Her vision was a blur.

She had no idea where she was going, but she kept her pace, her legs fueled by the surge to get away from that pain, that news, but it kept gripping her despite her strides. The pain invaded her, taking possession of her.

Ezri tried to follow her, but she pushed her hands away from him. They were suffocating, and she couldn't breathe. She clutched her chest. Her whole world had collapsed, and her only hope was gone.

Her Father.

Their last interaction flashed through her mind, and her tears burned hot. She had shown him so much resentment. Her legs wobbled, ready to let go.

They had never seen eye to eye. But she had seen how miserable he had become since her mother died. Deep down, she had always blamed him for that, and it showed in every bitter word she threw at him.

The sob she let out came from her guts, howling.

But she never hated him. She knew her father was flawed, but she never wanted him to die.

She collapsed against a tree, her knees finally giving up like her will. She let herself slide to the ground, the bark of the trees tearing her skin as she freed the flow of sobs. Her shoulders tremored as she murmured, "I am sorry. I am so sorry."

She had failed in every way, but she had failed him too. The shadow of the tree branches danced on her. She always believed that, in the end, she would make her father proud. She only wanted him to see how capable she was, but- She closed her eyes tight. She had been the worst daughter. Her stubbornness prevented her from seeing the whole picture; now he was gone. A brat, blind to the surroundings and people around her. Blind to her own privilege. She sniffled, looking down at the grass. Useless.

She enrolled her arms around her knees, embracing her form. Her pendant never laid as cold on her chest.

Glimpses from the sun hit her wet eyes, and she looked up through the dancing branches.

**

Lach had left the camp, too, unable to bear the people's eyes on him. Hurting her was the last thing he had wanted. His fists bawled. He had just tried to protect her. He swore it, but why did his heart feel so heavy with the burden? His teeth clenched. Because he was a coward.

Kristina was right. All he could do was flee away. Amaya's pained face flashed through him, and he grabbed his hair, almost tearing it. He kept hurting the people around him. Sorrow and disappointment trailed behind on all the roads he took.

He strode, his steps fueled by rage. They led him before a lake. He paused and screamed his heart out. The veins of his neck popped as his face drew red. He should throw himself into the lake and suffocate with his own incompetence. His voice strained as it faltered, and tears traced his flushed cheeks. He plopped down on the ground just before the water, head falling.

Steps rose, but he hadn't had the strength to look up to see who it was, so he just said. "Leave me."

Short, sturdy legs appeared in front of him. "What a pathetic view..." A deep sigh.

"Bett. Go." His broken voice was still booming with rage.

A snort. "I am not going anywhere. You get up and go talk to Amaya before she leaves with fucking Prince Charming." They pointed a finger behind him. Lach's eyes tightened, but he stayed silent. It was too late. "You fucked up, horseman."

Lach passed a frustrating hand through his strands, messing it even more. "What do you want from me? To say that I am sorry? I am fucking sorry! I am devasted. Can't you see? Don't they teach you how to see human emotion in your fucking cave?" His voice rippled the lake.

"So what? Your solution is to mop around by yourself here? Do something!"

Lach shook his head. "She said she didn't want to talk to me ever again."

Bett exhaled deeply. "Are you going to let her go to Mias? Is this really what will happen?"

His dark eyes were flat. "She made her decision."

Bett kneeled down in front of him. "Lach. We all know how you feel about her. Even your ex-lover noticed it." Lach squared his shoulders. "Even a blind man can see it."

That's why it hurt even more. "I- I hurt her."

"You wanted to protect her." Bett pointed.

"And I failed." Lach's teeth clenched, but he let out a frustrating sound.

"She would have known about her father at some point," Bett said intently. "And she would have reacted the same either way." Lach looked away. He naively thought that the longer she wouldn't know, the better she would be. That he would protect her heart from the grief, but he saw it crash before him. "We still need to find the Favor."

Lach shook his head. "The Favor is gone."

Bett inhaled deeply as they rose to a standing position. "When you change your mind, come to me." They left, leaving Lach with the weight of all his guilt.

**

The ship from Mias arrived when the sun met the horizon, its blood-drenched sails blowing. Red. The color of Mias.

Lach watched from the beach as the massive build came ashore, its plow grating against the beachy rocks. It was so grand it shadowed Kristina's ship. The gangway was placed before men in red uniforms came down the beach. Kristina observed the whole thing with her crew not so far away, arms crossed and eyes tight. Bett stood with Lach, and they kept glancing at him, but he wouldn't meet their gaze.

The old man was talking to Amaya and Ezri. She hadn't lifted her gaze to him once, and Lach felt his heart sinking even more. He kept his behind his tight lips. Ezri put an arm around her shoulder as he led her up the gangway. Lach's body jolted as if it wanted to reach her, but he kept his feet solid on the ground.

Amaya's head moved, and at last, she glanced at him, a vivid sadness glinting into those eyes he loved so much. "Please." A whisper. She looked away as she disappeared inside the boat.

Lach's heart dropped in his stomach.

Kristina's ship sailed right after. The emptiness of the dark sky seemed so grand to Lach as he leaned on the railing on the prow. As grand as the emptiness inside his heart. Steps approached, and Kristina lifted a hand, but Lach left before she could touch her shoulder.

**

The waking horizon flecked its soft orange light on Amaya, her pendant glistening as she grabbed the wooden railing. That light wasn't as beautiful as when she first went on a ship. She looked to the side, and Lach leaned on the railing next to her, and her heart clutched. She shook her head, and he disappeared. Everything they had was just a lie, and it hurt as much as losing her sole parent left.

What he said had been true. She couldn't trust anybody. But it ripped her inside that he was the one to prove this right. Her hands clutched. What an idiot she was.

"Princess."

Her head turned to Ezri. He was back in his crimson uniform and still stood princely despite his wound. She wiped her eyes and nodded at him. "Prince Ezri."

Ezri's eyes flickered with concern. "You must not be troubled."

She wanted to laugh. "How can't I be?" She had lost her sole hope.

"Do not worry. You coming with me is the right decision." He searched her gaze, but Amaya kept hers stubbornly on her fingers. She knew it was the right decision. Going to Mias was the right and sound thing to do from the beginning, but she had been taken by the faith that she could restore what was gone. Only to realize she had lost more than she had known. And that some things never existed from the beginning. Her heart clutched. "You have been to hell these last few days. But I am taking the reign now."

Amaya frowned deeply. "I don't want you to take the reign. I want you to help me, but...This is not your battle."

Ezri's eyes flickered to the horizon, his good arm folded behind his straight back. "It is my battle. You are the Queen now; as your future husband, it is mine too." Amaya swallowed thickly, Ezri's words leaving a heavy feeling on her tongue. "See this as an opportunity to show the grandeur of our two kingdoms." His gaze stuck on her. You didn't go through all this for nothing. Our union will help Ornuv go back onto his feet. I promise."

"I have failed my kingdom." It was more a thought to herself than something Ezri should have heard.

But he did, "You did not." He scooted closer, englobing her palm on the warm wood. As soft and delicate as his hand was, it was not close to comfort. "I know you wanted the Favor back, but it's gone." Ezri took her chin delicately, and their gaze met. "This is my promise that everything will be alright. We found each other back. It is no coincidence. This is the will of the Sun God. Whatever this prophecy says, it is not strong enough to-"

Amaya's frows burrowed. "What did you say?"

"The Sun God-"

"The prophecy." Amaya jerked her chin away from his grip. "How do you know about the prophecy?"

"I- this. Everyone knows about this." Ezri was taken aback, but he composed himself quickly, pulling his features back into neutral like his tone. An art that only those bathing in politics pool mastered so well. She knew it, too, for she had been swimming in that water for so long.

A new light shone on Ezri, and Amaya's gaze shifted. "Why were you in Keso, Ezri?" The Prince's features tightened. "You said your ship was attacked on the way to Mias, but Keso is not on the way to Mias." She had learned every curve of the world map and memorized every name and city of the Continent. "You wouldn't have been able to send a message to Mias and bring a new ship to Keso if they didn't know you were there already." His eyes flashed to her. All the warmth was gone. "You were heading to Keso." She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "I can't believe this."

Ezri swallowed thickly. "I-"

"You were looking for the Favor, too. That's how you ended up in there." Her eyes lifted to him, sharp with anger. "You were about to betray us-

"This is not true. Yes, I was looking for the Favor but not to betray you." Ezri searched her gaze. "I want to marry you still. I want us to reign together over Ornuv and Mias. Me and you."

"So Ornuv would have no other choice but to rely on Mias. On you." She shook her head slowly. "You never wanted me as a Queen. You just wanted to be my King."

"Amaya."

He scooted closer, and she took a step back as if she would breathe poison out of his air. "This is Princess Amaya for you." She turned on her heels, leaving the deck. She locked herself in her room and slid against the door, hiding her face behind her palms. How could she have been so stupid? Of course, Ezri would have gone after the Favor, too. Her fist hit the wooden floor. Her breath itched with this new blow. The watch ticked on the wall near the bed. Solstice was tomorrow. The last day for the prophecy to complete. She stood up, swallowing back her disappointment. She had no time to collapse now. A pool of light spread out through the small round window of the room. She leaned against it, her gaze finding the crashing waves against the ship and a safety boat.

**

Lach returned home; his pouch was as heavy as his head. When he was close enough, his eyebrows knitted tightly. The wooden door was half-open, kicking against its frame, its doorknob snatched. Lach's blood jolted and raced towards the entrance. "Mother!" He yelled. The table was broken in half as if a fist of iron had hit it. A few plates and bowls were also damaged and scattered on the floor. Lach's ears buzzed, and he could only hear the hammering of his own pulse.

"Lach?"

He whirled around, and relief cracked into his face. "Elson." The little boy raced to his arms, and Lach caught his small frame tightly. He sighed deeply into his hair, patting his head. The little boy looked at him with his gap-tooth smile, and Lach's eyes prickled. A yellowish mark spread on the little boy's cheek like spilled wine. "What happened?" The boy looked away. "Where is Mother?" And on cue, the door creaked open, revealing the woman.

Night had fallen when Yehime told him what had happened. They sat on one of the thick trunks in the backyard of the small cottage, in front of the warmth of the firepit where a pot marinated. "Those guards, they were looking for you." Lach's jaw tightened. "But we hadn't said a thing." She went on. "But when they realized we would keep our mouths shut tight, they threatened me." His fist tightened. "Elson took the sword of one of the soldiers and pierced him." She trailed off as if telling a fever dream, not quite believing. "The other soldier hit him." Lach's eyes widened. Elson stood not far away, swishing a wooden stick like a sword. He was speechless. "They left right after because he was losing too much blood."

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have left you." He said, regret making his tongue thick.

"You are here now, and it is what matters." She stood up to stir the pot, but even then, his heart was a boulder he could barely carry.

Yehime placed her spoon on the edge of the pot. "What it is, my Lach?"

"Nothing." He said, barely audible.

She sat back next to him. "Not with me; I can see your torment." A fond smile illuminated her face. "Your father would make the same face when he was upset. You are so much alike." Her slender fingers caressed his deep night strands, and he looked away, almost escaping from her touch.

His throat burned with a guilt that had consumed him for years. "I have to tell you something." His voice was already on the edge of cracking.

Her hand paused. "What is it?"

He looked down. Unable to look at her. "It's about father." Concern grew on Yehime's face. "I- I am the reason he got killed," Lach let out a rash sob.

"What- why are you saying this?"

His eyes welled up. "I am the one who stole the necklace." His lips quivered, jittering his words. Yehime's face fell, and her hand retracted. "I am so sorry. It's all my fault." He sobbed, nose running, and tears falling on his abused hands. "I have done this to you, to our family." His head fell. "I am so sorry."

His shoulders tremored with his uncontrollable sobs, the dam breaking at last. Something warm posed on his shoulder. He raised his red-rimmed eyes to his mother. Her eyes were glassy, but a soft smile still stretched her weary features. "What happened, happened, Lach. We can't undo the past." Lach's throat tightened. "I understand now why you have been trying to be like him all these years." His glassy gaze found the ground. "You don't have to be. You don't have to be him. I loved and still love your father. I miss him every day." A wave of sadness rippled against her features and voice. "But I also love you and Elson as you are," Lach's eyes closed tightly, tears hitting the ground. "You are enough as you are. Do you understand?" She stated firmly, searching his gaze. He watched her and saw none of the hate he had thought to seek, only love. His lips quivered, and he fell onto her arms. "It's all right. You are fine. You are fine, Lach," she pushed his head against her chest. Lach exhaled deeply as he buried his face against her.

At last a weight lifted off his chest.

**

The night was deep as he walked inside the forest. The trees were as high as the castle gates, reaching for a starless sky. He walked into a deafening silence. Even his steps weren't cracking the snow under him. A shadow hid behind a tree, and his breath quickened. Shadows lipped from behind trees all over him, and he started to run. Even his gasps were silent.

The shadows gathered together, morphing into a monstrous nightmare deeper than the night, and rushed towards him like a launched spear. Lach wasn't fast enough, and when it was about to catch him, a blinding light emanated from inside the forest. The shadow evaporated with a shriek.

He squinted his eyes. The light flickered as if calling him. Like the heavens, he followed it and fell upon a large ball of intense bright light. "Who are you?" he asked, chest heaving.

The ball flickered, and a word came across Lach's mind like the flash of a souvenir. Favor.

Lach's mouth opened slowly. "I thought it was gone." A light burst like an explosion, and Lach shielded his eyes. When he opened them again, he was stunned.

Amaya stood in the light, her dress floating around her like clouds. She smiled. "Amaya..." He reached for her, arm stretching. Her fingers extended too, but before he could touch her luminous hand, the shadow rushed again, and he braced himself as it headed towards him-

Lach gasped as his eyes jolted open. "Amaya."