kpwu
long
tale
Castle. LYON KING, LYON QUEEN, ROYAL ADVISOR.
ADVISOR :
Oh proud king and queen. This year will mark the third edition of the great congress which you must attend. Although I am sure you would prefer to tend to your people, this is the one time where you must take your leave.
LYON KING :
The congress... Tis folly to associate with these people.
ADVISOR :
Which do you mean, the people or the Congress ?
LYON KING :
Both ! Both ! The people does not appreciate our kindness, and the other kings are terribly self interested. Nothing good will come from that congress.
LYON QUEEN :
And yet, even so, by obligation we must go. Were a king absent at the congress, the other countries should attack us and hold us hostages.
LYON KING :
I suppose you are right. Heavy are the shoulders of a ruler.
ADVISOR :
Very well. A ship will be made ready for departure at dawn tomorrow. You two shall give goodbye to your son, then rest for the journey ahead.
LYON QUEEN :
Give goodbye ? Nay, I say. The prince will follow to the congress.
LYON KING :
Indeed. Ifever something were to happen to us, he will remain behind as the sole ruler. He needs to know how a congress goes.
ADVISOR :
With all due respect, benevolent tyrants, are you really thinking of taking a child with these people ? Should I not remind you of the terrible kings, ones that would mark the tender flesh of a child with a searing memory, akin to a terrible dream ? Even if he is your son, the child is only seven of age.
LYON KING :
His young age is all the more a reason to take him. This congress presents the nightmare that is ruling a country, and this nightmare is one that should be seared into his mind. 'Tis a terrible burden, to be a king, and one my own father and mother made me carry at a young age also. It's for the better that my son, the prince, would finally become worthy of his title, and should attend the congress.
LYON QUEEN :
Yes, and it should be in his infancy that he should meet those who will be his opponents for the remainder of his life.
ADVISOR :
Reconsider, however, the event of an assassination, or a shipwreck. I am far from praying for this to happen, and would be strongly stricken by grief, but if these events would happen, and the prince was with you, then no one would be left to rule the land of your ancestors.
LYON QUEEN :
A good point. Then, I shall remain here, and the prince shall go to the congress with his father.
ADVISOR :
No, this is not good. If one of you were to stay, and those who went to the congress were to not return, then you shall rule until your own death, and leave your country with no ruler afterward.
Silence.
LYON KING :
Very well. We shall go give our goodbyes to the prince.
LYON KING and LYON QUEEN exit
ADVISOR :
I worry for the young prince. I have no doubt that the King and the Queen will return safely, but if ever... if ever... No. No, shake that thought, strangle it, drown it, throw it in hell. They will come safely, if not for their land, for their son, and if not for their son, for their pride.
All exit.