So I originally wrote this all as one chapter worth of compiled "what if" reboot scenarios, but it got very long and I was worried it would be too exhausting to read in full. I hope breaking them up into chapters makes it flow better, although I'm sure there will be awkward parts because in its original form I expressed the passing of time by line breaks and shoving reference to Rosella's age. I also kept the focus shifting between Graham and Rosella, so fair warning if you prefer consistency.

And I don't know if this helps the context, but there are scenarios I kind of breezed through, but would like to dwell on in future stories. Because I changed this from 1 chapter to multiple I COULD have easily expanded here and now but... Life is short.

King's Quest 4 would portray Rosella as stepping out of her comfort zone to save her father's life, showing she lives him no strings attached. Would have liked to see the reboot's take on that alongside Graham's regret of prioritizing Alexander above her. Clearly, I'm thinking too much about a series the world left in the past but I don't think it's a problem if you don't!

DISCLAIMER TIME – "Do I look like I studied law?"

A King's Quest fanfiction typed entirely by The Chosen Storyteller...

...

Our Missing Pieces

Year 1

Another bright, hopeful morning in Daventry saw King Graham once again rising from a dreamless sleep with his eyes burning out of the sockets a splitting headache. At his request, the guards had not come in to draw the curtains or even knock on the door to let the family know what time of the day it even was. He could tell it was too early because the room wasn't bright enough with Vee still sleeping against his side and no noise except gentle breathing from the single baby crib at the foot of the bed.

He liked to think his eyes were burning from insomnia and the headache came from the minor incident last night when Rosella got just a little fussy before bedtime, but that wasn't it.

He just couldn't admit the reason why, going as far as to be petty and flip his pillow around to hide the small wet streaks. Of course he hadn't cried himself to sleep. Mostly because if Vee caught him looking that pathetic, he would probably have just leaned out the window and dropped himself headfirst. But really, he told himself as he didn't even truly believe it, he wasn't going to cry when things got bleak anymore.

Just because the only friend he had when he needed one most died for no reason and he could never forget it, the person he thought could have been his friend would come back to kidnap his son who even knows where and killed one of his guards who helped keep the atmosphere light...

Pathetic.

Another morning, another going through the motions. Daventry couldn't be left alone, but Graham had been putting a wall between him and some of the residents he'd become friendlier with for months now. Hell, he didn't want to leave the castle some days. It was like he was keeping himself in the one place where everything went wrong, like if he just didn't bother it maybe everything would magically sort itself out.

But one thing was for sure: he wasn't going to lie in bed all day even if his mind was on nothing it should be. So he carefully moved Vee over, but couldn't help planting a kiss on her lips in a way he would call apologetic. There had been times in the past where he felt like a complete and utter disaster compared to her, and when he kissed her so gently he was almost asking if everything about them was okay.

If you hadn't said yes, you might be raising a normal family with someone else Graham, himself, wondered if she felt that message. However, he couldn't dwell on that long because a slight whining noise struck his ear and was quickly gaining volume. He didn't have to think twice, practically throwing himself to the other end of the bed to tend to Rosella who was definitely awake and squirming now.

"It's okay, Rosella, Daddy's here." He told her softly, again, not even thinking about it. Of course she couldn't tell him what woke her up, but as he picked her from the blanket and checked for a reason she quieted down seemingly content just being held.

"You couldn't have just wanted attention." Graham half whispered, catching her wandering eyes looking up at his and smiling.

Well the smile was heavy to maintain, but he thought it was genuine. She almost never stayed still, he was surprised to have just noticed. Didn't give them sleepless nights too often, but made her presence loud and clear in the daytime.

If she didn't have a need to tend to, Graham would find difficulty holding her too long. He didn't want to suddenly swap her to Vee's arms or place her back in the crib; he was equally responsible for her existence. For moments at a time, like just then, he would move his hand to hers and she'd curiously grab his fingers like her little mind was working itself like crazy trying to figure them out. He thought she would definitely take after Vee.

"It's for the best if you don't take after me." Graham accidentally said aloud, unable to stop the words. He didn't care, though. He just adjusted Rosella in his arms, letting their eyes lock. "You probably wonder what happened to the other child you used to share the room with. Your... Brother? If what they say about twins is true, do you miss him? Or feel a sever in your complex, mental bond?"

Rosella didn't do much to suggest she knew what he was rambling about, although maintaining that much eye contact for her age had Graham impressed. But he was mostly getting choked up as he rambled.

"Don't worry about what happened to him- Don't worry about anything for that matter, because we'll keep you safe. I mean, Mommy might keep you safe because I can't do much. It's partly my fault he's gone, if you think about it. If I just had a little more self awareness. If I just used my brain a little more, maybe I would have known not to blindly trust. What was I even thinking going out on my own? Can you imagine... What..."

His eyes begun to sting, making him hurriedly lift his face, forcing them to the ceiling. They didn't feel wet, but he suddenly wasn't comfortable talking anymore. Who was he even talking to? He really just wanted to be able to hold Alexander for one more minute and apologize for being... What, exactly? Foolish? Desperate for positive attention? Completely unprepared to be a father? Because he was all of the above.

When he just wanted to curl up under the blankets, block out the whole world and let his thoughts go wild with self-loathing... A little baby girl pulled at his shirt suddenly, still squirming her morning energy had returned to its full power. Rosella didn't seem to have an opinion on his problems, but he still held her secure against his chest like she'd disappear too once let go.

In the gloomy atmosphere, a somewhat high-pitched voice spoke a single word. The sound was unsteady as if the owner of the voice couldn't believe they had this ability. But Graham heard it and felt like he'd been stabbed through the heart. He shakily tucked her in beside Vee as she was stirring from her sleep and asking what was going on. Vee would ask if he was okay, but Graham whisked his cape off a hook and clumsily threw it over his nightclothes and hung it off his shoulder before bolting out the door.

Random bystanders outdoors would later confirm sightings of Graham genuinely overjoyed for the first time in who even knows and telling himself over and over Rosella's first word was "Daddy", acknowledging him. Officially being recognized as a father. And he had no way to process beyond assuring himself this was real life. Informing the whole kingdom whether they were invested or not, more accurately.

TBC