“People in Chopver are innocent in some ways,” says my lady-in-waiting, Abbot Lorimer.

I stare at her through the mirror while she braids and twists my black wavy hair into a crown. I’ve been queen for seven years now. I promised my kingdom that I would protect them but how am I supposed to do that if I don’t know how to save the other villages my father took over?

“Sure, they gave in to Darkness easier than any other country has before but I think they are also weak-minded. There is a reason that the country is called the most selfish country of all. They don’t know how to fight back and how to let Light in when Darkness bribes them with everything they ever want,” Abbot continues.

“That’s why we need to think quickly about how my brothers and I are going to fight Darkness without our mother. How many people are left in Chopver that haven’t turned?” I ask.

Abbot’s words stay on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes filled with dread and worry. The wrinkles on her face grow deeper and her hair seems to suddenly go grayer.

“Abbot, your queen just asked you a question,” I state. I lift one of my eyebrows to her waiting for her response.

She exhales so hard that some hairs fall out of my braided crown.“The rumor is that there are only a couple billion people left in Chopver who haven’t turned to Darkness. I would check with General Velreos to make sure that is accurate, Your Highness.”

How are there only a couple of billion people left? Last week there were still ten billion left. Darkness is moving faster than usual. My heart starts to race as I panic about what to do.

After Abbot is done with my hair, I get up and tell her to have General Velreos come to the dining room. I know my brothers are there already. Their beastly stomachs bring them to the dining room before I am even awake but they stay there until I am finished with my breakfast.

I burst the door open but don’t bother to sit in my chair.

“Good morning sister, what is the matter?” Strider asks.

His dark eyebrows furrow like they always do whenever he gets worried.

Out of both of my brothers, Strider looks the most like me. His medium-length wavy dark hair is the same as mine, along with his bright hazel eyes. His dark beard makes him look like he’s a couple of years older than Theon and me.

Theon looks nothing like Strider and I. He has short wavy hair that is as white as snow. His eyes are as dark as night and his pale skin makes his freckles vibrant.

“Let’s wait until General Velreos gets here until I say anything,” I say.

Strider and Theon look at each other, their furrowed brows matching.

“Well, can you at least sit down? You’re starting to worry me,” Theon says.

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“There is something to worry about so no, I will not sit down,” I say.

“What do you mean there is something to worry about? It’s not what I think it is, is it?”

I look at my brothers, making eye contact with both of them.

“It’s about Darkness,” Strider whispers.

I nod and start pacing again. Both of my brothers won’t take their eyes off of me but they are standing as well now.

General Velreos comes through the door. He bows as he greets us. Strider and Theon are silent. They know that I should be the one talking to the General.

“Is it true?” I ask, “Are there really only a couple billion people left with pure hearts in Chopver?”

Velreos opens his mouth but closes it just as fast. Another second goes by before he answers, “Yes, Your Highness. Seven billion to be exact. It seems that Darkness is moving at an alarming speed. Chopver seems to be quite weak when it comes to good intentions. Our spies have communicated that there is nothing they can do to save the people. We may need to send in you three to help them. It seems like you’re their only hope.”

The spies from our kingdom work very hard. If I wasn’t queen I would join them and spread the word like they are. We have spies all over the world trying to tell people that we need both Light and Darkness to have a peaceful balance again. With Light being banished, Darkness has an easier time spreading his disease. Light is growing weaker and weaker every time someone turns to Darkness.

It doesn’t take long until I make my decision.

“General Velreos, I need you to keep an eye on the kingdom. My brothers and I will go to Chopver to see if there is anything we can do. Maybe we can find a way to stop Darkness once and for all.”

“With all due respect, Your Highness, but-”

“Your queen commands you to take care of the kingdom. If anything shall happen to us I know I can trust you to take care of everyone here.”

General Jaelon Velreos has been loyal to this kingdom since the very beginning. After my brothers, he is the one I trust the most. I know that he will do what he believes is right for the kingdom.

“So what is the plan here exactly?” Theon asks.

Only my brothers can talk to me like that. They were taught not to but I begged them to talk to me like their sister and not their queen. I wanted to feel human in some way. They are the only ones who can argue with me without being punished and the only ones who don’t have to be formal when they are talking to me.

“We go to Chopver and try to stop Darkness from taking over the rest of their kingdom. We figure out how to bring everything back into balance,” I say.

Theon rolls his eyes. “Brilliant idea.”

“You have a better plan? If you think you are so better than me then let’s hear your plan.”

Theon falls silent.

“That’s what I thought. The least we can do is see if we can do anything. We are not helping by just sitting here doing nothing. We have to try and help in some way.”

Strider and Theon nod in agreement.

“Very well, Your Highness. I will activate the portal in an hour,” Velreos says.

“Strider, Theon, get your weapons and essentials. We will meet at the portal,” I command.

They nod, not saying a word, and run out of the dining room door.

“With all due respect, Your Highness, are you sure you can succeed?” Velreos asked.

“Jaelon Velreos, whenever have I gone into something without a chance of succeeding?”

“Never, Your Highness.”

“Then we better hope that this is not the first.”