The Mechanical Era

The sun rose once again on the city of Nexert. Malinda, dressed in her pink nightgown, had fully woken up from her deep slumber. A bath had already been prepared for her by the maids. She got off the bed to take her warm bath in the morning to clean herself. There were multiple bathrooms, and one was reserved for her.

When she finally finished, she put on her royal gown. This time she wore a light pink with white outlines. She went over to the dining room, where breakfast had already been prepared for the two houses to eat. The plates contain bread, lots of meat such as chicken, beef, and fish, along with some vegetables such as carrots colored purple, potatoes, and beetroot along with a few tomatoes.

Malinda took her breakfast with Corel, who was seen wearing a lavish 14-buttoned purple suit with yellow linings, along with his wife, who wore a gown with a similar color palate, her being a bit lighter. Though they were at the same table, they rather not talk while eating. When they finished, Malinda and Corel went over where Danial rested, to discuss what to do next.

However, when they saw Danial sleeping in his white robes like a baby. The two decided that it was better not to wake him up, as they have seen he had grown paler in the following weeks. He needed some rest so instead, the two went over to Malinda's room to talk it out.

"Alright, Malinda. Considering you look to be in a more stable emotional state, I think you are more... suited to talk about briefing your family and staff members about Danial's condition. What do you have in mind."

"Though I would like to inform Sofia, Edward, and Lisa about their father's situation, as is the duty of the mother, the risk involved in such is great. As the chances of the letter being intercepted and clype Rose of his condition would be highly probable. So I am at a loss for what I should do."

"What about regarding Prince Kant?"

"Kant?"

"Yes. Him. How would you suspect he react to the whole affair."

Malinda thought for a minute. The last time she had seen Kant he was in a nihilistic state with crippling social anxiety. However, the recent letters she had received is the boy had improved in his behavior over the month.

"I am not so sure. I haven't seen the boy in a month, and Minister Arjun in his letters inform me that he had gotten better. He might be able to take it but..."

"But what?"

"I would not like to risk it. I think it would be best to not disturb his... development." Malinda replied.

"What do you propose Corel?"

"I highly recommend that you send a letter to Hoverdam only. Informing the assistant minister and knight commander there."

"And the children?"

"You should only tell your children when they finally arrive back in the summer. To make sure it is safe."

"But won't it be too late? By then he is either cured or..."

"Hey hey. I know it is hard. But do not worry. We have the greatest healers on the continent. So cheer up Malinda, would you?"

"But what if he didn't? I would feel as if I had failed as a mother..."

Corel had no answer for that. He stayed silent and thought of an answer for a minute before he responded.

"Look Malinda. This is our safest option. Any other option would put everyone in danger. Mothers care about their children's safety. You care about your children's safety?"

"Yes of course."

"Then do the right thing, and inform them later in the summer. Sacrifices must be made, and you know it better than I do."

With that statement, Malinda finally gave it a thought and craved in. She took a piece of paper to start writing a letter to Hoverdam. Before she wrote the first word, a question came to her mind.

"What about Danial?"

"I will tell him once he wakes up."

...

Kant sits on his desk with his typewriter in the front and a stack of empty coffee brown paper to his sides. He was still writing his piece of legislation, to create a new legal entity that would be critical for him to industrialize the city. However, it was taking him a long time to do so, as he has to write everything to the exact detail.

As he was writing, Cora entered with the coffee he requested. She was a bit curious about what he was planning. It was apparent to her that whatever he was writing was very important, as he had dedicated himself to the task.

"What is it that is doing?"

"Writing a piece of legislation."

"What is it about?"

"It involves business and its biggest bane of existence."

"That is?"

"Liability. Not many are willing to take many risks on many projects. It is understandable, as if you make even one wrong call, it would hurt anyone's financials severely."

"Can you please elaborate more sire? I would love to know more."

"The idea is to make a legal entity that is separate from the owner. This legal entity is treated like a person. They can own land, property, and assets, and even conduct business. However, it is separate from the owner, which owns the entity.

To put it in context, think of it like a slave that can own property, except that does not have flesh or feelings. The slave's enterprise works? Then the owner is entitled to a dividend, which is a share of the profit. If it fails? The slave would be the one going down, not the owner."

"Oh. I see sire. Well, enjoy your coffee."

Before she left, Kant took a piece of paper and placed it down on an empty spot. He then grabbed a quill, wrote something down, and gave it to Cora. She reads it, writes down her response, then leaves.

Kant picks up the piece of paper to read it.

'What poison did they use on him.'

'Mesa Flower nectar. Mana-fever."

With that, he spills a lot of ink on the page and crumbles it up into a paper ball. He then throws it in the bin, which would eventually be disposed of. Kant went back to typing his legislation, feeling nothing after learning the truth.