For the next few days I wandered the town as if nothing was wrong, as if mother's presence was still with me, reassuring the people that their Prince- their Future King? Was still there for them.

I visited all the shops in the order that mother often took us. Walked the same streets. Talked with the people and though many greeted me others asked how I was. It was hard to give a simple answer but I did answer what I could. I was fine. And then change the question away from me. Though my simple answers and topic changes didn't fool Victor.

Which is where I was now, being stared down by this man and his sad smile.

“My Future King-”

I raised my hand, stopping him. “Don't. Please. You're a friend just call me Maki.” I pleaded. Too many people were calling me that. I barely heard my own name anymore.

“Just like your mother.” He sighed. “How have you been?”

“Fine.” I said without thinking. I heard Cast and Simon shuffle behind me and knew they were making faces.

“Maki, don't lie.” Victor said with a soft chuckle making me flush with embarrassment. “I know that you're not as okay as you're making everyone believe. And for the record you're not really fooling anybody.”

I bowed my head as my hand ran through my hair, tilting my crown. Reminding me once again that soon I’d have to start wearing father's.

“I know I'm not fooling anyone.” I said hotly. “But what else can I do? Everyone is lost and they don't know what to do. So I have to step up and give the people- you hope so the peace stays. But- but...”

His hand rested on my shoulder, making me look up and I noticed new tears blurring my vision.

“Maki, what the people need is you at your best. I told this to your mother and now I'll share it with you.” He kneeled in front of me. “When you’re lost or confused remember the people are here for you. You give us strength just as we give it to you. We all know you Maki. Heck we were all there to meet you when you were born. We're here for you. Listen to your people, show them kindness and we'll listen to you. Be a good ruler and don't worry so much we'll tell you when you're in the wrong.” He smiled.

His words reminded me of what mother used to say every time we entered the town. ‘A good ruler listens to the people and shows kindness.’

To think that she was saying something Victor taught her.

I smiled, making him laugh. “Attaboy! People always look better smiling and eating, especially when it's one of my sandwiches.” He winked standing.

As I was leaving I turned and gave Victor a tight hug. “Thanks.”

He returned the hug ruffling my hair. “Anytime kiddo.”

To think all I needed was to talk. Victor would be seeing me a lot and making a lot of those famous sandwiches of his.

In the days following my first visit with Victor I had become a regular. Victor was a good listener and gave fantastic points of view on many of my problems. And one of my main problems was the crown.

“I just don't know what to do. I know I need to rule BrightEarth but…”

“Your head isn't in it, right?”

Looking down I stared down at my drink and away from his knowing eyes.

“Maki, there isn't anything wrong with thinking that way. You're only sixteen. You’re young and have questions about the world.” He had no idea. “But before you go off and make a choice, think about the effects this will have on those here.”

“Of course!”

“On a different matter. Have you been sleeping well?”

A flich I knew he saw had me sitting up straight. He sighed, placing down the towel he was using as he leaned on the counter.

“Maki….”

“I… uh no I haven't been sleeping well.”

Chancing a glance at him I knew what I would see and I was right, I only saw worry.

Between my visits here, being taught to run the Kingdom and scouring the Kingdom for clues plus trying to act like everything was normal. Sleep never came without its nightly terrors.

And with the concern Simon and Cast were showing I paid a quick trip to Travis. He told me I was suffering from something called Chronic insomnia. I didn’t know much about it but it was more then that.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Mother's death playing over and over in front of me as the Demi's in their grey-white robes stabbed her as they fled calling taunts after themselves urging me to follow. Even if I didn’t see her die it didn’t seem to stop my mind from filling the gaps.

Along with that, I woke to pain every morning grabbing for my chest. The mark hurting me, like the day I first got it.

Soon I began to fall into a sort of pattern, nap when servants were cleaning my room and wake when they were done or ask Simon or Cast but with the servants they made noise that helped. But I learned. Never sleep alone. Ever.

Victor patted my shoulder snapping me from my thoughts. “Just promise me you’re taking care of yourself.”

The town clock began to chime its afternoon notes warning me I would be late. Again.

Standing I turned for the door and felt his hand catch my elbow.

“Here a little comfort food. I hope it helps.”

Smiling, I thanked him and made a mad dash for the Castle, Simon and Cast jogging behind me.

As I ran, people waved and called out greetings and though my mind was troubled, their smiles gave me a little bit of energy.

The Knights posted saluted with knowing smiles. They knew I was late.

As I came through the door an upset looking woman- Madame Tula, my tutor into Kingship, stood with her arms crossed.

“Sorry-”

“No it's fine.” The hard look slipped as she smiled and I remembered the look Tula often gave my mother.

“Come my Future King we have much to go over today. Then you have two hours to yourself before dinner.”

“Yes, Madame Tula.”

***

I jumped awake causing the woman to stumble back. “I'm sorry my Future King- I-I'm done cleaning and waking you as you requested.”

“Thank you, Brialy.” I yawned and rubbed at my eyes. Glancing around I didn't notice Madame Tula, she must have left.

“You're welcome my Future King, shall I have the cooks prepare dinner?”

“No thank you, maybe just a light snack, I have work to go over.” I said stretching. “But could you bring something for them?” I said pointing at Simon and Cast who were doing another small search of my room.

She smiled softly. “Right away-”

“Have the cooks make you and the others something too, you’ve all more then earned it.”

Brialy looked surprised but not that much. Mother used to do it all the time, we even shared our meals with them at the table like a family. This was just my first time giving the request and maybe in the future I would sit in the dining room with them.

She nodded and took off.

“That was kind of you.” Cast said coming to my side.

I waved his words away. “They do deserve it for putting up with me.”

“Maki, no ones putting up with you.”

Shrugging I sorted through my mail and the reports on my desk that needed my sign off. “Hey they’re almost done repairing the Fire and Water gates.”

“That’s great.” Simon said joining us, leaning over my shoulder to shuffle through the mail too. “Hey this one has a royal crest.” He said holding up a spring green envelope with tree golden leaves twined together at their steams to form thick roots, behind the leaves were four lines symbolizing the light of a new day.

Taking it I ripped it open. “It’s from the Council….” I skimmed through it and stopped not believing my eyes. I rose to my feet. “What! T-they can’t do this!”

Simon and Cast jumped in shock to my outburst. The loudest I’ve been since the tattoo.

“What is it?” Cast asked.

“The Council- that group of old self prompting farts!”

“Maki!” Simon reprimanded.

“What is it?” Cast repeated.

I thrust the letter at them and walked to my bed falling face first into it.

“Oh.” Was all they said.

Oh indeed.

The Council wanted me to pick a bride! A bride! It hasn’t even been a full week of mourning and they were already asking this! Bring a woman here- or they’d look for one themselves! Did they really want a Queen that badly? Was mother that replaceable- forgettable?

“Maki?” Simon started.

I grumbled.

“It doesn’t say it has to be-”

“No it says it here.” Cast said cutting him off.

“Oh. Well that’s… not fair.”

Rolling on my back to sit up I stared at them. “You’re both just trying because you have to.”

“Not true. We could just keep quiet and not care.” Simon stated. “But we care about you and when things bother you-”

“They bother us.” Cast finished taking the letter from Simon and quickly reading it. “They don’t say we can’t dress up a willing guy as a girl.”

“Right!” Simon agreed. “Let’s go out on the town and if a guy strokes your flint and makes a spark we’ll just ask them to put on a dress and makeup and-”

I covered my face with an embarrassed groan. “You two are terrible….”

They flopped into my bed. “That’s why you love us.”

Shoving them away when they both hugged me I fell back into my pillows. “Still it’s… treason to like the same sex. You both know that.”

“But if we dressed them up as a woman only you two- and us would know. And if it’s discovered the Council can’t do anything because you’d be married and we don’t have a separation policy so you’d be safe and then because they found out you could be together without hiding. Happily ever after.”

Simon and I stared at Cast.

“I didn’t take you for such a romantic.” Simon chuckled.

“You never asked.” He shrugged.

“Both of you stop. Your idea won’t work because they’ll do checks. I may have to just pick one myself or ugh let them choose. But I….”

“You?” Simon asked.

“I uh I don’t know, it’s not like the thought of being with a girl disgust me or anything….”

“Then?”

“I… uh don’t know I’m just confused. I like both I guess? Just haven’t met that person.”

“Your special someone?” Cast added. “Or someone's?”

More then one! I mean sure it was possible. Heck one of my great cousins had married like that but.

“I-I don’t know!” I hid my face in my pillow so they couldn’t see the growing blush. “The laws are stupid.”

“Well you are King or will be, can’t you just change the law?” Simon asked.

“And be the only Kingdom like that?” I asked.

But I didn’t really mind the thought. A place where you could be with whoever you wanted without the judging eyes of those that didn’t agree. Could sure a place exist? Sure BrightEarth was a fair Kingdom that let in all races without judgement but could I change it that far?

“What's wrong with that? Maybe it’s time for change.” Cast asked.

“Time for change huh?” Reminded me of what mother was talking about the night of the festival.

“You could lead the way for the other Kingdoms to follow.” Simon added.

This sounded great in theory but. “What if no one wants to stay? That doesn’t really help anything.”

“Well you’re not really changing the Kingdom or yourself you’re just making it so others are and can be accepted.”

“Maybe... I’ll think about it.”

Cast patted my head. “No rush you have your whole life to find those answers.”

“And we’ll be here the entire time.” Simon said.

That was the problem though. I didn’t know if I’d ever be ready ever to tell people. Becoming King took time- time I couldn’t use to figure it out.

Maybe I needed help. And that wasn’t to be found with the Council. Standing I went back to my desk to write them back.

“Finished! Can you give this to the council when you have time?” I asked Simon.

He took it. “I have time now.” He said with a smile and left with a bow.

Watching him leave gave me mixed feelings. I declined their offer and told them that when I was ready and when things settled down with the Kingdom, I would find my own special person or persons.