They found him lying between the petals of the ornamental pink flower that was the centrepiece of the fountain.
A little too much consumed at the masked ball.
Nymphs and faeries ruled the gardens that night, dancing in the shadows created by the fireworks.
He had been in good humour, blessing all with goodwill, even the plotters.
Until the news had been broken to him – another daughter at the stroke of midnight born.
He put on a brave face, the festivities continued, he drowned his sorrows behind his mask of joy.
Better that than drowning the new princess for the crime of not being a son.
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
My new novel, ‘State Of War’, is now available in both paperback and ebook. Follow the links below to check it out!
STATE OF WAR – Available now in Paperback and eBook:
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Links to the first two parts of the trilogy – A Justified State and State Of Denial – can be found here: AVAILABLE NOW
I love the way you leave the twist to the very last word!
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Thank you 🙂
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I’m sure she’ll lead an army against the Armada
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If only he was so enlightened. Thanks Neil
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Delicious ending.
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Thank you so much.
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Good riddance. He’s simply not progressive.😀Fun story though.
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To be fair to him, back then not many were! 😉
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Dear Iain,
I hope he learns to appreciate his daughter. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps it will inspire him to change the laws of inheritance in the kingdom 😉
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Hmmm…
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I sense disapproval – thankfully most royal families have changed their laws since these times. But not all.
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It is not just about royal families. We had to declare sex detection tests during pregnancy illegal, to prevent female foeticide. There were cases of female infants discarded on streets, and stray dogs organised help to save the baby.
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Daughters are the best.
I am sure she’ll make him proud!
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He will learn that soon enough 🙂
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Ouch! Nice one.
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Thanks Anthony
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Women, eh, they’ll want the vote next…
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And take all our jobs.
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Great story with beautiful language, Iain.
I had a great something grandfather who survived the Irish Famine and made good here in Australia becoming a wealthy grazier. Only one of his sons had children…my great great grandfather and they had 8 daughters. Apparently, the old man was quite cranky in his old age and wasn’t happy every time another granddaughter was born. The property was sold and the family moved to Sydney.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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A happy ending perhaps, if not for the old man, at least for the others!
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Oh man. That last line is a doozy. Well done
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Thank you
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Wow, there’s a lot going on here – and what a last line! Great take on the photo prompt, Iain.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan
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I admire the way you recreate the thoughts and feelings of a time very different from our own. Nicely done!
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Thank you Penny
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Poor little girl. What an awful world into which she is born. Sadly realistic.
I started reading “State of War” yesterday. Best yet!
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Oh, my first bit of feedback from a purchaser! Glad you are liking it so far, look forward to hearing your thoughts by the end. Do leave a quick review or drop me a message 🙂
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Will do. The tension in this one starts on the very first page 🙂
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Hopefully, he was one of those that determined to change history.
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Let’s hope so. Thanks Keith
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He’s the King, he can change the rules.
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Good point – will others let him though?
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depends how many Court Jesters and side kicks hes got I suppose!
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I like the twist at the end! And here’s hoping he will become enlightened. 🙂
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I’m sure he will 🙂
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The little princess might just turn out to be their best monarch yet.
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I don’t doubt it.
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So many men have not appreciated the gift of daughters. Nicely done.
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Fortunately nowadays plenty of fathers do appreciate it, including me 🙂
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Funk dat! Not a king I’d follow! I’m glad he has enough conscience to be bothered by it. Interesting story.
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Just as well you weren’t around a few centuries ago 😉
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I’m sure that if I was I wouldn’t have lived long…
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I think it’s even worse for the queen… she has to suffer yet a life-threatening pregnancy
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And take the blame.
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Great story! I love the line “Nymphs and faeries ruled the gardens that night, dancing in the shadows created by the fireworks.”
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Thank you so much 🙂
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I fear few were the men in those days who could appreciate a gaggle of girls… The whole name passing on thing, for one…
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And to think it is only in this generation that the British Royals have changed to allow the first born daughter to have a claim to the throne ahead of her younger brothers!
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Crazy! And about time!!
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How dare she!
It’s crazy that it was borderline criminal to have a daughter. If only those kings knew, it’s the male who contributes the deciding chromosome.
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Unfortunately scientific knowledge was a few centuries late in catching up with that one.
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Back then, he needed that male heir to maintain power and the throne. It’s quite ironic that most fathers think they want a son (though I do understand the context of your story) but, in the end, are crazy about their little girls. Incredible storytelling as always, Iain!
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Thank you Brenda
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Everyone is unhappy because of a stupid belief! And yet no one challenged it, not even the kings, even though they had all the power
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I wonder what other beliefs have caused unhappiness because no one questioned them?
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We are are subject to lots. I can reel off a few personal ones, lol 🙂
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Yeek. A prevailing sentiment for many even today, and not always within royal families. Nice one!
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You would think men had proved themselves useless enough by now…
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she’ll be a better monarch because she’s a woman. check about this post i wrote about women being smarter and all.
http://wp.me/p6FwZ-1u
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Well, I’m not sure how much gender has to do with it – good or bad.
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Christ, thats harsh! Good stuff mind.
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They were harsh times
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The world will be much better if fathers treat and love daughters and sons the same.
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I think it is getting there in most places
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Even kings were slaves to some insanity, eh?
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More than most I bet
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And queens and princesses even more so …
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Whoa
There’s a terrible twist.
Well done. Didn’t see that coming
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Thank you Laurie, hopefully just fiction these days!
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Henry VIII didn’t kill his princesses — just his wives. The Windsors seem to be running to boys okay, just enough princesses to keep things interesting. What a fun take on the picture. I could just see the carousing nobles and the king wondering how to deal with these darn brats.
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Henry VIII didn’t kill his princesses, but Elizabeth was overlooked as his heir for her younger brother originally, until she eventually became monarch as she was the only Tudor left! Thanks Eugenia
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And then before he knows it she will have grown up and will be after his job. Maybe she will return the favour then and not have his head chopped off.
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Or maybe she will! 🙂
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One can only hope he will love her as a person, his child. Enjoyable read.
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Thanks Dawn
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Despite being narrow-minded, he seems to have a good heart. Hopefully, he will find it in his heart to love her. Excellent sstorytelling.
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Thank you
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Sounds like it’s time they changed the laws of the land. If he’s like Henry VIII, he’ll be looking for a new queen soon. 🙂
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Yep, some kings are never happy.
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How and why a daughter not considered as the heir? The archaic patriarchy rules, I must say.
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Times have changed in many places fortunately, but not all.
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An absorbing tale, a sense of 1001 nights, in keeping with the photo prompt. I’m glad the daughter was spared.
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Thank you
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