The Garden of Eldoria
The royal garden of Eldoria, filled with blooming flowers and lush greenery. The atmosphere is serene and peaceful, with magical fire.
King Thalor: (laughing) Yes, my love, imagine our little prince or princess roaming through the palace walls, chasing the enchanted butterflies.
Queen Seraphina: (smiling) Yes, giving headaches to us all. (both laugh)
King Thalor: But we must give our best to ensure our child has nothing but the best.
Queen Seraphina: Yes, for a better and brighter kingdom. (Feels a sharp pain) I need... (She faints)
King Thalor: (shouting) Maids, come quickly and get Healer Airmed!
Some minutes later
Airmed: (examining Queen Seraphina) She has a major contraction and won't be able to give birth safely.
King Thalor: (Worried) What do you mean, Airmed?
Airmed: (Sighs) If she gives birth, she and the baby will perish.
King Thalor: (shocked) No, isn't there something that can be done? Anything?
Airmed: (sighs) Something can be done...
King Thalor: (Interrupting) What? Just say it, and it will be done.
Airmed: (Sighs) The kingdom of Drakoria possesses the elements that can save the queen and the baby.
King Thalor: (trembling) Are you serious? I'll do whatever it takes...
Airmed: (worried) But my king, you know that the kingdom of Drakoria always demands a steep price.
King Thalor: I have to try.
Airmed: Okay, my king. We need three elements because the baby is destined to be extraordinary.
King Thalor: I don't understand, what do you mean.
Airmed: The baby has an aura so powerful that it can destroy both the baby and the mother at childbirth. But with these elements, it will shield the baby's aura and protect both mother and child.
King Thalor: Wow... So what are these elements?
Airmed:Moonstone Elixir,Phoenix Feather, and Dragon's Breath Herb
King Thalor: Guards!
Guard 1: Yes, Your Highness.
King Thalor: Prepare my carriage to the kingdom of Drakoria.
Guard 1: (Bowing) Right away, Your Highness.
Queen Seraphina: (Coughing and in pain) Please, I just need water.
Airmed: (To the maids) Don't, it will only worsen her condition.
Queen Seraphina: Please, even if it's just a drop.
King Thalor: (holding her hands) My queen, I'm going to make sure you're all right, okay? (She nods in pain) Just calm down, my love. It will be all right.
The Throne Room of Drakoria
The dark and imposing throne room of Drakoria, filled with shadows and a sense of foreboding. The walls are adorned with ancient tapestries and flickering torches.
King Malakar: (Laughing) Yes, so pay what you owe. You know how I despise empty promises.
Old Man: My king, please, I don't have it now. I'll try, just give me more time.
King Malakar: (angry) I don't give time. Give me what you owe now.
Old Man: Please, I'll try and meet up. It will never happen again...
King Malakar: (holding him by the neck) I don't grant mercy to my debtors. (Drains the old man's power, and he drops dead)
King Malakar: (smirking) Guards, clean up this mess and bring his son to me.
Guards: Yes, Your Royalness.
Queen Morgana: (embracing him) My love, calm down. You know you have other matters to attend to.
King Malakar: (taking one of her hands to his lips, kissing it) Of course, my queen, but you know how dearly I hate debtors.
Queen Morgana: (smiling) Yes, love, I know, and that...
Guard: (interrupting) Sorry, my king and queen, for interrupting, but the king of Eldoria wishes to see you.
King Malakar: (surprised) The kingdom of Eldoria? Well, I'll be a dragon's uncle. A kingdom known for its grace wishes to come to a sophisticated kingdom. Well, let him in.
Guard: (bowing) Yes, my king.
Queen Morgana: (smiling) This looks promising.
King Malakar: Yes, my queen, it sure does.
King Thalor enters
King Thalor: Greetings, great one of Drakoria.
King Malakar: Greetings to you, gracious king of Eldoria.
King Thalor: I have come to request a few things.
King Malakar: (smiling) A few, you say?
King Thalor: (Sighs) Yes.
Queen Morgana: And what are we giving you?
King Thalor: Moonstone Elixir, Phoenix Feather, and Dragon's Breath Herb
King Malakar: These items are only found outside the palace gardens for...
Queen Morgana: Childbirth.
King Thalor: That's all I ask.
King Malakar: Well, you may have it, but as you know...
King Thalor: It comes with a price.
King Malakar: (Smiling) Good, I'm happy we are on the same page.
King Thalor: I can offer you more guards, more gold, more cloaks, and what have you.
King Malakar: (laughing) I have more than required. Besides, you're a king, and here is my judgment: if we get these items for you, and your queen gives birth to a boy, you let go of your debt. But if it's a girl, get her prepared; my son will marry her to unite both kingdoms.
King Thalor: (shocked) What? Why? Isn't there anything that can be done?
Queen Morgana: (smiling) You heard my king. He wasn't deaf.
King Malakar: (smiling) Calm down, my queen. That's no way to talk to a king.
Queen Morgana: I'm so sorry, the king of Eldoria.
King Malakar: So, do we have ourselves a deal?
King Thalor: (sighs) Yes, we do.
King Malakar: (smiling) Excellent. (turning to a maid) Get the elements of childbirth.
Maid: (bowing) Yes, my king.
Few minutes later
Maid: (Carries it in a silver bag) Here you go, my king.
King Malakar: (collecting the items) Excellent work. Do we still have a deal, Your Majesty?
King Thalor: Yes, we do.
King Malakar: Okay. (a scroll appears in his hand) But first, we need to sign this.
King Thalor: Okay. (brings out his pen)
King Malakar: (laughing) No, we don't need a pen. We are dealing with kingdoms uniting, so I prefer blood. (smirking)
King Thalor: (surprised) Blood? Why? Isn't there anything we can do or think of?
King Malakar: Let me think... nothing. It's either you sign or you leave without...
King Thalor: I'll sign it.
King Malakar: (smirking) Excellent.
They sign the paper, and King Thalor leaves in tears.
Queen Morgana: (smiling) Excellent choice, my king.
King Malakar: (kissing her) Of course.
The Return to Eldoria
The royal palace of Eldoria. The atmosphere is tense, with the air thick with anticipation.
King Thalor: (returns from Drakoria, looking weary) Healer Airmed, I have the elements.
Airmed: (examining the items) How did it go, Your Majesty?
King Thalor: It went well, but the fate of the kingdom now lies in the gender of the baby.
Airmed: (shocked) What do you mean?
King Thalor: If it's a boy, the kingdom is free. But if it's a girl, she will marry their prince when she's of age.
Airmed: (gasping) No, how could he?
King Thalor: (sighs) I had no choice. The kingdom's future depends on it.
Airmed: (sighs) Okay, let me prepare the elements.
Healer Airmed prepares the materials and gives them to Queen Seraphina. She drinks the potion and falls into labor almost immediately. After two hours, she gives birth to a bouncing baby girl.
Airmed: (coming out of the room)
King Thalor: How is she and the baby?
Airmed: (smiling) They are doing wonderfully well.
King Thalor: (smiling) That's just perfect...
Airmed: (sighs) But it's a girl.
King Thalor: (sighs) Okay, it doesn't matter. I will protect her. Can I go and see her?
Airmed: (nods) Yes, Your Highness.
King Thalor enters the room and sees Queen Seraphina smiling with the baby in her arms.
King Thalor: (smiles, carrying the baby) My little reindeer.
Baby: (coos)
King Thalor: (smiling) Don't worry, I will protect you, Elara.
Baby: (coos)
Queen Seraphina: (smiling) Aww, that name is wonderful—our little Elara.
King Thalor: It just came to my head.
Airmed: (smiling) A beautiful and great name for a great and wonderful girl.
Some hours later, King Thalor goes to the garden to gather his thoughts.
Queen Seraphina: My love, you have been quiet. It's unlike you.
King Thalor: (sighs) I'm sorry, my love, but the future of this kingdom and our baby is in great trouble.
Queen Seraphina: What do you mean?
King Thalor narrates everything to her.
Queen Seraphina: (calm) My love, I understand you did what you had to do. But it's our child, and we will deal with it to the last.
King Thalor: (smiling and pecking her) What would I do without you?
Queen Seraphina: (smiling) We will face this together.
King Thalor: (looking into the distance) But what if they come for her sooner than we expect?How can we protect her from a fate that is inevitable?