"Once upon a time,

Centuries long ago, two kingdoms existed. Both were as strong, as safe, and rich as the other. Equality and harmony sprang from each corner, the inhabitants were never unhappy.

In fact, it was as if nothing bad ever happened.

Although that was a lie.

Utopias don't exist. But the rulers were smart, they never let fear show and gave out hope as if it was a bottomless pit.

Meetings were held yearly to insure prosperity among the villagers as well as to make sure no one revolts. This never happened. The godesses made sure of that.

Only one problem ever came up. Heirs.

No one ever knew where they came from or when they appeared but they were powerful and uncontrollable. Because of that, instead of torturing them into submission and risking their powers to rebel, the gods split the land into five, one for each Heir and the amount of land was equivalent to their power. On top of that, they were also given a mission.

They had three tasks: Protect; keep the line going; maintain peace.

If those rules were not sustained, the Heir in question would have to pay the price.

Some say the Heirs' powers would be revoked, others said far worse.

But only one has ever found themselves paying the price.

***

Five centuries ago, the two Flocos twins, Adeline and Alice could not get along. To make matters worse, the king's only daughters were both able to harness their powers. The Godesses hadn't prepared them for that, but even the Godesses couldn't control them.

Upon his deathbed, King Aalee didn't know who to name his successor. He made a harsh decision and split his kingdom into two, North Flocos and South Flocos.

The identical twins took up their roles as Queens quite rapidly. The villagers weren't happy about it and contested, stating that this was the opposite of everything they stood for.

Not only was there mayhem between the two areas, but they were supposed to be one and the same. No one dared to speak up to their queen, not when they were as unmanageable as those two.

But they had both been good rulers and both even procured offsprings for the next line. But trouble remained.

At one of the yearly conventions, King Oren of Kataipolis decided to speak up. He wasn't fond of the idea and was more worried about what the godesses were going to do to them than anything else.

His wife shushed him though, she had plans of her own.

While back in their own homes, Queen Keres feared for her husband and daughter. Oren was strong and able to do something, to make sure they weren't hated by the Gods. But his heart was too kind for such actions. Keres decided to take matters into her own hands. For Nerissa and her unborn baby.

That night, while the moon was up and the sounds of the owls resonated throughout the castle, she prayed. Hard. To reach the godesses.

***

Adeline and Alice were visited later that night. They had gotten an ultimatum.

Save their kingdom or their heir.

Whoever made the right decision would survive and become the sole ruler of Flocos. That night, both girls went to the temple, and their husbands and sons accompanied them with pure fear marked on their faces.

Rumors say that people could hear their mortifying screams from villages away.

The next day, a public announcement was made. Not only to Flocos but to all other kingdoms too.

A new Queen was standing on the thrones but her family didn't make it out of the temple.

We never knew who survived but they went by Queen A. She was never seen smiling, enjoy life, or do anything other than rule. She never attended social events, no matter how important.

Except for The Meeting.

A new husband was chosen for her, but her subjects claimed that she didn't seem to love him.

They had a son, the next heir.

And ever since that day, even five centuries later, Queen A was the last female heir, a mystery to us all.

Yet, most seemed to forget the past.

Because knowledge is power.

And in order to survive, you need power."

My daughter fell asleep in my arms, her pale blue eyes, slightly opened. I lay her down on the bed, making sure she didn't wake up after the fairytale I read to her.

There was no sound to be heard except for grasshoppers chirping in the dark forest.

But that didn't mean we were safe.

Someone was watching. Someone was always watching.

And I had to protect my daughter from anyone that wished to harm us.

I would do anything for her.

Because I love her.

And hopefully, love conquers all.