Normal P.O.V.

July 29th

The Palace Garden

The garden was one of the few places Kari could be with Nylah and not be watched like she was inside the palace. She was glad that Nylah still visited her, even though they had been apart for months now. Who would have known it would take Nylah to ask the kingdom to interview her for Kari to finally get to be near her again? “Wow! Your daisies have grown a lot since I last saw them.”

“Of course, I decided to let fall leaves stay in the area instead of letting them be bagged and sent to some landfill.” Nylah sat next to her.

“You know on planet 654 they have flowers that would go perfectly with the palace but it would take about three months for me to get there."

"Planet 654?" Kari questioned

"Planet 654, fields of beautiful flowers with pastel colors. They are so unique and bloom every five years. I know someone who gave me a few seeds from there. I started growing some of the seeds two years ago. You should see them." Nylah paused in thought. "I guess I can take this time to tell you more about my travels today." Kari felt the excitement come to her. Hearing about Nylah's travels always felt exciting. "Planet 470 has woods that are too thick to walk through unless you have a guide. I have been a few times though for their sour hibiscus berries. Another great planet is Planet 745. It is said to have a lake that glows at night. The rest of the planet is pretty much dead, though."

“Is there any planet you have not been to yet?" Kari asked.

“Planet 808. I have always wanted to go there, but it takes years. I hear they have beautiful stars at night as well as great food. Do not get me started with how the people are there. They are said to be kind and welcoming to everyone. And their style, it's beautiful. Unique beyond the galaxies. Not even books cannot describe it. Maybe one day we can go together. That is if the king will allow it." Kari perked up. Planet 808, a familiar planet to Kari's ears. The very planet her mother once said she was from. Was it like what Nylah described? Kari's mother said the same things when talking about her once home. Perhaps it would be nice to visit the planet with Nylah. Who knows, her mother may be there. But, she would never know. She is not allowed to leave the planet. Kari gave a soft smile before she looked at her hands. Nylah's expression became full of worry.

"Kari I apologize-"

"I’m okay."

"This sucks!" Kari looked at her. “Why do you have to stay here all the time?! Why can’t you just go somewhere for once? I know the council will be fine with it but you have to ask the king as well! For months I asked over and over again to see you and he wouldn’t allow it. This man is madly in love with you. I just know it. Maybe that is why he will not let us be together. Please tell me you at least feel the same. Perhaps I will feel slightly better about this.”

"But I do not." Her eyes widened.

"You do not love King Kade?" Kari shook her head.

"King Kade is a man I married because I had to, not because I wanted to."

“Do you two do anything romantic? Like, go on dates or anything?"

"Sometimes, but besides that, everything is primarily work." Nylah took her hands. Kari's eyes widened and her cheeks dusted in red. "Kari, that is not okay. Do you really want to be with this man?" 

"I do not. " Slipped from Kari's lips. Her eyes widened as she realized what she said. "Nylah-"

"Is there someone else whom you do love besides King Kade?" Kari’s eyes grew of worry. Nylah arched her brow. “Oh, you do? Who is it and why have you not told me? You know I can keep a secret. Can you please tell me who it is?” Nylah might start overthinking if she does not answer. Kari has no choice but to say something.

"If I said who, it would make everything weird."

"It is not me, is it?" Kari looked at her lap."Oh shit, it is."

"It's weird now," Kari said in dejection.

“It's not! Ever since I met you-”

“Queen Kari, you are needed by King Kade!” Kari sighed as her maid called for her. 

“I have to go, but tomorrow, come to the palace. I will make sure they let you in.” Kari stood up and made her way near the palace entrance.

Midnight

Kari and Kade's chamber doors slammed open, causing Kari to quickly sit up. The guards rushed in with Nylah in their hands. King Kade stood among them as the candle in his hands lit his face.

"King Kade!" Kari yelled in shock.

"My guards say your friend has been creating plans to expose our information to every planet in space." Kari's eyes widened

"There is no possible-"

"Then explain this." He tossed papers in the air toward her. She caught one and examined it. To her surprise, it appeared Nylah did have these plans. She knows that people assumed the worst when Nylah first came to the palace to see her but anytime the two were together there was nothing she noticed wrong with Nylah. If anything she seemed more distracted with spending time together. So exposing their kingdom? Come on, Nylah knows that there were unfair rules about marriage when it came to Planet 273  as well as strange rules that speak about cutting hair but this does not make sense. 

“Kari do not believe them-" Nylah started, but was interrupted.

"Shut up, you traitor." The guard yelled as he threw her down.

"Nylah!" Kari quickly got out of bed and ran towards her but the king stopped her. 

“You would rather help this traitor than your husband?" The look of hatred in his eyes. She had never seen that before. This man before her was no king. No king of hers at least.

"Hurting her like this will do nothing to soothe your anger. You should know this." Kari said sharply. He scoffed.

“You are finally out of that automated mode you were in. Let me guess, she was the one who got you out of it? Are you two in love? Did you make this plan to destroy our kingdom as a symbol of your love?"

“Get off her ass! Kari would never do anything to hurt you or the kingdom lover boy." Nylah responded.

"It appears you are wrong. I believe she is in love with you." He said. Kari’s eyes widened.

“She is not. There is no way.” Nylah said.

“Last time I heard, she would walk to the ends of the galaxy to spend more time with you.” Kari’s face flushed. He repeated what she told him months ago. He must have taken her words to heart. Seeing his face and hearing his words, she knew she had no choice but to do this.

“And I would do the same for you. King Kade, Nylah is my friend but you are my husband.  Seeing your expression today- I apologize for making you suffer this long. It must have hurt, feeling as though I did not love you.” Kari said as she made her way to him. She touched his cheek. 

"Kade, I love you and only you," she whispered to him. His face reddened. “Can we move on from this idea that I am in love with Nylah?” His brows furrowed before he looked at the guards. 

Is he going to let Nylah go?

“Her majesty has brought in a traitor without knowing so. Have it be that after today she remembers to never do anything like this again." Kari’s eyes widened. 

He wouldn’t dare!

"Very well my king." The guards replied.

"No!" Kari yelled and tried to run to Nylah but the king held her back. In seconds, Nylah was stabbed through the heart by a guard. Kari's screams filled the halls in horror as Nylah passed before her very eyes. King Kade let go of her.

‘If a person loved were to be sent to death, a queen has no reason to feel down. For that person's death was necessary for the kingdom.’