Anna sat in the church pew, gently smoothing down Kacy's frayed hem on her dress. Felix wore Dan's sweater, two sizes too big; it was the only piece of clothing she could find that didn't have holes in it.
Lloyd and his wife, Katara, approached them from the aisle.
"Where's Dan?" Katara asked with her hands on her hips.
"He's at home sleeping. He had to work overtime."
"Oh, that's a shame he couldn't come," Lloyd said. "Did you watch the news this morning?"
"Yes, I hope Ethan becomes the next ruler. Ethan believes it should be against the law in Intermarium for men between the ages of eighteen and forty to have to register with the selective service team. I'm terrified Felix is going to be drafted into war one day." Anna said.
Felix looked up from his lap, brows drawn. "I don't want to go to war," he muttered.
"You won't, baby," Anna said softly, patting his back. She didn't let him see the worry in her eyes.
Katara scoffed. "Intermarium's never had a female ruler. Lolita wants to create jobs—real ones."
Anna frowned. "Jobs? You mean more servants polishing her marble floors?"
"She's trying to help people," Katara snapped. "Not everyone wants to sit around waiting for handouts."
Anna leaned forward, voice low but sharp. "And Ethan wants to replace factory workers with machines. That's not help—it's displacement."
Lloyd shifted uncomfortably. "Automation isn't all bad. It's progress."
"Progress for who?" Anna shot back. "For people who don't have to worry about their kids being sent off to die?"
"Lloyd and I always wanted kids. We couldn't make it happen. His nephew Logan is the closest thing he has to being a son."
Anna blinked, caught off guard. "I didn't mean—"
"Good morning!" Pastor Steve's voice rang out as he approached. "Please take your seats, mass is about to begin."
Lloyd and Katara nodded and settled into the pew in front of them. Anna pulled Felix closer, still thinking about his quiet words. The organ began to play, but her mind remained on wars and rulers and the future her son might face.