“From now on you will stay with me.”

“I beg your pardon, your majesty but I am married. We made a vow till death do us part in sickness and in health for richer or poorer better or worse.”

 “Oh, I'm sorry I couldn't even tell with that pathetic band on your finger.”

Earlier that day 

Madge: “What are we serving today father?”

Mr. Muiner: “Pheasant Apple Casserole.”

Madge: “That sounds gross but it smells good. Can you show me how to make it?”

Mr. Muiner: “Of course my darling. So first we are going to take our flour, salt, and pepper, and combine them in this small bowl here. After we mix that thoroughly we are going to set that bowl to the side and work on cutting the pheasant into bite-sized pieces.”

Madge: “When do we get to the apples?”

Mr. Muiner: “Patience we are getting there. First, we need to coat the pheasant pieces in our flour mixture.”

As the Muiners prepped diligently for the day ahead there was nothing that could truly prepare them for the wickedness lurking in the shadows…

At the library 

Mr. Balkerin muttered to himself: “Curse that foolish child!” he says as he flips through the pages of a very large old book hoping he could find a certain curse or spell that would meet his need for revenge.

Reginald storms in the library seething with rage, grabbing Balkerin up by the back of his coat: “Where the hell have you been? I expected you back with that coin weeks ago. I’m glad you could find the time to do some reading. He snarls, swiping all the books off the table. You know I need it for my wife. There is no way I will have an heir at this rate. All she does is have miscarriages.”

Mr. Balkerin looks at the king fearlessly, his own temper beginning to boil: “Your wife? Your wife?!? What about mine?” he says and begins to break down and cry. “At least you have a wife.”

Reginald: “So you mean to tell me you intended to use this coin all along?!?! Don’t be daft. There is no such power to bring one back from the dead. That is against nature! The dark arts. Are you trying to create an unholy being?” he screams in his face, pushing Balkerin into the table.

Librarian: “Forgive me your majesty,” says the book keeper timidly, “but I’m going to have to ask you to leave…”

Reginald getting in her face: “Oh do you? Fine,” he barks, “we were just leaving,” he says dragging Balkerin out by his collar.

When they get outside the library he throws Balkerin to the ground: “Where is it?'' he screams. “Where is the coin?”

Balkerin a bit terrified at this point: “Please I don’t have it your majesty.”

Reginald: “Liar!” He says kicking him.

Balkerin: “I swear,” he chokes out wheezing. “Some girl took it.”

Reginald: “Which girl?”

Balkerin: “Madge.” He replies, spitting out blood. “Her parents own that restaurant that all the poor folk go to.”

Reginald: “I order you to take me there at once!”

Balkerin smirks: “Oh, do you? A little brazen aren’t we? And then? King you may be but those people have no loyalty to you. They will swarm you. You aren’t exactly known for your generosity.”

Reginald had an air about him like the world was his for the taking. Some even rumored he was descended from Nero himself for he cared so little for his kingdom's people.

Reginald: “Go fetch me some peasant folk clothes then” he roars, tossing him a few pfennigs. “That should cover it.”

Balkerin: “And if I don’t?”

Reginald: “I will have you so severely punished you will wish for death.”

Balkerin dryly: “I already wish for death I have nothing to live for anymore.”

Reginald: “Is that so, he said, raising a brow. And what if I were to tell you I would spare your niece Desiree?”

Balkerin: “Desiree? That handmaiden from the castle? What are you talking about? I have no niece, no family. I was an only child and my parents are dead.”

Reginald: “Ah I see so you don’t remember your dear old brother do you?”

Balkerin: “Brother,” he stammers .“I… I don’t have a brother. How would you know him anyways?”

Reginald: “It was the talk of the town of course. The only blacksmith in town. Dead. Contracted some kind of odd rash and threw himself down a well, didn’t want to infect the rest of his family and so he sacrificed himself. He gave himself up as an offering pleading that the Gods bless his daughter since he had no coin to offer. After that a barren maid on your mother’s side took her in. I am guessing you were about five then. A great while ago you must have repressed it or just simply forgotten him. What a pity.”

Balkerin: “You’re.. You’re lying”, he said, trembling. “I never… ugh” he cries pressing his palms into his eyes. “So that man… the one I saw all those years ago…? He was really my brother.”

Reginald: “Me lie? Never. His apprentice Thomas Clemmons took over the stand after. Pity your brother did good work for me he charged so little any time I needed horseshoes,” he said chuckling. “Besides, a good king knows all his loyal subjects. It is necessary to ensure everyone pays their taxes in full.”

Balkerin: “So then you just took my niece, he roared and made her leave her home and family just to work for you?!”

Reginald: “Of course not, that would be barbic of me. You see her family fell a bit behind with their taxes so she offered to come and work for me if I were to send money back to her family. Pretty little thing so I agreed. Pretty but not smart she never specified a schedule or amount that was to be sent home so they get 5 pfennigs every few months” he said laughing.

Balkerin: “Fine I will do it. You will retrieve the coin so let me have this at least. Please release my niece and let her go home. Let me reconnect with the little family I have left.”

Reginald: “Alright as long as you continue to serve me without question until I am able to obtain my coin. You may have her back. It's not as if young girls are a rarity.”

Balkerin: “Yes your majesty” he said through gritted teeth and a forced smile “I will be right back with the necessary attire.”

After Balkerin returns with a change of more inconspicuous clothing for his royal highness to wear they made their way to the family restaurant