"What do you call it again?"

The fidgety scientist cleared her throat. "Specimen 65789. Extremely contagious, and for now, prone to spontaneous mutations."

The screen before them showed a detailed diagram of their latest invention—a tiny organism grown deep in the labs. Whether it was a virus or a parasite, Marrok didn't know, but he was told that even in such an early developmental stage, it could used as an efficient means of extermination. "Give me an estimate on how much longer it will need to be finished."

"Years, My King. We still don't have all the DNA encrypted; releasing it now would surely mean death for all of Luna." The scientist—Dr. Inja Achara, her name tag said—flipped through folders and folders of files. Diagnostics and reports covered the screen in scrawling text. "It hasn't yet been tested on any life forms other than the rats. If it were to infect a human, we wouldn't be aware of the symptoms or the end result. So far, every test rat has perished."

Marrok nodded. "See to it that its effects are tested on a human by the end of the month," he drawled. "The court will be eager to know of this new weapon."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Inja bowed. "Consider it done. Do you have any other inquiries?"

The king sighed. Crossing his arms, he glanced back at the vault where Specimen 65789 was being contained. There was no way anyone could break into it; the thing was made of solid cement, backed by three metal walls, all to prevent the escape of the growing pathogen. For quite some time before his death, his father has tossed around the idea of a bioweapon with the team of royal scientists. As was typical, though, none of those discussions had ever gotten anywhere; it had taken Marrok on the throne to get the scientists into the labs and working on the development of the new disease, instead of lounging around and manufacturing beauty serums, like they tended to do. In Marrok's opinion, they were getting far too lazy.

"How much will it cost to keep this project funded for the years you say it will take?"

Inja pulled up another file. "According to the minister of finance, the combined costs of facilities, staff, resources and bio-hazardous materials will be around twenty million univs annually. That is, of course, if everything remains unharmed. We should also expect damage deposits and the risk of failure." She took in a deep breath, anticipating the king's reaction. "And, in the very rare chance of exposure, I cannot—"

Marrok held up a hand. "There will be no talks of exposure," he spat, "because it will not happen. Am I right in thinking so?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. My team will not disappoint you."

"I should hope not." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Expect your next payment by the end of the week. It should be enough to fund the next stage of testing."

"Thank you for your support of our work, My King," said Inja, smiling like a lunatic. "The court will be very pleased with the results of our experiments. If I may, I would like to commend Dr. Sage Darnel, the true brain behind most of our recent projects."

"I have heard good things concerning him." Marrok switched off the blinking netscreen. A headache was brewing, and he didn't wish to add pain to his exhaustion. "Thank you for your report today, Dr. Achara." He cleared his throat. "That will be all."

If Inja had anything to add, he didn't know of it; she simply kept her lips sealed and bowed once more before the king. It was the better decision, in the end—he wasn't sure if he would have been able to keep up his patience for much longer. The effects of his sleep deprivation were beginning to seriously affect his quality of life. Ever since Levana had begun teething, she cried constantly—it was worse than when she'd just been born. To allow himself some rest, he begged Jannali to keep the baby in her room on select nights, but the princess' wails could be heard throughout that entire wing of the palace. Marrok simply gave up and kept Levana in her nursery, spending hours at a time trying to calm her down. It was all worth it, he reminded himself. This was what he had to do to be a good father.

Marrok sighed. It was much easier said than done. The scientists and attendants all greeted him as he left the labs, but he couldn't bring himself to reciprocate their enthusiasm. His guards were silent, as always, on the way back down to his chambers. He felt like he was going to faint.

It was then that the screaming started again. Marrok let out a groan and pushed open the door to his rooms. The guards remained stationed outside. Levana's high-pitched cries made his ears ring—he suddenly got the urge to cry himself. In the nursery, a maid sat serenely in the rocking chair with the shrieking princess in her arms, humming softly.

Marrok froze. It took him a moment to realize that it was Jannali—he relaxed and managed a smile. "Do you need a break?"

Jannali's glamour disintegrated and her maid's uniform was replaced with a deep wine gown. Her hair fell down her back in loose waves. "That would be wonderful," said the queen, gently rubbing Levana's back.

The child calmed somewhat, now whimpering instead of screaming. Marrok took Levana into his arms. He kissed her red-tinted cheek, and she yawned. "There we go, Sweetling. I know it hurts, but there's no need to cry so much."

"I missed you," Jannali sighed, stalking to his side. "You've been really…distant, lately."

"I'm tired."

The queen rolled her eyes. "And you think I'm not? I want to go out tonight, Marrok. It's been too long."

"I don't…I don't know if I can do it tonight."

"But it's been six months!"

Marrok sat down, setting the baby upright in his lap. "I'm falling asleep standing up, Jannali. I'd make a mistake if I went out now—we'd really regret it."

Jannali plopped herself down beside him, her fists clenched. "I feel neglected," she said, matter-of-factly.

The king laid his head on the back of his chair and closed his eyes, exhaustion and frustration welling within him. Neglected. Jannali was much too selfish to see how hard Marrok was trying to give her everything she wanted. Even though he had no energy, no eagerness, he still forced himself to be passionate, to bed her when she was aroused and indulge in her sadistic conversations that lasted hours into the night, after Levana had woken them up for good. He loved her. That's why he put up with her endless demands. That's why he allowed her to take and take and give nothing in return. A small part of him, the only rational voice, he supposed, told him that he was still afraid of her. Afraid that one day, she would just tire of him and kill him off. He held Levana closer to his chest. If that happened, there was no telling what Jannali would do to the girl.

In another life, he would've slapped himself. How could he call this love?

"I'm sorry, darling. I really am."

Jannali rested her head on his shoulder, putting her hand over his. Their wedding bands glinted side by side, all silver and diamonds. "If we don't go out soon, people will start to get suspicious. They'll notice that there haven't been any victims for a while," she whispered. "We can't risk anything."

Marrok glanced down at Levana, who was attempting to grasp one of his fingers with her tiny hand. He smiled and rubbed her cheek. "Just give me a couple days…on Monday, after the opera. We'll give Levana to the nanny and we'll go out. I promise."

"Alright…" Jannali stared at him intently. She put her own hand on Levana's; the baby cooed and grabbed it. "Do you think that's a good plan, Baby Girl?"

Levana slipped the ring off her mother's finger and held it close to herself.

"Speaking of which…" Marrok took off his own ring and handed it to Levana. Now with two toys, she let out a pleased squeal and tried mashing them together. "Do you have anything planned this week? The entire court will be convening, and it's vital that you attend."

Jannali puffed her cheeks. "Really? But it's always so boring."

"There are very important matters to be discussed, and as queen, you are expected to act as head of government by my side."

"Of course." She scrunched her nose. "Alegria's coming to visit on Wednesday."

"Is she bringing Sybil along?"

"Yes. Alegria says that's all she's been talking about for the past few days—her trip to the palace. I'm hoping that she'll take a liking to Levana; she needs to be around people that aren't vapid prospects."


Alegria seemed to have a permanent smile fixed to her face. Marrok still hadn't gotten used to it, even after several years of supposed friendship. She waltzed into the airy sitting room, wearing a lively red dress adorned with black lace and polka dots. Sybil followed close behind, dressed in a navy blue gown with a small tabby cat in her arms.

"Well, who's your little friend?" Jannali cooed, scratching the kitten behind its ears.

"Molly," Sybil said, putting the animal down on the floor. "She likes to scratch the furniture."

"Sybil, keep her away from the couches! Remember what we've discussed?"

Sybil scooped Molly back up into her arms and frowned. "Yes, Mama. I remember very well." She glanced up at Alegria, who had her arms crossed over her chest.

The queen laughed. "Oh, don't be so hard on her. The kitty can go wherever she wants. I used to have cats of my own, when I was little."

"Really?" Sybil asked, stroking Molly's fur.

"Yes. I killed them and buried them in the courtyard of my house." Jannali laughed again at Sybil's horrified expression—the girl's wide eyes, her stuck lip…she was adorable! "My parents always used to think that the dogs got to them. Never found out it was me."

The girl backed away, cradling Molly close to her chest, as if she were afraid that Jannali would snatch her up and kill her right there. From across the room, she spotted the king with the princess in his arms. "Is that Levana?"

Alegria nodded. "Princess Levana. Where are your manners today, Sybil?"

"I must've forgotten them at home." Sybil flushed.

Alegria let out a huff. "Would you like to meet Her Highness?"

"Yes." The girl took a step forward. As she did, Molly meowed loudly. Sybil was left frowning at the cat; Jannali and Alegria, meanwhile, went out to the balcony to chat about anything and everything. Alone, in the middle of the room, it took Sybil a moment to shake off her uneasiness and make her way over to Marrok and the baby.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty." She placed Molly back on the ground and curtsied.

Marrok smiled. "Good afternoon, Sybil. Are you having fun so far?"

"Yes, My King. I really enjoyed visiting the menagerie." She glanced at Levana, who in turn was staring intently at Molly. The kitten roamed around the divan for a moment, before jumping up on the cushion. She mewled and rolled on her back. Levana let out a croon and held out her hands towards the cat.

"Do you like the cat, Levana?" Marrok asked.

The princess began to giggle when Molly stretched her legs up to the ceiling.

"I'm sorry if Molly gets hair on the pillows," Sybil said sheepishly. "She sheds a lot."

"It's no problem. Why don't you show Levana your cat? She seems to like her." The king laughed as Levana cooed again.

Sybil took a seat next to them and brought Molly closer. She began to purr. "See, Levana? She likes it when I rub her belly."

Levana laughed as the kitten crawled onto her lap. Instead of being spooked by Molly, the princess put a hand to her head and began to pet her. Her face glowed with curiosity and joy as Molly purred even louder.

"She's much nicer than Channary," Sybil mumbled. "She doesn't take my things."

Marrok smiled and kissed Levana's head. "Yes, she is," he laughed. Molly meowed and rubbed her face against Levana's cheek.

For nearly half an hour, the king continued to watch his daughter fawning over Sybil's cat with interest, and in doing so, decided to get Levana her own cat for her first birthday.


There's only two more weeks left of Ship Weeks...I'm kind of sad. Let's make these last two weeks good ones!

Like always, thank you for reading and reviewing! Also, what do you think Levana's cat should be named?