INT. CATHEDRAL OF THE GOD OF VICTORY - DAY

Flashback.

This is the day of the coronation of Morkana Alfrau, the new Empress of the Fafnirian Empire. For the past two years she had started her plans of take over she had planned during the previous decade, and to the surprise of many imperial nobles she had succeeded. She had proved her military superiority with the rebuilt Terran dreadnoughts and won the favor of most nobles thanks to diplomacy, commercial treaties and shady dealings, but what helped make her claim to the throne official was the honor of two men: Arther Flamewing and Vhrutus Almensch. Vhrutus, the uncle of Morkana by her father’s side, was the reluctant heir of the empire that rejected being a figurehead for the Regent Empress Meenervah and went on a self imposed quest to search for a worthy heir to the throne. When Flamewing defeated Vhrutus in a duel to determine the future of the empire, Vhrutus declared to all the legions loyal to him that Morkana is worthy and became loyal to her cause. Later, the Watchdog of the Emperor became the Guardian Hero and lead a legion against the forces of the three noble houses that sided with Meenervah, and this conflict ended with Vhrutus doing a heroic sacrifice of keeping Meenervah in place for an orbital bombardment capable of killing a god. Before this last stand, Vhrutus had told Morkana and Flamewing to “be happy”.

Morkana: “I want to be happy.”

On the day of the coronation, Morkana wore a black royal dress with golden decorations and pieces of armor covering her arms, legs, breasts and pregnant belly. She was aware that carrying a baby on her belly made her an easy target for assassination, so she was prepared to protect hers and Flamewing’s child, and thankfully it was a tradition in Fafniria that all nobles receiving a title should wear battle armor during official ceremonies since Meenervah’s rule made many people be very paranoid. Even during weddings brides and grooms should carry weapons after that incident when Meenervah sent an assassin to kill a bride, and later she tried to kill Vhrutus’ husband once.

Sparrow: “Are you okay, boss?”

Sparrow was close to Morkana and dressed as a maid.

Morkana: “I am okay. This isn’t my first time in front of a big crowd of stupid aristocrats.”

The Victory Priest began to recite sacred texts in the common language of the Fafnirian people, a language Morkana had to study as a kid and somehow she understood it better than Spanish, the common language of many humans. Now, here’s an interesting detail: Morkana may be not religious, but she knows faith is important to people, and besides, the faith of the old gods doesn’t require confirmation of faith from the Emperor/Empress. The Emperor Sma-Ugh was a secularist too and he fought Asmoth in the past, just like Flamewing did in recent years.

Unnamed Dreik Lady: “I wonder who the father is.”

Unnamed Dreik Lord: “I heard she has a secret lover.”

Unnamed Dreik general: “Probably some rich guy from the capital.”

Unnamed Bastean banker: “She is from Blitz. The women from there are too easy.”

Unnamed human CEO: “She was nicknamed ‘The Bitch of Blitz’, so it isn’t a surprise if she doesn’t remember the father of her child.”

Unnamed Android Celebrity: “I thought she was nicknamed ‘The Mother of Monsters’.”

Unnamed Dreik Lady: “What kind of nickname is that?”

Unnamed Dreik general: “Oh right, she was the administrator of that infamous think tank.”

Unnamed Dreik Lord: “Oh, the one with the mad scientists and the eldritch monster?”

Unnamed Dreik guard: “Shhh… No talking during the ceremony.”

Morkana didn’t hear the conversations happening in secret behind her back, but she knew people liked to talk rumors about her. That has been true both on Nietzschea and Fafniria. For many years she has ignored the lies about herself, but she didn’t like when people created rumors about her fiance and her son. She has kept the identity of her child’s father a secret to the public to protect Flamewing from rumors that would destroy his image as a hero, an image that inspired millions of people on the worlds of the Coalition and the Frontier Worlds. If the truth about him abandoning her and her child to protect a psychotic murderous woman was revealed, the consequences would be catastrophic and he would become hated by billions of people. Until Flamewing returns, Morkana will keep his dark secrets and wait faithfully for him as the best fiancee ever.

Morkana (whispering): “I will wait faithfully for you, my love. You must have had your reasons.”

Morkana touched her armored belly and felt a small kick which made her smile.

Sparrow (whispering): “I hope this ceremony ends soon.”

Victory Priest: “The Gods have spoken! The God of Victory has spoken!”

The clergy of Victory Church originally followed dogmas of honor, justice, kindness to the peasants and determination, but after Khaezar began to be slowly crystallized and Meenervah took over the empire, she began to spread her malice on the already morally complex religious leaders and promoted the careers of the most evil of them, which increased the usual corruption of organized religions ten times. To make things worse, some of the priests were forced to go through rituals to not only interact with the gods of the dreik, but also eldritch monsters from the Void. Such rituals made even the innocent priests become insane, and sadly, the priest that crowned Morkana was a good man forced against his will to become mad. Sparrow noticed how the priest's hands were shaking while trying to put a ceremonial crown over Morkana’s head and she felt sorry for him.

Victory Priest: “By the will of the Empire and the will of the Gods, I declare Morkana Alfrau the Empress of the Fafnirian Empire and its colonies in other worlds! Long live the Empress! First of the House of Alfrau and Queen of the Nation of Blitz!”

The crowd inside the cathedral started to clap and the organ of the cathedral played a sublime gothic hymn to commemorate the ascension of the most powerful woman of the Known Worlds. A beautiful woman dressed in black and with her belly showing her as a motherly figure, she looked as both a goddess and a demoness. To many her expressionless face showed stoicism and serenity, but she was actually sad and trying not to cry.

Morkana: “I wish your dad was here, my little prince.”

Sparrow, the right hand of the empress, was able to read Morkana as an open book and felt regret about many things she said in the past.

Sparrow: “Stupid Flamewing.”

End of the Flashback.

INT. FLAMEWING’S ROOM - EARLY MORNING

Back to the present of this story. Flamewing had woken up after a terrible night of crying and repairing the plumbing again. However, this time he found a surprise on a fancy table next to him. Over it there was a plate of cookies and a letter written by Morkana.

Note (with Morkana’s imaginary voice): “I want you to know that I am very confused about what to feel about this whole situation we both got into, so this isn’t a full apology. However, I will stop my petty acts of cruelty now.”

And as if it was divine providence, Flamewing finally got to shower without surprise changes cold water attacks. He felt that a burden had been lifted from his shoulders, but he still didn’t feel at peace.

Flamewing: “I have to make it up to her.”

Flamewing still had a week before returning to Faeheim, so was going to use his time properly.

INT. HELEN’S ROOM - MORNING

Helen had woken up to a very tall and scary lady sitting close to her. This time Helen looked scared instead of happy. She covered herself with her bedsheets because of fear of Morkana being angry again.

Morkana: “You did nothing wrong, Helen. I am the one that was a bad person.”

Helen uncovered her face and was confused.

Morkana: “Look, I… I can’t replace your mom, but I can try to be your friend.”

Helen: “Really?”

Morkana: “Yes. I promise to not shout again to you.”

Helen: “Pinky promise?”

Helen looked serious and held her tiny hand to show her lifted pinky finger. This made Morkana roll her eyes humorously.

Morkana: “Yes, pinky promise.”

Morkana did the traditional human gesture with her very large hand. The promise was made and Helen ended up hugging Morkana.

Morkana: “O-okay. That is good, but I have work to do.”

To Morkana’s surprise, Prince had sneaked behind her and hugged her too.

Morkana:”When did you get so sneaky?! Okay kids, I love you both, but I really have to work! I have to administer an empire!”

INT. THRONE ROOM - MORNING

Morkana had to slowly walk to her throne room while two kids hugged both of her legs, and eventually Robin helped take the kids away. Once sitting on her throne, Morkana activated all her screens and continued the very frustrating work she does every day.

Morkana: “Sparrow, I need topographic maps of this area to plan the construction of the water purification plant. Raven, update the servers with the new firewalls. Blue Jay, negotiate the terms of the contract with the new patricians of Faeheim. Owl…”

Morkana noticed the drawing made by Helen was still on her desk and smiled.

Owl (as a voice coming from a communicator): “Your highness, I can’t work on the next assignment. Remember that I asked permission to prepare for my own wedding.”

Morkana: “Oh right. I got confused since Sparrow has been juggling her job with her own personal duties.”

Sparrow (as a voice coming from a communicator): “Unlike my future wife, I can’t skip my duties managing our network of agents on every branch of our government.”

Morkana: “Your future wife understands what it means to rely on your subordinates. Don’t overwork yourself like me.”

Sparrow gave a dry sarcastic laugh.

Sparrow: “By the way, your ex left something at the entrance of the palace before leaving to train his company.”

Morkana: “He did what?”

INT. IMPERIAL PALACE’S ENTRANCE - MORNING

To Morkana’s surprise, instead of an over the top collage of papers at the entrance of the palace she found a small bento box with a post stick note.

Note (with Flamewing’s imaginary voice): “Thanks for the cookies, but I still have 6 years to compensate.”

Inside the box was the usual lunch Flamewing used to make for Morkana when they used to date.

Robin: “I told the guards to not touch the box, your majesty.”

Morkana: “You did good.”

Morkana had missed the taste of one of Flamewing’s egg sandwiches and it was obvious he bought food from the Human District since he hasn’t been allowed to enter the kitchen of the palace, nor touch any of the ingredients there.

Morkana (munching): “Oh ma starchs! Sho Good!”