In another corner of the world, a couple was married that day, the day that Allen first visited Elizabeth's new home, the 8th of July 1983. Both the bride and the groom came from the upper classes of society, but neither of their families' wealth would touch the sheer depth of the Palone family's. But, for them, that was completely fine. They lived comfortably and in dignity in the home he inherited from his grandfather, who had passed away years ago. In his will, his grandfather only had one request of his grandson, the same request that every immediate family member had: carry on the family line. His family was ancient, with a bloodline tracing back centuries. And, throughout this longstanding family history, there wasn't a single misstep in the inheritance. Every father handed off his life's work to his son, and each son took it upon himself to build the family name and fortune greater. Even when the nation industrialized, and the nobility became mere placeholders in society, all this family did was transition into a different sphere of business. And the newlyweds were sure in their ability to carry on that family tradition.
But the months went by, and though they tried, the bride did not conceive. They became anxious, and nervous. Of all things, they did not want the shame in the failure of providing the next generation of heirs to burden their shoulders. But they were still very young, and perhaps it was only a lark that she was not yet pregnant. It was entirely possible, after all.
Every night, when they lay in their shared bed looking at each other, both were thinking, and fearing, the exact same thing.