It was actually a pleasantly steady day at the restaurant. It wasn’t typical that they were able to serve dishes as upscale as pheasant and there was even a bit of a small wait.

Mrs. Muiner: “Would you like me to top off your ale?”

Reginald: “Yes, it goes good with the pheasant.”

Hmm he thinks to himself willingly serves and can cook decently despite the shit ingredients they scrounge up. She would flourish in every way if she were in a different environment… a sly smile came to his lips.

Mrs. Muiner: “Alright here you are.”

Reginald: “Thank you. You have a daughter don’t you?”

Mrs. Muiner: “Yes, I do. She is the eldest of my three children. Why do you ask?”

Reginald: “Well you see she has something in common with one of my laborers.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Oh? And what can that be? She is only a little girl?”

Reginald: “No no. Now I can assure they both have a nasty little habit of taking things that don’t belong to them.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Now wait just a minute if you’re here on behalf of Mr. Laifierre we already made peace--”

Reginald: “No I couldn’t care any less on how you have all made up with the baker and your daughter’s false promises to never steal again.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Wha- what do you mean? Madge? Come here.”

Reginald: “What I mean is that girl,” he points a  finger at Madge  sneering stole my coin.

Mrs. Muiner: “Madge is this true?! I thought you agreed not to steal anymore. What have you done? Surely you know better. Did you force Davon into your devious scheme?”

Madge: “No I mean yes but no I didn’t force him Davon actually told me not to take it. We walked to the well together and Davon left me there alone because he didn’t think it was right of me to take it. I prayed to Balder son of Odin to make you and daddy as rich as kings and queens are and threw it down the well.”

Reginald: “You what?!,” he roared I needed that coin all my good for nothing wife does is have miscarriage after miscarriage I need a son. “Well then I guess we are just going to have to make ourselves a little deal. From now on you will stay with me.”

And that’s when it dawned on her who this man truly was when she caught a glimpse of the Shawcross family crest on the scabbard of his dagger that hung from his waist.

Mrs. Muiner: “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.”

Reginald:  “Oh, I'm sorry I couldn't even tell with that pathetic band on your finger. I suggest you come willingly or you and your family will suffer the consequences for your disobedience. I consider myself a pretty just man. I am willing to forgive your thieving little brat as long you stay with me.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Your majesty, I couldn’t possibly leave my family and expect my husband to care for three young children and manage a restaurant all on his own.”

Reginald: laughs “please not even the two of you were able to manage those pests or this dump. They still stole, did they not? Did you not hear me? You will come with me or else.”

Madge: “I’m sorry I’m sorry please don’t take my mommy,” she cries.

Mr. Muiner hearing the ruckus: “What’s going on out here?”

Reginald: “Oh good you’re just in time to say goodbye to your wife.”

Mrs. Muiner clinging to Mr. Muiner: “No I won’t go,” she cries.

Reginald: Rolls his eyes. “All this drama I told you I will take you as compensation for my loss. Guards seize her!”

Mrs. Muiner: “No!,” she cries fighting against the guard's grip.  “No please.”

Reginald: “Shut up! Be grateful I picked you and see potential in your looks. Can’t say much about your parenting skills considering you let your kids steal but at least the palace has plenty of nannies. What do you want? How can I make you stop this incessant whining? If you keep fighting I WILL kill your husband so stop your sniveling.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Please he will struggle without me, they all will.”

Reginald: “I don’t care and I am losing my patience quit now while I am still willing to send your husband back a monthly dole.”

Mrs. Muiner: Realizing fighting is useless and that this is the best possible outcome of this terrible situation, “Alright she said 50 pfennig a month… please, she said, her lips quivering. “At least let me take Finn. He is so young he will adjust quickly and soon have no memory of his life here. Running a business and watching three small children all on your own is impossible.”

Reginald: “Fine,” he barks “now let’s get going.”

Mrs. Muiner: “Now you two behave for your father, help him. He is going to need you both now more than ever.”

She kisses and hugs each of them goodbye and slowly trudges up the stairs to the buggy.

Driver: “Ya!”

And with that the buggy lurches forward en route to the palace.