Queen Pirouette leaned over Princess LaLa’s bed and checked her covers. She pulled them up a few inches and then touched the child’s cheek. Thank God her fever’s broken. She thought. A think layer of sweat coated LaLa’s forehead, so Pirouette took a handkerchief and gently patted her daughter’s brow. The child sighed and her eyes flickered open for a second, unseeing, and then closed again. Pirouette lean closer and kissed LaLa on the cheek. “I love you, ma petite.” For the queen, these moments alone with her children were magical.

“Tomorrow I’m sure you will be well enough to go outside and play.”