Unhappily Ever After

Lord Folken Lacour de Fanel tapped his fingers on the dining table. Never had his brother been this late for dinner. His wife Eriya was putting Bren to sleep. Naria came into the room.

"Eriya said she would be down in a moment. She had to feed Bren."

Folken pursed his lips and tried reading Naria's expression. Something was wrong.

"What seems to be the problem, Naria?"

Naria looked like she was stone-faced.

"Nothing, Folken. Nothing at all."

"I've seen nothing. That's not it."

Naria's face began to show some emotion.

"I…"

"What is it, Naria?"

Naria bit her lower lip.

"I'm unhappy."

"Why is that?"

"You and Eriya are so happy together. But I'm not. I don't have you in my life."

"Yes, you do. I'm here."

To say that Naria frowned was an understatement.

"But I can't have you. That upsets me."

"I don't know what to tell you, Naria."

Someone burst into the room and interrupted them.

"Lord Folken! Merle is dead!"

Naria's jaw dropped.

"Van must be upset!"

Folken hurried, with Naria following.

He found Van carrying Merle's body to the royal mortician, where she would be prepared for burial.

Folken and Naria waited outside, and the king came back out.

 The skies had already darkened. There was a flash of light and then a crash of thunder. It began raining. Not a little drizzle, but a good rain.

"Brother! Are you all right?"
No answer. The young king continued his walk back to the palace.

"Van, speak to me! Are you all right?"

The young king continued to walk. Folken realized there was no stopping the determined Fanelian.

 Van returned to his quarters, and slammed the door.

He removed his cape, armor, and sword. He then flopped on his bed. He tried to hold it in. But he could no longer confine it. He made no effort to keep it silent.

The young king cried.

He didn't care that Dilandau was out there or that Folken wanted the job of military advisor or that Allen was coming to see him. Merle was dead. And it was his entire fault. And there was no way he could bring the young catgirl back.

He cried so much; he grew tired, and fell asleep.