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.8

Of all the things he could have returned with from his hunt, you never expected a child. A wild boar, an elk, perhaps even an injured fawn. But not a foundling boy. He's tiny and dirty with a haunted look in his eyes and seeing him with that box of his mother's ashes just breaks your heart. You hug him extra tight though, when he asks if you're his new Daddy. The Kingdom now has a Prince.

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.7

Hunting. It was your favorite thing to do but also, it came with a risk. You'd never know what you'd find on these mini expeditions, today being a prime example.

You notice something missing when you wake from your cat-nap. A rather important something. You immediately mount your horse, name of Joséphine, and she leads you straight to the thief. You sneer, grabbing your helmet before turning to leave.

Something stops you, though, and you dismount your horse, hearing soft whimpering coming from...below you? You bend down and find a latch, seeing a scared boy looking up at you with bright green eyes.

A...child? A very young child. He looks to be a toddler, even.

He looked pathetic, really. Then, you notice him clutching box and your heart drops. It was a box made to hold ashes. Without a word you pick both the boy and his box, 'Mama', up, setting him on Joséphine. You don't speak, the only sounds being your footfall on the leaves and twigs as you make your way out of the woods.

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.6

You stand over the balcony, watching the sun rise over the mountains. You were covered in lovely shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. A cool wind blows softly, making your hair rustle.

All was quiet and well in your kingdom. No screams of kids or chanting of your downfall. When the rooster crows, though, you frown; knowing very well your short moment of silence and peace had ended.

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.5

Even in this body, showers were still something you craved. It was needed, extremely. More specifically, after a massacre. The stench of blood was something you never favored; especially when it came from your own subjects...

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My Kings! Running a kingdom must be a stressful, constant job, so I was wondering if you two have time to partake in leisurely activities- I'm sure even the best monarchs need some time to destress, no?

Of course! I quite enjoy making detailed maps of the kingdom and.... birdwatching. Go ahead and laugh if you must but it's very relaxing. You should try it. Guillaume, on the other hand, enjoys spending time with his hounds and horseback riding through the meadows outside the castle. -HRH King Thomas

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.4

Not that you’d ever tell him, but you longed for the days where you would hold your co-ruler close. Especially when it came to storms. He was deathly afraid of storms and you were like his refuge.

Tonight, though, he is gone. On a mission to a neighboring Kingdom to see about an alliance. You hear a rumble that pulls you out of your thoughts, and casually stroll over to the balcony.

A storm was brewing. You could see the almost pitch black clouds slowly make their way towards you. It was almost like a predator slowly creeping up on it’s prey. Your mind drifted back to Thomas, wondering if he, too, had been caught in the storm.

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Ah, yes. True. But you are gold, yes? And I'm sure you have a heart, somewhere in that mess of wiring and flesh. Is it as malleable as that metal you adore? Or did you manage to... reinforce it. Seems that way.

Would you be surprised if I told you it was real?. Scientists in my Kingdom are well versed in their practices. Well, they have to be! If not, they'll lose more than we ever will.

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Hey Guillaume. Fun question for you: do kings rust? Yes, no, and maybe are all acceptable answers.

Human Kings do not rust, no. But, then again, neither do I. One of the many perks of being a humanoid cyborg hybrid.

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