“Father! Look what I found!” cried young Aurelia joyfully.

“Wow, what a lovely rose!” replied her father. “Is it for Mummy?”

Aurelia nodded. She had found it in the forest.

“How about we go to the forest together?” suggested her father.

“Sure!”

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In the forest...

“Aurelia! Look what I found!” Her father was holding the most treasured thing in all the world—a reviving rose.

“Father, watch out!” cried Aurelia, for she had seen what he hadn’t. An arrow flew from behind a tree, but it was too late. The arrow had hit his heart, and blood dyed the vibrant green grass maroon red. Aurelia acted quickly. She took the rose from her father’s hand. and saddled her horse. ”Go!” She rode as fast as she could, clinging onto the horse’s mane.

As she reached the palace gates, an arrow shot from behind her, cutting an artery and resulting in a river of blood rushing out of her wound. She screamed in pain, which attracted the attention of all the guards on duty. The guards immediately rushed out as they saw young Aurelia approaching the castle, hurt and scarred, and the king was not by her. She had fallen off her horse and was now limping to the castle while holding her hand over her wound.

“What happened to Young Lady?” whispered one of the soldiers.

“If it isn’t obvious enough, she got hurt,” replied his annoyed friend.

“What are you doing, standing there and watching the commotion? There are plenty of things you two have to do! Rush off now, and mind if I catch you slacking off one more time, you can be guaranteed that you won’t sleep on your back for a while,” the fierce general scolded. “Boys these days,” he muttered to himself.

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Five days later

Aurelia sat silently at the village gate. She felt miserable now that her father was gone. A tall

dark-haired boy walked up to her.

“Hey, are you okay? I heard what happened,” said the boy softly.

“He doesn’t look very mean,” thought Aurelia to herself. Then she sniffed and looked at him. “Yeah. You’re the first person who dared to ask me about it honestly. I got letters from my relatives and all, but they didn’t even go to the funeral, and the others just gave me sweets, but I did not need them. I want to talk to someone,” she said meaningfully.

“Well, thanks., replied the boy. “Hey, why don’t we go for a walk? I’m free until around.” He checked his watch. “I’ve got to go at six.”

“Alright. Perhaps some fresh air might clear my mind,” replied Aurelia. She allowed the boy to haul her up from her seat.

“C’mon, let’s go!” cried the boy.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

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At the cliffs

“Luce, I’ve got to go now,” said Aurelia, her cheeks glowing with happiness. “You’ve contributed a lot to make me feel better.”

“At your service,” grinned Luce cheekily as he did a small bow. He immediately received a punch on the shoulder. “Take a joke!” he cried.

Aurelia walked back to the castle. When she reached her, a maid informed her that her mother wanted her to tidy herself up and go to the throne room immediately, as there were guests expected later.

“Alright, Liz. Thanks for informing me!” said Aurelia.

She rushed to her bedroom and changed into a dainty gown. Then she brushed her hair, tied a rose bun, and stuck a pin. She looked pretty and presentable by then, so she gracefully entered the throne room. She saw a tall young boy and King Lucifer of the Underworld standing there.

“Now that Aurelia is here, my son will announce our business." King Lucifer turned to the boy and nodded.

“My father has declared war against the Rulers of the Sky, as they were found breaking the laws of the world's border. With that, we shall expect a full army on the battlefield by tomorrow,” said the boy.

Aurelia noticed that the boy seemed familiar. She observed him and gasped. It was Luce.

Aurelia hadn’t known. Luce was the enemy’s son?! She was bitterly disappointed, as she’d have liked to have Luce as a friend. Not only was he funny, but he was kind too. He was not at all fit for the Underworld’s next king, but he’d have made a great empire out of the Sky Kingdom.

“Aurelia! Stop daydreaming!” Her mother, Queen Artemis, snapped at her. “Goodness, as the next heir to the throne, you mustn’t daydream like that. You’ve got a whole kingdom to take care of!”

“Sorry, mother,” apologized Aurelia.

“Anyway, as I was saying, do you have to start a war?” Queen Artemis turned her head back to King Lucifer.

“I will not take no for an answer,” replied Lucifer bluntly. “It’s either that, or you surrender.”

Luce gestured for her to leave the room. Aurelia nodded, did an elegant curtsy, and left the room.

“I say it’s really hard luck. I badly wanted to be friends,” said Luce, as soon as they were out of the room.

“Me too,” replied Aurelia. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to flatter her, but he seemed genuine. “I’ll tell you what, you’ve made my day.” She smiled at him.

“Do you want to get ice cream? It might be our first and last time eating together,” suggested Luce.

“Absolutely.”

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At the dessert shop

“Which flavor should I choose? There are too many!” exclaimed Aurelia.

“Well, for starters, you could try mango and vanilla,” suggested Luce.

“Sounds good. What are you having?” asked Aurelia.

“Double Belgian chocolate,” replied Luce.

“That’s pretty, well, chocolatey!” remarked Aurelia, quite unsure of what to say.

“Hmm. How old are you?” asked Luce. “You haven’t told me your age yet.”

“You’d be quite shocked. How old do you think I look?” questioned Aurelia.

“Around ten years old or younger,” replied Luce, not looking up from his wallet.

“Well, I’m thirteen,” said Aurelia.

“What?! You’re thirteen?! You look much younger!” exclaimed Luce.

“I know, surprising, right?” Aurelia grinned humorously. “I wonder if you’ll mistake me for a teen when we’re older.”

“What do you mean? Our families are enemies. We can’t possibly be friends in the future.” Luce said it sadly.

“I’m sorry if I made you sad,” whispered Aurelia softly.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Inevitably, we’re not meant to be friends. I wish the world wasn’t so cruel sometimes,” muttered Luce.

“Hey, who knows? Maybe fate will change. Don’t be too negative. We’ve got to relish our first and hopefully not last day together.” Aurelia took her ice cream and ate a spoonful of it. “Yum! You want some?” Aurelia offered a spoonful.

“Nah, I’m fine. Thanks anyway.” Luce smiled at her. “We’ve got about an hour to finish these before we have to return to the palace,” said Luce as he checked his watch.

“Eeep! Gotta speed up then.” Aurelia munched her waffle piece.