Cinder jumped to her feet. "On Earth? On Luna? Where is it?"

"Luna," President Vargas answered. "I have already alerted the Thorne's and they are on their way with antidotes."

"Great," Cinder said, and she ran out of the room.

"Where has she gone?" Queen Camilla wondered.

Kai sighed. "Probably to pack for Luna."

"And why would she go there?" Camilla asked.

"To help deliver antidotes. What else?" Kai said. "I guess I'd better go too."

As Kai stood up, Prime Minister Kamin spoke. "You have to leave the Princess here."

"What?" Kai asked confused.

"Princess Peony must remain in New Beijing if you and the Empress are both going to Luna," she repeated.

"Of course," Kai said. "I wasn't going to bring them along anyways. Now, if you'll excuse me." He bowed before leaving the room.

---

Kai found Cinder in their room packing.

"Cinder," Kai sighed. "You know you can't do that."

"Do what?" Cinder asked, not looking up.

"It's been fifteen years. You know that you can't just walk out of a meeting like that."

Cinder sighed. "I know. But the people of Luna can't wait for me to finish a diplomatic meeting, Kai."

"I understand. But as I left, Prime Minister Kamin said that we have to leave the kids here."

"Of course," Cinder agreed. "It would be too dangerous to take them. Maybe Iko could watch them. Or Torin."

Kai chuckled. "I can't image Torin having to watch Garan for however long we're gone. And I'm sure Iko will want to come along."

Cinder thought for a moment before saying, "How about Tressa?"

"Tressa?"

"Kinney's sister, remember? I'm sure if she protests, Kinney will make her stay." As Cinder finished packing, she heard a knock and called, "Come in!"

It was Torin and Iko.

"I'm coming," Iko said. "There is no way that you're leaving me behind."

"Wasn't planning to," Cinder assured her.

"Torin," Kai said. "We hoped that you would be willing to stay home."

"More than willing, Your Majesty," Torin agreed. "I'm afraid my old bones will not be able to keep up with you."

Kai smiled. "Thank you. We were wondering if you could watch after the kids. Peony, Michelle, Garry, and Leo, would be more than willing to help."

"When you said 'kids', you meant all of them, didn't you," Torin said.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"We were thinking to get Tressa, Kinney's sister, to come help," Cinder informed him.

Torin nodded. "I will watch them. Though it may be exhausting."

Cinder bit her lip. "Because both of us will be going, Peony will have to make decisions on our behalf. I'll talk to her about it later, but please, please, please, help her, Torin."

"Of course," Torin said. "I will do my best."

Kai patted his advisor and friend on the back. "Thank you."

---

Cinder knocked on the door to her eldest daughter's room. "Peony?"

"I'm here, Mother!" Peony called.

Cinder walked over to where Peony was sitting on her bed and sat down next to her. "Your father and I are going to Luna," she began.

"I know." Peony played with her hair.

"You and your siblings are going to stay with Torin and Tressa. You will be Acting Empress in my place."

At this, Peony started to pay real attention.

"Torin will guide you the best he can, but you will be doing the real work."

"I can't, Mother!" Peony cried. "It's too difficult!"

"Honey." Cinder stroked her hair. "You'll do great. You're only a few years younger than your father when he took the throne."

"Yeah, but I can't do it!" She started sniffling.

"What's wrong, Peony? Why are you crying?"

"I don't want you to leave." Peony wiped her eyes. "I can't do as good as you and dad. I'm just going to mess everything up."

"No, you're not, sweety. You'll do great, okay? Just believe in yourself like Kai and I believe in you."

Peony took deep breaths before lifting her chin. "Okay. I'll make you proud."