Kuus mother whispered to him.

  “You will be something powerful my darling, something of meaning, something beautiful.” She kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand.

  “I'm not like you, I'm scared…” He looked at his mothers frail, deteriorating face.

  “Kuu. I haven't told you this before… but now that I have not long to live. I shall.” Her words sounded horse, almost wheezing.

  “ Your father is not who he says he is. He's a monster my darling. You need to become a better king than he can ever be. Promise me!” The queen coughed and wheezed.

  “I…I promise mommy…”

  ☆☆☆

  His eyes snapped open. He could feel his heart thumping against his ribcage. It was just a dream. The same dream he's been having ever since that day, seven years ago. He got out of bed and walked over to his vanity. His golden colored eyes glowed back at him. He thought back to his dream, he would be making his mother either proud or disappointed in him. He was nervous about his coronation. Even though he's been to other events in the past. He's never had to rule over a whole kingdom, nor appear in front of the whole solar system.

  The royal families from each of the planets were already on their way to his kingdom. The family of earth showed up early and was given rooms to stay for the night. The people of the moon will be waiting, ready to see their fallen queens only son be crowned king. He wasn't ready for this responsibility, no matter what his advisors would say. He was still only seventeen, still not quite old enough to reign over an entire moon.

  His father, the king, got sick with the same fatal illness his mother had and was soon to be dead. Kuus advisors were relieved to hear how well he was doing in his studies and decided it was time. After getting dressed in his royal attire, Kuu stared at his bedroom door. Voices in his head warning him of the dangers of leaving the security and protections of his quarters. He took a breath, attempting to shush them, and opened the door. It revealed a long gray colored hallway, decorated with a royal blue colored rug and drapes with little crescent moons all over. Two knights stood on either side of the door, protecting the prince throughout the night. They bowed in his presence, surprised to see the prince out of his room this early in the day.

  He waved and made his way down the never ending hallway. As he walked, he looked at the Paintings of his family on the wall. Each member was given their own moon phase to represent them for their whole life. Then once they died someone else would take their phase and carry on the legacy. After he reached his Aunts painting he stopped and stared. She had a sad expression, but relaxed. Her short hair was a brighter shade of white than most of his family, same as his. She looked powerful. Her golden nameplate read:

  Lady Abylay : The Last Quarter moon.

  Kuu smiled and walked away from the portrait of his aunt. Wondering what moon phase he would be assigned.

  As he opened the doors to the throne room he saw his father sitting at the throne. His skin had a darker shade of white, almost gray.

  “Father,” Kuu greeted as he made his way to the throne and stood in front of the king. The king glared at Kuu, motioning for him to come stand by him. Kuu nervously crept towards the throne, its intimidating aura caused him to hesitate.

  “Coward... get over here… NOW!” His fathers booming voice rang across the room.

  Kuu didn't react to his tone, It was all too familiar. He stood beside his fathers throne and bent lower so he could hear the king. He spoke in tired wheezing breaths. Which caused Kuu to tremble, afraid of getting sick.

  “My son. Tonight is the night you will be chosen to lead this kingdom in my place. If you fail me, know that even from my grave you shall not be rid of me. You will lead the family name with pride and power. Do you understand fool?” Kuu gripped his arm as his father spoke. He could smell the decay on his breath. He took a step back, afraid of the sickness, but it didn't do any good.

  “Yes father. I won't disappoint you, not… not like mother did,” His nose stung as he mentioned her name.

  “Oh I know you won't. Do me proud and I will pass painlessly,” He patted his son's hand, causing Kuu to cringe at the dryness of the king's skin.

  “Yes father,” He made his way off the stairs that led to the thrones and headed for the door, happy he could finally leave.

  “Oh and son?”

  Kuu stopped and looked back at his father.

  “You will be engaged to the Princess Azalea of Earth. She is from a strong kingdom. I won't let your… tastes get in the way of a bright future, you may leave,” He shooed his son away.

  Kuu stared in shock at this news. Married? To Azalea? We get along, but how could I marry her? He nodded sheepishly at his father and left the room quickly. He could feel the panic brimming in his throat, he couldn't breath. He made his way to his bedroom and locked the door. Letting his emotions spill. Anxiously going through his vanity drawers, looking for his medicine, it would help him, his advisors said. He swung his bathroom door open and searched through everything. He eventually found it on top of the toilet and opened it, drinking the liquid in the vial. He sat on the floor and tried to calm down, breathing deeply. He covered his eyes and cried, tears spilling down his face. They looked like little stars, sparkling in the dark.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  ☆☆☆

  He sat there in a daze, cold and tired. It was about time for the coronation to start and he could barely feel anything. He felt numb. A knock at the door startled him and caused him to stand up.

  “Yes?” He made his way out of the bathroom and into his bedroom.

  “My prince, it's me Jericho, I'm here to get you ready for your crowning,” Kuu sighed in relief and unlocked the door, allowing his friend to enter.

  “Oh gods… you look terrible, are you feeling okay?” Kuu chuckled at Jericho's concern.

  “I'm okay,” The prince lied. “Let's just get this over with.”

  The servant nodded and helped Kuu into his ceremonial robes. The robes were a royal blue color with the different moon phases repeated in order on the outside inner lining from the bottom of the robe up to the hood and back down the other side. The soon to be king stared at himself in the mirror. Was this really him? He didn't know. He felt so hopeless, so confused. How would he rule a whole kingdom when he couldn't even rule over his own mind.

  “Are you ready?” Jericho patted the prince's shoulders reassuringly. Kuu was glaring at himself now, hating what he saw.

  “No. But I have to be,” Kuu turned and looked at the boy. Jericho led the prince down the hall to the ballroom. Kuu walked with fake confidence, wanting people to see the confident and determined prince that was told about in stories and legends. He could hear the sound of music echoing from the ballroom. Kuu took a breath, already feeling the anxiety broiling throughout his body.

  Jericho opened the heavy ballroom door for his dear friend, smiling softly. Royal families from all over the solar system looked over at the mysterious prince. He hasn't been seen by the public for six years. So people were dying to see what the young prince looked like now that he was grown. He walked down the long stairway, ignoring the eyes all over the room. His father stood at the otherside of the room holding the sacred ceremonial crown. The music stopped and people stood in an orderly fashion to watch Kuu walk down the aisle. He felt himself shaking as he walked. The silence felt so loud, he took a breath to calm himself. Once he reached his father he bowed, then held out his hands for the sacred orb and scepter. The king placed the objects in Kuus hands and started chanting.

  The prince turned around to face the audience, scanning the crowd. He could see every one of the royal families. Out of all of them, only one of the families caught his eye. The royal family of the sun. The most respected out of the other planets. He knew they had a son, but didnt know his name nor where he was at that moment. After his father finished chanting he took the objects from Kuu, who bowed once more. The crown was placed gently on his head, feeling as heavy as the burden it bore.

  “My son. Now it is time to be assigned your phase of the moon. Even though you will reign over all of them, there will be one you connect with more than you do the rest." There was a pause, of course for effect. Kuu breathed in.

  “You will be, the new moon, for the new century.” People clapped, joyously. But all Kuu could hear was his internalized screams of agony.

  ☆☆☆

  He stood at the balcony and cried his star-like tears. He knew deep down he would fail his people. He knew he would fail this marriage. He knew he would fail everything. Interrupting his dreadful thoughts, the balcony door opened.

  “That was some coronation. How do you feel?” The sudden voice startled Kuu, who wiped his tears and turned to face the gentleman behind him. He was surprised to see the dear prince of the radiant ball of fire in the middle of his galaxy.

  “Ah the prince of the sun. what brings you out here?” Kuu bowed as he greeted the prince. The sun prince smiled at Kuu and stood by him, looking out at the stars.

  “I should be asking you the same thing, my king. I am Heliodoro. But you may call me Helio.” Kuu found himself grinning at the prince’s boldness.

  “Ah, I see. Well my prince, you caught me, I needed some space from everyone. I'm not much of a king you might say...”

  “I see, is that why you were crying?” Helio whispered, Concerned.

  “I just got overwhelmed, nothing to worry about.” Kuu let go of the railing, getting ready to go back inside.

  “My king, if I may, May I accompany you on a walk around the courtyard. Just to give us both some time to catch our breaths.” Kuu stopped walking and chuckled lightly.

  “A bold question to ask a king, Prince Helio.” The sun prince smiled at the young king's new found humor.

  “Is that a yes my king?” Helio asked one more time, offering his hand.

  “I suppose so.” Kuu took Helio’s hand and the two went back inside and snuck out through a side entrance of the ball, heading to the yard. They walked along the fountain that was set in the middle of the courtyard, Kuus’ crown placed on a nearby bench.

  “You're quite radiant, my king.” Heliodoro stared at his majesty, almost like the moon was just in front of him, almost close enough to touch.

  “You think so?” Kuu blushed softly, charmed.

  “I know so, I've seen your moon pass by over and over again, I've always wanted to visit. I wanted to see what the prince from the stories was truly like.” Helio moved closer to Kuu, now standing right infront of him.

  “And how was I described?” Kuu questioned boldly, also moving closer.

  “As brave, kind, intelligent, …but also sad and distant from his people.” Kuu found his hands intertwined with his partners.

  “Well the last two are true.” the king chuckled, almost half-heartedly. Helio moved one of his hands to Kuus cheek, gently stroking it with his thumb.

  “Those feelings are what make you so mesmerizing, my king. The act of feeling melancholic is no crime.” They looked deeply at each other. Both of them were engaged to other royal families, nevertheless, they showed to be such a perfect pair. But even so, Kuu knew it could not be. He teared up and moved out of Helios hold.

  “I'm sorry, I…We can't do this, this isn't right.” Kuu stepped off the fountain and headed back to the bench to retrieve his crown. Hiding the fact of tears trickling down his face. His hands shook as he placed the crown upon his head.

  “What? What's wrong?” Helio followed his dear love, horribly worried, “I didn't mean to offend you my star…”

  “I’m engaged Heliodoro… and so are you, We have our own responsibilities.” The realization hit the two. They knew that they could never be together. A sun, a beacon of life and joy, and a moon, only to be adored by creatures of the night. Heliodoro frowned, but he understood what the young king was saying. The prince took the king's hand once more and kissed it gently.

  “Maybe one day then my star… I will wait for you.” Helio whispered, then kissed Kuus cheek.

  “Maybe in another life….” They both shared a short, bittersweet kiss. A kiss full of both love and sadness.

  They went their separate ways that night and never spoke again. Both lead their kingdoms well throughout the years, marrying their wives and having children. But all through the years they never forgot one another, longing for a life that they could never experience. Knowing It would destroy the balance of nature.