King Kim



image: Michael Sowa, from The Little King
via Tess at Magpie Tales

King Kim

You can tell by his lean-back and hands clasped and sceptre hidden, if not by his slight nose-in-the-air and frown, that HM Kim is not a happy father, disappointment written all over his kingly visage, and breakfast ruined.

His disappointment has grown huge, the source is overwhelming, the evidence so gargantuan, his coffee is cold, bitter and venomous. 

He casts a rueful glance heavenward, to his generous monarch-dad, the one with the liberal ideas that encouraged freedom of the press and the relaxation of the old royal codes. 

(No one prostrates themselves at his door; the bows are perfunctory, mere nods before turning away.  No one backs out of his presence; some forget to stand when he enters.)

It is not frustrated pomp that makes HM’s coffee grow cold, nor wounded pride exactly. 

Coffee will cool on many a breakfast table as his subjects read The Daily Grind: 

sources close to the palace reveal the Royal Chess tournament has ended.  ‘I beat him, I check-mated him, in three moves!’ a triumphant Princess Priscilla is reported as saying.’

Thanks to Tess from Willow Manor for the prompt. You can read more Magpies here.
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