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The castle of Soluna stood tall and mighty, the dominating structure looked watched over the city like the sun and moon itself. The gorgeous architecture stood out like a sore thumb among the tiny homes of oak and rubble.
Many of these castles, as enchanting as they were, usually belonged to cold and greedy kings and queens, uncaring and power hungry families that followed a strict cold which forced them into a cycle of cold abuse not just towards their people, but towards eachother.
This castle had the tall spires, the marble pillars, the treasures that decorated each and every room and showed any wealthy visitors how much of an influence they might have on the world, just like the other castles.
But instead of the cold silence that dragged through each and every hall, something warm echoed throughout the chambers instead.
A laugh.
The sweetest laugh of them all, one that belonged to a young girl. Her little arms gently held up the pink skirt of her dress as she dashed through the vast corridors, leaving the concerned servants behind, dodging every valuable piece of art by only a hair. "Can't catch me!! Haha!" Her smile shone brighter than the sun, the joy of play flooding out of the mischievous little princess like a waterfall.
"Your highness..." A butler leaned on the wall, catching his breath. "Please be careful... You might get hur-"
"I won't get hurt! I know exactly where I'm going!!" She closed her eyes as her grin widened. The little princess confidently turned around, ready to continue playing tag before slamming her head into something.
Thankfully, that something is a leg adorned in silky cloth. The brunette stepped back from surprise and her eyes shot up to a see who appeared out of thin air.
Her eyes widened as before her stood a tall and powerful man, his short and nicely kept beard matched the colour of the young girls hair. He smiled, his fangs flashing at the young girl, he leaned over and reached both of his arms down to the princess.
"Father!!" She squealed and practically jumped into the man's arms. She felt her father's shirt as he wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close and lifting her up from the ground.
"Cherri, my dearest." His ocean blue eyes greeted Cherri, first with a genuine love, then with a knowing and questioning look. "What did we say about running through the castle now?"
"...I was paying attention though! I didn't break anything yet!..." The princess pouted, crossing her arms.
"Yet." The king repeated. "You're giving the poor servants heart attacks." He looked up to the butler, who's chest was still heaving, but he stood still with his head bowed in respect.
"It's not on purpose!!! I just... It's raining outside and it's so boring inside..." The princess pouted even harder, her annoyance slowly transforming into embarrassment. "I just didn't know what else to do!"
The king lowered the princess like she was the most precious thing in the world. Her big round orbs looked up at him with wonder as he moved a bit of her hair out of her face. Something in the king's heart melted upon seeing those orbs fully.
"Then, how about we play princesses and dragons? You like that game don't you, Cherri?" Ren cocked his head slightly.
The tiniest gasp escaped the girl as she sparkles like the night sky. "Yeah!!" She nodded enthusiastically.
"Good! Then imagine I'm a scary dragon!" His eyesbrows furrowed and grin widened, his Highness raised his hands into claws and roared at the princess. "Raaaaawr!! I'm going to gobble you up, little princess! Hahaha!"
"Eeeeeek!!" Cherri squealed, turning around and running away from the scary monster.
The king followed. Staying close enough for the princess to see but far enough to keep her running.
Eventually at a corner, Ren managed to get close enough to Cherri and scoop her and lift her high up. "Raaaaawr, I finally have the yummy princess!" The dragon pulled the princess close, forcing his beard against her soft cheeks, pretending to eat her. "Gobble, gobble gobble!"
"Noooo!! You're so spiky!!" Cherri's giggles filled the entire castle, failing to push her father's beard away.
Ren giggled too, standing in a corridor filled with treasures from all around the world, but holding the most priceless of them all.
***
The smell of moonlight hung in the air, the serene silence forced most of the city of Soluna into a deep slumber, leaving them to dream about the wildest of things.
But in the town, one place appeared to be restless.
Two guards armed with spears and wearing shiny brand new armour pushed the intricately carved door open. They pointed their weapons forward, ready to attack anyone with harm in their hearts.
"Cherri?!!" And behind them, a disheveled king called out his daughter's name, his panicked eyes looked forward as his heart couldn't slow down even for a millisecond.
Instead of an intruder, an assassin of even a thief, all three figures noticed the young princess, looking almost exactly as startled as her father. She stood next to a pile of broken glass and a small puddle.
"F-father I... I'm sorry..." Cherri lowered her gaze, unable to look him in the eyes.
Ren pushed through the guards and forced himself into the bedroom, immediately getting hit by a strong and familiar smell of cherry blossoms and roses. "What happened Cherri? Was someone here? Did anyone try to hurt you?" An urgency could be heard in her father's voice, an assertiveness that needed answers now so they could be punished as soon as humanly possible.
Cherri shook her head, her head hung even deeper, her long hair hiding her expression.
Ren's voice softened, worried that her questions might have scared the poor child even more. "Can you tell me what happened then? We heard a crash coming from your room..."
There was a momentary silence. "Cherri are-"
"I'm sorry..." Cherri's voice cracked, unable to hide away her tears. "I'm so sorry dad..." She brought up her hands, trying to wipe the tears away.
Something inside Ren jumped into action, he immediately dropped to his knees and reached to move the hair out of his daughter's face. "My dearest what happened...? What's wrong?"
"I- I... I had a nightmare..." She hicced. "I didn't... I thought... I thought you were asleep... And I... I was scared so I.... I wanted to... To... To do that thing... You do... With the sleeping spell..." She gestured with her wet hands over to the pile of shards. "But I... I didn't mean to... I knocked it over and... It made a loud sound... And it's ruined now..."
The little princess finally looked up at the king, the adorable and usually smiley little girl had her face covered in pure sorrow. It broke Ren's heart to see her like this. "I'm sorry... Please don't be mad at me..."
Ren wrapped his arms around Cherri, pulling her into a tight and comforting hug. "Oh, oh dear... Of course I'm not mad at you sweetheart. You did nothing wrong." He made circles on Cherris back, trying to calm her down.
"But I... I.... I.... I-I broke... I broke the bottle..." She eventually sputtered out. "I didn't mean to..."
"I know you didn't, it's okay?" Ren scooped her up into his arms, letting tears soak into the expensive silks and satins. He carefully stepped over the shattered perfume bottle and headed over to Cherris bed.
It was a shame really, that bottle was the queen's favorite perfume... It was one of the last things he had left of her... There was never a sleeping spell, Ren would just spray some of the contents into the room and miraculously she would always sleep peacefully. He wondered if it meant her mother was looking after her even beyond the grave, he isn't quite sure himself, but he likes to think that.
The king slid the princess under the covers, wiping away the snot and tears before tucking her back in. "Go back to sleep, my dear, I'll stay here and keep the nightmares away."
Cherri wiped a bit of her tears into her silky pillows. "...you promise...?"
Ren gently placed his hand on Cherri's head, slowly petting her. He answered in the softest and most reassuring voice he could muster. "I promise."
***
The town of Soluna was loud this eve. Loud banging filled the streets, lights burned brightly and people's voices screamed.
The town was painted red as each and every loyal citizen died. Children begged for their parents, wishing for the safety of their embrace only to be greeted with the icy blade of the invader.
The people were dying... And with every second, the king's influence dwindled and dwindled.
But he couldn't lead until he was certain one person would survive.
Cherri's sapphire eyes almost mirrored the river that carried her away. She stared unblinking at her father who couldn't tear his gaze away either.
They both knew this was the last time they'd see eachother again, at least for a long time...
...Ren remembered the day he saw her for the first time.
After hours of waiting, a maid with a bloody apron slowly and carefully walked over to the king. In her arms was a baby, a soft, newborn baby, unprepared for the cruel world she was brought into so forcefully.
He weakly took his only offspring away from the maid, he silently looked down at her with emptiness in his eyes.
He knew she was the last thing he has, the last thing worth protecting... He knew that his beloved wife didn't survive the birth. His mind flooded with memories of her, grasping at every moment he could see her face, her happy smile, her sad frown, her anger, her worry, her care...
A tear rolled down his cheek and fell right on the princess, causing her to wiggle a little. The more he looked at her the more he saw her.
She always loved the name Cherri. She couldn't wait to hold her in her arms......
...That was the first time Ren cried in years, he gently pulled princess Cherri closer and held her for hours... He didn't want to loose them both, he loved them so much...
"Your highness." A guard placed a hand on his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. "We need to go."
His eyes blinked away the forming tears, noticing that the small boat completely disappeared along with his daughter and his most trusted knight.
She's safe. He told himself. She's safe and alive and well. He took a breath. And I'll see her again.
The king unsheathed his sword as it set on fire. A determination in his eyes burned brighter than the sun itself as he coldly slaughtered anyone who stood in his way under the watchful gaze of the moon.
***
There was a castle in Solune. One so grand and tall that generations of royals would fit in there for millenia, but instead of bitter family of rulers, the land was lead by a lonely king, who only had a daughter to his name, who shone like the sun.
What happened to either is unknown, but what I do know, is that they'll meet again one day, like the sun and the moon do too.