royal palace, a baby was crying. Women moved through the room silently cleaning, all avoiding the lady's deathly glare.
When the room had been cleared of all traces of child-birth, the prince was ushered in alone.
"Where is my son?" he boomed, striding to the lady's bed. At an invisible sign, the hand-maidens and midwife withdrew.
The prince located the crying newborn, and lifted him triumphantly. "My heir!"
"There're two," his wife hissed, pointing a finger shaking with fury at the shadowed corner.
The prince froze, no longer hearing the baby's cries.
"Twins?"
Originally posted 12/28/11