"This is preposterous!"
Empress Marina exclaimed, snatching the nobles' proposal from Emperor Arskan's hands.
"I'm torn—my duty as king and as a father? What should I do?"
Arskan sighed deeply.
"She's just a young girl"
Marina whispered, tears welling up. Arskan comforted her, stalling the decision until morning.The next day, Marina gathered her daughters and their friends.
"Listen, kids"
she said gently, lining them up.
"Aqua has to leave Wales for a while."
The news seemed to have leaked; they nodded quietly in acceptance. Selina and Swag hugged Aqua tight. Back-to-back embraces followed—until Lottie's turn.
"Don't go, can you please not go?"
The little girl sobbed heartbreakingly, clinging to her big sister.
"Don't worry lil habibi —we'll stay in touch, just like Umme Huraira and Aunt Tanasia."
Aqua said with a sad smile, giving her all to stop herself from crying.
(Ya Habibi: my darling, in Arabic—a term of deep affection.)After sending the children home, Marina took Aqua and Lottie aside, handing each a shimmering seashell.
"Beautiful, right? These are communicators. Charge them like phones—a full one lasts a week."
She said as she gave them the chargers
Aqua's table overflowed with farewell gifts: bread, jewelry. Just when she was pondering over them a knock startled her. The Crown Prince Luka entered, flopping on the bed.
"Lottie's gonna be so lonely without you..."
he said thoughtfully. Aqua simply nodded. Suddenly, he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Luka! What are you doing? I just dried my eyes!"
she yelped, fresh tears soaking her cheeks.
"Can't help it you know—you're family. A sister's a sister."
With that he bolted out.
"Foolish bro"
Aqua murmured, turning to pack.