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Mikel knew the decision must be made. His heart wanted to return to Treborel, his mind told him he must stay. After months of sleepless nights, he finally reached a decision. He would accept the throne and concede to a long distance relationship with his beloved Sari. He now had to find a way to tell her. Mikel knew she would mask the pain and support him; she was the only person who could possibly understand why he had to stay. Her face appeared before him on the V com screen.
She greeted him with enthusiasm. "Oh Mikel, I'm so glad to see you. I've just found out some extraordinary news! I'm going to have a baby!" Her beautiful face beamed with excitement.
Mikel stared into her deep blue eyes stunned. Of all the plans he had taken into consideration, having a child hadn't been one of them. His priorities changed quickly.
Somewhere on this planet, his firstborn child was growing up without him. He would not let another one of his children slip through his fingers. Suddenly everything seemed so simple, so easy. Gwenna would have to rule, he would teach her. It would take time, but she was an intelligent girl. She had vehemently displayed her views on not being taken seriously. She had been right, he had fooled himself into thinking he was the only one capable of assuming the throne. His pride had almost ruined his life.
He smiled back at his wife and said, "Sari, this wonderful news, my darling! I love you so much! This couldn't have come at a better time! I’ve just made the decision to turn the crown over to Gwenna. I'll be delayed here a few more months, but I will definitely be home before you are swollen and complaining of abandonment.”
True to his word, Mikel was home before the birth of his son. He came into the world screaming his displeasure with the cold bright world. The infant has a full head of golden hair, Sari's dark blue eyes and the fierce spirit of Mikel's eldest brother Oliver. Queen Gwenna sent her congratulations and love to the new parents, along with the other Sovereigns of the planet.
As he held his newborn son, amidst all the celebrations, Mikel's thoughts went back to Latria and the child he never knew. He desperately tried to convince himself that Zannia and the child had found a haven and were happy in their solitude. Instead he feared they were starving or injured with countless other families near the northern border of Latria, or worse yet dying in the plague infested hovels of Ventil.