“I am NOT my father!”

“Then why did you and your mother run?” Amber said standing up also furious.

“We didn’t want to get caught up in my father’s mista-”

“Ahem!” Liam cleared his throat and said, “Hey, I’m here too!”

“Innocent people don’t run. My family knew you weren’t involved and all they told me is your father is alive and well. I don’t know where but he’s in prison. He killed a man though so he won’t be coming out anytime soon,” Amber said, her knuckles turning white from clenching them. Amber wasn’t done there. “My uncle was IN CHARGE of the Estopian ARMY! So get the HELL out of my sight and leave us alone.” 

“HELL NO, I’m not done. You took my father. My life and everything I had. You don’t have power here, you don’t get to do anything. You’re nothing. Just like me. Petty, stupid, and nothing.” Joseph yelled as Liam got mad and finally spoke. 

“I want you to leave or you’ll be in Valarian prison just like your father in ESTOPIA!”

“Liam it's okay,” Amber said as Joseph left and tears streamed down her face. Liam leaned over to comfort Amber as she kneeled to the ground and cried in her hands. 

★★★

Kira was walking to her room when she burst out crying. “What's wrong Kira?” Jackson said, walking up next to her with a concerned look on his face. Kira whipped around thinking he was still at the archery course. She quickly wiped away her tears. 

“Oh, It’s nothing,” Kira said in a quivering voice, tears stinging the back of her eyes.

“I’m your boyfriend, you can tell me,” Kira hesitated but spoke after a moment.

“Okay, there’s all this pressure of being the ‘perfect princess’ but, I just don’t know how to do it anymore. How to keep up appearances. Be who everyone wants me to be—”

“You’ve been doing it your whole life. You are perfect. Your sister probably feels the same pressure, if not more, since she's going to be queen someday. No offense, but Amber gets scolded more and harder than you.”

“So you're on her side. I get it. Everyone loves Amber. Oh! Pity Amber! Her Mom doesn’t like her! Let’s all just forget about Kira! Kira who? I DON’T KNOW!” Jackon was taken aback. Kira sat down on a nearby bench and started sobbing,

“I know, she has pressure too, but I’m supposed to be the ‘favorite,’ and I’m supposed to live up to it like it's a piece of cake, but it’s not, and I’m not pretty and Amber’s just—better! She’s the pretty one. I don’t even know why Mother likes me.” She stopped crying while tears still streamed down her face.

“Look, I don’t know what to say, being a prince and all, but your sister would be the perfect one to talk to about this, and just know I love you, princess, no matter what.” Kira rested her head on Jackson's shoulder.

★★★

Amber finished crying and headed back to Estopia. When they arrived, they heard news of an escaped convict called Peter Brown. Peter Brown? As in Joseph's