~ Mia ~ Nothing occurred yesterday instead for servants running around. My parents should arrive soon; Jabrel and I haven't seen them since the banishment. My mom was in prison before she made that decision. To have them back is like getting spit stuck in your throat. Jabrel, Anisel, and I waited by the front gate. We had on our best outfits to look presentable, at least. Jabrel spotted the car and fixed himself. My hands become sweaty, and I can feel my legs shaking. When the car came to a halt, Josuha and Hazel came out. They changed clothes and had smiles on their faces. "We are honored to welcome your former king and queen!" Hazel said as she bowed as she opened the door. There they were– my parents looking worn out. I couldn't help the tears that formed. When my mom's eyes landed on me, she greeted me with open arms. I ran to her for a hug. Jabrel did the same. "I missed you so much," I said while I cried in my mom's arms. "Mia, it's good to see you well. You too, Jabrel and
~ Many Years Ago ~ Imagine you walking down a dirt road with people wearing just robes and nothing on their feet—children shaking in the cold, begging for food and water. The neighborhood is infested with files as bodies lay across the street. This is my home, the kingdom of Satia—a beautiful country where even people experiencing poverty have beauty. Our neighborhood wasn't like this until the tyrants threatened the low-income citizens like trash. They left us with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Tents and broken-down buildings are what we call a shelter. There are no stores to shop for fresh food or water. The garbage from the main kingdom flows down into our river and clouds it up. The citizens of Satia have nothing but rats. I can't believe I'm about to have a healthy baby boy in this run-down place. When I got home, my boyfriend, Khali, glanced out the window. "I'm home!" I said as I placed the basket down. "Still nothing, honey??" “No, just rotten fruit and stale b
~ Anisel ~ Who would have thought the Dean brothers would be back in the neighborhood? Returning to this broken-down place felt odd; however, it felt good to be home. Mia, Hazel, Joshua, Jabrel, Lily, and I began to search around to find anything that would give us a lead. If Mia’s parents can't tell us the truth, we must find it ourselves. As we stepped down the dirt road, I reminisced the fun memories of smearing mud on the people. The neighborhood looks the same after all these years but is abandoned. “I remember throwing mud at the guards that marched past here, but to find out it was horse shit and one of them had some of it in the mouth.” Joshua laughed. “I remember that— puke up a lung when I found it. Mom had me sleep outside for days, and we got grounded for two months. Best night of our lives.” “Not like that time when we pick-pocketed those nobles and threw their money like it was raining. Those citizens were having a ball.” Joshua said. Hazel wanted to laugh but
~ Mia ~ “Now, why would I tell?? I haven't gotten a compromise yet. I still want my money.” Sera said. “There is no compromise here. We don't have your request, so I inform you to leave immediately.” Anisel said as he held the gun up. “Then why didn't you tell me you wanted a war? I would have been happy to go over the plans with you.” Sera chuckled. She pulled out her gun and aimed it at Joshua. His face tensed up as he dropped his weapon to the ground. She knew that we were going to be here as she was watching us. That which. I see why they hated her– her personality sucks. She doesn't even look over 40. I don't believe that she is causing this much trouble. I stepped back and bumped into Joshua, who had eyes on the others. What are we going to do now?? Jabrel and Lily’s life is on the line— ours as well. Sera looked past the brothers and saw me. Her expression went sour as she wanted to know how I felt under pressure. I was fine but wanted to let go. "It's not that easy, m
~ Lily ~ With our strength, we rushed Jabrel and Anisel to the kingdom hospital. We couldn't believe our eyes when we saw the main gates. Most of our home was destroyed. Smoke has thickened enough to blind people. However, it lightened up when we got to the plaza. Guards were everywhere, treating citizens the best they could. Two noticed us and came to our aid. "Prince Jabrel and the king are wounded. They need help as wel—" I was interrupted by Mia, who grabbed my shirt. She was hunched over in pain; I could tell she was going down too. Without any second to lose, they took the royal family away. This doesn't look too good. Joshua, Hazel, and I got treated as well. We got away with minor injuries. It took thirty minutes for the doctors to return and tell us they were fighting for their lives. Anisel and Jabrel have severe stab wounds to the abdomen and back. Mia is recovering after witnessing her husband and baby brother in that state. With the main royal family out– it was up
~ Mia ~ I felt a cold breeze throughout my body as my body shivered. My eyes opened as my vision became blurry. The nurse noticed my movements and helped me sit up. "What's going on?? What happened?? Why does it feel like I got hit by a horse??" I said. “My lady, your body went into stress, taking a health risk. You have been out for two days, and Princess Lily is doing what she can to protect the kingdom. We gave you time to recover.” “Thank you. What about my husband and brother?? How are they doing??” I asked while trying to collect myself. What I have gathered was that they are still in critical condition. As for my kingdom condition, I need to talk to Lily. I slowly got up from the bed and headed out. The nurse informed me about my parent’s involvement in the process– I must get there fast. I was escorted to the office, and we passed some windows; you could see the destruction in the distance. The gunfire rang through my ears, and the bodies of my citizens covered the groun
"Are you sure you are okay, Mia?? You haven't come out of the stock state yet?? I'm worried.” Lily said as she sat down on the couch. “I just wish I knew what was going on in the battles. This is too much for me to handle right now.” “You have to calm your mind, my lady. You know, causing more stress will and can harm. Plus, you are not the only one stressing.” Lily explained as she slid her hand through her hair. I was going to ask about her breaking point, but I remember what she is going through. Having your fiance on his deathbed is the worst thing possible. I know the feeling. A slight pressure went through my stomach. Lily knew something was wrong. "You need to eat," she said. I was okay for now, and the baby kicked. Her eyes shined bright when I said that, and she placed her hand on my belly. At first, Lily didn't feel anything, but her hand bounced. To handle life inside someone made her want to cry. She called the guards to grab me something to eat. We waited for the sun
Having nobody near me was heartbreaking– I usually have Anisel’s arm around my waist, but he is injured. Tears rolled down my eyes as I looked at the window seeing black smoke fill the air. I thought it was a dream at first. Out of nowhere, the guards came bursting through the door. "MY LADY!! MY LADY!!! BAD NEWS!! WE NEED YOU IN THE THRONE ROOM!!!" he shouted. Without hesitation, I got up and changed into some clothes. I got escorted to the throne room where Lily and my parents stood. I thanked the guard as I rushed in. "What is going on??" I curiously asked. Lily gestured to my throne. Should I be sitting down for this? The room came uneasy and full of curiosity. I wondered what the problem was. The west and south outer walls have been breached. Sera’s troops are headed to the middle level of the kingdom. The middle wall is where the crops are, our food supplies. “We have been informed that Hamon, Mihkal, Matthew, and Hazel are protecting those areas. We are unsure about their cu