Emma kneels beside her brother, Kai, observing him closely. He wears a white shirt, slim trousers, and a water gem pendant around his neck. His hands are outstretched and his eyes are closed. For the past hour, Emma had been training Kai to wield water magic. He was successful in all the other exercises except this one.
All he had to do was turn the water in the pitcher into ice. Sweat beaded his forehead, and he groaned, throwing his hands into the air.
"Oh, what's the use, Em? I'll never be able to do it." Kai's bottom lip was trembling.
Emma got to her feet, brushing the wrinkles out of her dress. "Don't give up so quick. Maybe we're looking at it the wrong way."
"Or maybe I'm dumb."
"Kai, for the last time, you are not dumb. You are brilliant, smart, and handsome." Emma pinched his cheek. "Say that again, and I'll let grandma kiss you all over your face when she comes over."
Kai made a face.
The door to the training room opened, and a palace maid stepped inside. "Apologies for the disturbance, princess. But it is your father. The nurses fear his condition is worsening with no sign of recovery."
Emma swallowed. "Have you tried everything?"
"Yes, Princess. We've called upon all the healers and no one can tell what is the problem." the maid ducked her head. "They believe he may pass tonight or early morning."
No. No. He can't leave her.
Emma raced from the room, eyes stinging. When she reached her father's room, she burst inside and choked on a sob.
Her father, King Saul, was dying.
He turned toward her. "Emma? Is that you?"
Emma hurried over to his side. She sat on the edge of the be and took his cold hand in her warm one.
"Daddy?" Kai squeaked.
Kai walked to the other side of the bed and threw his arms around his neck. "the maid told us that you're not getting better. Tell us that they're wrong Pa. You can't leave."
"I'm not ready," Emma whispered. "I can't...I'm not-" Emma broke off and started sobbing.
Her father placed his hand on her cheek. "You are ready. Emma, you're strong, beautiful, and capable of great things. And yes Kai, what the maid said is true. "
He started coughing and Emma reached for a cloth. their father took it and put it in his mouth. When he pulled it back Emma and Kai gasped.
It was soaked with blood.
How could it have gotten this bad?Â
Was the medicine not working?
What haven't they tried?
Emma grabbed at her orange curls, seconds from pulling them out by the roots.
Her father sighed. "I'm going to rest my eyes. Stay with me, alright?"
"Of course." Emma said, "We'll be right here."
.....
Emma was startled awake by screams.
She jumped up and saw a maid struggling to hold Kai away from the bed.
"What's going on?"
 "King Saul has died."
Emma swallowed and blindly reached for a wall to steady herself. The room started tilting. Emma slumped to the ground, tears falling down her face.,
"Daddy!" Kai screamed. "Daddy, wake up! Daddy!"
First her mother, now her father. They just buried her a few weeks ago.
Her death had carved out a piece of her heart, now it was completely shattered. Defeated, Kai sobbed on the maid's apron. She rubbed his back in a circular motion.
Emma bit her lip.
She wasn't ready for marriage. She can't run a kingdom. Emma wasn't ready for any of this.
She didn't expect this. She didn't want this.
Kai tore away from the maid and ran toward Emma. He sobbed against her chest, arms wrapped around her waist.
"H-He can't be g-gone. Bring him back Em!"
Emma sniffled, tightening her grip on him. She kissed his forehead. "I wish I could, Kai. I wish I could."
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