The moon had just began to wax, the tiniest of slivers in the sky. The earth beneath was still dark, despite the fact that the moon was high as could be. 

The Kingdom of Teeara was silent, asleep. The subjects had long since gone to bed.

But King Percival found himself unable to sleep.

He stood, leaning over the railing of the highest balcony of his castle. He looked silently out at his Kingdom.

The fire...

It had done a number on his people's houses.

Far too many people slept in alleyways tonight.

His plants had already regrown, though he had instructed the people to rebuild homes first. The people cared so much for their King that they put his plants over their houses...

He felt a guilt that he could not describe, though he knew it was not his fault.

The fire hadn't been caused on purpose, and there had been no traces of any Firens visiting in the last few days.

So he knew it was not an attack. But it could've led to plenty more. 

He only hoped none of the Royals saw the damage caused when they entered the Kingdom. King Percival had grown plants to hide what he could, but he prayed it wasn't suspicious.

"Percy?" a woman's voice from behind him said softly.

King Percival turned, slowly, to come face-to-face with his wife.

"Are you still bothered by the fire?" Queen Odette asked quietly.

"You know I don't like to lie," King Percival said, leaning further over the railing. He couldn't bear to look Queen Odette in the eyes.

Queen Odette was silent for a moment, before stepping to King Percival's side.

"We didn't lie. We will grow back stronger."

"Etta."

"Percy."

The two of them fell silent, and said no more. Nothing else needed to be said.

Four eyes watched from the highest balcony. Four eyes saw the damage the fire had caused. Four eyes saw what might happen if the Firens ever attacked.

The door behind to the balcony opened for a second time.

"Terran, what are you doing up?" Queen Odette asked.

Prince Terran looked silently between his parents.

He said, signed, and motioned nothing.

"Did we wake you?"

Prince Terran quickly shook his head, raising his hands.

"It's not your fault," he then signed.

"Of course, I know," King Lovegrove sighed.

"Sleep on it, Percy, we can figure it out in the morning," Queen Odette said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

King Percival nodded, and the three turned and entered the palace yet again.

↜↝↜↝↜↝

As the sun sat on the horizon the next morning, King Dylan and Queen Miya Elvy were awake.

The duo sat on the docks of their Kingdom, practicing their abilities.

No words were shared between them, the only sounds being the waves crashing against the land, the water splashing across the docks.

King Dylan was preparing for a fight, as he always did.

But Queen Miya was merely preparing for another show. Every week, she'd put on a show in town for anyone who wanted to see.

Queen Miya stopped. She looked over at King Dylan. She didn't like seeing him so serious. She preferred when he made jokes. When he laughed it was like music to her ears. She stopped her training, and approached him.

He heard the sound of her footsteps on the wooden docks, and turned around.

"I doubt the Firens meant to cause a fight..." Queen Miya said gently.

"He knows exactly what he said," King Dylan snapped.

Queen Miya was taken aback. He rarely was this angry. And though she knew he was not mad at her, it still scared her.

"Sorry, dear," King Dylan shook his head, "I didn't mean to snap at you."

"Of course," Queen Miya blinked, "King Vukan always did know just how to get on your nerves."

"Yes."

The two held their silence for a moment.

"Come on then," Queen Miya then said, "Let's go inside. We need to finish some preparations, and I'm sure breakfast is just about ready."

As the King and Queen walked back towards their castle, they started up a conversation.

"How long do you think we can keep hiding it?" Queen Miya asked.

"I think we'll have to tell them at the next Lunar Call," King Dylan said. He then spat, "Everyone certainly noticed. But remind me, when are you due?"

"You're telling me you don't remember?" Queen Miya raised her eyebrows.

"Of course not. It only feels better to hear it from a mouth that is not my own."

Queen Miya smiled, then spoke again. "Four full moons from now, you'll be a father."

King Dylan opened his mouth again, but then realized they were at their castle already.

The doors swung open, two castle servants bowing to the King and Queen.

Both King and Queen returned the bow before continuing through the hallways.

Queen Miya and King Dylan separated when the Queen decided to go up the stairs.

To the nursery.

She walked up the steps as quickly as she dared. She turned throughout the complicated twists and turns with ease. 

They had put the nursery very far away from the entrance to the castle for one reason: to keep the baby safe, should the castle ever be attacked.

She stepped into the nursery with a sigh.

It felt good.

↜↝↜↝↜↝ 

Queen Coralia screamed.

Into her pillow.

As quietly as she could.

She screamed and screamed and screamed.

She then rolled onto her back, rolling her hands down her night-clothes. Which were pure silk.

She stared up at the ceiling, her brown hair spreading out around her like a sunflower's petals. She sighed.

She then rolled herself out of bed.

She didn't want to exist today.

She climbed to her feet, then approached her small balcony. The sun wasn't even above the trees yet.

She was up early. Fortunately. No Adviser would be talking her ears off about how "Waking up early is a necessary act. It provides your subjects with security, and you'll be first to know about the news."

She then turned back to her closest.

It was time to deal with the chaos of last night.

↜↝↜↝↜↝ 

Queen Natalya shot woke up with a scream.

King Vukan shot awake right next to her.

"Natalya! What--" he stopped short in his tracks. He said nothing else, but placed his hand comfortingly on her back.

Queen Natalya said nothing, staring blankly into the dark corner of the room.

Prince Victor stepped into the room, and Princess Rafiya immediately after.

"What's wrong?" Princess Rafiya asked.

Prince Victor held his tongue, but had a very worried look torn into his face.

"Nothing is wrong, you can both go back to bed," King Vukan said calmly.

"Yes, dears, only a bad dream," Queen Natalya's voice was gentle, despite how horrified she had seemed only a moment ago.

Princess Rafiya frowned, unsure of how they felt about this.

Prince Victor looked at his mother, then at his father. He stepped forward to them, and wrapped his arms around each of them individually. He then turned and left the room.

Princess Rafiya stared at their parents.

"Are you really alright?" they asked.

"Yes, really. You don't to worry, Rafe," Queen Natalya continued in her lie.

Princess Rafiya stayed for just a moment longer, before accepting they would get no more information. They turned and left as well.

"How are you feeling?" King Vukan asked quietly, once the door slipped shut.

"I should be fine. It was so many years ago..." Queen Natalya shook her head.

"Should? Natalya, no one 'should' be fine after seeing what you saw."

"...I don't want to be weak in front of the Kingdom. I--we--have to be strong for Ignia. We have to be so strong. So inhuman."

"The Kingdom isn't here right now. Be weak. Be human. You need some time to heal, to cry and scream as much as you want. Take that time right now."

Queen Natalya looked into King Vukan's eyes, tears forming quickly in her own.

She then threw herself into his chest and cried.