She made a few turns and landed in a hallway with six doors, three on each side. She went inside each one. In each was one of her sons, either asleep or about to be. She opened the last door and found her eldest son, wide awake.

“What's wrong Gene? Why aren't you asleep yet?”, she asked. 

He signed, “I'm just a bit stressed. Dad brought up “marriage” again. Then he started talking about proper suitors again.” 

Celia sat down and put her arm around her son, “I'll talk to him about it. Tell him to stop bringing it up. But it is going to happen someday. You are going to be king, and you need a queen.” Gene nodded. 

“But don't worry, we aren't going to marry you off yet. You still got four years on you before that.” She smiled. 

Gene relaxed a little, “Thanks mom.”He laid down.  As his mother proceeded to tuck him in. 

“Goodnight, I love you.” She kissed his forehead. She turned off the light and shut the door behind her on her way out. As she walked down the hall, she quickend her pace. She tensed up a bit too. Soon she found her way to her husband's office. As she walked towards the large doors, they were opened for her by two guards standing on either side. Advisers were squirming the desk in the middle of the room.

“Leave, all of you, now” Celia demanded. They all scurried out the doors, all except one. The Duke Polorus. He just stood there, not even acknowledging his queen.

She was not in the mood, “Out, now! God so help me, I will have you arrested.” The Duke glanced behind him at her highness. He then calmly walked out. 

The second the doors were shut Celia marched up to her husband, “What did I tell you about pressuring Gene?!” 

“Celia… he's getting older, he needs to start thinking about these things. You can't baby him forever.”

“I can do whatever I want. He is my son and I'm the queen.” 

“I'm the king and he’s the crowned prince, heir to my throne.”

“He’s fourteen!” 

“We were nine when we were engaged.” 

“Thats different!”

“How?”

Celia’s eyes started to water, “It just is!” 

“Celia…” Timari softened. 

“It's different because I would have killed you if you tried to marry him off at nine.” She sniffed. 

“I know.” He stood and walked around the desk, “Come here.” He wrapped his arms around his wife. 

She started to cry, “He’s my baby, they are all my babies. He’s not ready, I’m not ready. He’s only fourteen, let him grow up, let me have more time, before some rich, beautiful princess comes and takes him away from me.” Timari smiled.

“Okay.” He kissed her forehead and backed away, “But the second he turns eighteen he’s mine, got it.” 

Celia laughed, “Deal.” They looped arms and walked out the door together. When they entered the hall, The Duke was still there. 

“Your highness-” He started, before getting cut off.

“Enough, I'm retiring to my chambers for tonight, it can wait till morning.” The king said as he walked past The Duke.