This night was going to be a turn in the battle. Things were dragging along and not looking so good for the Dragon King and the Queen of Night. The High Prince had chosen hunger and sleep over even attempting a single bite. Therefore, the Dragon King decided on a new tactic. He would have the High Prince pick the meal for the banquet from those that the Queen of Night was prepared to make.
Seeing the brilliance of this plan, the Queen presented the High Prince with the options available. This decision was not one to be taken lightly. The High Prince listened carefully and thought about each meal. He asked what was in each one, knowing that these meals would be made over the course of the next week since the Queen always prepared for a week's worth of meals and nothing more.
"This Beefy Pizza Muffins dish...Will that be like the pizza I like to eat, mother?" the High Prince asked. "Very similar, but it does have ground beef in it." "I pick that one. It's pizza. It must be good," the High Prince exclaimed. "Princess! It's pizza! We will love the banquet tonight!" The Princess of Dragons squealed in delight and cheered for the High Prince's brave decision.
As the Queen of Night prepared the meal, the Dragon King determined that the kingdom must be tended to this night. "When I have finished the monetary duties of the kingdom, the land must be tended. We cannot have a kingdom that does not display the continued diligence of its ruler." The Queen of Night understood this to mean that the upcoming battle would be hers to wage. "Yes, my King. I understand," she said wishing that should did not have to wage this war alone this night. "Stand firm, my Queen. The High Prince picked the meal. That is the foundation of this battle. Use it against him."
The Dragon King ate his portion of the banquet quickly while his offspring stared at it at the table, unsure that this choice was really the best one for it looked nothing like the pizza they were used to eating. "This is amazing, my Queen. Thank you for such a delicious choice High Prince. Now I have enough fuel and energy to finish my duties for this evening. I bequeath the authority to the Queen to tell you how long you have to finish this meal and send you to bed before my return." With a wink, he left the Queen of Night to do battle.
"As usual, it tastes better warm..." the Queen of Night told her children. She sat at the table, eating her meal while they continued to stare. "I cut it into four pieces so you can pick it up easily." They still stared. Getting upset that they were not even willing to take a single bite, she quietly and as calmly as possible said, "You have until the bell chimes to take your three bites. If you have not done so, you go to bed. All of you. If you finish the meal, you will get to pick a treat when we next go to market." This gave them about an hour to eat the meal and they were excited with the prospect of picking their own treats.
The battle progressed. The "Spare" Prince ate his three bites and left the table deciding that he was not that hungry after all. The Princess of Dragons discovered that she could eat one "slice" of pizza in three bites and was encouraged enough to eat everything with more than thirty minutes to spare. The High Prince turn each piece into six bites. Eating as slowly as possible. As the time ticked on, the Queen decided to work on her other tasks and leave the High Prince sitting alone. From behind him, she noticed that he finally decided to eat a little faster. Finally eating without anyone prompting him. He ate the whole thing. His own joy with his accomplishment rang through the land for all to hear. He would not have to go to bed early this night. Perhaps, never again.
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