"Maybe it runs in the family." Dan was beside Anna stocking the shelves with apples in the grocery store. "Felix wants to be a writer too."
"That's great. Anything but being a soldier," Anna smiled.
"James was talking about the new draft rules. Apparently, anyone diagnosed with diabetes is exempt now—the military doesn't want to cover medication costs. Imagine that! If only I'd been diagnosed before I was drafted."
Anna shook her head. "When I saw James on TV, I couldn't help noticing how much weight he's lost."
"Probably just stress. I'd hate not to have him as ruler."
"I think Ethan would make a better leader. He's serious about investing in the roads."
"It's not that James doesn't care—he's just focused on reducing the national debt. He wants to funnel money into future economic opportunities."
Lloyd entered the grocery store and approached Dan. "Dan, you look tired, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Dan snapped. "I missed morning mass again, but the shipment came early. Had to be here."
"I saw James on the news. He looked... gray. Katara says it's only a matter of time before someone new takes the throne."
"You know, Katara and I don't exactly see eye to eye on everything," Anna replied sharply.
"Because she supports Lolita?" Lloyd asked. "You hurt her, Anna—saying she doesn't understand worry just because she doesn't have kids…"
"I'm heading to the kitchen to start the baking," Anna's voice was clipped as she slipped through the employee door.
If Lloyd hadn't saved Dan's life in the war, she wouldn't even speak to him.