Anxiety bubbled under Aila's surface, only visible in the shaking of her hands and her inability to stay still. She attempted to let the breeze blowing in the air cool the fire within her, attempted to let the silence calm the torrent of thoughts within her little head. She lay down in the soft grass of the palace gardens, finding some comfort in the sight of the stars above.

"Hello," the sound of a voice met her ears and she lurched into a fighting stance, regarding the newcomer with a wariness in her features.

He laughed, the sound youthful and relaxed. He appeared to be around nine  years old, only a couple of years older than her.

"I won't hurt you," he said calmly, his expression the portrait of sincerity.

"You couldn't even if you tried," Aila frowned, raising her little fists in front of her.

Kaiden laughed again, and Aila's guard slipped a bit as she realised how much she liked the sound. It had been a long time since she'd heard a laugh that carefree.

"I'm Kaiden," he extended a hand. Aila considered thoughtfully, taking his hand and shaking it politely after coming to the conclusion that he wasn't a threat.

"I'm Aila."

It was then that Aila noticed his eyes, the deep blue that seemed to carry every single shade of the colour, like an ocean.

She had heard of eyes like this, knew to whom they belonged. She knew who stood in front of her. And yet, she didn't see any reason to feel threatened or afraid of him as she had been warned to do before the arrival of Perador's royal court an hour ago.

"So, you think you can beat me in combat, Aila?" Kaiden's unique eyes twinkled in the faint light of the garden.

"I know I can," Aila grinned, the anxiety that had overtaken her all day had suddenly dissipated, and she was oblivious to its disappearance.

"Prove it," the nine year old grinned, a challenge alighting in his eyes. 

Aila didn't back down from a challenge.

She also wasn't one to test the waters before diving in.

She charged at the young boy, throwing her weight at him in one rapid movement. He hadn't been expecting the attack, no doubt having learnt from his previous instructors that a good opponent will always wait for you to initiate the first move. Aila's attack threw him to the ground, the soft grass breaking his fall. She landed on top of him, pinning him down with her steady weight.

"Told you," she breathed, feeling satisfaction flood her veins.

"We're not done yet, Aila," Kaiden twisted beneath her, attempting to roll them both such that she'd land beneath him. Aila, predicting his move, rolled backwards and landed on her feet with a panther-like grace, launching back to a fighting stance. She watched Kaiden do the same, and they began circling each other, waiting for the other to attack first.

Aila's impatience won the battle and she charged him again, thrusting her small fist out to strike his chest. Kaiden merely blocked the strike, grabbing her hand and spinning her around, trapping her such that her back was flush against his chest.

"You were saying?" He spoke quietly. Though she couldn't see him, she could hear the smirk in his tone.

Aila rolled her eyes.

"We're not done yet, Kaiden," she mimicked him. She swung her leg backwards, sweeping his feet out from beneath him whilst simultaneously forcing her weight forwards in order to twist out of his grip. He landed on the ground again, looking shocked at her ability.

"Truce?" He asked, panting slightly from the swiftness of her movements.

"That's twice I've taken you down," Aila smiled. "Backing out already?"

"Yes," Kaiden laughed. "I'm slightly scared of you."

"Good," Aila said, satisfied. "Then I accept your truce."

Kaiden extended a hand to consolidate the agreement, and Aila took his hand. Before she could shake it, he pulled her down, grinning wildly.

She landed beside him and rolled over, groaning softly. When she turned to face him, he was watching the stars intently, seeming mesmerised by the night sky.

"Do you like the stars, Aila?" He whispered, still not having taken his eyes from the sight before him.

"Very much," Aila responded, also turning her attention to the light above.

"They give me hope," Kaiden's voice was just above a whisper, as if he were only talking to himself. "I think it's so cool that even though from here they look tiny, they still have the power to be seen, to bring light to a dark sky."

Aila simply listened to him, feeling peace surround her for the first time all day. She couldn't reconcile the descriptions she had been told of the Perador royals with the boy that lay beside her now.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Aila asked quietly, unable to stop the pit of worry from growing in her stomach again.

Kaiden turned to look at her now, those eyes locking with hers.

"They're trying to discuss an agreement to end the war," he answered. "Perador is fed up of seeing our people hurt, and fighting in this way." Honestly shone in his features, a quality that Aila was sure likely wouldn't currently be on display by his parents in the throne room.

"Merelia is tired of it too," Aila matched his honesty.

Kaiden nodded once and turned back to the stars.

"If my parents don't end the war, I will," she vowed. "The world's the night sky, and I'll be the star."

She expected to hear Kaiden's laughter, as he had laughed at her words many times already, but she was surprised to find him watching her intently, a soft smile on his lips.

The moment was suddenly disturbed by a few guards marching into the gardens, some wearing the royal white and blue  colours of Merelia, and the others wearing the red and yellow of Perador. One called for Kaiden, and he reluctantly got up to leave.

He gave her a sad smile, one that said he knew he would most likely not see her again for a long time, if ever. He murmured a few words to her, before taking off towards the palace, where the guards appeared to be regarding him intently.

The words took a while for Aila to register, and when they did, she found a warm feeling replacing the unease that had resided in her stomach.  

"Be a star, Aila. You already shine."

With a smile, she whispered the words to herself.

And lying there in the grass of her palace gardens, with the stars as her witness, she again vowed to end the war - for her people that she'd readily give her life for, and for the people of the kind-hearted prince she met today.

No Author's Note needed ;)

~ MaddyWilson 💙